Human Activity
1. Which would MOST likely cause a decrease in the number of woodpeckers in an ecosystem?
A. draining a spring-fed pond
B. plowing and planting meadows
C. destroying all dead trees and stumps
D. building a road around a small forest
C. destroying all dead trees and stumps
2. Which could be a possible way to prevent wildlife species from becoming endangered? (I will accept multiple answers)
establishing more habitats (will also accept stricter laws, eco-tourism...)
4. When using more than the recommended amounts of pesticide on farmland, yards, and gardens, what is MOST likely to occur?
Water supplies can be contaminated by pesticide runoff (will also accept bioaccumulation)
15. Fertilizers that enter the ocean from farm runoff can cause an increase in…
the reproduction of algae.
18. Biologists have discovered that the beluga whales of Canada’s St. Lawrence River have the highest rates of cancer among animals. What is MOST likely the reason for this high incidence of cancer in these whales?
A. chemical and pollutant runoff into the ocean
B. average temperatures increased in the region
C. depletion of natural prey from the ecosystem
D. increased levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere
A. chemical and pollutant runoff into the ocean
8. Research in which of these areas has the greatest impact on the environment?
A. irradiating food
B. organic fertilizers
C. bacteria to clean up oil spills
D. developing larger, sweeter strawberries
C. bacteria to clean up oil spills
20. The Miconia plant is not a native plant to Hawaii. Since its introduction into Hawaii in the 1960s, it has become a popular decorative plant. However, this shallow-rooted plant has replaced many of the native deep-rooted plant species. This has increased the likelihood of landslides on the islands. Which is one of the BEST methods of dealing with this invasive plant?
The plant should be uprooted from all the islands in Hawaii.
5. Which human activity would have the greatest positive impact on the water quality of a stream?
reducing use of fertilizers near the stream
25. DDT is an insecticide used in the 1950s and 1960s. When it entered aquatic ecosystems, it was ingested by fish and became concentrated in their bodies. When birds of prey ate fish that ingested DDT, the birds were adversely affected. Which statement BEST describes the interaction of DDT, fish, and birds in this situation?
A. The relationship between living and nonliving factors on Earth impacts the quality of life.
B. Chemicals necessary for life move through predictable biogeochemical pathways.
C. Earth contains living and nonliving factors that must maintain separation for an environment to stay healthy.
D. Maintaining the balance of an ecosystem depends on healthy predator-prey relationships.
A. The relationship between living and nonliving factors on Earth impacts the quality of life.
16. Humans can do many things to impact the environment. Which of these is an example of how humans negatively impact the environment?
increasing water runoff (will also accept overexploitation, deforestation, habitat destruction...)
9. In some lakes, excessive blooms of algae appear when human activity causes degradation of water quality resulting in conditions more favorable for algae growth. Which human activity primarily causes this problem?
farming
11. Which BEST explains what scientists are referring to when they use the term conservation?
protection, management, and renewal of resources
3. The excessive use of nitrogen-based fertilizers causes runoff that increases the nitrogen content of lakes and bays. These nitrogen compounds directly affect the aquatic ecosystems by…
increasing the rate of algae growth (or killing fish with lack of Oxygen)
12. Which of these will MOST likely occur if chemicals from fertilizers run off into lakes and streams?
Fish will die from a lack of oxygen.
14. Scientists have developed an allergy medication from a plant that is part of the rainforest food chain. What concern might develop when producing this medication from the plant?
A. overproduction of the medication
B. increase in allergies in rainforest wildlife
C. lack of patients to test the new medication
D. decrease in a food source to rainforest wildlife
D. decrease in a food source to rainforest wildlife
10. What will be the MOST likely result for some species of animals with the continued burning of rain forests in Africa?
A. soil erosion
B. destruction of their habitats
C. improved nutrients in the soil
D. more grasses as a result of burning
B. destruction of their habitats
19. Scientists frequently monitor levels of microorganisms at beaches in the summer time. High temperatures, pollution, runoff, and illegal dumping all affect water quality. What do these scientific efforts illustrate?
Monitoring water quality is important to public health.
6. Many birds living in a certain coastal environment have a high-level concentration of pesticides in their bodies. What is the MOST likely conclusion that can be made about the pesticides?
The fish consumed by the birds are contaminated with pesticides.
27. A lake that received runoff from surrounding farmland had a healthy fish population. Several years ago, a new type of pesticide was used to treat crops. As runoff entered the lake, it killed an insect that was a primary food source for fish. Which will MOST likely occur if farmers in the area stop using the pesticide?
The population of fish will increase.
17. Large quantities of oil are transported by sea to satisfy the energy needs of the United States. Which environmental question should be considered the MOST when dealing with this issue?
A. What is the fastest method to bring the oil supply to the public?
B. What preventive measures can be taken against oil spills?
C. What new technologies can increase fossil fuel usage?
D. What is the cap on gasoline prices for the public?
B. What preventive measures can be taken against oil spills?
13. Which action creates competition between environmental concerns and economic gains?
using forest land to build homes
29. Key deer are found on the islands of the Florida Keys and feed on the native trees. Which is MOST likely to happen to populations of Key deer if the forests are cleared where they live?
Their populations will decrease because of a decrease in usable habitat.
7. The United States government limits the use of certain pesticides through laws passed in the Endangered Species Protection Program. Which is the MOST likely reason to enforce laws that limit pesticide use?
Some pesticides can harm non-targeted species
26. Around areas of increased fertilizer runoff, all of the heterotrophs within a lake food chain may show an increase in numbers. After the initial increase, the populations begin to decline. Which event MOST likely caused the populations to decline?
A. More predators were introduced into the lake.
B. Water was depleted of nutrients such as nitrogen.
C. Breeding season for the organisms came to an end.
D. Decomposing algae lowered the amount of dissolved oxygen.
D. Decomposing algae lowered the amount of dissolved oxygen.
21. Which changes will MOST likely have a negative effect on an ecosystem?