Resources
A resource that can be produced or replaced by healthy ecosystem functions.
Renewable resource
A ecosystem with a high biodiversity is more or less stable, than an ecosystem with low biodiversity?
More stable
The largest number of individuals of a population that an environment can support is called,
Carrying Capacity
An introduced species that takes over its new environment and out-competes native organisms is called...
An invasive species
Recently, oil from a wrecked tanker resulted in a disaster in ecosystems containing many unique species. The potential loss of these species could result in
(1) an increase in the variety of genetic material available
(2) a decrease in organisms available for scientific research
(3) an increase in the stability of the affected ecosystems
(4) a decrease in pollution affecting the land and water
(2) a decrease in organisms available for scientific research
A resource that cannot be replenished in a reasonable amount of time.
Nonrenewable resource
Name one reason why protecting biodiversity is important.
Healthy ecosystems
Protect genetic diversity
Undiscovered foods, medicines and other resources
Protect soil & clean water
The atmospheric layer which contains gases that protect life on Earth from harmful UV rays of sunlight.
Ozone layer
Carbon dioxide concentration in our atmosphere has been increasing steadily since the early 1900s. What is one negative effect of this increase?
Global warming
Increased pollution in the air
Ocean warming
Increased asthma, respiratory ailments
What is ozone depletion?
The thinning/destruction of Earth's ozone layer allowing for more UV radiation to reach Earth
Coal, oil and natural gas are considered which type of resource?
Nonrenewable
Much of our modern medicines originate here
Rainforests, plant and animal life
The use of solar panels has increased in the last ten years. A benefit of using solar energy would include
(1) adding more carbon dioxide to the atmosphere (2) using less fossil fuel to meet energy needs
(3) using a nonrenewable source of energy
(4) releasing more gases for photosynthesis
(2) using less fossil fuel to meet energy needs
Name one Invasive species
answers vary
Acid rain is a major problem in the Adirondack Mountains. Evidence that acid rain negatively affected the Adirondack ecosystem is that
(1) this rain has increased the amount of water in Adirondack lakes
(2) there has been a decrease in the variety of fish found in Adirondack lakes
(3) the amount of carbon dioxide in the air over the Adirondack Mountains has drastically decreased in recent years
(4) the number of heterotrophic organisms in Adirondack lakes has increased
(2) there has been a decrease in the variety of fish found in Adirondack lakes
Give an example of a renewable resource.
Solar, Wind, Geothermal, (Trees, if they are replanted).
In order to protect biodiversity, people need to change their habits. True or False
True
New York State charges consumers a fee when purchasing beverages sold in aluminum cans and plastic bottles. This money is returned to purchasers when they return these items for recycling. Programs such as these are an attempt to
(1) encourage people to spend more money on their beverages
(2) conserve the resources these containers are made from
(3) reduce the amount of carbon dioxide produced by deforestation
(4) totally eliminate the use of reusable containers
(2) conserve the resources these containers are made from
Some birds have recently modified their migratory behavior. Instead of flying to warmer climates during the winter months, the birds are remaining in northern areas where they can consume discarded food that is abundant in landfills. As a result of this change in migratory behavior, many insect populations that the birds normally feed on in the warmer climate areas are now increasing. This is an example of human activity
(1) interfering with ecological succession
(2) increasing competition for infinite resources
(3) disrupting the homeostasis of organisms
(4) altering the equilibrium of ecosystems
(4) altering the equilibrium of ecosystems
Although we rely on coal, oil, and natural gas to produce energy, some environmental scientists have proposed that we use less fossil fuel. One reason to support this proposal is to
(1) enable us to preserve rain forests in tropical areas
(2) help us to reduce the production of carbon dioxide gas
(3) allow us to decrease the use of fertilizers on crops
(4) encourage us to end research on wind and water power sources
(2) help us to reduce the production of carbon dioxide gas
Building large manufacturing facilities can affect ecosystems by increasing the
(1) atmospheric quality
(2) biodiversity in the area
(3) demand for resources such as fossil fuels
(4) availability of space and resources for organisms
(3) demand for resources such as fossil fuels
Name a threat to biodiversity.
Habitat fragmentation
deforestation
uncontrolled land use
over-hunting/poaching
pollution, climate change
This oil rig off the coast of Louisiana exploded and sent millions of gallons of oil spilling into the gulf of Mexico in 2010
Two new wind turbines have recently been built within the Eiffel Tower in Paris. The power that these turbines generate will be enough to power the entire first floor of the tower, including the restaurants, shops, and exhibits. A benefit of using wind power as an alternative source of energy is that it
(1) is nonrenewable, so additional resources will be depleted by tower businesses
(2) is renewable, so it will decrease the environmental impact of the tower businesses
(3) increases the use of resources that cannot be renewed in the future
(4) decreases the amount of fossil fuels available for future generations
(2) is renewable, so it will decrease the environmental impact of the tower businesses
Traditional lightbulbs are only 10% efficient. Ninety percent of the energy they use is converted to heat. Modern lightbulbs are much more efficient, but may cost three times as much as traditional lightbulbs. Consumers who switch to modern lightbulbs are most likely
(1) spending more money for no good reason
(2) trying to stop pollution of the oceans
(3) trading a short-term cost for long-term savings
(4) helping traditional lightbulb factories employ people
(3) trading a short-term cost for long-term savings