Environmental Basics
These are the three main categories of environmental issues.
Energy use, population growth, and pollution
This group of resources cannot be replaced quickly.
Nonrenewable resources
This is what trees help absorb from the atmosphere.
Carbon dioxide of C02
What is the definition of biodiversity?
Number of different species in an area
This is the disappearance of an entire species.
Extinction
This type of government is responsible for creating laws about national parks.
The federal government
Name an example of a renewable energy resource:
Wind, solar, or hydropower
This type of cutting involves removing all trees from an area at once.
Clear cutting
True or False: Species are going extinct faster today than ever before.
TRUE
This is what we call killing animals illegally to sell their body parts.
Poaching
This is the energy created by moving water (such as a river) and turning turbines.
Hydropower
Name an example of a nonrenewable energy resource:
Coal, oil, natural gas.
This is the result of clear-cutting.
Habitat destruction
This is a species that influences many other species' survival:
Keystone species
Solar energy
Wind energy
Hydropower
Geothermal
Together, coal, oil, and natural gas are sometimes called....
Fossil fuels
This energy source is better for the environment:
This happens when too many fish are caught too quickly:
Overfishing
What is the main cause of species extinction?
Habitat destruction
This is how pollution affects biodiversity.
When water is polluted, it can harm animals that drink it. When soil is polluted, plants absorb the harmful substances. These pollutants then move up the food chain, affecting animals that eat the plants.
How long does it take for nonrenewable resources to be replaced?
MILLIONS of years!
This is the main difference between renewable and nonrenewable resources.
Renewable resources can be replaced quickly.
Nonrenewable resources are finite and take millions of years to replenish.
Renewable resources are MUCH cleaner for the environment!
What is the name of the fishery off the coast of Maine?
Geroges Bank
Gulf of Maine
Why is genetic diversity important?
When there are many different genes, some organisms in a species may have traits that help them survive challenges (like disease or climate change).
What are some ways humans can protect endangered species?
Protecting habitats
Advocating for laws such as the Endagered Species Act
Not buying items that have poached animal parts.