The document discusses the complexities of solving environmental problems, emphasizing the intricate interrelationships within ecosystems and the trade-offs involved in decision-making. It outlines key environmental issues across various U.S. regions, highlighting the economic and ecological challenges they face. Additionally, it addresses the conflicts arising from differing perceptions of environmental issues and the necessity of compromise to achieve solutions.

1. Environmental Science
“Answer the Question of Chapter I”
Instructor: Chea Leng, Msc
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Name: Roeun Nakry
ID: 41669
Class: Prasat Lolei
Time: 9:30-11:00am

2. Answer
1. Describe that finding solutions to environmental problems is so difficult: as you know
that, from a human perspective, environmental issues involve concerns about science,
nature, health, employment, profits, politics, ethics, and economics. Most social and
political decisions are made with respect to political jurisdictions, but environmental
problems do not necessarily coincide with these artificial political boundaries. One of the
reasons that finding solutions to environmental problems is so difficult is that since there
are so many of them, a lot of things that we do to help one just negatively affect another.
Take for instance an example where we want to put in a solar energy field in order to
lessen our dependence on fossil fuels. This requires us to either clear an area of land
(affecting the problem with deforestation and habitat loss) or finds a large open field
(which could have been used for another purpose and negatively affects its ecosystem).
There are just so many problems and solutions, but there aren't enough resources to
perform them, or we are hurting another area by solving one problem.
Yes! I think that it has always been as complicated.
2. Describe the meaning of an ecosystem approach to environmental problem solving: As
you probably know, environmental problems are quite diverse. Likewise, the solutions to
those problems. An ecosystem approach typically involves understanding the
interrelationship between different aspects of an ecosystem, and how what may seem like
a solution to one problem could likely be detrimental to other aspects. In short, it involves
taking into account all affected aspects of the ecosystem, and hopefully finding a solution
that does not negatively impact any individual aspect, or at least has as little a negative
effect as possible. This is the right approach.
3. List two key environmental issues for each of the following regions: No region is free of
environment concerns. Most regions tend to focus on specific, local environmental issues
that apply directly to them.
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 Wilderness North:
 These areas have important economic values in their trees, animals, scenery, and
other natural resources.
 Resources exploitation involves significant trade-offs as these ecosystems
are sensitive to insults and take a long time to repair damage caused by
exploitation.

3.  Many short-term political and economic decisions have failed to look at
long-term environment implications.
 Native peoples in these areas are sensitive to changes in land use or government
policy that would force changes in traditional ways of life.
 Increasingly sophisticated in negotiations.
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 Agricultural Middle:
 Middle of North America is dominated by intensive agriculture.
 Original, natural ecosystems have been replaced by managed agriculture.
 Tremendous economic value.
 Mostly private land- large economic risks.
 Major non-point pollution source
 Soil erosion and groundwater contamination
 Fertilizer and Pesticides
 Dry West:
 Characterized by area where rainfall is inadequate for agriculture, but adequate
enough to allow livestock production.
 Because much of western U.S. is of low economic value, most is still controlled
by U.S government.
 Encourages use by providing cheap water for livestock and irrigation,
cheap grazing fees, and access for industrial development.
 As cities grow, conflict arises between urban dwellers and ranchers and farmers.
 Increased demand will result in shortages and resulting trade-off decisions
 Low population density areas tend towards wilderness character.
Economic livestock and wildness preservation.
 Forested West:
 Government and commercial timber companies own large sections of land.
 Historically, much f this timber has been sold at a loss.
 In 1993, USFS directed to stop below-cost timber sales.
 Timber officials claim access to public land is necessary to remain in
business and support the economy; conservationists argue ecological and
intangible values outweigh economic value.
 Northern Spotted Owl has become a symbol of conflict between logging
and preservation.

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 Great Lakes and Industrial Northeast:
 Great Lakes and Northeast are dominated by large metropolitan complexes with
large, complex resource demands.
 Many older cities have declined, leaving behind abandoned sites and
environmental problems.
 One of the greatest problems is water contamination from toxic material.
 Bioaccumulation in food chain.
 Fish Advisories
 South:
 Microcosm of all other regions.
 Extremely rapid population growth in some areas such as coastal regions
 Pockets of extreme poverty.
4. Definition of environment and ecosystem and provide examples f these term:
 Environment: is those things all living and nonliving that surrounding us including the
cultural activities of human. Ex: Tables, books, trees, pen, airs……
 Ecosystem: is a region in which the organisms and the physical environment form an
interacting unit. Ex: Weather affects plants, plants use minerals in the soil and affect
animals, animals spread plant seeds, plants secure the soil and plants evaporate water,
which affects weather.
5. Describe environmental issue conflicts are solved:
Environmental problems are defined by the person who perceives the problem. When
perceptions differ, conflict occurs. Environmental decisions inevitably involve economic
consequences because someone is receiving value from the resources being used or
someone perceives an economic loss because a use has been withdrawn.
 Some argue that economic consequences should not be important when making
environmental decisions; others argue that economic considerations can resolve
all environmental issues.
 Some argue that regulation is necessary to protect resources; others argue that
regulation hinders valuable use of resources.
 Some consider nonhuman organisms as important humans; others feel that
humans have a primary place in nature.
 Some are against change; others recognize that change must occur if negative
consequences are to be prevented.

5.  Some believe that environmental responsibility rests on each decision maker,
whether at home, in the workplace, or in the community. Each hour and dollar the
consumer spends involves environmental consequences.
With all these differing opinions, compromise is the only way to resolve the conflicts.
6. This question, I can’t answer teacher. I’m sorry.
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