Environmental Indicators and Biodiversity Quiz

Measurable factors that help determine the health of an environmental system & point to potential problems.

The variety of genes, species, habitats, & ecosystems on Earth.

Disappearance of a species from Earth; a natural process, but humans speed it up.

Increase in the number of humans on Earth, currently experiencing slower growth after 1960.

The amount of food produced, influenced by soil quality, climate, and several other factors.

Interacting components (organisms, geography, climate) that make up our surroundings.

Growth where the rate increases over time (similar to a curve).

Growing one type of crop (monoculture) vs. multiple types (polyculture), affecting resource use and biodiversity.

A process where an initial change in a system leads to a larger change in the same direction, moving further from a stable state.

Population size is determined by births, immigration, and influenced by deaths and emigration, which are often larger factors.

The variety of life in a particular habitat or ecosystem, including different species and genetic variations.

The differences in genes within a population, a fundamental part of biodiversity.

Different forms of a gene.

The allele that will be expressed even if there's a different allele present(e.g., brown eyes).

A change in a gene, sometimes creating new alleles.

Observable characteristics of an organism (e.g., eye color, height).

The genetic makeup of an organism (e.g., the alleles it has).

The change in genetic makeup/traits within a population over generations.

A group of organisms with similar characteristics and the ability to interbreed.

A process where organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and reproduce.

The ability of an organism to survive and reproduce successfully.

The process of an organism adjusting to its environment over time.

Agricultural land using a single type of crop, often leading to decreased soil quality and lower yields.

Meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

Gases like carbon dioxide and methane that trap heat in the atmosphere, leading to global warming.

Non-renewable fuels formed from the remains of ancient plants and animals, like coal, oil, and natural gas.

A systematic process of observing, questioning, hypothesizing, experimenting, and drawing conclusions.

In an experiment, the group that does not receive the treatment being tested.

In an experiment, the group that receives the treatment or variable being tested.

The study of how systems interact with each other and themselves over time.

A system that exchanges matter and energy with its surroundings.

A system that does not exchange matter with its surroundings.

The difference between inputs and outputs of a system over a period of time.

A state in a system where input and output are equal, resulting in no net change.

A cycle where the output of a system affects the input, causing a change in the system's behavior.

A feedback loop where the system responds to a change by moving in the opposite direction of the initial change, stabilizing the system.

Harmful substances released into the air and water, negatively affecting human health and the environment.

A toxic metal that can cause various health problems, especially in developing children.

The movement of genes between populations through migration and interbreeding.

Random changes in the frequency of alleles in a population due to chance events, especially in small populations.

A drastic reduction in population size due to a catastrophic event, leading to reduced genetic diversity.

The speed of evolutionary change is influenced by environmental change, genetic variation, and population size.

The collection of preserved remains of ancient organisms, providing evidence of evolution and extinction.

A timeline of Earth's history, divided into intervals marked by significant events like mass extinctions.

A widespread and rapid extinction event that wipes out a large percentage of species.

The ongoing extinction of species driven by human activities, including habitat destruction and introduced species.

The division of a habitat into smaller, isolated patches, impacting species that require large, undisturbed areas.

A species introduced to a new environment where it may outcompete native species, disrupting the ecosystem.

The study of the interactions between living organisms and their environment, encompassing various levels of organization.

Physical and chemical factors in the environment that affect the survival and growth of organisms.

The decline in the variety of life on Earth, driven by various factors including habitat loss and climate change.

The conditions within which a species can survive and thrive. It's the acceptable range for factors like temperature, light, or salinity.

Substances or elements used by organisms for survival, growth, and reproduction. They are consumed or depleted during use.

A resource that restricts the growth or distribution of a population. Both species need it to survive.

When two species compete for the same limiting resource, one species will outcompete the other, leading to extinction or adaptation.

The specific role an organism plays in its community. It includes its habitat, food sources, and interactions.

When species divide a limited resource to avoid competition. They specialize in different aspects of the resource.

The consumption of one organism by another. It drives energy flow through communities.

A relationship between two species where both benefit. It promotes the survival and reproduction of both.

The feeding positions in a food chain or web. They represent energy transfer from one organism to another.

Organisms, like plants and algae, that create food from sunlight through photosynthesis.

Organisms that obtain energy by feeding on other organisms.

The total mass of living organisms in a given area or trophic level. It decreases with each level due to energy loss.

A self-contained ecological unit where living organisms (biotic) interact with their non-living environment (abiotic).

An event that disrupts an ecosystem's structure and function, causing injury or death to organisms, damaging abiotic components.

A slow, gradual change in an ecosystem, often caused by the introduction of a new species, like an invasive plant.

The ability of an ecosystem to recover to its original state after a disturbance.

The wettest and warmest biome, with high biodiversity.

A tropical forest with a distinct dry season, characterized by deciduous trees.

A rainforest with mild winters, abundant rainfall, and coniferous trees.

A forest with moderate rainfall, distinct seasons, and deciduous trees.

A cold, northern forest dominated by coniferous trees like spruce and fir.

A biome with limited rainfall, supporting grasslands instead of forests.

A biome with dry conditions, supporting scrub vegetation and migrating herbivores.

A dry biome with winter rainfall, supporting dense shrubs and small trees.

The driest biome, receiving minimal rainfall, supporting sparse vegetation.

A cold, treeless biome with low-lying vegetation, located in the Arctic or high altitudes.

A type of air pollution caused by chemical reactions between sunlight, nitrogen oxides, and volatile organic compounds, resulting in a haze over cities.

A gas that can be both beneficial (in the stratosphere) and harmful (in the troposphere), depending on its location.

Pollutants released directly into the atmosphere from sources like industries or vehicles.

Pollutants formed in the atmosphere through chemical reactions between primary pollutants.

A condition where a layer of warm air traps cooler air below, preventing pollutants from dispersing.

A liquid fossil fuel made from ancient marine organisms, used for gasoline and other products.

A gaseous fossil fuel made from ancient organisms, often found alongside oil.

A technique used to extract natural gas and oil from underground by injecting pressurized water, sand, and chemicals into rock formations.

Energy generated from splitting uranium atoms, producing heat for electricity generation.

Byproducts of the nuclear fission process, often containing harmful isotopes.

Energy sources that are naturally replenished over time, like solar, wind, and hydro power.

Energy sources that are finite and cannot be replenished at a human timescale, like fossil fuels.

The process of converting atmospheric nitrogen gas (N2) into a usable form for plants, like nitrates (NO3-) or ammonium (NH4+).

The process where decomposers break down dead organic matter, releasing ammonium (NH4+) back into the soil.

A two-step process where bacteria convert ammonium (NH4+) into nitrites (NO2-) and then nitrates (NO3-), which can be used by plants.

The process where bacteria convert nitrates (NO3-) back into nitrogen gas (N2), releasing it back into the atmosphere.

Pollution that comes from a single, identifiable source, such as a factory or sewage treatment plant.

Pollution that comes from a variety of sources, such as runoff from farms or urban areas.

Disease-causing organisms, like bacteria, viruses, or parasites, that can contaminate water sources.

The excessive growth of algae in water bodies, often caused by too much nitrogen and phosphorus.

Toxic chemicals that remain in the environment for a long time, often causing harm to ecosystems.

Solid particles, like soil and rock, that can be carried by water.

A law passed in 1972 to protect surface water quality in the United States.

Gases formed from burning fuels, that can contribute to air pollution and acid rain.

A colorless, odorless gas produced from incomplete combustion, that is harmful to human health.

Tiny solid or liquid particles in the air, often from burning fuels or natural events like forest fires.

The lowest layer of Earth's atmosphere, where we live and where weather occurs.

The amount of solar energy received by the Earth's atmosphere per square meter, approximately 1,370 watts.

Using sunlight directly to heat a house or other structure without mechanical systems.

Using technology to harness solar power for heating water or generating electricity.

Devices that convert sunlight directly into electricity using silicon dioxide layers.

Machines that convert wind's kinetic energy into electricity using rotating blades.

Using the flow of river water to generate electricity.

A type of hydroelectric power where water flows naturally through a turbine and back into the river.

Using reservoirs to control water flow, creating more electricity on demand.

Renewable energy source using organic materials like wood or waste to generate electricity.

Carbon released from recently living organisms, like plants.

Carbon stored in fossil fuels, released when they are burned.

A biofuel made from fermented corn or corn-based products, often blended with gasoline.

Harnessing the Earth's internal heat to generate electricity.

Using the rise and fall of tides to generate electricity.

A measure of how effectively we use energy to perform a task, expressed as a percentage of usable energy.

The highest amount of energy used in a particular time period, typically during peak hours.

A program that promotes energy-efficient appliances and products, helping save electricity and reduce emissions.

An international body that assesses the science related to climate change and its impacts.

A long-term shift in average weather patterns that includes changes in temperature, precipitation, and wind patterns.

The gradual increase in the average temperature of Earth's atmosphere and oceans.

The process where certain gases in the atmosphere trap heat from the sun, warming the Earth's surface.

Gases that trap heat in the atmosphere and contribute to the greenhouse effect.

A significant greenhouse gas that absorbs infrared radiation, preventing heat from escaping the Earth.

The negative consequences of the Earth's warming, including rising sea levels, extreme weather events, and impacts on ecosystems.

Growth rings in trees that provide information about past climate conditions.

Similar to tree rings, coral bands show past environmental conditions.

The amount of snow cover on the Earth's surface, which is affected by climate change.