Assignment 3 [ SCI 112 ] - Planet Earth PDF

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This course examines the core topics in environmental science and how environmental science informs sustainability, environmental policies, economics, and personal choices. Students will learn principles from the sciences of ecology and toxicology to study the relationships between living organis...

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Planet Earth Worksheet

Planet Earth II - Cities 1. In many ways, cities are ideal ecosystems for Langkur monkeys. Describe four differences between those that live in the cities versus the forests.

a. Monkeys have a special relationship with Humans, so much that Humans willingly feed them since the Langkur monkey are associated to a religious figure in India versus Having to scavenge for food everyday in order to feed themselves and their population. b. The tall buildings allow the monkeys to easily travel throughout the city in a comfortable way while avoiding traffic versus traveling through trees in the tropical climates where potential predators can spot them. c. The Langkur monkeys have plenty of time to play and reproduce since they aren’t surrounded by competitive species versus Constantly looking out for potential dangers or harm to their species. d. Large city lights keep their comfort zone well lit, which allows them to have longer days instead of relying on sunlight versus Living in a dark jungle where their days are shorter and they can’t spot dangers as easily.

2. Describe two reasons why cities are ideal habitats for peregrine falcons. A- High rise buildings give the illusion of tall trees away from predators, while still collecting food and reproducing. B- Since cities grant the peregrine falcons’ prey a fulfilling diet, the peregrine falcons can rely on fulfilling and nutritious food to sustain their diets in a new habitat.

3. Explain why some cities have become ideal hunting grounds for leopards. The typical prey for leopards rely on their own scavenging for food; the prey in the cities (hogs for example) rely on their human owners for consistent feeding. These two diets and lifestyles make the typical prey thinner and less nutrios compared to livestock found in the city.

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Planet Earth Worksheet

Therefore, a leopard is likely to consider and act on the risk of hunting in cities for a meal that is less likely to be prepared to run away. 4. Why do European starlings prefer to nest in cities such as Rome? The European starlings are comfortable with constructing their nests in Rome because the climate is favorable to them. The warmth of the city, lack of predators, and the favorable diets can be granted in Rome. 5. How has living in the city affected the mating behaviors of the Great Bowerbird? Living in the city has provided the Great Bowerbird with a large selection of litter which they then collect and use to adorn their nest. This can be challenging since the collected litter isn’t always effective when selected to attract a mate into a nest. The purpose of building a nest as a male is to provide the females with a reliable mate who can give her and her future offspring a home. Using litter to attract females has been commonly considered by using bright colors. 6. Describe a way that urban raccoons are different from ones in unpopulated areas.

Urban raccoons have more solution orientated skills that exist to help them efficiently and safely exist within the city. The film viewed in class showed the mother raccoon having to climb high heights to build her home, and then carry her babies down to educate them on how to be selfsufficient. Unlike raccoons in unpopulated areas, they rely on the litter and waste of the neighboring humans. Additionally, they rely on the construction and city lights to guide them to a safe space.

7. What is the food source of Rhesus monkeys in India? The Rhesus monkeys often rely on tourists and locals for food in order to meet their dietary needs. They often prefer the food with the most nutritional value; and because there are so many of them, it is hard to access it. They use the natural environment to harvest fruit, the trees to find insects and seeds, but they are often best rewarded by scavenging the cities for street markets, litter, and the occasional thievery. 8. How is the behavior of the spotted hyenas in the city different than in the savanna? The behavior of the spotted hyenas in cities draws them to easily find prey that is well fed from the diet available in cities. However, the spotted hyena develops behaviors of consciousness around the human populations and their loud machinery. The hyenas who live in the savanna often work in packs to successfully catch prey. The lack of litter and tourism makes their prey’s diet less fulfilling and appetizing. The spotted hyenas however do not fear the possible interactions with humans, but instead their behavior is more about cautiousness from other predators.

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Planet Earth Worksheet

9. Describe how the behavior of both pigeons and catfish have changed as they have colonized cities. Previously, wild pigeons relied on their hunting and gathering skills to collect wheat, oats, and other carbs or small insects to fulfill their dietary needs. The current behavior of pigeons in colonized cities has been to rely on the improper disposal of garbage in great quantities. Plenty of littering, bird feeding and outdoor eating has accumulated to the variety of food a pigeon has access to. The catfish on the other hand have found alternatives to their diet that isn’t directly dependent on humans; instead they benefit from the well fed pigeons as their new food source. Initially, catfish’ diet consisted of fish, insects, curstrations, and plants among other things in the wild. Due to overfishing, and illegal dumping in their homes, they have begun to seek alternatives: pigeons. Pigeons who bathe, congregate and relax along waterways become the new prey for the omnivores.

10. The difference between light and day is less perceptible in cities. How has this impacted the hawksbill turtles? When the eggs of the hawksbill turtles are laid in the sand, the intention is to have them hatch as close to the water as possible to make their travel into their new home easily accessible. The bright city lights however are distracting them from the glimmering water reflecting the moonlight. 11. Some cities are now using urban planning techniques that incorporate nature. Describe two shown at the end of the documentary. A- Creating rooftop gardens/ forests to give the wildlife in urban areas a proper chance for survival. B- Developing efficient methods that still serve out artictetal needs without harming the neighboring wildlife.

SCI 112 01 Planet Earth Worksheet

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