Impact of Human Activities on Biodiversity
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Questions and Answers

What is the estimated increase in species extinction rate due to human activities since industrialization?

  • 5000 times
  • 100 times
  • 1000 times (correct)
  • 500 times

    • Which of the following is considered the most severe human impact on biodiversity?

  • Climate change
  • Pollution
  • Invasive species introduction
  • Physical alteration of habitats (correct)

    • What is one consequence of deforestation as mentioned in the content?

  • Increased soil fertility
  • Decreased CO2 levels
  • Lower temperatures in nearby waters
  • Habitat loss for land-based species (correct)

    • How has deforestation affected water temperature?

    <p>It has increased water temperatures.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What term do some scientists use to describe the current human-driven mass extinction?

    <p>The sixth extinction</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does BOD stand for in the context of water quality monitoring?

    <p>Biological Organic Demand</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which nutrient is most commonly associated with harmful algal blooms in freshwater systems?

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

    What is the consequence of a sample having a BOD higher than the oxygen available in the BOD bottle?

    <p>The sample must be diluted before testing</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What led to the ecological imbalance known as eutrophication?

    <p>Human-induced excess nutrient inputs</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is a primary source of excessive nitrogen in marine systems?

    <p>Agriculture fertilizers</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What caused the increase in lead levels in Flint, MI's water supply?

    <p>Change in water source due to pH differences</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following best describes oligotrophic waters?

    <p>Low nutrient concentration and clear</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What role do cyanobacteria play in nutrient-rich waters?

    <p>They can become harmful to aquatic life and humans</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What defines an emergent property?

    <p>An outcome that arises when a system functions as a whole.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was one significant oversight during the construction of Biosphere 2?

    <p>The complexity of oxygen exchange and nutrient cycling was not adequately addressed.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which law states that mass cannot be created or destroyed?

    <p>Law of conservation of mass</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How are ecosystems characterized in relation to material flow?

    <p>Ecosystems are open systems that exchange matter and energy with their surroundings.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is indicated by the second law of thermodynamics?

    <p>Some energy is degraded and dissipates as heat with each transfer.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How can a system be defined according to the explanation provided?

    <p>It is a portion of the universe that can produce outcomes achievable by its components.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What role do cells play in larger biological systems?

    <p>They combine to form tissues and organs, which are part of larger systems.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which statement accurately describes the concept of Earth as a closed system?

    <p>It is dynamic and composed of many interacting parts.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is an umbrella species?

    <p>A key species whose protection benefits many other species in the same habitat</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What factor does not affect the management of populations of individual species?

    <p>Availability of food sources</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which federal agency is primarily responsible for managing national parks?

    <p>National Park Service</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following correctly describes national monuments?

    <p>Can be designated by the president without congressional approval</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a key purpose of national forests managed by the US Forest Service?

    <p>Timber harvest, recreation, and wildlife conservation</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a significant change in the Bureau of Land Management's role since the 1970s?

    <p>Implementing long-term planning involving public input</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How do national recreation areas primarily serve the public?

    <p>Providing recreation and conserving areas around reservoirs</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What financial model is used for companies operating on Bureau of Land Management lands?

    <p>They pay a percentage of profits made to the government</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary function of stratospheric ozone in relation to ultraviolet radiation?

    <p>It protects terrestrial life by preventing 99% of UV radiation from reaching Earth.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How do chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) contribute to ozone depletion?

    <p>They react with ozone and remove it at a ratio of 1 to 100,000.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What did the satellite images reveal about the stratospheric ozone in the 1970s and 1980s?

    <p>There was a notable thinning of the ozone layer.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the highest level of ozone depletion observed, and during which season did it occur?

    <p>Over Antarctica in spring.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why is the ozone hole primarily located over Antarctica despite CFC production being mostly in the northern hemisphere?

    <p>Antarctica's weather patterns create isolation and conducive conditions for ozone depletion.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What global action was taken in response to the discovery of ozone depletion?

    <p>The Montreal Protocol was adopted to phase out CFCs.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the consequence of the increased UV radiation levels below the ozone hole?

    <p>Annual increase in skin cancer and cataract rates.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which statement best describes the concentration of ozone-depleting chemicals over Antarctica?

    <p>They become concentrated when temperatures are below -55 degrees C.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main effect on seal populations if polar bears are removed from their ecosystem?

    <p>Seal populations would increase dramatically.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following best describes a drainage basin?

    <p>An area where water from precipitation drains into a river or lake.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary pathway for water flowing from land to the ocean?

    <p>Overland flow</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which term describes the capacity of water to flow through a material's pore network?

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

    What is the average residence time of a water molecule in a reservoir?

    <p>The duration water remains in the same reservoir.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How do lotic ecosystems primarily differ from lentic ecosystems?

    <p>Lotic ecosystems have flowing water systems.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following factors predominantly influences the groundwater flow rates in soils?

    <p>Permeability of the material</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the flood recurrence interval (RI) formula calculate?

    <p>The likelihood of floods occurring in a given timeframe.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following statements about streams is true?

    <p>Streams contribute to soil erosion and landscape sculpting.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the relationship between porosity and permeability in groundwater systems?

    <p>High porosity may not necessarily result in high permeability.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What process involves the loss of electrons?

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

    Which type of bond is responsible for holding atoms together in molecules?

    <p>Chemical bonds</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What defines isotopes of an element?

    <p>Same number of protons, different numbers of neutrons</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following best describes the nature of a compound?

    <p>Composed of two or more different elements bonded together</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is produced by acids when dissolved in water?

    <p>Positively charged hydrogen ions</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which practice is essential for sustainable forest management?

    <p>Leaving patches of living trees for reseeding</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a consequence of improper grazing management on grasslands?

    <p>Damaging the balance of grassland ecosystems</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How can agriculture support biodiversity?

    <p>By creating hedgerows of native plants</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a key goal of strategic zoning in urbanization?

    <p>To manage growth and limit suburban sprawl</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What role do grazing animals play in grassland ecosystems?

    <p>They assist in soil fertilization and seed spreading</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What happens when birth and immigration numbers equal death and emigration numbers in a population?

    <p>The population will be in equilibrium</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is meant by 'carrying capacity' in the context of population dynamics?

    <p>The maximum number of individuals of a species that the habitat can sustain</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which factor might increase stress in a population as it approaches its carrying capacity?

    <p>Density-dependent factors</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is one potential result if a population exceeds its carrying capacity?

    <p>A resource crash may occur, leading to population decline</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is one way in which extinction can occur?

    <p>Mass extinction events can happen suddenly</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What defines a primary pollutant?

    <p>A substance that is harmful in its directly emitted form.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is meant by emergent properties in a system?

    <p>Outcomes arising from the interaction of components as a whole</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which statement correctly describes particulate matter (PM)?

    <p>PM can easily be absorbed by the lungs and enter the bloodstream.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What happens during a thermal inversion?

    <p>Warm air traps cooler air below, preventing air circulation.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why did the 'Biospherians' in Biosphere 2 require outside oxygen?

    <p>The oxygen exchange processes were misunderstood.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are secondary pollutants primarily composed of?

    <p>Products of chemical reactions occurring in the atmosphere.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which statement aligns with the law of conservation of mass?

    <p>The total mass of a closed system remains constant.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a defining characteristic of a closed system like Earth?

    <p>Components interact with each other without any outside interference.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following gases is primarily emitted from combustion engines?

    <p>Carbon monoxide (CO)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which aspect is NOT a component of the definition of systems?

    <p>Interact with external factors constantly</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What effect does smog primarily have on the environment?

    <p>It can damage lung tissue in animals.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What limitation is highlighted by the second law of thermodynamics?

    <p>Some energy is lost as heat during transfer.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which type of air circulation pattern can influence the effects of outdoor air pollution?

    <p>Atmospheric circulation patterns.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following best describes the role of cells in larger biological systems?

    <p>Cells combine to form specialized organs or systems.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What percentage of air pollution by weight does carbon monoxide account for in the US?

    <p>More than 50%</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In what way do ecosystems differ from closed systems like Earth?

    <p>Ecosystems allow for free exchange of energy and materials.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which layer of the atmosphere is primarily responsible for housing the majority of the atmosphere's mass?

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

    What is the temperature range within the mesosphere?

    <p>-148 to 0 degrees Fahrenheit</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the term 'relative humidity' refer to?

    <p>The amount of water vapor in the air as a percentage of what it can hold at a specific temperature</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which process describes temperature changes when no heat is added or removed from a system?

    <p>Adiabatic process</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which lapse rate describes the cooling rate of rising unsaturated (dry) air?

    <p>Dry adiabatic lapse rate (DAR)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What typically results when high-pressure systems develop in the atmosphere?

    <p>Clear, dry conditions</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the cooling process called when saturated air rises and releases latent heat?

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

    Which type of front is defined by cold air replacing warm air?

    <p>Cold front</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What phenomenon can occur when low-pressure systems pull air from other areas during extreme weather?

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

    What primary factor causes temperature variations across Earth's surface?

    <p>Radiation received at different latitudes</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Systems and Global Change

    • Matter is a closed system, and energy is an open system in Earth's systems.
    • Nitrogen-fixing bacteria are called diazotrophs.
    • The nitrogen cycle involves: N2 in the air, Nitrogen fixation, Ammonification, Nitrification, and Denitrification.
    • Populations of insects are often interdependent on other members of the population.
    • Breathing involves active gas exchange.
    • Organisms are formed from hierarchically combined cells.
    • Surface tension is the attraction of water molecules to each other.
    • Photosynthesis utilizes water (H₂O), carbon dioxide (CO₂), and energy from the Sun to produce simple sugars and oxygen.
    • Methods of carbon moving to the atmosphere from the biosphere include cellular respiration and methanogens.
    • The circulatory system is an example of an open system.
    • Glaciers and bowls of soup are considered closed systems.
    • The atmosphere, living organisms, and surface oceans are carbon cycle stocks.

    Systems and Global Change (cont.)

    • Buildup of plants and algae is associated with eutrophication, due to excessive amounts of nitrogen and phosphorus from fertilizers.
    • Open systems, regarding energy, include planets where energy originates from the Sun.
    • Closed systems, regarding matter, include Earth's matter-related systems, like the rock cycle, biogeochemical and water cycles.
    • Nitrogen fixation converts N₂ to a usable form via diazotrophs and lightning.
    • Microphones, growing populations of beetles, and low oxygen levels in Biosphere 2 are examples of reinforcing feedback.
    • Government-imposed fishing restrictions, sweating to cool down, and adjusting a thermostat demonstrate balancing feedback.
    • Phosphorus, nitrogen, and carbon cycle through plants before being available to animals. They are essential components of biological molecules.
    • The rate of flow through the phosphorus, nitrogen, and carbon cycles is extremely slow, typically occurring over thousands of years and moving through the atmosphere, biosphere, lithosphere, and hydrosphere.
    • Marine organisms produce calcium carbonate which precipitates as limestone.
    • Bacteria and fungi break down nitrogen compounds and release ammonia (ammonification).
    • Ammonia converts to compounds by ammonia-oxidizing microorganisms via nitrification.
    • Bacteria utilize nitrogen and hydrogen to produce ammonia (nitrogen fixation).
    • Microorganisms use nitrogen compounds for respiration, returning N₂ gas to the atmosphere (denitrification).

    Stock and Flow Diagrams

    • Stock and flow diagrams represent how matter or energy moves between locations in a system.
    • Stock represents a supply measured continually over time.
    • Flow represents the mechanism and rate of change in a stock.
    • Inflows increase stock, while outflows decrease it.
    • Systems generate outputs influenced by their operations.
    • Reinforcing and balancing feedback loops respond to changes by either enhancing or countering the direction of change in a stock, respectively.
    • Systems are characterized by continuous input-output cycles.
    • Biogeochemical cycles trace the movement of matter through the atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere, and biosphere.

    Humans and the Carbon Cycle

    • Reducing fertilizer pollution involves applying fertilizers only when crops effectively absorb them and minimizing tilling.
    • Air quality is the amount of gases and small particles in the atmosphere, which influence ecosystems.
    • Air pollution harms humans and other organisms.
    • Indoor air pollution includes combustion by-products, construction materials, radon, biological contaminants, and pesticides.

    Natural Sources of Pollution

    • Natural sources produce more pollutants than manmade ones, as adaptation to natural air components are different from contaminant additions.
    • Volcanoes release sulfur oxides and particulates.
    • Forest fires release carbon monoxide, dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulates.
    • Plants release hydrocarbons, pollens, and other matter.
    • Decaying plants produce methane and hydrogen sulfides.
    • Dust from soil and ocean salt spray are sources of pollutants.

    Weather Systems

    • Barometric pressure measures atmospheric pressure.
    • A warm front occurs when a warm air mass replaces a cooler one.
    • A cold front occurs when a cold air mass replaces a warmer one.
    • Humidity is the amount of water vapor in air.
    • Precipitation is influenced by atmospheric conditions such as humidity, clouds, and air pressure.
    • Air pressure generally decreases with altitude.
    • Ozone is found in higher concentrations in the stratosphere compared to the troposphere.

    Additional Environmental Systems

    • Human interactions with Earth have altered matter and energy flows and species adaptations.
    • Human activities change pathways of materials in the environment; the rapid pace of these impacts sometimes exceeds natural processes' capabilities.

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    ENVS 1000 Intro to Environmental Science Notes - Systems and Global Change

    Description

    This quiz focuses on the significant effects of human activities on biodiversity, examining topics such as species extinction rates, human impacts on ecosystems, and consequences of deforestation. Test your understanding of how industrialization has altered the natural world and the terminology used to describe current extinction events.

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