Problem 2
In the early 1990s, Miguel Sanchez, a subsistence farmer in Costa Rica, was offered \(\$ 600,000\) by a hotel developer for a piece of land that he and his family had been using sustainably for many years. The land contained an old- growth rain forest and a black sand beach in an area under rapid development. Sanchez refused the offer. What would you have done if you were in Miguel Sanchez's position? Explain your decision.
Problem 3
There is controversy over whether Yellowstone National Park in the United States should be accessible by snowmobile during winter. Conservationists and backpackers. who use cross-country skis or snowshoes for excursions in the park during winter, are opposed to this idea. They contend that snowmobiles are noisy, pollute the air, and can destroy vegetation and disrupt some of the park's wildlife. Proponents say that snowmobiles should be allowed so that snowmobilers can enjoy the park during winter when cars are mostly banned. They point out that new snowmobiles are made to cut pollution and noise. A proposed compromise plan would allow no more than 950 of these new machines into the park per day, only on roads, and primarily on guided tours. What is your view on this issue? Explain.
Problem 4
In 2007, environmental analyst Lester R. Brown estimated that reforesting the earth and restoring the earth's degraded rangelands would cost about \(\$ 15\) billion a year. Suppose the United States, the world's most affluent country, agreed to put up half this money, at an average annual cost of \(\$ 25\) per American. Would you support doing this? Explain.
Problem 5
Should developed countries provide most of the money needed to help preserve the remaining tropical forests in developing countries? Explain.
Problem 6
Are you in favor of establishing more wilderness areas in the United States, especially in the lower 48 states (or in the country where you live)? Explain. What might be some drawbacks of doing this?
Problem 8
You are a defense attorney arguing in court for sparing a large area of tropical rain forest from being cut down. Give your three strongest arguments for the defense of this ecosystem. If you had to choose between sparing a tropical rain forest and sparing a coral reef of about the same size, which one would you try to save? Explain.
Problem 9
Congratulations! You are in charge of the world. List the three most important features of your policies for using and managing (a) forests, (b) grasslands, (c) nature reserves such as parks and wildlife refuges, (d) biological hotspots, and (e) the world's aquatic biodiversity and ecosystem services.
Problem 10
List two questions that you would like to have answered as a result of reading this chapter.
