Environmental Science Quiz: Toxins and Trophic Levels

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What can contribute to the rapid spread of introduced species in a new location?

Presence of predators or pathogens (correct)

Harvesting above sustainable levels

Competition with native organisms

High reproductive rates of native populations

Which type of habitat is most at risk from overharvesting?

Large forested areas

Grasslands

Mountainous regions

Small islands (correct)

What is the primary reason for increased overharvesting of species?

Decrease in human demand

Decrease in species' reproductive rates

Increase in human demand (correct)

Decrease in technological advances

What type of pollutants can cause harm by bioaccumulating in animals?

Metals like mercury and lead Signup and view all the answers

Which factor makes large organisms more vulnerable to overharvesting?

Low reproductive rates Signup and view all the answers

Why are synthetic chemicals like pesticides harmful to predatory birds?

Cause thinning of eggshells Signup and view all the answers

What is species diversity primarily measured by?

Abundance of species in an ecosystem Signup and view all the answers

Why is global extinction of a species less influential on a local level compared to local extinction?

Local extinction affects ecosystem stability more than global extinction. Signup and view all the answers

What does ecosystem diversity encompass in addition to communities?

Non-living environments Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a major threat to biodiversity alongside introduced species and overharvesting?

Climate change Signup and view all the answers

Which activity contributes directly to habitat loss as one of the threats to biodiversity?

Urbanization Signup and view all the answers

How does introduced species impact biodiversity differently from overharvesting?

Introduced species directly reduce habitat quality, while overharvesting depletes species populations. Signup and view all the answers

What happens to toxins like DDT as they move up successive trophic levels in a food web?

They become more concentrated Signup and view all the answers

Which activity is likely to result in the creation of 'dead zones' in bodies of water?

Fertilizer run-off from farms Signup and view all the answers

How did Rachel Carson contribute to the environmental movement?

By raising awareness of the dangers of DDT Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the ways biodiversity helps ecosystems?

Purifies water Signup and view all the answers

In Conservation Biology, why is establishing protected areas critical for preserving biodiversity?

To prevent global extinction Signup and view all the answers

What action can lead to the collapse of bee populations, as mentioned in the text?

Run-off from farm fertilizers Signup and view all the answers