Intro to ecology 1
Intro to ecology 2
Intro to ecology 3
Intro to ecology 4
Intro to ecology 5
100
Which is one way poor use of fertilizers in agriculture can affect the environment?
A It can increase the ability of many species to find suitable habitats.
B It can cause pollution of water in lakes and rivers.
C It can cause an increase in greenhouse gases.
D It can reduce the amount of sediment in the local waterways.
What is B It can cause pollution of water in lakes and rivers?
100
Guatemala is a mountainous country in Central America. Each year, more than 350 square kilometers of forests are removed for building materials and to make more room for crops. If this rate of deforestation continues, what will most likely result over the next several years?
A The number of earthquakes across the country will decrease.
B The amount of fertile soil across the country will increase.
C The risk of landslides across the country will increase.
D The average rainfall for the country will increase.
What is C The risk of landslides across the country will increase?
100
Nuclear power and drilling for oil can both negatively affect ecosystems. Which negative impact can only be caused by nuclear power?
A air pollution
B water contamination
C exposure to uranium
D spread of invasive vegetation
What is C exposure to uranium
100
What do the energy resources uranium and coal have in common?
A They both are formed from the remains of dead organisms.
B They both are acquired by mining the lithosphere.
C They both release energy through combustion.
D They both generate radioactive wastes.
What is B They both are acquired by mining the lithosphere?
100
Which result is most likely to occur after excessive withdrawal of groundwater in coastal areas?
A increased reliance on irrigation because of drier soil conditions
B dilution of brackish water in estuarine ecosystems
C reduced efficiency of local desalination facilities
D intrusion of salt water into the water table
What is D intrusion of salt water into the water table?
200
What is an effect of deforestation?
A decrease in biodiversity
B decrease in rainwater runoff
C decrease in carbon dioxide in the atmosphere
D decrease in the amount of water on Earth
What is A decrease in biodiversity?
200
Two countries share the Caribbean island of Hispaniola: Haiti and the Dominican Republic. The island is naturally a rainforest. The hillsides of the Dominican Republic are still heavily forested. Most of Haiti’s trees have been cut down.
The soil on the hillsides of the Dominican Republic is deep and rich. But the soil on the hillsides of Haiti is thin and depleted. The poor, thin soil makes raising crops difficult. Food shortages happen often. Which natural conditions in Haiti combine with deforestation to increase erosion?
A steep hillsides and mild climate
B frequent heavy rains and steep hillsides
C mild climate and proximity to the ocean
D proximity to the ocean and frequent heavy rains
What is B frequent heavy rains and steep hillsides?
200
Which of these methods of energy resource acquisition has the LEAST effect on the lithosphere?
A surface mining for uranium
B pumping oil from under water
C harvesting wood by selective cutting
D collecting natural gas from old oil wells
What is C harvesting wood by selective cutting?
200
What would most likely result if more farms were developed along river basins in North Carolina?
A an increase in water pollution
B an increase in average rainfall
C an increase in nonnative species
D an increase in severe weather events
What is A an increase in water pollution?
200
A regional water board is examining proposals to provide drinking water to a growing metropolitan area. Which of these proposals is MOST likely to deplete groundwater supplies?
A installation of city-owned wells within each neighborhood
B construction of a dam to create a large water reservoir
C placement of stations along a river to capture and filter water
D establishment of a water treatment plant next to a large lake
What is A installation of city-owned wells within each neighborhood?
300
In the 1930s, the American Great Plains became known as the Dust Bowl because it was the source of huge clouds of dust that covered much of the United States. Which BEST describes the causes of the Dust Bowl?
A the overuse of fossil fuels and extensive crop irrigation
B a severe drought and the overuse of prairie farmland
C wide-scale deforestation and gradual climate change
D a long period of cool weather and a volcanic eruption
What is B a severe drought and the overuse of prairie farmland?
300
How are surface mining and peat harvesting similar in the way they affect an ecosystem?
A Both increase air pollution, causing acid rain.
B Both flood the area with water, decreasing soil erosion.
C Both release carbon dioxide, decreasing global temperatures.
D Both remove vegetation in the area, destroying habitats.
What is D Both remove vegetation in the area, destroying habitats?
300
If people in an area have limited access to freshwater resources, what will most likely result?
A an increase in the number of aquifers supplying water to the area
B a decrease in sanitation and increase in disease in the area
C a decrease in weathering and erosion in the area
D an increase in biodiversity in the area
What is B a decrease in sanitation and increase in disease in the area?
300
At a city council meeting, a developer outlines plans for a new shopping area. Residents speaking at the meeting voice their concerns that the development will increase runoff and pollute bodies of water in the area. The developer could address their concerns by proposing the addition of which of the following to the plans?
A private wells that provide water to each store
B sprinklers that hose down parking lots daily
C flower gardens that are planted near each store
D wetlands that surround the development
What is D wetlands that surround the development?
300
What is a possible consequence of the destruction of a marsh?
A decreased flooding
B decreased filtering of water
C increased types of plant life
D increased habitat for organisms
What is B decreased filtering of water?
400
Officials hire private contractors to monitor drinking water safety in the suburbs of a large city. These suburbs are mainly residential, with some schools, shopping malls, and light industrial plants. The contractors determine that the drinking water samples contain levels of nitrates and other nutrients that are higher than normal. After discussion with the contractors, the officials would MOST likely decide to contact which of these groups to combat the problem?
A plant managers
B homeowners
C mall management
D school principals
What is B homeowners?
400
Which could increase the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere?
A planting trees in areas that have been deforested
B reducing the use of gasoline-powered vehicles
C burning coal to produce electricity
D creating wind farms in desert areas
What is C burning coal to produce electricity?
400
Temperature affects the development of sea-turtle eggs. Eggs that are incubated at warmer temperatures are more likely to become females. Eggs incubated at cooler temperatures are more likely to become males. How would higher atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations MOST likely affect sea turtle populations?
A Earth’s climate would be warmer, so the percentage of female turtles would increase.
B Earth’s climate would be cooler, so the percentage of female turtles would increase.
C Earth’s climate would be warmer, so the percentage of female turtles would decrease.
D Earth’s climate would be cooler, so the percentage of female turtles would decrease.
What is A Earth’s climate would be warmer, so the percentage of female turtles would increase?
400
Raising livestock, such as sheep and cattle, results in the production of large amounts of methane gas (CH4). 
Methane has a similar effect in the atmosphere as carbon dioxide (CO2).
As more livestock are raised to provide food for humans, what is the MOST likely effect of the increase in methane?
A acid rain
B ozone thinning
C water pollution
D global warming
What is D global warming?
400
The greenhouse effect is a process by which atmospheric gases, including 
help warm the atmosphere and surface of Earth. Most scientists think the greenhouse effect is increasing due to human activities. Which of these human activities has caused the greatest increase in concentrations of atmospheric 
A planting trees
B recycling aluminum
C burning fossil fuels
D using nuclear power
What is C burning fossil fuels?
500
Large metropolitan areas are composed of hard surfaces that trap solar energy as heat, especially in the summer months. The EPA estimates that the trapped heat results in 1.5 – 2.0% increase in energy consumption for every 0.6°C increase in air temperature in these urban heat islands. Most of this energy is supplied by power plants that rely on fossil fuels. Which of the following effects of increased energy use and regional air temperatures directly impacts human health?
A increased water temperatures in storm runoff
B prolonged growing seasons for urban plants
C higher concentrations of ground-level ozone
D increased levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide
What is C higher concentrations of ground-level ozone?
500
Which interaction of a biotic and an abiotic factor can help stabilize a forest area in North Carolina?
A increased precipitation, reducing soil erosion in the area
B increased decaying organic material, adding nutrients to soil in the area
C decreased water salinity, reducing biodiversity of animals in the area
D decreased number of predators, allowing the number of prey to increase in the area
What is B increased decaying organic material, adding nutrients to soil in the area?
500
Which biome has the MOST vegetation?
A desert
B forest
C grassland
D tundra
What is B forest?
500
Which action will most likely cause a negative impact on the biodiversity of a small region?
A planting native species in a bare field to attract wildlife
B draining a wetland for the development of a new park
C reducing the amount of pesticides and fertilizers used
D having a controlled burn to remove undergrowth of a forest
What is B draining a wetland for the development of a new park?
500
How could a global decrease in plant diversity affect the biosphere?
AIt could cause an increase in the amount of oxygen gas available for plants and animals.
B It could cause an increase in animal diversity in the biosphere.
C It could cause a decrease in animal populations in the biosphere.
D It could cause a decrease in the amount of water available for plants and animals.
What is C It could cause a decrease in animal populations in the biosphere?