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BOOK
ASSIGNMENT:
Tracking the Vanishing Frogs
Book assignments
may be done individually or in groups of no more than three people. If
working in a group, all of you should read the book, and have thought
about the answers before you meet and finalize the answers. All group
assignments must be signed by hand by each of the members of the group.
The signatures denote the agreement of the group that all members participated
in the preparation of the answers. All group members receive the same
grade.
Tracking
the Vanishing Frogs is intended primarily to give you an idea of the
process of science, its involvement and relation to the understanding
of complex environmental problems, the premises of the scientific method,
the differences between science and action, and the adequacy of science
in helping us make environmental decisions. In addition, this book has
clear and concise descriptions of many environmental phenomena including
global climate change, stratospheric ozone depletion, and loss of biodiversity.
Read and make careful notes in order to help you understand the book fully.
Questions:
- (a) In
a paragraph or so, describe the history and main clauses of the Endangered
Species Act.
(b)
Find the names of two endangered species in your state? What causes
would you attribute to this endangerment?
- Use
specific examples from the book to discuss the following with respect
to how it may help or hinder progress in averting species extinction.
(Cite the pages that form the source of your examples.)
(a) the role of statistics in scientific evidence.
(b) establishing a cause of what is observed.
- Describe
the chain of events that led to the extinction (or suspected extinction)
of one of the frog populations described in the book. Draw a clear concept
map to accompany this description.
- What
are the main lessons you carry away from this book? What were some of
the surprises for you?
- Name
any animal populations that have become extinct in your lifetime.
Go
to Tracking the Vanishing Frogs Supplement
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