Unit 8 Bronze

Question 1

Summarize the riparian rights doctrine & prior appropriations doctrine

(What’s the different)

Answer 1

Riparian Rights

Riparian owner can use water adjacent to their land as long as it doesn’t interfere with other riparian owner uses

If your land is more up stream, then you get to use the water first

You should return the water less

(based on land)

Prior appropriations —————–

Granted based on if the water is being used for a beneficial use. Unlike riparian, it is not tied with land ownership

“first come, first serve”
The earliest user has the superior rights

If drought occurrs. Senior Appropriators can continue to use the water however they want, while Junior appropriators may get none

Question 2

Explain how you would set up water rights for your state

Answer 2

I would utilize a Hybrid of both the Prior appropriation and Riparian rights doctrine

Under the hybrid
The Reasonable Use Doctrine would overrule the Beneficial use doctrine

Landowners would be granted the Reasonable use Doctrine from the riparian rights doctrine, but they can only use the water if it does not interfere with reasonable uses of other riparian owners and rights of the public.

To determine if the use is “reasonable” courts evaluate the interests of the landowner and society as a whole

Like the Prior Appropriation Doctrine, failure to reasonably use the water will result in loss of water right.

Furthermore (again like the prior appropriation doctrine)
No more and no less water will be given to the landowner than necessary to accomplish the reasonable use

Question 3

Prioritize who should get water in the event of a drought

Answer 3

Irrigation for agriculture
Wildlife
Cities
Hydroelectric power
Other
Recreation

Question 4

Debate info or possible arguments

Question 5

Explain why kolas are particularly vulnerable to habitat loss

Answer 5

They can only rely on eucalyptus trees for food, shelter, etc. Because they need this very specific condition to survive, they are vulnerable to habitat loss.

Question 6

Describe how habitat destruction can occur

Answer 6

Can occur through degradation, destruction and fragmentation

Question 7

Explain the difference between habitat degradation and habitat fragmentation

Answer 7

Degradation is a reduction in the quality of a habitat. Occurs when pollution, invasive species, etc. disrupts the ecosystem’s ability to support wildlife.

Fragmentation is the breaking apart of a habitat into smaller areas. (caused by building road in the middle of a habitat, etc.) This may make the habitat to small to sustain wildlife. Additionally, it may force animals to travel between “patches of habitat” and put them in front of harmful obstacles.

Question 8

Explain why habitat fragmentation is challenging for animals

Answer 8

Fragmentation may make the habitat to small to sustain wildlife. It also may force animals to travel between “patches of habitat” and make them encounter harmful obstacles.

Question 9

Describe the advantages for supermarkets using plastic bags.

Answer 9

Cheaper
Required less work from employees
Durable, waterproof, and light

Question 10

Explain why most curbside recycling programs do not accept plastic bags

Answer 10

Plastic bags clog machinery for recycling heavier plastics therefore, most curbside recycling programs do not accept plastic bags.

Question 11

Explain what biodegrade means and how long it takes for plastic bags to biodegrade

Answer 11

Biodegrade means to break down naturally. It takes plastic bags 1,000 years to biodegrade

Question 12

Explain how plastic bags can harm wildlife

Answer 12

Plastic bags can choke and trap animals (or they could mistake it for food) which cause said animals to die