Question 1

Which of the following methods may help conserve water by reducing the amount used for agriculture?

Accepted Answer

A)   polyculture
B)   construction of dams for irrigation needs
C)   biological pest control
D)   contour with no-till farming
E)   reducing pesticide and fertilizer usageF) A) and B)
G) A) and D)

Question 2

The Canada lynx (Lynx canadensis)  is currently listed as an endangered species. Which of the following would play the greatest role in removing the lynx from the endangered species list.

Accepted Answer

A)   Creating a law that bans the development and use of roads for snowmobiling and skiing in the lynx habitat.
B)   Pass a law that restricts hunting of lynx.
C)   Increase the amount of available prey for the lynx.
D)   Establish limits on the amount of timber that can be harvested from the forests that the lynx use as their habitat.
E)   Remove any potential competitors (i.e wolves & coyotes)  from the lynx habitat to increase the amount of resources available for the lynx.F) C) and D)
G) D) and E)

Question 3

Beach erosion is often caused by structures built to prevent erosion.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False  True

Question 4

Desertification is primarily caused by which of the following activities?

Accepted Answer

A)   overgrazing of livestock
B)   overplanting of crops
C)   overuse of farm machinery
D)   lack of rainfall
E)   restoration of wetlandsF) D) and E)
G) A) and C)

Question 5

How are greenhouse gases suspected of causing climate warming?

Accepted Answer

A)   Greenhouse gases absorb solar energy and re-emit it into space before it can reach the Earth's surface.
B)   Infrared energy from space is absorbed by greenhouse gases in the upper atmosphere, which then re-emit the heat towards the surface of the Earth, causing the climate to warm.
C)   Greenhouse gases block solar energy from entering the lower level of the atmosphere.
D)   Greenhouse gases prevent radiation of infrared energy back into space, trapping the heat near the Earth's surface and causing the climate to warm.
E)   Solar energy is absorbed by greenhouse gases in the upper atmosphere and re-emitted towards the Earth's surface as heat, causing the climate to warm.F) A) and B)
G) A) and C)

Question 6

Which of the following is an example of pollution?

Accepted Answer

A)   Turkeys enter a field and eat some of the seeds scattered on the ground.
B)   A heavy rain occurs, resulting in some ponding of water.
C)   Small amounts of iron leach from rocks in a stream bed, increasing the amount of dissolved iron in the water.
D)   Leftover minerals from ores are left along a stream bed, allowing leftover traces of the mineral to run off into the stream after heavy rains.
E)   Deer cross a stream, disturbing the sand and silt on the stream bed, making the water muddy and cloudy.F) C) and D)
G) B) and C)

Question 7

Most of the world's fresh water supply is used for

Accepted Answer

A)   drinking water by humans.
B)   bathing by humans.
C)   irrigating crops.
D)   drinking water for livestock.
E)   boating and recreation.F) A) and E)
G) A) and B)

Question 8

Deforestation may contribute towards climate change because

Accepted Answer

A)   the trees naturally trap heat near the Earth's surface, and the loss of trees allows this heat to escape into space through the atmosphere.
B)   it leads to habitat loss for many forest species, which invade nearby marginal habitats, including those used by humans.
C)   loss of trees disrupts the carbon cycle, limiting the amount that is absorbed by plants, and increasing the concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
D)   the forest canopy reflects some solar radiation back into space, allowing more of it to penetrate to the Earth's surface.
E)   it leads to salinization of the land.F) A) and E)
G) A) and B) C

Question 9

Preserving biodiversity can increase the value of land and of the resources extracted from it.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 10

Multipurpose trees are useful for what purpose?

Accepted Answer

A)   improved pest control, as well as serving as a windbreak
B)   water conservation and improved pest control
C)   providing additional products, as well as serving as a windbreak
D)   restoring wetlands and improving soil quality
E)   providing fossil fuel sources and assisting with irrigationF) A) and B)
G) A) and C)

Question 11

Desertification and deforestation are similar in that both involve

Accepted Answer

A)   overpopulation of an area by humans.
B)   loss of plant and animal life in an area.
C)   lack of rainfall in an area.
D)   overgrowth of undesirable plants in an area.
E)   loss of wetland habitats.F) All of the above
G) B) and D)

Question 12

Growing livestock is more sustainable than growing crop plants.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 13

Which of the following is a major drawback of dams?

Accepted Answer

A)   saltwater intrusion
B)   providing irrigation water
C)   sediment buildup
D)   depletion of aquifers
E)   deforestation of nearby landsF) None of the above
G) C) and D)

Question 14

Which of the following features would have the greatest influence in creating a more sustainable urban society?

Accepted Answer

A)   Improving the efficiency of water filtration systems in order to decrease our consumption of freshwater.
B)   Increasing fuel efficiency in our vehicles so we can decrease the consumption of fossil fuels.
C)   Decreasing the amount of environmental pollution produced by industry.
D)   Decreasing the amount of land that is altered in order to accommodate human desires (new homes, factories, agriculture, etc.) .
E)   Exploring alternative energy sources that are more environmentally favorable (i.e. solar, hydropower, etc.) .F) A) and E)
G) A) and C)

Question 15

Which of the following is not a way in which rural areas may be sustainable?

Accepted Answer

A)   planting of native grasses to rebuild the soil
B)   planting of trees next to land used for agriculture to break the wind and protect the soil from erosion
C)   use of cover crops to stabilize the soil between growing seasons
D)   restoration and maintenance of wetlands to lessen runoff and alleviate flooding
E)   increasing use of extensive irrigation techniques to nurture demanding cropsF) B) and C)
G) A) and E)

Question 16

Which of the following is not a renewable resource?

Accepted Answer

A)   fossil fuels
B)   food crops
C)   water
D)   wild game
E)   solar energyF) A) and B)
G) A) and D)

Question 17

Forests and other natural ecosystems, such as wetlands, exhibit the "sponge effect," meaning that they

Accepted Answer

A)   soak up water from runoff and rainfall, and thus accumulate pollutants.
B)   soak up water from runoff and rainfall, releasing it at a regular rate that moderates flooding of streams and rivers.
C)   soak up pollutants from runoff and rainfall, releasing it quickly into streams and rivers and raising their levels.
D)   draw water away from rivers and streams, lowering their levels.
E)   soak up water from runoff and rainfall, saturating nearby ecosystems.F) B) and E)
G) B) and D) B

Question 18

Forests help to regulate the global climate by

Accepted Answer

A)   releasing oxygen.
B)   absorbing carbon dioxide.
C)   preventing soil erosion.
D)   absorbing pollutants.
E)   emitting ozone.F) B) and C)
G) B) and D)

Question 19

Which of the following explanations about the financial impact of biodiversity on the economy is not correct?

Accepted Answer

A)   Protecting biodiversity prevents damage to farms due to the alleviation of flooding and siltation problems.
B)   Many communities are utilizing biodiversity to assist in wastewater treatment, both lowering costs and protecting the environment in the process.
C)   Loss of biodiversity in many areas of the world has led to increases in local and global average temperatures (global warming) .
D)   Protecting biodiversity has decreased the amount of fresh water available to human populations because of the "sponge effect."
E)   Protecting biodiversity has led to new industries in ecotourism, adding billions of dollars to the economy annually.F) B) and D)
G) A) and C)

Question 20

Hydropower and wind power are similar in that both are

Accepted Answer

A)   nonrenewable energy sources.
B)   renewable energy sources.
C)   commonly used worldwide as power sources.
D)   dependent in part on fossil fuels.
E)   sources of environmental pollution.F) C) and D)
G) A) and B)

Exam 32: Human Impact on the Biosphere

Which of the following methods may help conserve water by reducing the amount used for agriculture?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

The Canada lynx (Lynx canadensis) is currently listed as an endangered species. Which of the following would play the greatest role in removing the lynx from the endangered species list.

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Beach erosion is often caused by structures built to prevent erosion.

Correct AnswerverifiedTrue

Desertification is primarily caused by which of the following activities?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

How are greenhouse gases suspected of causing climate warming?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Which of the following is an example of pollution?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Most of the world's fresh water supply is used for

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Deforestation may contribute towards climate change because

Correct AnswerverifiedC

Preserving biodiversity can increase the value of land and of the resources extracted from it.

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Multipurpose trees are useful for what purpose?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Desertification and deforestation are similar in that both involve

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Growing livestock is more sustainable than growing crop plants.

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Which of the following is a major drawback of dams?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Which of the following features would have the greatest influence in creating a more sustainable urban society?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Which of the following is not a way in which rural areas may be sustainable?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Which of the following is not a renewable resource?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Forests and other natural ecosystems, such as wetlands, exhibit the "sponge effect," meaning that they

Correct AnswerverifiedB

Forests help to regulate the global climate by

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Which of the following explanations about the financial impact of biodiversity on the economy is not correct?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Hydropower and wind power are similar in that both are

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

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True

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C

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B

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