Environmental Impact of Mining and Pesticides

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Questions and Answers

What is a primary consequence of deforestation?

Improved ecological balance

Reduction in CO2 levels

Desiccation of moist forest soil (correct)

Increased biodiversity

Which phenomenon is caused by the overflow of water exceeding the carrying capacity of channels?

Erosion

Flood (correct)

Global warming

Drought

What effect can heavy siltation in dams cause?

Enhanced biodiversity

Increased water storage capacity

Reduced carrying capacity (correct)

Overgrazing

What is a consequence of pesticide use on pest populations?

Creation of new pest species Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the aims of conservation?

Restraining the cutting of trees Signup and view all the answers

Which issue is commonly associated with the overuse of pesticides?

Death of non-target organisms Signup and view all the answers

What ecological imbalance can result from the persistent use of pesticides?

Imbalance in ecosystem Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a consequence of environmental pollution?

Increasing CO2 levels Signup and view all the answers

What is a cause of floods mentioned in the context of environmental effects?

Heavy rainfall Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'super pest' refer to?

Pests that have developed resistance to multiple pesticides Signup and view all the answers

What is one potential long-term effect of pesticide use on agricultural ecosystems?

Development of pesticide-resistant pest populations Signup and view all the answers

Which option describes a method of conservation?

Afforestation Signup and view all the answers

What can be an effect of prolonged downpour?

Food problems Signup and view all the answers

Pesticide-related problems can lead to which of the following outcomes?

Bioaccumulation in food chains Signup and view all the answers

How can excessive pesticide usage impact fish populations?

Harms fishes through runoff into rivers Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the main problems related to the evolution of genetic resistance in pests?

Large-scale crop failures Signup and view all the answers

What effect do pests like insects, bacteria, and viruses have on plants?

They consume the plants. Signup and view all the answers

What is one primary cause of reduced food production mentioned?

Environmental pollution. Signup and view all the answers

How does overgrazing primarily affect the land?

It leads to land degradation. Signup and view all the answers

What are renewable energy sources characterized by?

Their continuous generation and inexhaustibility. Signup and view all the answers

What happens to the root stocks of good quality grasses and herbs during overgrazing?

They are destroyed, losing regenerative capacity. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a consequence of soil erosion?

Loss of vegetation cover. Signup and view all the answers

What is indicated by the term 'alternate energy sources'?

Energy sources that do not depend on fossil fuels. Signup and view all the answers

What is one noted factor contributing to hunger in the world?

Deforestation leading to less rainfall. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Field washout leads to algal blooms and accumulation of dead organic matter, affecting water quality.
Re-vegetating mined areas with suitable plant species helps increase biodiversity while promoting gradual restoration of flora.
Decomposition of organic matter increases oxygen demand in bodies of water, impacting aquatic life.
Prevention of toxic drainage is crucial to mitigate negative environmental impacts.

Problems Associated with Pesticide Use

Pesticides can lead to the evolution of genetic resistance in pests, complicating crop management.
Pesticide use causes imbalances in ecosystems, creating new pests and impacting beneficial organisms.
Human activities disturb the mobility of toxins, which can harm aquatic life when washed into rivers and streams.

Overgrazing and Its Consequences

Overgrazing leads to land degradation, characterized by soil erosion and loss of useful plant species.
Soil becomes compacted and loses organic content, rendering it unsuitable for cultivation.
Modern agriculture practices often involve the use of high-yield crop varieties, resulting in micronutrient imbalances and nitrate pollution.

Water Management Challenges

Water logging occurs when soils become saturated with excess irrigation or rain, raising the water table and blocking oxygen supply to roots.
Salinization results from prolonged water logging, harming plant growth by accumulating salts in the soil.
Eutrophication caused by nutrient run-off leads to depleted oxygen levels in water bodies, harming aquatic ecosystems.

Global Food Issues

Key challenges include under-nutrition, malnutrition, and vulnerability to natural calamities like famine, drought, and floods.
Pest damage contributes significantly to food insecurity, as 60% of the world’s food production is at risk from pests.

Energy Resources and Their Importance

Population growth and industrial demands drive the need for diverse energy sources, with fossil fuels accounting for 95% of energy production.
Renewable energy sources, such as solar, wind, and hydroelectric power, can be generated continuously and are sustainable.

Overgrazing and Land Degradation

Overgrazing destroys vital vegetation and root systems, leading to the proliferation of secondary plant species that lack nutritional value.
Persistent land degradation transforms soil into a dry, compact state, limiting agricultural potential and biodiversity.

Environmental Effects of Deforestation

Deforestation leads to resource destruction, heavy siltation of dams, and contributes to soil erosion and biodiversity loss.
It exacerbates global warming and ecological imbalances by increasing atmospheric CO2 levels.

Conservation Strategies

Conservation involves strategies such as afforestation, reforestation, and disease control to preserve natural habitats.
Restraining tree cutting and promoting healthy forest ecosystems are critical for maintaining biodiversity.
Conservation efforts must account for the impacts of environmental changes such as flooding and soil fertility loss.

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Description

Explore the challenges of mined area restoration and the consequences of pesticide use in this quiz. Learn about algal blooms, oxygen demand from decomposition, and the evolution of genetic resistance in pests. This quiz covers crucial aspects of environmental science and ecology.