Environmental Science Quiz

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary result of the infiltration process?

Prevents soil erosion

Replenishes soil moisture and underground water supplies (correct)

Reduces water vapor in the atmosphere

Increases surface runoff

Which factor is NOT mentioned as influencing the rate of infiltration?

Vegetation cover

Precipitation intensity

Soil type

Atmospheric pressure (correct)

What characterizes the limnetic zone in oligotrophic lakes?

It has high concentrations of nutrients.

It supports extensive shoreline vegetation.

It has low concentrations of nutrients and plankton. (correct)

It is the area of dense algal blooms.

During which process does water absorbed by plants return to the atmosphere as vapor?

Transpiration Signup and view all the answers

What is a key feature of eutrophic lakes?

Excessive plant growth from high nutrient concentrations. Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the combined loss of water to the atmosphere from evaporation and transpiration?

Evapotranspiration Signup and view all the answers

Which statement about the water table is accurate?

It marks the upper surface of the groundwater reservoir. Signup and view all the answers

How does the watershed affect nutrient cycling in flowing water systems?

It supports various organisms that contribute to nutrient cycling. Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of floodplains adjacent to rivers?

They are prone to frequent flooding and damage. Signup and view all the answers

What occurs when soil becomes fully saturated?

Infiltration stops, increasing surface runoff Signup and view all the answers

What effect does depression storage have on surface runoff?

It delays surface runoff. Signup and view all the answers

What type of lakes are typically characterized by an excess of nutrients from agricultural runoff?

Eutrophic lakes. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about flowing water ecosystems is true?

They are dynamic and support various organisms. Signup and view all the answers

Which phenomenon occurs when water vapor changes back into liquid droplets?

Condensation Signup and view all the answers

What limitation does the lack of nutrients impose on wetlands?

It restricts plant growth. Signup and view all the answers

What defines a watershed?

An area that drains into a particular river or stream. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of levees and floodwalls?

To protect communities from flooding Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following groups uses the least amount of water daily on average?

Sub-Saharan Africans Signup and view all the answers

How can floodplains mitigate flood damage?

By absorbing excess water Signup and view all the answers

What is an effective way to reduce water consumption at home?

Repairing leaks and replacing old toilets Signup and view all the answers

What role do floods play in the water cycle?

They help renew and replenish water resources Signup and view all the answers

Why might replacing old toilets be beneficial for water conservation?

They generally use less water than old models Signup and view all the answers

What preventive measure can be taken to manage flood risk during heavy rains?

Constructing more dams and reservoirs Signup and view all the answers

How much water does the average American use daily?

90 gallons Signup and view all the answers

How do eutrophic lakes typically affect fish community quality and diversity?

Reduced oxygen levels negatively affect quality and diversity. Signup and view all the answers

What is runoff, in the context of water movement?

Water that flows over land and cannot infiltrate the soil. Signup and view all the answers

What commonly influences the rate of runoff?

Soil type, slope, and vegetation. Signup and view all the answers

What is a floodplain?

Flat areas next to rivers prone to flooding. Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship between a watershed and a drainage basin?

A watershed and drainage basin refer to the same geographic area. Signup and view all the answers

How do dams and water diversion projects impact river ecosystems?

They alter natural water flow, affecting ecosystems and habitats. Signup and view all the answers

What process do trees use to capture solar energy and convert it into chemical energy?

Photosynthesis Signup and view all the answers

What consequence does the destruction of wetlands have on surrounding ecosystems?

Reduces biodiversity and disrupts natural habitats. Signup and view all the answers

How do forests contribute to improving water quality?

By filtering pollutants as water moves through the soil Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential risk associated with human activities that alter wetlands?

Diminished natural water filtration systems. Signup and view all the answers

What function do fallen leaves serve in preventing soil erosion?

They create a protective layer on the soil Signup and view all the answers

What key role do forests play in regulating the local climate?

Absorbing heat and releasing moisture through transpiration Signup and view all the answers

In what way do forests act as carbon sinks?

They absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant risk associated with unsustainable logging practices?

Reduced wildlife habitats Signup and view all the answers

What effect do tree roots have on soil stability?

They bind the soil together Signup and view all the answers

How do forests help maintain the balance of nutrients in an ecosystem?

Through the recycling of nutrients during decomposition Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Forests: Ecological Benefits

Forests play a crucial role in the water cycle by absorbing water, replenishing groundwater reserves, and maintaining stream flows during dry seasons.
They support food chains and energy transfer among organisms through photosynthesis.
Forests act as natural filters, purifying water and air.
Tree roots and plants filter pollutants from water as it moves through the soil, improving water quality in rivers, lakes, and groundwater.
Forests absorb pollutants like sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter, improving air quality and reducing greenhouse gas levels in the atmosphere.
Forests protect soil from erosion by stabilizing the soil with their root systems and creating a protective layer of fallen leaves.
Forests influence local and regional climate by absorbing heat and releasing moisture through transpiration, helping cool the surrounding environment.
They act as carbon sinks, absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

Forests: Threats

Unsustainable logging is a major threat to forest ecosystems.

Harvesting Trees: Problems

Increased soil erosion and sediment runoff into waterways.
When trees are removed, their root systems, which naturally stabilize the soil, are also lost.

Forest Types

Tropical rainforests: characterized by high rainfall and biodiversity.
Temperate forests: experienced in cooler temperatures and have more deciduous trees.
Tundra forests: located in the Arctic regions, with coniferous trees and cold temperatures.

The Water Cycle

Infiltration: The process by which water seeps into the soil from precipitation, replenishing moisture levels and contributing to underground water supplies.
Factors affecting infiltration: soil type, vegetation cover, land use, and precipitation intensity.
Evaporation: The process by which water from oceans, lakes, rivers, and soil rises into the atmosphere as vapor.
Factors influencing evaporation: temperature, wind, and humidity levels.
Transpiration: The process by which water is absorbed by plants' roots and later released as water vapor through small pores (stomata) in leaves.
Water Table: The upper surface of the groundwater reservoir.
Depression Storage: The temporary collection of water in small depressions on the land surface, such as puddles or shallow ponds, which either evaporates or infiltrates into the soil over time.
Percolation: The downward movement of water through soil and rock layers.

Flood Management

Floods are natural events often caused by heavy rainfall, melting snow, or rivers overflowing.
Reservoirs and dams store excess water during heavy rains, reducing the risk of flooding downstream.
Levees and floodwalls prevent water from overflowing riverbanks and flooding nearby areas.
Floodplains are flat areas next to rivers that can absorb excess water, helping to lessen flood damage.

Wetlands

Wetlands are areas where water covers the soil or is present for at least part of the year. They include marshes, swamps, and bogs.
Key functions of wetlands: filtering pollutants, providing habitat for many species, controlling flooding, and replenishing groundwater.

Stream Systems

Runoff: Precipitation that flows over land when it cannot infiltrate into the soil.
Watershed: The geographic area that drains into a particular river or stream.
Drainage basin: Another term for watershed.
Floodplain: The area adjacent to a river or stream that is prone to flooding.

Human Impacts on Wetlands and Streams

Dams, diversions, and canals: Alter natural water flow in rivers and streams, impacting ecosystems by changing water levels and temperatures.
Pollution: Wastewater discharge and agricultural runoff introduce pollutants into water bodies, harming aquatic life and degrading water quality.
Wetland destruction: Human activities like urban development, agriculture, and mining lead to the loss of wetlands, reducing biodiversity, disrupting habitats, and diminishing natural water filtration systems.

Lake Types

Oligotrophic: Characterized by low nutrient levels and limited plant growth.
Eutrophic: Characterized by high nutrient levels and excessive plant growth, which can lead to algal blooms and reduced oxygen levels.

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