3-1
Figure 4-20 contains a map of ecoregions of the world. Which of Earth’s ecoregions are you located in? Give one example of an ecosystem in your area, one example of a specific food chain within that ecosystem, and examples of three different trophic levels within that ecosystem.
Are humans doing anything to destroy or preserve your biome? Are you personally doing anything to destroy or preserve your biome?
3-2
Whether we realize it or not, each of us affects the natural resources around us. Use a search engine of your choice to find a global or ecological footprint calculator. Input your personal information into the calculator. Report your results to this discussion.
Then discuss which activities you are engaged in that contribute most to your footprint. Give examples of what you personally can do to decrease your footprint.
4-1
We discuss migration this week. It is likely that your family has migrated at some point in the past. Do some family ancestry research and tell your classmates if your family moved from one country to another in your family’s history. If you are unsure of your family’s background, choose a historic migration wave to the United States. Describe some of the likely push or pull factors that brought families from that location to the United States.
• What are the modern push and pull factors bringing in people here?
• Are they the same as your family’s or the historical migrations wave’s reasons or are they different?
You might find the Population Reference Bureau site helpful as it discusses with the history of immigration in the United States.
4-2
Population pyramids are useful visual tools for demonstrating a country’s current and future population issues. Choose a country and search the Internet to find the population pyramid for that country.
• Describe the population pyramid to your classmates using terminology from your textbook.
• What are some population issues that the country is facing or will face based on the population pyramid?
• How does that compare with the population pyramid from your own country?
Sample Solution