Discussion #5
Order Description
Answer the question from the file I provided. Please don't write it too professional. I attended a word file that how I writing style is, please try to follow it.
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DISCUSSION #5 QUESTIONS FEBRUARY 7, 2017
This assignment consists of 5 questions (5 points each) + 1 bonus question (3 points), plus three additional
questions requesting information on collaboration, and comments on the choice of topic and the format of
the discussion session. Answers should be submitted in Canvas by 11 pm on Friday, February 10.
All questions are accompanied by a description of the characteristics of strong answers. It is expected that
strong answers to these questions will contain perhaps two to five sentences amounting to about 25-100
words and will perhaps cite passages from the media article in explanation or justification. They will also
address all parts of the question and include numerical data from the articles whenever appropriate. All
questions should be answered in your own choice of words.
1. Prior to the study by Obermeier et al. what was the accepted view on the plant response to increasing
atmospheric CO2 in terms of physiological changes how they should allow plants to tolerate
environmental changes? (5 points; a strong answer will describe the nature of the response in plants to
elevated atmospheric CO2 and how it enables plants to use water efficiently.)
2. What results from Obermeier et al. now change this paradigm, and what limitations does it suggest
regarding the ability of plants to continue to thrive under increased levels of atmospheric CO2? (5 points;
a strong answer will describe the general characteristics of the conditions needed for a plant to provide
a greater response with increased atmospheric CO2 and the limitations on this response.)
3. The commentary identifies two aspects of the study by Obermeier et al. that were crucial to its success.
Summarize these two features and explain how they contributed to the significance of the study? (5
points; a strong answer will identify the critical characteristics of the experiments that are the basis for
the study by Obermeier et al. noting the particular features that distinguish them from other studies.)
4. What role does the terrestrial biosphere play in mitigating climate change and why is it important to
understand its role in the uptake and emission of CO2? (5 points; a strong answer will explain the
importance of the terrestrial biosphere as both a sink and source for CO2 and how well these processes
have been quantified prior to the study by Arneth et al.)
5. What new results from the study by Arneth et al. help to better constraint understanding of the role of
the terrestrial biosphere in the carbon cycle, specifically its effect on atmospheric CO2? (5 points; a
strong answer will emphasize how an understanding of the effects of changes in land use lead to a
reassessment of how anthropogenic activities affect emissions of CO2 from terrestrial vegetation.)
Bonus question: Describe either how the two separate studies could be linked in a media article that
explains the connections between these new insights about anthropogenic perturbations of the terrestrial
carbon cycle or how further research augmenting either study would help confirm their importance? (3
bonus points. A strong answer will provide evidence of connections or specific suggestions for future
studies that would enhance the understanding of these critical factors in understanding the relationship
between terrestrial vegetation and CO2.)
Collaboration: Please provide the names of students with whom you collaborated during the group
discussions of this assignment.
Discussion Session Topic: Please comment on the content of the session and whether the discussion
elucidated the topic. For example, was the topic considered in sufficient depth during the discussion
session. Were there parts of this topic that you had difficulty understanding? Were concerns or questions
you had addressed during the session? Was the nature and significance of the articles examined
addressed effectively? Please give specific details in your comments about the theme of the discussion.
Discussion Session Format: Please comment on the format of the discussion session and its effectiveness.
For example, was this discussion session beneficial to your learning? Did the format of the discussion
make for an informative class session and effective learning? Were you able to contribute to the
discussions in your group? Was there sufficient time for evaluation and discussion of the articles and did
you feel prepared to answer the questions after the session? Please give specific details in your comments
on the format of the discussion.