Environmental Science Basics Quiz

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Questions and Answers

What does the phrase 'the solution to pollution is dilution' imply about pollution control?

Ignoring pollution will make it disappear over time.

Mixing pollutants in larger volumes of water makes them harmless. (correct)

Reducing pollutants at the source is effective.

All pollutants are fully biodegradable when diluted.

Which forestry cutting method removes only selected trees and maintains overall forest structure?

Strip cutting

Clear-cutting

Shelterwood cutting

Selective cutting (correct)

What is the Great Pacific Garbage Patch primarily composed of?

Microplastics and other discarded waste. (correct)

Nutrient-rich organic matter.

A collection of wooden debris from shipwrecks.

Natural seaweed and marine plants.

How many trophic levels are typically represented in a food web?

Five or more Signup and view all the answers

Which term describes organisms that are both primary consumers and secondary consumers?

Omnivores Signup and view all the answers

What are the two primary chemical pollutants responsible for acid precipitation?

Sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides Signup and view all the answers

What is a main source of sulfur dioxide?

Combustion of fossil fuels Signup and view all the answers

Which minerals can neutralize the effects of acid precipitation?

Muscovite, smectite, and gypsum Signup and view all the answers

How do oil spills harm wildlife primarily?

Chemical constituents are poisonous Signup and view all the answers

Which method can be used to contain oil spills on land?

Berms and trenches Signup and view all the answers

What was previously thought to reduce the negative impacts of a pollutant?

Diluting with water Signup and view all the answers

What describes biotic components in an ecosystem?

Living things and their remains Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an abiotic component of an ecosystem?

Water Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a major natural resource?

Iron Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of using renewable services over non-renewable services?

They help reduce environmental damage. Signup and view all the answers

What is primary succession?

Creation of new land. Signup and view all the answers

Which forestry cutting method involves removing all trees in an area?

Clearcutting Signup and view all the answers

Which level of species richness is typically found in tropical rainforests?

High richness Signup and view all the answers

Which factor is generally limited in the early stages of succession?

Biotic factors Signup and view all the answers

What happens to the ecosystem when it is in equilibrium?

Living and nonliving things are balanced. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a common cause of species extinction?

Natural disasters Signup and view all the answers

What is the most common method of forest harvesting in Canada?

Clear cutting Signup and view all the answers

Which forest harvesting method allows for tree regeneration under the shelter of remaining trees?

Shelterwood cutting Signup and view all the answers

What typically happens to nutrients and erosion levels after tree harvesting?

Nutrients are lost and erosion increases Signup and view all the answers

Which trophic level generally contains the greatest biomass in ecosystems?

Primary producers Signup and view all the answers

Which forest harvesting method incurs the least ecological impact?

Selective cutting Signup and view all the answers

How does human activity influence the water cycle?

By altering precipitation patterns Signup and view all the answers

Which biome is located in Canada and is north of all other biomes?

Tundra Signup and view all the answers

Which abiotic factors are crucial to both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems?

Nutrients, temperature, and water availability Signup and view all the answers

What term describes organisms found at the bottom of food chains?

Producers Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements is true regarding ecosystems?

Ecosystems are composed of both biotic and abiotic features. Signup and view all the answers

Which harvesting method is considered the most economical for forest resources?

Clear cutting Signup and view all the answers

Which energy-rich substance is produced by green plants during photosynthesis?

Glucose Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship between photosynthesis and cellular respiration?

Photosynthesis produces glucose, which is utilized in cellular respiration. Signup and view all the answers

Which of these areas is considered an ecosystem?

A backyard pond Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best describes the Gaia Hypothesis?

The Earth and its biological systems behave as a single entity. Signup and view all the answers

What is necessary to ensure sustainability in nature?

Reduction, reuse, and recycling practices Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'species richness' refer to?

The number of different species in a given area. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a reason why primary succession is slower than secondary succession?

It begins in lifeless areas without soil. Signup and view all the answers

What are two major chemical pollutants responsible for acid precipitation?

Nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxide. Signup and view all the answers

Why are scientists concerned about species loss?

It disrupts food webs and ecosystem functions. Signup and view all the answers

What describes a renewable ecosystem service?

It can be used indefinitely without depletion. Signup and view all the answers

What ecological consequence can result from the introduction of an invasive species?

Greater competition for resources among native species. Signup and view all the answers

Why is succession slower on sand or bare rock?

They require more time for soil development. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT an example of a human activity contributing to species extinction?

Renewable energy production. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Resource Management - Forestry

Approximately 60% of Canada's original forests have been logged at least once.
Forest harvesting methods include three categories:
- Clear-cutting: removing all or most trees in a given area. This method is the most economical and efficient, accounting for 90% of usages.
- Shelterwood-cutting: harvesting mature trees in a series of two or more cuts. This allows for regeneration under the shelter of remaining trees.
- Selective-cutting: periodically harvesting selected trees. This is the most costly method but has the least ecological impact.

Ecological Issues

Following tree harvesting, nutrients are lost from the soil, and erosion increases.
Only one or two options are available.

Food Webs and Ecological Pyramids

Ecological niche: A species' role in an ecosystem, including its interactions with other organisms and its use of resources. Humans, for example, occupy a distinct niche.
Food chains vs. Food webs: Food chains track energy transfer through a single linear path, while food webs depict multiple interconnected paths.
Energy decrease: Energy decreases as you move up trophic levels in a food web. This lost energy is used by organisms at that trophic level.
Greatest biomass: The trophic level with the lowest amount of energy has the most biomass. This is normally the producer level.
Carnivores: Occupy various trophic levels, consuming other animals.
Examples of carnivores may vary (according to the food web).

Cycling of Matter in Ecosystems

Water cycle pathways: Water enters and leaves the atmosphere in various ways, such as evaporation, condensation, and precipitation.
Sources of carbon in the atmosphere: Carbon enters the atmosphere from various sources, including the burning of fossil fuels and the respiration of organisms.
Human impact on cycles: Human activities impact the water, carbon, and nitrogen cycles in various ways, including deforestation, industrial emissions, and agriculture.
Climate change mitigation: Two human actions that can help slow climate change include reducing greenhouse gas emissions and switching to renewable energy sources (these are examples only).
Nitrogen in dead organisms: The nitrogen in dead organisms is released back into the soil through various biological processes, typically involving decomposers.

Biotic and Abiotic Influences on Ecosystems

Tolerance range vs. optimal range: Tolerance range is the range of environmental conditions in which a species can survive. The optimal range is the specific range within the tolerance range in which a species thrives.
Abiotic factors in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems: Examples are temperature, water availability, and sunlight (in terrestrial ecosystems) and salinity, water flow, and dissolved oxygen (in aquatic ecosystems).
Increasing carrying capacity: Human activities can increase the carrying capacity of ecosystems through habitat modification and/or the introduction of non-native species.

Major Terrestrial Ecosystems

Ordering Canada's biomes: Various methods of ordering, such as from wettest to driest, or warmest to coldest can be applied.
Diversity of boreal vs. deciduous forests: Boreal forests generally show less biodiversity than deciduous forests due to their harsher climates.
Influential abiotic factors in biome determination: Factors like temperature, rainfall, and soil type influence the types of biomes in a region.
Conifers in boreal forests: Conifers are adapted to the harsh winters of boreal forests, with features like cone-bearing needles that retain water and reduce water loss.
Freshwater vs. Marine ecosystems: Freshwater ecosystems include lakes, rivers, and wetlands, whereas marine ecosystems include oceans, seas, and coral reefs.

Connections: Ecosystems and Sustainability

Memorize 3-4 items per list.

Atmosphere and Air Pressure

Air pressure decreases with altitude.
The atmosphere acts as a blanket, protecting Earth from harmful radiation.
The temperature on Mercury is vastly different between day and night due to Mercury's close proximity to the sun.

Non-native Species

Invasive species are those introduced by humans.
These introduced species cause many issues in their new environment by outcompeting native species for resources.
Invasive species have a greater chance of success if they can adapt to their new environments successfully.

Acid Precipitation (Pollution)

Two main chemical pollutants creating acid precipitation are sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides.
Main sources of these pollutants are the burning of fossil fuels, primarily from transportation.
Impacts include mineral leaching, dissolving of nutrients, harming wildlife through toxicity, and the release of toxic substances into the environment.

Ecosystems

Ecosystems involve living and non-living components interacting.
Living components (biotic) are organisms, their remains, and wastes.
Non-living components (abiotic) are physical and chemical factors.

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Description

Test your knowledge on key concepts in Environmental Science, including pollution control, ecosystem components, and the impacts of various pollutants. This quiz covers essential topics like acid precipitation, wildlife protection, and sustainable practices in forestry and resource management.