Population & Resources
How does an increasing human population affect the use of natural resources?
It increases the demand for food, water, and energy.
What is a major air pollutant linked to climate change?
Carbon Dioxide.
Name one human activity that impacts water systems.
Agriculture, and/or industrial waste.
What is a native species?
A species that is naturally present in a specific ecosystem.
What is sustainable harvesting
The practice of taking resources from nature in a way that allows those resources to regenerate and be available for future use without causing harm to the environment.
Name a pro of using renewable resources.
Renewable resources are sustainable and produce less pollution.
How does climate change affect ecosystems?
It disrupts weather patterns and species interactions.
Name an effect of deforestation on land systems.
Reduced habitat availability and increased soil decomposition.
What is the difference between native and invasive species?
invasive species disrupt native ecosystems, while native species clearly don't.
What is unsustainable harvesting?
The practice of overexploiting a resource to the point where it can no longer naturally replenish itself, leading to potential depletion and harm to ecosystems.
Name one con of nonrenewable resources.
They can often cause significant environmental damage.
What is ecosystem resilience?
The ability of an ecosystem to recover after a disturbance.
How does urban development affect natural land systems?
It increases pollution and breaks apart habitats.
Name one impact of invasive species.
They can change significant the invaded habitat and outcompete native species.
Compare sustainable vs unsustainable harvesting.
Sustainable methods maintain biodiversity; unsustainable methods cause population declines.
Compare renewable and nonrenewable resources.
Renewable resources form naturally, on the other hand, nonrenewable take millions of years to form.
Name one method to reduce air pollution.
Using renewable energy, planting trees, and/or improving fuel efficiency.
What happens when too many nutrients go into lakes and rivers?
Algae grows too much and uses up oxygen, which can inflict fishes negatively, as algae leaves fishes with less oxygen.
Give one method to manage invasive species.
Developing regulations and possibly mechanical removal.
What is one kind of fishing that hurts the ocean?
Trawling(Big nets that drag along the sea floor).
What is a major reason why renewable resources are not used everywhere?
They may be expensive and/or require specific technology.
How does reducing air pollution promote ecosystem resilience?
It improves air and water quality.
What happens if we use too much water from the ground?
The ground can sink and wetlands can dry up.
How can human activity lead to habitat destruction?
Through agriculture, deforestation, mining, and urbanization.
What happens when people catch too many animals or plants?
There are fewer left, and it can hurt other animals in nature, possibly inflicting the food cycles of animals.