Environmental Science Foundations Quiz

<p>Water and air pollution, energy sources, and global change (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>To develop strategies for managing environmental impacts (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Biodiversity encompasses both genes and ecosystems. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Long-term impacts on human populations (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The organization of living and nonliving components in nature (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Direct animal behavior studies (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>A group distinguished by morphology and genetics (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Frequency of rainfall in a region (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Loss and degradation of habitats (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Cultural influences (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Using a variety of environmental indicators (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Ecosystem dynamics (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Local environment (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Approximately 1.8 million (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Food production levels (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Human-induced habitat loss (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Amount of new tree growth (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>It reveals a worsening state of the environment. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>It triggers a cascade of changes throughout the system. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Negative feedback (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Overshoot may occur. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Through mass balance analysis. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Observe the natural world (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>It should be testable and falsifiable. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>It undergoes manipulation of one variable. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>To increase the reliability of the data. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The hypothesis is revised and retested. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>By being widely accepted after rigorous testing. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>A widely accepted theory that applies without exceptions. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Sharing findings through peer-reviewed communications. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Manipulation experiment (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>It is conducted without researcher interference. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Experiments must always confirm the hypothesis. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>It contributes to community enrichment and knowledge. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Ask questions based on observations. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The area of the natural space left within developments (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The hypothesis is supported, indicating a decrease in diversity (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>It ensures that findings achieved are significant and reliable (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Not differentiating between control and experimental groups (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>All systems are interconnected and affect one another (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>A species that has a disproportionately large effect on its environment relative to its abundance (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Discrepancies are often the result of bad science (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The world population growth has slowed down (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>A distinct cause-and-effect relationship and a mechanism (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>All of the above (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>High-intensity monoculture (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>They assess impacts of human activities on marine ecosystems (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>230,000 (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

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

<p>The exchange of matter and energy (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Species diversity (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The comparison against a pre-existing baseline (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Minor changes can lead to significant global repercussions (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Population age (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Increased resource consumption (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The Earth as a global system (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The amount of food produced per unit area of land (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>It is not sustainable (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>8 and 12 billion (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Cascade of extinctions among dependent species (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Results in soil erosion and declines in land quality (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>They differ significantly in different parts of the world (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Energy and matter can be exchanged with other systems. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Earth is an open system for energy but closed for matter. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>It will exacerbate environmental degradation (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The change in the amount of matter in the system over a time period. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Inputs and outputs are equal, maintaining a constant pool size. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Cultural beliefs and values. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>It involves measuring deposits and withdrawals. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Rainfall collected in a reservoir. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The output rate surpasses the input rate. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Solar energy. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Inflow of resources or energy. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The difference between total inputs and total outputs. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Open system interaction involving both matter and energy. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>It helps quantify changes within a system over time. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Inputs and outputs are balanced. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The balance of water supply is disrupted. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The sustainability of resource use. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Processes that propel the system further from equilibrium. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The resource is being depleted. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The system may stabilize or return to the initial state. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>They continually increase bets with losses. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Higher concentrations of heat-trapping gases. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>27.4 years (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Conflicting social and economic factors. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>It returns to its original equilibrium point. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>They help predict changes and manage resources. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Water vapor is in steadystate, while CO2 is increasing. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>They lead to faster depletion of pollutants. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The delay in response to population controls resulting in surpassing the carrying capacity. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Climate change (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Regulates prey populations by increasing predation as prey increase. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>They affect environmental conditions impacting survival and reproduction. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>It has decreased while the total population continues to rise. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Human activity has contributed to a steady increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The maximum number of individuals the environment can sustain. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Seasonal weather patterns. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>It negatively indicates the state of the Earth during extinction events. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Consumption of resources in a way that leaves them available for future generations. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Starvation as a result of depleted resources. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Increased release of greenhouse gases through melting ice. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Food resources become scarce, leading to fewer births. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>It has accelerated extinction rates beyond natural background levels. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Births and immigration. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>45% (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Carbon dioxide (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Solar radiation (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Lead pipes (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The Industrial Revolution (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Ozone (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>84% (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Decrease in lead emissions (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Industrial activities (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Fetuses and young children (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>58% (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The concentration of lead in air and water (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Human activities like deforestation (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Formulating a hypothesis based on observations (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Study of the impact of human activities on the environment.

A measurable aspect reflecting environmental health.

Variety of genes, species, habitats, and ecosystems.

Group of organisms with shared characteristics that can interbreed

Natural process, accelerated by human activity.

Increasing number of humans on Earth.

Growing food, impacted by land, climate, and methods.

Earth's temperature and heat-trapping gases.

Gases that trap heat in the atmosphere.

Harmful substances in air and water.

Systematic approach to understanding the natural world.

Testable explanation for an observation.

Study of natural phenomena without manipulation.

Study with controlled conditions and changes.

Interconnected living and nonliving components.

How changes in one part of a system affect others.

Movement of materials and energy in a system.

System with exchange of energy or matter.

System without exchange of energy or matter.

Examining inputs, outputs, and changes in a system.

System where inputs and outputs are balanced.

System changes in stored resources.

System responses to changes, can be positive or negative.

Species crucial to ecosystem function.

Limits of an ecosystem.

Large-scale ecosystems defined by plants.

Movement of elements through the environment.

The study of how human activities impact the environment, including pollution, biodiversity loss, and climate change. It also focuses on finding ways to manage these impacts for a sustainable future.

Environmental science uses knowledge from various fields like biology, chemistry, physics, and earth science to understand complex environmental issues.

Interconnected systems of living (humans and other species) and nonliving components (air, water, etc.) joined by energy and matter flow.

The variety of life on Earth, including genes, species, habitats, and ecosystems.

The study of how living and nonliving components are organized and interact within ecosystems.

The ways in which different species affect each other, including competition, predation, and symbiosis.

The significant changes happening on a global scale, including climate change, pollution, and resource depletion.

A future where human needs are met without compromising the environment's ability to support life for future generations.

All living and nonliving things surrounding an organism, including its food, predators, weather, and landscape.

Local environment is the immediate surroundings, while global environment encompasses the entire Earth.

Environmental science draws knowledge from various fields like biology, chemistry, physics, and social sciences.

Uses observations, experiments, and data analysis to understand environmental issues and solutions.

They help us assess the overall health of the environment and understand changes over time.

The variety of life on Earth, including genes, species, habitats, and ecosystems.

By comparing current extinction rates to “background” rates – the natural extinction rate before human impact.

Loss and degradation of habitats due to human activities.

A group of interconnected components, where changes in one part affect others.

Understanding environmental systems helps us analyze problems and find solutions.

The Earth is a complex system with interconnected components like atmosphere, oceans, and living organisms.

A system where inputs and outputs are balanced, leading to a stable condition.

Responses of a system to changes, either amplifying (positive) or inhibiting (negative) the original change.

Species facing a high risk of extinction in the wild due to various factors such as habitat loss, poaching, and climate change.

The decline or disappearance of an ecosystem due to the loss of key species or significant changes in environmental conditions.

Periods in Earth's history characterized by widespread and rapid extinction of species, often caused by catastrophic events.

Environmental indicators are measurable aspects of the environment that reveal its overall state and help us understand the impacts of human activities. Examples include species diversity, human population growth, food production, and resource consumption.

Human activities, such as habitat destruction, pollution, and climate change, are driving species extinctions at an alarming rate, reducing Earth's biodiversity.

The use of resources in a way that meets present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

The rapid consumption of natural resources such as water, fossil fuels, and minerals at a rate faster than their regeneration, leading to scarcity and environmental problems.

A measure of how much food is produced per unit area of land, representing the efficiency and environmental impact of farming practices.

The practice of growing a single crop species over a large area, simplifying the ecosystem and often leading to reduced biodiversity and increased vulnerability to pests.

Agricultural practices that involve intensive use of fertilizers, pesticides, and mechanization, often leading to higher yields but potential environmental consequences like soil erosion and water contamination.

A larger human population places increasing pressure on Earth's resources, leading to higher consumption, pollution, and greater demand on ecosystems.

Resources that exist in limited quantities on Earth, like fossil fuels, minerals, and fresh water, posing challenges for sustainable use.

The diverse ways people use resources, influenced by factors like lifestyle, economic development, and geographic location, leading to varying environmental impacts.

People in developed countries consume significantly more resources (meat, energy, paper, cars) than people in developing countries. The richest 20% use 84% of paper while the poorest 20% use 5% or less.

While population growth contributes to environmental impact, the way people live plays a crucial role. The consumption patterns of individuals greatly influence their environmental footprint.

Human activities like burning fossil fuels have significantly increased greenhouse gas concentrations, leading to a steady rise in global temperatures over the past century.

Lead is a toxic metal that affects humans, plants, and animals. Human activities like mining, coal burning, and gasoline additives have released lead into the environment, leading to pollution.

The amount of lead in the environment has increased over time due to mining, industrialization, and gasoline use. Since 1975, lead emissions have declined due to the switch to unleaded gasoline.

Lead pollution can come from older paint, lead pipes, and plumbing fixtures. While there has been progress in reducing lead exposure, it remains a significant concern, especially in older buildings and lower-income communities.

The amount of lead in the environment reflects the impact of human activities on the natural world. A decline in lead emissions suggests a positive environmental change.

The scientific method is a systematic process for gathering and analyzing information to understand the natural world. It involves observation, hypothesis, experimentation, and analysis.

Environmental indicators are measurable aspects of the environment that reflect environmental health, such as air quality, water quality, biodiversity, and greenhouse gas levels.

Environmental systems are interconnected networks of living and nonliving components that interact with each other through energy and matter flow, like a forest ecosystem with trees, animals, soil, and water.

Changes in one part of a system can affect other parts, leading to cascading effects. Understanding these dynamics is essential for managing environmental issues.

A scientific process where a researcher proposes an explanation (hypothesis) and designs an experiment to either support or refute it.

The factor that is deliberately changed or manipulated in an experiment to observe its effect.

A group in an experiment that does not receive the experimental treatment, used as a baseline for comparison.

The process of attempting to disprove a hypothesis through rigorous testing.

The practice of repeating experiments multiple times to increase confidence in findings and ensure reliability.

A general agreement among scientists about a particular topic or theory based on repeated, consistent findings.

The number of individuals or units included in a study, which influences the reliability of results.

A relationship where one event directly leads to another, demonstrating a clear connection between manipulation and outcome.

While two events may occur together (correlation), it doesn't necessarily mean one caused the other.

A group of interconnected components, living or nonliving, that interact and affect each other.

The largest and most encompassing system, encompassing the entire Earth and its interconnected components.

The study of environmental systems, especially those impacted by human activity.

A system's response to changes. Negative feedback brings things back to normal, while positive feedback amplifies the change. Imagine a thermostat regulating room temperature.

Earth is an open system for energy (sunlight in, heat out) but a closed system for matter, as very little enters or leaves.

The rate of change in the amount of matter or energy within a system.

Tracking the inputs and outputs of matter in a system to determine how much is accumulated, depleted, or remains constant.

The overall change in the amount of matter or energy within a system, calculated by subtracting outputs from inputs.

The total amount of matter or energy present within a system at a given time.

The matter or energy entering a system.

The matter or energy leaving a system.

Human activities, such as resource extraction, pollution, and urbanization, significantly impact the flow of matter and energy in environmental systems.

These factors play a crucial role in shaping human interactions with the environment, influencing how resources are used and how environmental problems are addressed.

People actively working to protect the environment through awareness campaigns, policy changes, and individual actions.

New research, like findings on climate change, impacts policy decisions and regulations to mitigate environmental impacts.

A cycle where a change in a system amplifies itself, leading to greater change in the same direction. For example, increased evaporation due to warmer temperatures, leading to even warmer temperatures.

A cycle where a change in a system triggers a response that counteracts the original change, stabilizing the system. For example, increasing deer populations leading to reduced food availability and lower birth rates.

When a system exceeds its stable set point due to a delay in receiving and responding to signals. This can happen in population growth, where a population exceeds the carrying capacity.

The maximum population size that an environment can sustainably support, based on available resources like food, water, and space.

The process of controlling population size through factors like birth rates, death rates, immigration, and emigration, often influenced by feedback loops.

Non-living components of an environment that affect population size, such as climate, water availability, and soil composition.

Living components of an environment that affect population size, such as predators, prey, and competitors.

An interaction where one organism (predator) hunts and consumes another organism (prey), often creating a negative feedback loop that regulates both populations.

A period in Earth's history characterized by widespread and rapid extinction of species, often caused by catastrophic events or human activities.

The long-term shift in global weather patterns, primarily caused by human-induced increases in greenhouse gas concentrations.

When more of a resource is entering a system than leaving, causing its amount to increase over time.

When more of a resource is leaving a system than entering, causing its amount to decrease over time.

A complex system involving the Earth's temperature, greenhouse gases, and evaporation, with feedback loops that can either amplify or dampen warming.

Natural processes or factors that regulate the population size and distribution of species in an ecosystem.

Human activities and decisions that influence the use and management of natural resources, often for economic gain or social benefit.

Using resources in a way that meets present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

The stable or target value for a particular parameter or variable in a system, representing its normal or ideal state.

A condition where a system remains relatively constant over time, indicating a balance between inputs and outputs, or a stable relationship between system components.

A hypothesis that can be proven wrong through experimentation.

The group in an experiment that receives the treatment or change being tested.

Based on the experiment's results, the scientist decides whether to confirm, modify, or discard the hypothesis.

A hypothesis that has been repeatedly tested and supported by many scientists.

A widely accepted explanation for a natural phenomenon, supported by a vast body of evidence.

A scientific theory that is universally accepted and applies without exceptions.

Repeating an experiment to verify results and ensure consistency.

The process of asking questions, gathering evidence, and testing ideas to gain knowledge about the world.

Scientists share their work with colleagues for critique and evaluation, improving the quality and validity of research.