Environmental Science Quiz
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Questions and Answers

Which step follows 'Hypotheses' in the Scientific Method?

  • Tests
  • Observations
  • Predictions (correct)
  • Results

    • Pseudoscience embraces peer review and adapts based on new evidence.

    False

    What is the difference between scientific uncertainty and action uncertainty?

    Scientific uncertainty refers to incomplete knowledge, while action uncertainty involves dilemmas in decision-making.

    A ___________ hypothesis proposes no effect in an experiment.

    <p>null</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the following terms with their definitions:

    <p>Theory = A widely accepted explanation supported by evidence Law = A fundamental principle that describes natural phenomena Hypothesis = A testable and falsifiable explanation for observations Pseudoscience = A belief system that lacks scientific rigor and verification</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT a barrier in sustainability science?

    <p>Peer review</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Environmental science and environmentalism refer to the same concept.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the goal of fostering logical thinking in science?

    <p>To approach problem-solving systematically and verify outcomes.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary cause of eutrophication in surface waters?

    <p>Nutrient pollution</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Pathogens primarily originate from treated waste in water bodies.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Name two natural sources of groundwater pollution.

    <p>Mercury and arsenic</p> Signup and view all the answers

    By 2030, approximately _______ million people could be displaced by intense water scarcity.

    <p>700</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the types of water scarcity with their descriptions:

    <p>Physical Scarcity = Caused by ecological conditions like drought Economic Scarcity = Caused by inadequate infrastructure despite available water</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT a consequence of sediment pollution?

    <p>Causes genetic damage</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Agriculture is the largest consumer of water worldwide.

    <p>True</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What drives adaptation in species through the favoring of advantageous traits?

    <p>Natural Selection</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a primary challenge faced in monitoring groundwater pollution?

    <p>It is hard to detect and monitor.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Genetic drift can introduce new alleles into a population.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the process called when humans intentionally or unintentionally influence the traits of organisms?

    <p>Artificial Selection</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The type of speciation that occurs without physical barriers is called ______.

    <p>Sympatric Speciation</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the following concepts with their definitions:

    <p>Adaptive Radiation = Rapid speciation due to environmental changes Directional Selection = Favors one extreme trait Type III Survivorship = High mortality in youth, survival in old age Density-Dependent Factors = Population factors influenced by density</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the result of a negative individual per capita growth rate?

    <p>Population is shrinking</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Extinction is a rare event and only happens under extreme conditions.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is genetic variation and why is it important in evolution?

    <p>Genetic variation refers to differences in alleles among individuals in a population, and it is important because it allows for natural selection to occur, enabling adaptation to changing environments.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    A species with a ______ niche will have higher vulnerability factors, such as small populations.

    <p>narrow</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which pattern of selection favors both extremes of a trait within a population?

    <p>Disruptive Selection</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which layer of the Earth is solid and brittle and includes the crust and the upper mantle?

    <p>Lithosphere</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Oceanic crust is thicker and less dense than continental crust.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What process drives the movement of tectonic plates?

    <p>Mantle convection</p> Signup and view all the answers

    At divergent boundaries, new crust forms due to __________ activity.

    <p>volcanic</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match each type of plate boundary with its correct description.

    <p>Divergent = Plates move apart, new crust forms Convergent = Plates collide, crust consumed or compressed Transform = Plates slide horizontally past each other Subduction = Oceanic crust sinks due to higher density</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which item is considered indirect evidence for studying plate tectonics?

    <p>Seismic wave refraction</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Positive feedback loops stabilize systems.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the role of feedback loops in ecological systems?

    <p>To maintain balance and stability</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The largest reservoir of nitrogen in the Earth’s atmosphere is __________.

    <p>the atmosphere</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match each biogeochemical cycle with its key characteristic.

    <p>Hydrologic Cycle = Involves precipitation and groundwater flow Carbon Cycle = Includes atmospheric processes and fossil fuels Nitrogen Cycle = Largest reservoir is the atmosphere Phosphorus Cycle = No atmospheric component</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following best describes an open system?

    <p>Exchanges both energy and matter</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Gravitational force acts on new crust, causing it to slide away at convergent boundaries.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What major human activity impacts the nitrogen cycle?

    <p>Fertilizer production</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Beluga whales are considered __________ and act as indicators of ecosystem health.

    <p>vulnerable</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the IPATS model stand for?

    <p>Impact = Population × Affluence × Technology × Sensitivity</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Sustainability Science focuses on advocating for change in environmental policies.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is biocapacity?

    <p>Ecosystem capacity to absorb impacts and remain functional.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The ______ is a proposed epoch that reflects unprecedented human-induced changes.

    <p>Anthropocene</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT one of the planetary boundaries that have been breached?

    <p>Freshwater use</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the following hypotheses about the origin of life with their descriptions:

    <p>Heterotrophic Hypothesis = Life arose from inorganic chemicals in oceans. Panspermia Hypothesis = Microbes arrived via meteorites. Chemoautotrophic Hypothesis = Life originated at deep-sea hydrothermal vents.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The Great Oxygen Event is linked to the activity of photosynthetic cyanobacteria.

    <p>True</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are the two main types of planets formed in the Solar System?

    <p>Jovian planets and terrestrial planets.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    ____ changes and feedback loops complicate the understanding of natural systems.

    <p>Interrelationships</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which process is primarily responsible for driving the rock cycle?

    <p>Plate tectonics</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The Earth's early atmosphere consisted mainly of oxygen.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary impact of life on Earth's environmental systems?

    <p>Chemically transformed Earth's atmosphere, hydrosphere, and lithosphere.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The ______-rich atmosphere is essential for sustaining life on Earth.

    <p>N- and O-</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the following rock types with their descriptions:

    <p>Igneous = Formed from cooled magma. Sedimentary = Formed from compressed sediments. Metamorphic = Altered by heat or pressure.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is one of the major effects of climate change on ecosystems?

    <p>Habitat loss</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What describes the fundamental niche of an organism?

    <p>The range of conditions and resources the organism could theoretically use.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The realized niche considers only environmental constraints and ignores competition.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Name one example of mutualism.

    <p>Pollinators and flowers</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In a trophic level, ___________ are known as producers.

    <p>autotrophs</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the following species interactions with their definitions:

    <p>Competition = Multiple species seek the same limited resources Commensalism = One species benefits while the other is unaffected Mutualism = Both species benefit from the relationship Amensalism = One species is harmed, the other is unaffected</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which statement correctly describes energy transfer in trophic levels?

    <p>Only 10% of energy typically moves to the next level.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Primary succession happens in areas where soil is already intact.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a keystone species?

    <p>A species that has a disproportionately large impact on its community.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The process through which ecosystems recover from disturbances is called ___________.

    <p>resilience</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is a characteristic of invasive species?

    <p>They exhibit rapid population growth.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Amensalism is when both species benefit from the interaction.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What do decomposers do in an ecosystem?

    <p>They break down dead material.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Groundwater is a __________ resource that requires sustainable management.

    <p>critical</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the following types of succession with their characteristics:

    <p>Primary Succession = Starts with bare substrate Secondary Succession = Occurs after partial disturbance</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Science Overview

    • Science aims to foster logical thinking and problem-solving.
    • Example: Measuring Earth's average surface temperature requires specific methods.
    • Science adapts to evidence, welcomes criticism, and uses peer review.
    • Pseudoscience avoids criticism, cherry-picks data, and lacks verification.
    • The scientific method involves observations, questions, hypotheses, predictions, tests, and results.
    • Assumptions include natural laws govern the universe and cause-effect relationships exist.
    • A hypothesis is a testable, falsifiable explanation for observations; types include null and research.
    • Science communication involves hypotheses leading to theories, then laws, supported by evidence.
    • Sustainability science faces challenges including language barriers, perception issues, process time frames, public mistrust, and explaining uncertainty.
    • Evidence-based decision-making uses reliable evidence to inform policies and distinguishes between scientific and action uncertainty.

    Environmental Science

    • Environmental science is an interdisciplinary study of environments, human interactions, and mutual influences.
    • Key attributes are objectivity and interdisciplinarity.
    • An environment is defined by biotic and abiotic components, interactions, and human relationships (legal, cultural, and spiritual).
    • Environmental science is distinct from environmentalism; the latter can embrace pseudoscience.
    • Environmental science is supported by biology (life interactions, evolution, extinction), physics (matter/energy, planetary cycles), geology (Earth systems), geography (human impacts), and chemistry (materials interaction).
    • The IPATS model (Impact=Population × Affluence × Technology × Sensitivity) reflects resource use and environmental sensitivity.
    • Environmental footprint measures the biologically productive area needed for resources and waste.
    • Biocapacity is the ecosystem's capacity to absorb impacts and remain functional.
    • Science observes, monitors, understands processes, develops solutions, quantifies human impact, and assesses ecosystem resilience.
    • Global challenges include natural system complexity, current human impacts (resource exploitation, pollution, biodiversity loss, climate change), and positive potentials (restoration and sustainability).
    • The planetary boundaries framework limits safe human activity, including breached boundaries like climate change, nitrogen cycle, and biodiversity loss.
    • Other concerns encompass ocean acidification, freshwater use, and land/pollution changes.
    • The Anthropocene epoch proposes an epoch reflecting human-induced changes.

    Solar System Formation

    • The solar system formed ~4.6 billion years ago through the gravitational collapse of an interstellar molecular cloud.
    • Evidence includes stellar evolution models and dating of primitive solar system objects(e.g., meteorites).
    • The stages involve a solar nebula (gas/dust), collapse (triggered by events), sun formation, planet formation, and planetary differentiation (forming layers).
    • Jovian planets are large and gaseous/icy; terrestrial planets are small and rocky/metallic.
    • The Sun's future involves hydrogen conversion to helium and eventual death.

    Evolution of Earth's Systems

    • Early Earth conditions had no free oxygen, an atmosphere of H, He, and volcanic gases, and surfaces bombarded by meteorites.
    • Hydrosphere development involved water and its unique properties: polarity, wide liquid range, high heat capacity for chemical transport. Ice floating is crucial for supporting ecosystems.
    • Early atmosphere was initially hot and dense; gradual cooling led to liquid water which allowed for cyclical processes.
    • Hypotheses for life origin include heterotrophic (from inorganic chemicals in oceans), panspermia (via meteorites), and chemoautotrophic (at deep-sea vents).
    • Early fossil records show single-cell bacteria and, later, multicellular life. Mass extinction events have wiped out 99% of species.
    • Biogeochemical cycles highlight early life (chemosynthetic bacteria, photosynthetic cyanobacteria), the great oxygen event (increased oxygen and reduced CO2), banded iron formations (indicators of atmospheric changes), and carbon sequestration (stabilizing CO2).

    Goldilocks Factors for Life

    • Earth's qualities for life include chemical composition (N and O-rich atmosphere), water availability (solid, liquid, vapor states), and dynamic systems (lithosphere, weather, ecosphere, biosphere).
    • Life chemically transformed Earth's systems.

    Cycles on Earth

    • The rock cycle involves heating, melting, cooling, breaking rocks and reassembling them, driven by plate tectonics and surface/internal processes. Three major rock types are igneous (fire-originated magma), sedimentary (compressed sediments), and metamorphic (altered by heat and pressure).
    • Geological cycles interrelate rock, tectonic, and hydrological cycles, influencing landscapes and affecting soil chemistry, nutrients, and climate distribution.

    Plate Tectonics

    • Earth's interior is layered: mantle (silicate rock), asthenosphere (ductile upper mantle), and lithosphere (solid, brittle outer shell). Plates are sections of lithosphere.
    • Plate movements result from mantle convection (hot rising, cool sinking), mantle drag, ridge push, and slab pull.
    • Plate boundaries (divergent, convergent, transform/strike-slip) result in geological activity.
    • Direct (rocks, samples, lava, xenoliths) and indirect (seismic waves, gravity/magnetism) evidence supports plate tectonic theory.

    Systems Approach in Environmental Science

    • Environmental science is best addressed through understanding systems; A system is a portion of the universe with inputs, outputs, and constant changes.
    • Systems vary in scale and are dynamic, with constant inputs and outputs.
    • A systems approach acknowledges interconnectedness within ecosystems and human-modified environments.
    • Box models represent energy/matter transfer.
    • Ecosystems have nested hierarchies and emergent properties, and resilience is essential for ecosystem stability.
    • Human impacts alter reservoirs, fluxes, and natural cycles.

    Evolution

    • Evolution occurs over long periods, affecting populations over generations.
    • Key concepts include descent with modification and natural selection.
    • Genetics connects traits to genes and variations (alleles).
    • Mechanisms of evolution include migration, genetic drift, mutation, and natural selection.
    • Adaptation is a trait aiding survival and reproduction, resulting only from natural selection.
    • Artificial selection mimics natural selection, and convergent evolution sees unrelated species evolve similar traits due to similar environments.
    • Speciation happens due to reproductive isolation (sympatric) or geographic isolation (allopatric).
    • Adaptive radiation is rapid speciation following environmental change, common in isolated areas like islands.
    • Extinction is a natural process, but human activities raise extinction rates.

    Population Ecology

    • Populations interact with their environment, affecting dynamics due to density impacts.
    • Populations exhibit spatial and temporal patterns.
    • Age and sex dynamics are significant to understand population resilience.
    • Life history patterns (survivorship types) and the r-K continuum (rapid vs. slow growth) are important.
    • Population growth (exponential vs. logistic) and growth limits (density-dependent, independent) are key concepts.

    Ecological Niche Concepts

    • Ecological niche is the full range of conditions an organism needs.
    • Fundamental niche is theoretical ideal conditions while realized niche is the practical, limited niche due to competition and constraints.

    Species Interactions

    • Species interactions shape community structure and evolution, including competition, commensalism, amensalism, mutualism, and exploitative interactions (predation, parasitism, herbivory).

    Trophic Relationships

    • Energy moves through ecosystems in trophic levels: producers, primary consumers, secondary consumers, tertiary consumers, and decomposers.
    • Energy transfer is inefficient (only 10% to the next level).
    • Biomass patterns are pyramidal, potentially inversed in aquatic ecosystems.

    Community Dynamics

    • Community disturbances show responses in resistance (maintaining structure) and resilience (recovering).
    • Succession (primary and secondary) shows how communities develop over time.
    • Biomes are major communities with climate, vegetation, and species distribution shaped by altitude and latitude.
    • Keystone species, invasive species, and human impacts (habitat fragmentation, altered processes) significantly impact community dynamics.

    Human Evolution and Environmental Impact

    • Primates share characteristics like arboreal lifestyle and sociality.
    • Humans stand out with larger brains.
    • Human activities impact both water quality and quantity, e.g., pollution and scarcity.

    The Global Water Crisis

    • Water quality and quantity issues are crucial, impacting both surface and groundwater.
    • Pollution sources include point sources (discrete) and non-point sources (diffuse).
    • Types of surface water pollution include nutrient pollution, pathogens, toxic chemicals, and sediment.
    • Groundwater pollution sources are natural (mercury, arsenic) and anthropogenic (landfills, runoff, leaks).
    • Water scarcity types are physical (ecological) and economic (infrastructural).
    • Human consumption patterns are large in agriculture and industry.

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    Test your knowledge on key concepts in environmental science, including the scientific method, pollution sources, and sustainability challenges. This quiz covers various aspects of environmental issues and encourages logical thinking. Dive in to understand more about the interactions between humans and the environment.

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