Read the Following Scenario and Answer the Question(s) Below

question 15

Multiple Choice

Read the following scenario and answer the question(s) below.
Wetlands provide a multitude of ecological, economic, and social benefits. They provide habitat for many organisms and are nurseries for many saltwater and freshwater fishes and shellfish. Wetlands also hold and slowly release floodwater and snow melt, recharge groundwater, act as cleansing filters, recycle nutrients, and provide recreation. As of 2000, the contiguous United States was estimated to have about 105 million acres of wetlands remaining. Over the past 60 years, it has lost over 16 million acres of wetlands, and the loss continues at about 58,000 acres annually. Nearly one -third of the loss is due to urban development, with the rest being nearly equally divided between rural development, agriculture, and silviculture (predominantly logging) . The southeastern United States is experiencing the greatest losses. The Emergency Wetlands Resources Act of 1986 requires the Fish and Wildlife Service to conduct status and trend studies of the nationʹs wetlands and to report the results to Congress each decade. The overall goal is to have no more net loss of wetlands. In the past 5 years, money for flood control projects in Louisiana has been cut dramatically. During that time, two simulations, one of a category 4 hurricane and one of a category 5 hurricane, indicated catastrophic damage and loss of life along the Gulf Coast. The levees were predicted to break, and massive flooding to occur, in part due to the loss of the sheltering wetlands.
-From the scenario above, one conclusion regarding the Gulf Coast damage from the hurricane season of 2005 is that _______________.

• A) the budget was sufficient, but the planning failed to estimate the amount of damage and did not prepare properly
• B) wetland losses and improper economic perspectives leading to budget cuts were responsible
• C) the majority of the damage was because of the low budget and poor planning over the past 5 years
• D) nothing could have improved the outcome, given the loss of wetlands
• E) even though the economic perspective was accurate, no one could have predicted the amount of damage and prepared for it

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Definitions:

Status Quo

The existing state or condition of a situation, often used in the context of maintaining current circumstances.

Kurt Lewin

A psychologist known for his contributions to social, organizational, and applied psychology, particularly regarding change theories.

Equilibrium

A state of balance or stability within a system, where competing forces or influences are equal and no further change is expected.

Fear of Loss

A psychological condition where individuals are apprehensive about losing something valuable to them, such as possessions, people, or status.