Environmental Science Basics

Which of the following is NOT a core discipline integrated into environmental science?

What does 'biodiversity' refer to?

Which of the following best describes 'sustainability'?

What is the introduction of contaminants into the natural environment that cause adverse change known as?

Which of the following is a major driver of climate change?

What does ecosystem dynamics primarily involve?

Which of these is a biotic component of an ecosystem?

Organisms that produce their own food through photosynthesis are known as:

Herbivores are also known as:

What do decomposers primarily break down?

In predation, what happens to the prey?

What occurs when organisms compete for the same limited resources?

Which type of symbiosis benefits both species involved?

In commensalism, what happens to the species that is not benefiting?

Which relationship describes parasitism?

What is the primary source of energy for most ecosystems?

Through what process do producers convert solar energy into chemical energy?

What do ecological pyramids illustrate?

Approximately what percentage of energy is transferred from one trophic level to the next?

What happens to the remaining energy that is not transferred between trophic levels?

What does nutrient cycling involve?

Which cycle involves the continuous movement of water between the atmosphere, land, and oceans?

Which cycle involves the exchange of carbon between the atmosphere, biosphere, and geosphere?

What does the nitrogen cycle primarily involve?

Which cycle includes the movement of phosphorus through rocks, water, soil, and organisms?

What is ecological succession?

Where does primary succession occur?

Which type of succession occurs after a disturbance where soil remains intact?

What are the first species to colonize a disturbed area called?

What is a stable, mature community that is the final stage of ecological succession called?

Which of the following can alter ecosystem structure and function?

What are the benefits that humans receive from ecosystems known as?

Which of the following is an example of a provisioning service?

What do regulating services include?

Which of the following is a cultural service provided by ecosystems?

What does conservation biology primarily study?

What is the practice of restoring degraded ecosystems called?

What is a group of individuals of the same species living in the same area called?

What does population density refer to?

Which type of population distribution involves individuals clustered together?

What is the maximum population size that an environment can support called?

What is the study of interactions between different species living in the same area called?