INTRO TO OCEANOGRAPHY - FINAL EXAM
May 13 2008 – due on May 22 2008 by midnight, email or hard copy
UNDERSTANDING THE GLOBAL OCEAN AND COAST ECOSYSTEMS AND
APPLYING THE ECOSYSTEM BASED MANAGEMENT APPROACH
INTEGRATING THE FIVE ASPECTS OF THE INTRO TO OCEANOGRAPHY
(please see the review class ppt):
A)
B)
C)
D)
E)
GEOLOGICAL
PHYSICAL
CHEMICAL
BIOLOGICAL, and
ANTHROPOGENIC (human impacts)
The area of the Final Exam’s interest is the Gulf of Maine, and more specifically
Georges Bank and Stellwagen Bank.
All 10 questions have to be answered in detail with references cited, any plagiarism
will be resulting in F grade; each question has an equal value of 10 points, therefore,
total exam has 100 points, or 25% of your final grade (please refer to the current
syllabus on the web site).
1. Gulf of Maine – please describe the geological formation of the area, specifically
addressing the continental shelf and its present seascape/benthic characteristics;
2. Describe the ocean circulation patterns in the Gulf of Maine. Please specifically
address the directions of the warm and cold currents – both the vertical and horizontal
patterns;
3. Is there any mixing between the warm and cold currents? Where and why? Why is
it important? (upwelling or downwelling?)
4. Describe some similarities and differences between Georges Bank and Stellwagen
Bank (consider geological aspects, bathymetry and ocean bottom shapes and
seascapes, as well as human activities in this areas, this will lead you to the next
questions)
5. Why are these Banks one of the richest fisheries areas in the USA? Specify the
geological, physical, chemical and biological circumstances for this high biological
production area.
6. What happened to the fish stocks on Georges Bank? Why and when did this
happen?
7. What happened and why to the Atlantic Cod species population and fisheries?
Please describe what does it mean the Ecosystem Based Management?
INTRO TO OCEANOGRAPHY - FINAL EXAM
May 13 2008 – due on May 22 2008 by midnight, email or hard copy
8. What would you do to improve the Atlantic Cod population in the Gulf of Maine?
Please offer and explain your 2-3 suggestion, provide references as well.
9. Why are the New England coastal ecosystems rated as in poor condition (please
refer to the US coastal conditions lecture)?
10. Stellwagen National Sanctuary Draft Management Plan – please review the
summary and provide up to five of your suggestions for what needs to be improved in
this National Marine Sanctuary. For example – What human activities and uses are
presently occurring in the Sanctuary? Which activities would you consider to limit
and why?
Bonus Point:
Based on your work and effort throughout this course, what grade do you think you
deserve in this class?
THANK YOU!
&
Have a wonderful summer!