Biological Resources and Diversity Quiz
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Questions and Answers

What is one of the main purposes of the Oil Pollution Act of 1990?

  • To establish a trust fund for cleaning oil spills (correct)
  • To limit the use of hydropower
  • To reduce greenhouse gas emissions
  • To promote nuclear energy utilization
  • Which of the following is a characteristic of solar energy?

  • It has high greenhouse gas emissions
  • It is perpetually available (correct)
  • It is not easily stored
  • It can be generated primarily from fossil fuels
  • What is one of the pros of using nuclear energy?

  • It has a carbon-free source of electricity (correct)
  • It releases high amounts of greenhouse gases
  • It generates significant radioactive waste
  • It requires extensive fossil fuel mining
  • What is a main disadvantage of nuclear energy?

    <p>It produces radioactive waste (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why are dams considered inexpensive to operate?

    <p>Operational costs are low once constructed (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following can be produced from biomass energy?

    <p>Fuels and electricity generation (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What percentage of hydropower energy is converted into electricity?

    <p>90% (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a key feature of geothermal energy?

    <p>It derives heat from the Earth's interior (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary benefit of selecting the right crop for specific soil conditions?

    <p>It optimizes yields and saves water requirements for irrigation. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What role do crop residues play in sustainable agriculture?

    <p>They help in reducing wind and water erosion while maintaining soil moisture. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary purpose of intercropping with legumes?

    <p>To enhance nitrogen availability for plant uptake. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does sustainable agriculture utilize organic methods?

    <p>It focuses on maintaining soil productivity without harmful chemicals. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a characteristic of low-input agriculture?

    <p>Integration of both modern and traditional farming methods. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does Integrated Pest Management (IPM) primarily aim to achieve?

    <p>It focuses on long-term prevention and management of pest issues. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What best describes the essence of sustainable agriculture?

    <p>Fostering methods that enhance biodiversity and soil health while minimizing negative impacts. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a key feature of conservation tillage?

    <p>It reduces tilling to protect the soil from erosion. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary environmental concern associated with the combustion of oil and natural gas?

    <p>Increase in CO2 and pollutant emissions (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which region has more than half of the world's oil reserves?

    <p>Middle East (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following energy sources is recognized for producing the least amount of pollution among fossil fuels?

    <p>Natural Gas (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a significant consequence of overexploitation on the environment?

    <p>Decreased biodiversity (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What do invasive species typically lack in a new environment that allows them to spread rapidly?

    <p>Predators (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What percentage of energy in the US is used to heat water?

    <p>8% (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a significant constraint for expanding wind energy?

    <p>Public resistance (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT a method used to protect biodiversity?

    <p>Wilderness area degradation (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The Exxon Valdez oil spill led to which significant environmental legislation?

    <p>Oil Pollution Act (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is one example of pollution that can affect ecosystems?

    <p>Acid rain (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which energy source is considered most efficient, converting 90% of its energy into electricity?

    <p>Hydropower (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a primary aim of the Endangered Species Act (ESA)?

    <p>To authorize the protection of endangered species (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is a consequence of habitat fragmentation?

    <p>Isolation of populations (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a major environmental impact of the production of oil and natural gas?

    <p>Disturbance to land and habitat (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which factor is NOT listed as an underlying cause of environmental issues?

    <p>Natural disasters (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What purpose do seed banks serve in conservation efforts?

    <p>To store seeds from endangered plants (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a significant cause of migration to cities according to observed trends?

    <p>Improved economic opportunities (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary benefit of the natural greenhouse effect?

    <p>Keeps Earth's temperature above freezing. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which problem is NOT typically associated with urban environments?

    <p>Agricultural abundance (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is one environmental benefit that cities can provide?

    <p>Efficient transit systems (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What distinguishes the enhanced greenhouse effect from the natural greenhouse effect?

    <p>It involves higher concentrations of greenhouse gases. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does suburban sprawl refer to?

    <p>Expansion into spaces with low population density (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is an example of mitigation for climate change?

    <p>Planting trees to sequester carbon. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is one of the challenges faced by big cities in developing countries?

    <p>Water shortages (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is one potential consequence of rising global temperatures?

    <p>Stronger storms such as hurricanes. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How can adaptation strategies address the effects of climate change?

    <p>By altering practices to better cope with changes. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How can cities promote upward social mobility?

    <p>By providing access to economic resources (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which urban planning strategy helps in conserving farmland?

    <p>Compact building designs (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which action is considered a failure of mitigation in the context of climate change?

    <p>Burning more fossil fuels. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What might happen if aggressive mitigation measures are not taken?

    <p>Sea levels will rise more significantly. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is a characteristic of chaotic traffic in cities?

    <p>Frequent gridlock situations (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a potential biological consequence of climate change?

    <p>A decrease in available water resources. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Flashcards

    Fragmentation

    Breaking up of habitats into smaller, isolated pieces.

    Overexploitation

    Excessive use of natural resources, often leading to depletion or extinction.

    Conservation Biology

    Scientific study of how humans affect organisms and ways to protect biodiversity.

    Invasive Species

    Foreign species that rapidly spread in a new area, often harming native species.

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    Seed Banks

    Places where seeds are stored safely from environmental problems.

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    Endangered Species Act (ESA)

    Law protecting threatened and endangered species in the US.

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    Protecting Habitats

    Setting aside areas like parks and refuges to safeguard habitats.

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    Underlying Causes of Biodiversity Loss

    Factors such as population growth, economic activity, and technology advancements.

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    Fossil Fuels' Energy Contribution

    Oil and natural gas provide a significant portion of global and US energy, about 60% and 62% respectively.

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    Fossil Fuel Reserves

    Oil reserves, particularly, are concentrated in the Middle East; natural gas resources are mostly found in Russia and Iran.

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    Natural Gas Pollution

    Natural gas produces fewer pollutants compared to other fossil fuels during combustion.

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    Oil And Natural Gas Production Impacts

    Extracting oil and natural gas can harm land and habitats.

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    Oil Transportation Dangers

    Transporting oil can create risks of spills, especially in aquatic environments.

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    Exxon Valdez Oil Spill

    This was the largest oil spill in US history, releasing a large volume of crude oil into the environment.

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    Oil Pollution Act of 1990

    This act was created in response to oil spills like the Exxon Valdez incident.

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    Fossil Fuel Combustion Concerns

    Burning fossil fuels releases harmful pollutants like CO2, affecting the environment.

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    Oil Pollution Act (1990)

    A law creating a trust fund to handle oil spills when the responsible party can't or won't. It's funded by a tax on oil.

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    Renewable Energy Resources

    Energy sources that naturally replenish themselves, like solar, wind, and hydropower.

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    Solar Energy

    Direct energy from the sun, used for heating and electricity.

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    Biomass Energy

    Energy from organic matter like trees and crops. Can create electricity or fuels.

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    Geothermal Energy

    Heat from the Earth's interior used for heating or electricity generation.

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    Nuclear Energy

    Energy released through nuclear fission or fusion. It's a powerful source with pros and cons.

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    Nuclear Energy Pros

    Low greenhouse gas emissions, carbon-free electricity production, and cheap electricity.

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    Nuclear Energy Cons

    Generates radioactive waste, accidents are potentially catastrophic, and many steps rely on fossil fuels.

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    Crop Selection

    Choosing the right crop for the soil and climate to maximize yield and reduce water use.

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    Conservation Tillage

    Reducing tilling to protect soil, control weeds, and prevent erosion.

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    Nitrogen Fixation

    Using legume plants to provide nitrogen for crops through bacteria in their roots.

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    Sustainable Agriculture

    Farming practices that maintain soil health, biodiversity, and ecological balance, minimizing long-term environmental impact.

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    Organic Agriculture

    A type of sustainable agriculture that emphasizes natural inputs and avoids synthetic chemicals.

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    Intensive Rotational Grazing

    A sustainable livestock management method where animals graze in smaller areas for shorter periods, promoting pasture health.

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    Integrated Pest Management (IPM)

    A strategy to manage pests using a combination of methods, focusing on long-term prevention.

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    Sustainable Ag. Goals

    To reduce or repair damage caused by unsustainable farming practices, promoting healthy ecosystems.

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    Urbanization

    The increasing number of people living in cities and the growth of urban areas.

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    Dubai: Tallest Buildings

    Dubai is known for having the tallest all-hotel and all-residential buildings in the world.

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    Suburban Sprawl

    The spread of low-density development around cities, often linked to homes and businesses.

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    Reasons for Urban Migration

    People move to cities for reasons like better job opportunities, education, freedom, and social mobility.

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    Urban Challenges

    Issues faced by cities include congestion, pollution, water shortages, and habitat loss.

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    Sustainable Cities

    Cities designed to minimize environmental impact and promote well-being.

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    Green Infrastructure

    Using nature-based solutions like parks and green roofs to improve urban environments.

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    Efficient Transit Systems

    A key element for sustainable cities, providing transportation options like trains and buses to reduce car dependency.

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    Greenhouse Effect

    The natural process where certain gases in Earth's atmosphere trap heat from the Sun, keeping our planet warm enough for life.

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    Enhanced Greenhouse Effect

    The increased trapping of heat in Earth's atmosphere due to higher levels of greenhouse gases, primarily from human activities.

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    Climate Change

    The long-term shifts in global weather patterns and temperatures, largely caused by the enhanced greenhouse effect.

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    Mitigation in Climate Change

    Actions taken to reduce the causes of climate change, such as reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

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    Adaptation in Climate Change

    Adjusting to the effects of a changing climate, even if the causes aren't fully addressed, such as building sea walls.

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    Coral Reef Bleaching

    When coral reefs lose their color due to stress from rising ocean temperatures and acidification.

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    Ocean Acidification

    The ongoing decrease in the pH of ocean water due to the absorption of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

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    Sea Level Rise

    The gradual increase in the average level of the ocean due to melting glaciers and ice caps.

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    Study Notes

    Biological Resources

    • Genetic resources, organisms, parts, populations, or biotic ecosystem components are valuable to humanity, either actually or potentially.
    • Reasons for needing organisms: food, clothing, shelter, pollination, antibiotics, biological processes (like nitrogen fixation), and cultural/aesthetic value.

    Biological Diversity

    • Untapped resources for future uses.
    • Three components: genetic diversity, species diversity, and ecosystem diversity.

    Ecosystem Services & Species Richness

    • Removing a species can decrease ecosystem services.

    Importance of Genetic Diversity

    • Incorporation of genes from one organism into another.
    • Examples: new vaccines, more productive farm animals, and agricultural plants with desirable characteristics.
    • Other importance of organisms: medicinal, agricultural, and industrial value, aesthetic and ethical value

    Extinction

    • The elimination of species from Earth.

    Endangered and Threatened Species

    • Endangered species are facing threats that may lead to extinction in short order.
    • Threatened species have a decreasing population and are at risk of extinction.
    • Characteristics of endangered species include a small localized range, need for large territories, island dwelling, low reproductive success, small population size, specialized breeding areas, and specialized feeding habits.

    Biodiversity Hotspots

    • Small areas contain an exceptional number of endemic species and face high risk from human activities.

    Land Use Change

    • Causes habitat loss, destruction, fragmentation, and degradation.

    Invasive Species

    • Foreign species rapidly spread in new areas lacking predators, parasites, or resource limitations that controlled their native populations.

    Conservation Biology

    • Scientific study of how humans impact organisms and the creation of solutions to protect biodiversity
    • Protecting habitats, connecting fragmented habitats, and restoring damaged/destroyed habitats are all ways to maintain biodiversity.
    • Benefits include creating biological habitats and regenerating damaged soil.
    • Disadvantages include high costs and long time to effect results.

    Conservation Policies and Laws

    • Endangered Species Act (ESA) of 1973 authorizes the protection of endangered and threatened species.
    • Lack of compensation for private property owners (regarding their land) is debated.
    • Habitat Conservation Plans.
    • 1982 Amendment to ESA eased development interests vs. species.
    • International Conservation: World Conservation Strategy (1980) - international conservation efforts for worldwide biodiversity.
    • Convention on Biological Diversity (1992) - aimed at the conservation of biodiversity and the sustainable use of its components.

    Nonrenewable Energy Resources

    • Fossil fuels: coal, oil, and natural gas
    • Coal is a black, combustible, solid mainly composed of carbon.
    • Formation occurred millions of years ago from ancient plants.

    Renewable Energy Resources

    • Solar energy
    • Wind energy
    • Geothermal energy
    • Water energy: Hydropower, Biomass
    • Tidal energy

    Environmental Impacts of Mining Coal

    • Surface coal mining removes the overlaying vegetation, soil, and rock.
    • Subsurface coal mining involves cave-ins, explosions, cancer risk to miners, and black lung disease.
    • Coal mining releases significant CO2 and other atmosphere pollutants.
    • Acid precipitation.

    Oil and Natural Gas

    • Combustion increases CO2 and pollutant emissions.

    Environmental Impacts of Oil and Natural Gas

    • Habitat disruption
    • Spills, especially marine ecosystems (Ex: Alaskan Oil Spill, 1989).

    Renewable Energy Resources

    • Direct solar energy is available perpetually for heating buildings and water.
    • Alternative energy sources like wind energy and geothermal energy.

    Air Pollution

    • Chemicals added to the atmosphere high enough to affect health and environmental quality.
    • Examples of hazardous air pollutants include mercury, lead, and organic compounds.
    • Two categories of air pollutants: -Primary air pollutants: substances emitted directly into the atmosphere -Secondary air pollutants: harmful substances formed in the atmosphere from primary pollutants reacting with air pollutants or atmosphere substances.
    • Ozone (O3) can be tropospheric (ground-level) or stratospheric (upper atmosphere).
    • EPA regulates 6 major criteria pollutants and other contaminants.
    • US Clean Air Act (1963) regulates major air pollutants.

    Ozone Depletion in Stratosphere

    • Human-produced chlorine and bromine chemicals deplete the ozone layer, and resulting in higher UV radiation exposure.

    Effects of Air Pollution

    • Causes damage to lungs, eyes, buildings, and destroys chlorophyll in plants.
    • Acid deposition, reduced visibility, and irritation of respiratory systems are other possible effects.
    • Children more susceptible to air pollution.

    Ecological Footprint

    • Estimates how much land and water is needed to produce goods and services and support human needs.

    Sustainable Agriculture

    • Methods that maintain soil productivity and ecological balance with minimal long-term environmental impacts.
    • Examples include natural predator-prey relationships, crop rotation, conservation tillage (preserving soil quality), IPM (integrated pest management), and limited use of pesticides, and the use of natural predators.
    • Various crop selection approaches accommodate soil, water, and nutrient needs.
    • Conservation tillage reduces soil erosion, keeps moisture level, and reduces weeds while reducing tilling.
    • Integrating legumes for nitrogen fixation is another key to sustainable practices.
    • Other measures include organic agriculture and agro-ecological practices.

    Waste Management

    • Reducing, reusing, and recycling to minimize waste.
    • Separate waste to enable recycling.
    • Buy products with recycled content.
    • Rinse and empty containers.
    • Encourage others to recycle.
    • Understand what can/cannot be recycled.

    Wastewater Treatment

    • Wastewater management process uses various methods from screening, clarification, and disinfection to treat wastewater.

    Sustainable Living

    • Reducing individual and societal consumption to minimize the demand on Earth's resources and promote sustainability in activities and choices.
    • Examples: Use of public transport rather than private care; purchasing reusable items instead of disposable ones; and avoiding waste and using water efficiently in lifestyles.

    Tragedy of the Commons

    • Users behaving in their own self-interest, depleting a shared resource.

    Sustainable Development

    • Economic development meets current needs without sacrificing future generations' needs.
    • Goals include: No poverty, zero hunger, good health and well-being, quality education, gender equality, reducing inequality, sustainable cities, responsible consumption, climate action, and a host of other global objectives.

    Global Change

    • Comprehensive set of issues and interactions concerning Earth's environment.
    • Ex: climate change, deforestation, pollution.

    International Efforts to Reduce GHG Emissions

    • Kyoto Protocol (1997) and Paris Agreement (2015) aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
    • Kyoto Protocol is legally binding.
    • Paris Agreement requires ratification from 55 countries comprising 55% of global emissions.
    • Both agreements outline targets for reducing or mitigating the effects of global warming.

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    Description

    Explore the vital concepts of biological resources, diversity, and ecosystem services in this quiz. Understand the importance of genetic diversity, species richness, and the implications of extinction on ecosystems. Test your knowledge on how these elements contribute to human welfare and the environment.

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