Issues in Ecology
Background: Throughout the world there are numerous environmental problems resulting from human population pressure on local natural resources. A large proportion of ecological research is dedicated to finding solutions to these issues.
Objectives: Upon completing this assignment, you should be able to describe in-depth an ecological issue, including at least two different perspectives, and how this issue is representative of other similar issues.
Procedure: Pick an ecological crisis anywhere in the world that has attracted significant attention. Explain the history of the event including how the situation reached a crisis point. Document as many sides of the situation as possible and include the resolution, if any was reached, of the crisis. If there was no resolution, speculate on how the crisis may be resolved in the future.
Example topics include:
• Northern spotted owl habitat vs. logging interests in Pacific Northwest
• Battle over water rights for farmers or wild fish in Southern Oregon
• Fresh water use for development or conservation of the Everglades in South Florida