Explanation should include how land used for agriculture, industry, and commercial development affects the environment and ecosystems in terms of

• sedimentation
• nutrient load
• air quality
• plant life
• wildlife
• aquatic plant life
• animal life
• macroinvertebrates
• fisheries
• loss of farmland
• urban heat island effects and stormwater runoff modeling.

Process/Skill Questions:

• What are the effects of sedimentation?
• What steps are currently being taken by land developers to limit harmful effects on the environment, and how effective are these steps?
• How have agricultural practices evolved to lessen adverse effects on the environment?
• What types of development are most detrimental to the environment and ecosystems?
• What methods can be used to mitigate adverse impacts caused by land development?