"Abiotic Agent" Assignment (2009)
Pick a specific pollution/global change/ decline topic that is of some interest to you (hopefully there is one). The report should adequately describe the agent (i.e. source, chemical formations/reactions, concentrations now found in our environment), impact on forest trees (i.e. impairs photosynthesis, root development, etc.) and potential economic/social impact. The report need not be 'BC based' - i.e. you could cover the impact of the Industrial Revolution on forests in Europe (if you could find citable sources). Your paper has to focus on an aspect that we have NOT covered in class. Therefore if you want to pick acid rain, then your paper would cover aspects not detailed in class. Conversely you can pick a new agent that we have not covered in class, a few examples follow:
 | ozone (O3) |
| photochemical smog / PAN - peroxy-acetyl nitrate |
| acid rain |
| particulates - from the combustion of coal (and other petrol fuels) |
| salt - essentially road salt in an urban setting |
| SO2 - from burning coal (for energy or smelting/refining) |
| greenhouse gases (global warming) |
| Waldsterben - forest decline in Europe |
| Yellow cedar decline - in the PNW |
| other forest declines |
Those are just a few ideas. Make your topic as specific as possible or you will not be able to address it adequately in a short paper. If you are unsure of your topic send me an email.
Your report should be 1,000-1,500 words and contain images, diagrams, tables, as appropriate. It is expected that you have at least five cited sources. Be sure to properly cite your sources. Helpful hints are provided for citing sources.
Email your report to doug.corrin@viu.ca
Example of a figure with the source cited. Note that the "in-text" citation is a "live link". The full citation would of course have full details.
Source: http://www.na.fs.fed.us/spfo/pubs/howtos/ht_pinewilt/pinewilt.htm