the Coursework Questions Based on the Book

Leopold’s Explanation of Burning Wood

Leopold was explaining the process of burning the log. The term “sunlight” refers to the bright flames produced when wood burns in the open air. Because of the inclusion of wood and rearranged oxygen atoms, there is a chemical transition that occurs.

Distinct Wavelengths of Light

As a result of the chemical elements present, distinct wavelengths of light can imitate sunlight when the wood is burnt. The presence of organic material made up of wood atoms causes the flame’s hue to be red rather than blue. Only the blaze nearest to the piece of wood has a blue-white color combination.

Leopold’s Discussion on Dead Trees

Leopold discusses the manner in which the dead trees become part of the animal that is living at the end. By this he meant that the dead trees are used in varying ways by the living humans, including being eaten as food, and shelter among others.

The Hidden Uses of Adversity

Leopold also talks about “hidden uses of adversity” to mean that while the trees experience difficulties and die at some point, their misfortune is beneficial to the end users, who are the living humans that will also go ahead and clear the dead trees to the disadvantage of the woodland living beings.

Ensuring Pigeon’s Survival

It would have been logical to avoid putting the pigeon to extinction by enabling them to multiply so that their survival could sustain the business. If there were measures put in place to ensure that the number of the pigeon increased in the same rate that they were commercially hunted, then they could remain feasible economically. Indeed, it was ignorance that led to the extinction of the pigeon because if the consequences were clearly known no one would jeopardize the business that directly affected them in this manner. Were the people knowledgeable of the approaches they would have taken to produce many of the pigeons, then the species could be in existence and business could even be better.

Leopold’s Hypothesis on Flowering Plants

Leopold’s hypothesis regarding flowering plants is that the plants do not flower at the same time and have varying types of flowers.

The Importance of Flowering

The major conclusion that can be made from Leopold’s observation of flowering plants is that flowering is a very essential factor in the growth of a plant and its reproduction and should be left to take the natural course without any form of destruction. If left undistracted, the vegetation can never get lost as the cycles of reproduction vary from one plant to the next, thereby allowing a continuous presence. New question that his observation brought regard what can be done to conserve the plants.

Humans’ Destruction of Plants

Humans have destroyed some plants leading to their disappearance. By saying that “There are other plants who seem to ask of this world not riches but room,” Leopold meant that people have denied some plants a room to continue living. They have simply destroyed the plants as whenever the plants try to thrive the activities of humans make their lives intolerable or just end their survival.

Violation of Plants by Humans

The statement “...and the pioneers chopped gaps in the continuity of his fuel...” is a further depiction of the manner in which humans have violated the plants by destroying them. The damage done to some of the plants leaves them not in a position to thrive, but to die. This is an infringement to the survival of the plants that end up dying.