Exploring human-environment interactions on Mason’s Fairfax campus focusing on Human-Aquatic life in Mason Pond and streams wildlife conflict

  1) Title—Select an illustrative title (0.5 points)
2) Name—Write your name
3) Photo—Take one or more photos of a campus socio-ecological system interaction that you are
describing. For example, if it is a soda machine where people are “harvesting” aluminum cans of
soda, take a photo of the soda machine. The interaction might also be between actors and/or
governance institutions in regards to a resource. Include the photo(s) in your Blackboard
submission. (1 point)
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4) Formatting—Use clearly identified subtitles for each section of your essay, designated: 1
Interactions, 2-Resources, 3-Actors and Governance, 4-Social/Cultural/Economic/Political
Settings/Related Ecosystems, 5-Analysis, 6-Recommendations. (1 point)
5) Interaction(s)—Describe the interaction(s) that are the topic of your map addition. For
example, use of resources/harvesting, communication between actors/organizations, or
monitoring of use. For a list of types of interactions, see page 5 of the rubric. (2 points)
6) Resource characteristics—Describe the characteristics of the resource systems and/or units,
e.g. the environmental side of the interaction. What aspect of the environment is involved? How?
What are some of the critical ecological factors? See the list of 2nd tier variables on page 5 of the
rubric. Cite at least one academic source supporting your description (in addition to any course
readings cited). (2 points)
7) Actor/governance characteristics—Describe the characteristics of the governance systems
and/or actors, e.g. the human side of the interaction. Who is involved? What political
institutions? How are they involved? What might be some of the drivers? Cite at least one
academic source supporting your description (in addition to any course readings cited). (2 points)
8) Social/cultural/economic/political settings or related ecosystems—Do any of the following
play a role? [Social context] Cultural factors, economic development, demographic trends,
political stability, resource policies, market incentives, media organization; [Related ecosystems]
Climate patterns, pollution patterns, ecological flows in/out of the SES. (2 point)
9) Analysis—What are the outcomes of this interaction on humans and the environment? (2
points)
10) Recommendations—What could we do differently at Mason? How might we spur change?
Think about your readings on systems change in particular. Cite at least one academic source
supporting your description (in addition to any course readings cited). (2 points)
11) If relevant—Is the university acting on this issue? State any actions that are already
underway or have been taken by the university. (1 point)
12) Citations—Include at least three academic sources in regards to the elements and dynamics
of the socio-ecological system you are describing. While you are encouraged to also cite
readings from class, you must cite at least three additional sources that are not in the syllabus. (3
points)
13) Citation formatting—Use in-text citation and references to enable the reader to easily find
the sources you cite. APA style is preferred, but not required. (0.5 points)