Environmental Science: Soil and Pests

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Questions and Answers

Match the nutrients with their role in soil management:

Nitrogen = Essential for leaf growth Phosphorus = Promotes root development Potassium = Enhances overall plant health Calcium = Improves soil structure

Match the types of fertilizers with their characteristics:

Organic = Natural and environmentally friendly Synthetic = Chemical, potentially harmful Natural = Derived from plant or animal matter Chemical = Manufactured through industrial processes

Match the processes that impact soil and water:

Leaching = Removal of nutrients from soil by water Drainage = Installation of tiles to manage water Compaction = Difficulties for roots to grow Erosion = Loss of topsoil due to wind or water

Match the types of pests with their classifications:

Weeds = Plant pests Mosquitoes = Insect pests Mice = Rodent pests Fungi = Microbial pests Signup and view all the answers

Match the types of pesticides with their target scope:

Broad-spectrum = Toxic to a wide range of species Narrow-spectrum = Toxic to limited number of species Herbicides = Kill plant pests Insecticides = Target insect pests Signup and view all the answers

Match the consequences of pesticide use:

Bioaccumulation = Accumulation of pesticides in organisms Resistance = Pest populations becoming immune Pollution = Contamination of soil and water Disruption = Harm to non-target species Signup and view all the answers

Match the outcomes of soil nutrient depletion:

Reduced yield = Lower crop production Poor soil health = Decrease in soil organisms Increased pests = Higher susceptibility to infestations Environmental impact = Negative effects on ecosystems Signup and view all the answers

Match the terms related to agricultural practices:

Monoculture = Growing a single crop species Polyculture = Growing multiple crop species Integrated Pest Management = Combined pest control methods Crop Rotation = Alternating crops in a field Signup and view all the answers

Match the following control methods with their descriptions:

Chemical Control = Pesticide use with environmental risks Mechanical Control = Physical barriers or removal Biological Control = Intentionally introduced organisms Cultural Service = Recreational and aesthetic interactions with nature Signup and view all the answers

Match the following aquatic ecosystems with their descriptions:

Freshwater = Less than 1% salt content Marine = About 3% salt content Wetlands = Nutrient-rich shallow water areas Watersheds = Land area that drains into a single body of water Signup and view all the answers

Match the following ecosystem services with their examples:

Cultural Services = Ecotourism and spiritual experiences Ecosystem Products = Hunting and harvesting animals and plants Forestry = Produces over $11 billion in products annually Other Services = Protection from erosion and excess water Signup and view all the answers

Match the following factors with their influence on ecosystems:

Abiotic Factors = Temperature, light, soil Biotic Factors = Living organisms within an ecosystem Limiting Factor = Any factor that restricts population size Population Size = Determined by both abiotic and biotic factors Signup and view all the answers

Match the following ecosystem characteristics with their types:

Rivers = Flowing bodies in freshwater ecosystems Lakes = Nearly stationary bodies of freshwater Oceans = Cover more than 70% of Earth's surface Bogs = Types of wetlands that are nutrient-rich Signup and view all the answers

Match the following risks with their associated control methods:

Pesticide Use = Risks to non-target native species Hunting = Control method for invasive animals Physical Barriers = Method of mechanical control Introduced Organisms = Method of biological control Signup and view all the answers

Match the following types of services provided by ecosystems:

Cultural Services = Aesthetic and recreational benefits Ecosystem Products = Resources harvested for use Protection Services = Shielding against physical threats Support Services = Maintaining biodiversity and ecosystem balance Signup and view all the answers

Match the following aquatic features with their definitions:

Freshwater Ecosystems = Low in nutrient content Marine Ecosystems = High in salt concentration Watershed = Area that drains into a river or lake Wetlands = Support diverse life with saturated soil Signup and view all the answers

Match the following concepts with their definitions:

Bioamplification = Toxins concentrate in organisms higher in the food chain Equilibrium = State of stable conditions in an ecosystem Primary Succession = Regrowth on bare rock or soil without previous life Secondary Succession = Regrowth when some life still exists after a disturbance Signup and view all the answers

Match the following trophic levels with their corresponding organisms:

Trophic level 1 = Grass Trophic level 2 = Grasshopper Trophic level 3 = Frog Trophic level 4 = Snake Signup and view all the answers

Match the following threats to biodiversity with their descriptions:

Deforestation = Destruction of habitats for timber and agriculture Urban expansion = Growth of cities into natural habitats Pollution = Contamination affecting species survival Climate change = Long-term altered weather patterns impact ecosystems Signup and view all the answers

Match the following terms with their meanings:

Species Richness = Number of different species in an area Invasive Species = Non-native species that negatively affect ecosystems Special Concern = A species at risk of becoming threatened or endangered Non-Native Species = Introduced species that may struggle to survive Signup and view all the answers

Match the following forms of succession with their specific characteristics:

Primary Succession = Occurs on bare rock with no previous life Secondary Succession = Occurs after a disturbance with some life remaining Pioneer Species = First species to colonize previously uninhabited area Climax Community = Stable community achieved after succession Signup and view all the answers

Match the following actions with their potential impact on ecosystems:

Introducing non-native species = Can upset local ecosystems Using synthetic pesticides = Can reduce biodiversity in farming Practicing organic farming = Controls pests without chemicals Encouraging biodiversity = Supports ecosystem health and stability Signup and view all the answers

Match the following terms regarding food webs and food chains:

Food Chain = Linear sequence of energy flow Food Web = Network of interconnected food chains Trophic Levels = Hierarchy of energy transfer in ecosystems Biodiversity = Variety of life forms in an area Signup and view all the answers

Match the following types of ecosystems with their characteristics:

Terrestrial Ecosystem = Land-based ecosystems including forests and grasslands Aquatic Ecosystem = Water-based ecosystems, either freshwater or marine Deciduous Forest = Forests with trees that shed leaves seasonally Grassland = Ecosystems dominated by grasses and few trees Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Managing the Soil

Soils are complex and crucial for ecosystems
Fertilizers (natural or synthetic) add nutrients to the soil
Organic fertilizers are preferred for local environments
Synthetic fertilizers can harm soil organisms and groundwater
Nutrients are removed from the soil through water runoff
Fertilizers in groundwater can cause algal blooms in aquatic ecosystems

Pests and Poisons

Pests damage crops and compete with them
Pests include weeds, insects, and rodents
Monoculture farming creates favorable pest conditions
Pesticides kill pests, but some are harmful to the environment
Pesticides can persist for long periods in soil, water, and air
Some pests develop resistance to pesticides

Biomagnification

Pesticides build up in organisms as they consume contaminated food
Bioaccumulation occurs when toxins concentrate within an organism
Biomagnification occurs when toxins increase in concentration as they move up the food chain
Top consumers are most vulnerable to the effects of harmful toxins

Equilibrium and Change

Most natural ecosystems are in a state of equilibrium
Equilibrium is characterized by relatively stable conditions over time
A disturbance can disrupt equilibrium and initiate succession
Primary succession occurs in newly exposed environments
Secondary succession occurs when some life still exists

Food Webs and Food Chains

Food webs show complex feeding relationships between species
Food chains show simplified linear feeding relationships
Food webs have greater biodiversity than food chains

Biodiversity

Biodiversity is the variety of life in an area
Species richness is the number of species in an area
Species richness is higher near the equator
Human activities are threatening biodiversity through habitat destruction, pollution, and climate change
Species are at risk of extinction

Non-Native Species

Non-native species can be introduced into an area
Some non-native species may become invasive
Chemical, mechanical, and biological methods are employed to control non-native species

Aquatic Ecosystems

Freshwater ecosystems have low salt concentration
Marine ecosystems have high salt concentration
Freshwater ecosystems include rivers and lakes
Marine ecosystems include oceans
Wetlands are nutrient-rich freshwater ecosystems
Watersheds are areas through which water drains into a single river or lake.

On the Next Test - Ecosystem Services

Natural ecosystems provide services to the biosphere and humans
Cultural services include recreational, aesthetic, and spiritual experiences in nature
Ecotourism is an example of a cultural service
Ecosystem products such as food, timber, and fibers are harvested from nature
Ecosystems can provide protections from erosion and natural disasters.

Influences on Ecosystems

Abiotic and biotic factors influence ecosystem stability
Limiting factors restrict the size of populations within ecosystems
Tolerance range determines species' survival in environmental conditions
Organisms' tolerance range may change over time

Energy Flow

Organisms need energy to stay alive
Radiant energy from the sun is the primary energy source
Producers (like plants) convert light energy into chemical energy through photosynthesis
Photosynthesis uses carbon dioxide, water, and sunlight to produce sugars.

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Description

This quiz covers the critical topics of soil management, pest control, and biomagnification. It explores the impact of fertilizers on ecosystems and the challenges posed by pests and pesticides in agriculture. Test your knowledge about sustainable practices and environmental health.