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Global change and the global carbon cycle: A critical thinking exercise

Conference · · Bulletin of the Ecological Society of America; (United States)
OSTI ID:7264604
;  [1]
  1. Univ. of Montana, Missoula, MT (United States)
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The increasing concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and its probable impact on climate is receiving considerable attention in the press. Most biology students are aware of the increase of atmospheric CO[sub 2] and of some of its possible consequences (e.g., global warming). This activity enhances their understanding of global warming and of the carbon cycle. Students are asked to balance carbon sources and sinks using information about carbon fluxes from the scientific literature. To relate the increased CO[sub 2] and global warming to their personal lives, we ask them to explore the impact of CO[sub 2]-induced rise in global temperature on the corn agroecosystem of the United States. Finally, students are asked to think about (1) human impact on this cycle; (2) how we might mitigate problems associated with increased greenhouse gases; and (3) to consider a variety of potential impacts (e.g., aesthetic, health, economic) resulting from their proposed solutions.

OSTI ID:
7264604
Report Number(s):
CONF-940894--
Journal Information:
Bulletin of the Ecological Society of America; (United States), Journal Name: Bulletin of the Ecological Society of America; (United States) Vol. 75:2; ISSN BECLAG; ISSN 0012-9623
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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Related Subjects

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
290200 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Economics & Sociology
560300 -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology
560400* -- Other Environmental Pollutant Effects
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
AGRICULTURE
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
CARBON COMPOUNDS
CARBON DIOXIDE
CARBON OXIDES
CEREALS
CHALCOGENIDES
CLIMATIC CHANGE
DEVELOPED COUNTRIES
ECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
GLOBAL ASPECTS
GRAMINEAE
GREENHOUSE EFFECT
INSTITUTIONAL FACTORS
LILIOPSIDA
MAGNOLIOPHYTA
MAIZE
NORTH AMERICA
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PLANTS
SOCIO-ECONOMIC FACTORS
USA