LRES 110, Land Resources & Environmental Science

The final exam will be a class discussion on the questions below. Choose a question, do some research so that you can contribute some facts (numbers, scientific research results) associated with the question, and be able to identify what you think are the 3 most important disciplines that could contribute to an assessment of the question. Be prepared to share your information on the question in the discussion during the final exam period. You will be called on to contribute. Write your information as a set of bullets on one page that can be submitted at the time of the final for your final exam grade worth 100 points. You should spend 1 to 2 hours researching and preparing your bullet information sheet. Your information should primarily come from the materials presented in class or on field trips.

Questions:

1. What is the impact of an invasive weed (leafy spurge) on ecosystem function in Montana? Provide scientific facts to support your answer.
2. How would climate change, as a result of increased atmospheric carbon, effect agriculture in Montana? Provide scientific facts to support your answer.
3. What factors are most critical in determining the success of industrial waste area reclamation around Anaconda, Montana?
4. Suggest and provide scientific support information for some possible approaches to solve the Gulf of Mexico hypoxia problem.
5. Identify the pros and cons, from a scientific point of view, of microbiology prospecting in Yellowstone Park.
6. What projects would you suggest for MSU students interested in advancing land resource management and environmental sciences through the proposed "Crop Explorer Research and Education Satellite (CERES) Mission"? (start by using the proposal distributed in class)