Unit 5 Progress Check A&B
Which of the following is a direct economic consequence that would likely occur if an area of forest was clear-cut so that a housing development can be built? A A decrease in the number of game hunting licenses purchased B A decrease in atmospheric oxygen concentration C An increase in taxes from ecotourism D An increase in legislation to regulate stream flow
A A decrease in the number of game hunting licenses purchased
Which of the following would be considered an advantage of increased urban sprawl? A As individuals move out of urban areas to nearby suburbs, the population densities of cities will decrease, reducing the spread of infectious disease. B As new homes are built in suburban areas, the cost of materials will decrease, reducing the need to clear-cut old-growth forests. C As urban sprawl increases, the availability of land for farming and wildlife habitats will decrease, increasing the loss of biodiversity. D As more individuals live in suburbs and work in cities, transportation methods will change, reducing the amount of carbon dioxide emitted.
A As individuals move out of urban areas to nearby suburbs, the population densities of cities will decrease, reducing the spread of infectious disease.
Which of the following is an example of an industrial practice that contributes to the tragedy of the commons? A Burning fossil fuels for energy production B Creating constructed wetlands on abandoned land C Enacting and enforcing legislation on point-source pollutants D Promoting aluminum and glass recycling
A Burning fossil fuels for energy production
Soybean crops are generally planted in early or mid-May and harvested in August. The table below shows the times of peak damage to soybean crops from various agricultural pests. Farmers use this type of data calendar to track pests and plan integrated pest management strategies to maximize crop yields. Based on the data above, which of the following time periods are insect pests most detrimental to the soybean crops? A Early May through mid-September B Mid-April through the end of June C Early May through early July D Mid-June through the end of August
A Early May through mid-September
Overfishing of stocks of fish species, like salmon and cod, in an effort to meet a growing global demand has become an international concern. A recent estimate indicates that the average annual consumption of fish globally in 2014 was about twice the consumption in 1960. Because of increased concerns about the impact of overfishing, fishery managers are looking for ways to protect wild populations while still satisfying global demand for food for human consumption. Aquaculture or fish farming can be used to increase the availability of species like salmon and shrimp for consumption. Although fish farming can have a number of negative environmental effects, it does offer a number of advantages. Which of the following is a valid reason for promoting the use of fish farms? A Fish production is constant, and fish farming reduces pressure on wild stocks. B Fish raised at fish farms are cheaper and have a better flavor than wild-caught fish. C Fish farming generates few, if any, pollutants that affect adjacent waterways. D Pesticides and antibiotics are rarely used at fish farms but are often used in wild-caught fish populations.
A Fish production is constant, and fish farming reduces pressure on wild stocks.
Which of the following is an unintended consequence associated with waterlogging caused by flood irrigation? A Higher water tables B Relatively low cost C Decreased erosion and soil loss D Increased oxygen intake by plant roots
A Higher water tables
Overfishing of stocks of fish species, like salmon and cod, in an effort to meet a growing global demand has become an international concern. A recent estimate indicates that the average annual consumption of fish globally in 2014 was about twice the consumption in 1960. Because of increased concerns about the impact of overfishing, fishery managers are looking for ways to protect wild populations while still satisfying global demand for food for human consumption. Which of the following techniques could best reduce the harmful effects of overfishing if it were to be widely adopted by the fishing industry? A Increased use of large-mesh gill nets for harvesting salmon and trout B Greater reliance on bottom trawling in coastal waters for harvesting shrimp and sole C Increased use of long-line fishing techniques in the open ocean for harvesting swordfish and halibut D Widespread application of cyanide in tropical waters for harvesting tuna and cod
A Increased use of large-mesh gill nets for harvesting salmon and trout
After intensive logging, most of the trees along a stream have been removed. Which of the following water quality changes would most likely occur downstream after logging? A Increased water temperature B Increased dissolved oxygen C Decreased total dissolved solids D Decreased amount of fecal coliform
A Increased water temperature
Read article on College Board. The green revolution has improved global agricultural output. Which of the following best describes the author's perspective on the beginning of the green revolution in the 1970s and 1980s? A The green revolution was successful because of selective breeding, which improved nutritional value and crop yield to increase food production. B The green revolution had minimal success because farmers were unable to provide grains to feed most of the global population until the 1990s, when synthetic fertilizers helped to improve crop yields. C The green revolution was successful because it decreased the demand for more farmland since genetically modified organisms increased the agricultural yield without increasing acreage dedicated to agriculture. D The green revolution was dangerous to the human population because the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis was introduced into many species of corn and led to an outbreak of disease in humans.
A The green revolution was successful because of selective breeding, which improved nutritional value and crop yield to increase food production.
Which of the following environmental effects would most likely result from the clear-cutting of boreal forests by industrial logging operations? A There will be an increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration, which will contribute to climate change. B There will be an increase in farming on the cleared areas of land, which will reduce incidences of flooding. C There will be an increase in atmospheric oxygen concentration, which will improve air quality. D There will be a decrease in the temperature of soil and nearby bodies of water, which will increase biodiversity.
A There will be an increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration, which will contribute to climate change.
Which of the following agricultural practices results in soil degradation and most contributes to erosion? A Tilling B Crop rotation C Intercropping D Terracing
A Tilling
The chart below illustrates how many liters of water are needed to produce some common foods. Which foods are the most sustainable to produce in order to provide the most kilocalories to the world's growing population while still minimizing water usage? A Vegetables B Chickens C Cows D Eggs
A Vegetables
The chart below illustrates how many liters of water are needed to produce some common foods. Which of the following statements is best supported by the data in the table? A Milk requires more water per kilocalorie than nuts do. B Chicken meat requires less water per kilocalorie than cow meat does. C Eggs require less water per kilocalorie than pig meat does. D Butter requires more water per kilocalorie than fruit does.
B Chicken meat requires less water per kilocalorie than cow meat does.
An environmental agency wants to evaluate the effectiveness of rain gardens in reducing the impact of urban runoff from an impervious parking lot and from the roof of the building. The parking lot is slightly sloped so the rainwater flows toward the gardens. The runoff from the roof is collected by various downspouts and directed toward the gardens. Scientists at the agency plan to monitor the effectiveness by measuring the water quality of the storm water as it moves through the gardens during and after storm events. Plant selection is important for a rain garden. Which of the following best describes the types of plants that would be most effective to use in the rain garden in this experimental design to reduce the impact of urban runoff? A Flowering plant species so that offspring are genetically different from the parent plants B Flood-tolerant plant species so that the plants can withstand large pulses of water from storms C Invasive plant species so that the plants can reproduce rapidly once the soil is saturated from storms D Genetically modified plant species so that the plants are resistant to drought and insect pests
B Flood-tolerant plant species so that the plants can withstand large pulses of water from storms
Which of the following is an example of an environmental benefit of aquaculture? A Raising large numbers of fish in a small area near the shore will increase the profitability of the fish harvest. B Raising fish using aquaculture and feeding human populations with the harvest reduces the number of fish caught from the ocean. C Aquaculture supports the food supply for humans, and the fish can also be released into the wild to repopulate the ocean. D Aquaculture results in large amounts of fish that can feed large numbers of people and help to increase human population growth.
B Raising fish using aquaculture and feeding human populations with the harvest reduces the number of fish caught from the ocean.
Read article on College Board. Which of the following is an assumption made by the author regarding the use of genetically modified crops? A Eventually, pests will become resistant to the Bt gene, and pesticide use will increase in the near future. B The amount of arable land will remain relatively constant, and the growing human population will have enough food if more crops can be harvested from the same amount of land. C Farmers in more-developed countries will grow fewer genetically modified foods in the near future because they are not cost effective. D Current agricultural practices are effective enough to feed the global population, but improvements in technology will help crops such as cotton and tobacco.
B The amount of arable land will remain relatively constant, and the growing human population will have enough food if more crops can be harvested from the same amount of land.
An urban planner is designing a new urban housing development in a currently rural area near an existing city. The urban development will have five 10-story apartment buildings, two basketball courts, a playground with permeable foam pavers, a 10-acre green space with a small man-made pond, one 5-story parking deck, and direct access to the mass transit train line. Which of the following aspects in the design for this new urban development would most likely have the greatest negative environmental impact? A The two basketball courts B The five apartment buildings C The 10-acre green space D The playground
B The five apartment buildings
Which of the following describes an unintended consequence that results from large-scale agricultural use of water from an aquifer? A Much of the water becomes too salty for human consumption because of saltwater intrusion. B The rate of water use likely exceeds the rate of recharge, leading to lowering the water table. C The water table level rises too high, leading to excessive flooding. D Agricultural areas contribute to increased carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, leading to global climate change.
B The rate of water use likely exceeds the rate of recharge, leading to lowering the water table.
Which of the following best describes environmental damage caused by slash-and-burn farming in tropical rain forests? A Nitrogen and phosphorus enter streams and reduce the growth of algae. B The soil loses fertility after a short period of time and will be ineffective for farming use. C The bare soil is exposed and becomes dried out, killing valuable soil bacteria. D There is an increase in biodiversity as areas that were previously forested areas are converted to agricultural fields.
B The soil loses fertility after a short period of time and will be ineffective for farming use.
The graph below shows change in the world's ecological footprint in billions of global hectares and change in the world's biocapacity, the land needed to sustainably support the human population, between 1961 and 2014. Which of the following statements correctly describes the trend of ecological footprint compared to biocapacity from 1961 to 2014 ? A The amount of land humans can use for food production and waste disposal has risen from 8 billion to 20 billion global hectares. B The world's ecological footprint has risen above its capacity to sustainably provide for the human population. C The number of global hectares needed for the human population to survive is steadily decreasing because of technological advances in agriculture. D The amount of land that can sustain the human population is rising more quickly than the ecological footprint of the human population as a result of deforestation.
B The world's ecological footprint has risen above its capacity to sustainably provide for the human population.
Which of the following best describes the advantages and disadvantages of drip irrigation? A This method is suitable for a range of topographies and is easy to operate, but it requires a high initial investment in machinery. B This method most efficiently delivers water directly to plant roots compared with other methods, and wastes less water, but it may be too costly for farmers in developing countries to use. C This method delivers water to the field by pipes and water flows directly over the soil, but there is a large amount of runoff. D This method applies water directly to trenches dug in soil and is cost effective, but water is often lost to evaporation.
B This method most efficiently delivers water directly to plant roots compared with other methods, and wastes less water, but it may be too costly for farmers in developing countries to use.
An environmental agency wants to evaluate the effectiveness of rain gardens in reducing the impact of urban runoff from an impervious parking lot and from the roof of the building. The parking lot is slightly sloped so the rainwater flows toward the gardens. The runoff from the roof is collected by various downspouts and directed toward the gardens. Scientists at the agency plan to monitor the effectiveness by measuring the water quality of the storm water as it moves through the gardens during and after storm events. Which of the following would be the best control in this experimental design? A Water samples collected from a faucet inside the building B Water samples collected from the roof or parking lot before they passed through the gardens C Soil samples collected from different rain gardens on the property D Soil samples collected from under the parking lots around the city
B Water samples collected from the roof or parking lot before they passed through the gardens
Soybean crops are generally planted in early or mid-May and harvested in August. The table below shows the times of peak damage to soybean crops from various agricultural pests. Farmers use this type of data calendar to track pests and plan integrated pest management strategies to maximize crop yields. Based on the data above, which of the following pests is most likely to affect mature plants ready for harvest? A Clover and dandelion B White mold C Cutworms D Slugs and snails
B White mold
Ecological overshoot occurs when a population's demand on an ecosystem exceeds the biocapacity of that ecosystem to regenerate the resources that are consumed and to absorb wastes. Based on the graph above, in which of the following periods did the human population first exceed Earth's biocapacity? A 1960-1965 B 1970-1975 C 1975-1980 D 1985-1990
C 1975-1980
An urban planner is designing a new urban housing development in a currently rural area near an existing city. The urban development will have five 10-story apartment buildings, two basketball courts, a playground with permeable foam pavers, a 10-acre green space with a small man-made pond, one 5-story parking deck, and direct access to the mass transit train line. Which of the following aspects of the design for this new urban development will best help to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere? A The land cleared to build the new development occurs in a rural area rather than within the city limits. B The playground is made with permeable foam pavers rather than with impervious concrete. C Access to the mass transit train line will provide inhabitants an alternative to driving personal vehicles. D Food and other resources must be transported to the development from up to 200 miles away.
C Access to the mass transit train line will provide inhabitants an alternative to driving personal vehicles.
Biocapacity can be defined as the amount of resources available to individuals in a given country at a specific moment in time. Which of the following statements best explains the trends in the above data? A Biocapacity increased because more forested land was cleared for farming, whereas the ecological deficit decreased because of a decline in trade of environmentally derived products with other countries. B The ecological footprint decreased as biocapacity increased because individuals began buying more locally grown and organic produce. C Biocapacity increased because of improved farming techniques on existing farmland, and the ecological deficit increased because of a growing population and more demand for goods. D The ecological deficit has increased as a result of an increase in recycling programs and a reduction in use of fossil fuels.
C Biocapacity increased because of improved farming techniques on existing farmland, and the ecological deficit increased because of a growing population and more demand for goods.
Which of the following is a negative consequence of aquaculture? A Protein-rich food is provided to billions of people. B Pressure on wild fish populations is reduced. C Excessive amounts of nitrogen and phosphorus can leak from the location. D Other species (by-catch) may be accidentally removed during harvest
C Excessive amounts of nitrogen and phosphorus can leak from the location.
Three common methods of beef production include using rangelands, pasture, and feedlots. The environmental impacts of these different methods for a variety of variables is compared in the graph below. Which of the following claims is best supported by the data in the graph? A Raising beef on rangelands has the greatest environmental impact as a result of methane emissions and high levels of pesticide contamination. B Switching from raising beef on pastures to raising beef in feedlots decreases the total energy consumption and the rate of soil erosion as a result of an increase in vegetation in feedlots. C Feedlots have high levels of pesticide use and energy consumption as a result high demands for grain production. D Greenhouse gas emissions are equal across all beef production methods because all cattle produce methane gas and carbon dioxide.
C Feedlots have high levels of pesticide use and energy consumption as a result high demands for grain production.
Read article on College Board. Which of the following statements best summarizes the author's predictions for how humans will meet the future nutritional needs of a growing population using current agricultural technology? A The effects of global climate change will decrease as farmers employ advanced technological methods to agriculture. B Less-developed countries must change from a meat-based protein diet to a more grain-based diet. This will allow the global population to continue to meet the agricultural demands of a growing population. C Humans have maximized the crop yield with improving technology and the implementation of modern genetic techniques to further increase crop productivity and resilience in order to meet the demand. D The only way to meet the agricultural demand of a growing world population is to convert more grassland and forests into working agricultural land. Genetically modified foods are no longer nutritious, and the nutrients in the forest and grassland soil will increase yield and nutrition.
C Humans have maximized the crop yield with improving technology and the implementation of modern genetic techniques to further increase crop productivity and resilience in order to meet the demand.
Soybean crops are generally planted in early or mid-May and harvested in August. The table below shows the times of peak damage to soybean crops from various agricultural pests. Farmers use this type of data calendar to track pests and plan integrated pest management strategies to maximize crop yields. Based on the data above, which of the following pests is a concern to farmers for the longest period of time? A Snails B White mold C Soybean rust D Japanese beetles
C Soybean rust
Which of the following best describes the concept of the tragedy of the commons? A Resources that are shared by individuals, such as the Ogallala Aquifer groundwater, are highly regulated by legislation, thereby depriving common people of their use. B Communities enact recycling programs to reduce the amount of materials that need to be mined. The cost of the recycling program is absorbed by community taxes. C The aim of large logging operations in tropical rain forests is economic gain, rather than sustainability. Therefore, the shared resources in the forest could become depleted. D Soil nutrients, such as nitrates, are used unequally depending on the type of vegetation. Therefore, farmers must add fertilizers to certain areas to grow crops.
C The aim of large logging operations in tropical rain forests is economic gain, rather than sustainability. Therefore, the shared resources in the forest could become depleted.
An environmental agency wants to evaluate the effectiveness of rain gardens in reducing the impact of urban runoff from an impervious parking lot and from the roof of the building. The parking lot is slightly sloped so the rainwater flows toward the gardens. The runoff from the roof is collected by various downspouts and directed toward the gardens. Scientists at the agency plan to monitor the effectiveness by measuring the water quality of the storm water as it moves through the gardens during and after storm events. Which of the following would be the best measure to use to determine the effectiveness of the rain gardens in reducing the impact of urban runoff? A The size and shape of the rain gardens B The intensity and duration of the storm event C The speed and volume of the water exiting the gardens D The temperature of the parking lot and the roof
C The speed and volume of the water exiting the gardens
Which of the following statements best describes an unintended environmental consequence of aquaculture fish-farm enclosures located in estuaries? A Fish farms create waste that contaminates potential drinking-water resources for coastal communities. B Aquaculture can decrease pressures on overexploited fisheries, increasing fish populations. C Cultivated fish can escape and breed with wild populations, increasing the population size of wild fish in coastal waters. D Aquaculture enclosures can harbor parasites that can negatively affect wild populations that breed in estuaries.
D Aquaculture enclosures can harbor parasites that can negatively affect wild populations that breed in estuaries.
The chart below illustrates how many liters of water are needed to produce some common foods. Which of the following foods is most suitable to cultivate to minimize water consumption per kilogram of food? A Nuts B Cow meat C Chicken meat D Cereals
D Cereals
The graph below shows the change in hog farming in the United States from 1955-2015. The hog-farming industry maintains production levels to satisfy the demand for pork. Which of the following methods of meat production would provide the most likely explanation for the information represented in the graph above? A Free-range grazing B Organic meat production C Individual transferable quotas D Concentrated animal feeding operations
D Concentrated animal feeding operations
Overfishing of stocks of fish species, like salmon and cod, in an effort to meet a growing global demand has become an international concern. A recent estimate indicates that the average annual consumption of fish globally in 2014 was about twice the consumption in 1960. Because of increased concerns about the impact of overfishing, fishery managers are looking for ways to protect wild populations while still satisfying global demand for food for human consumption. Various nations have adopted policies designed to combat overfishing. Which of the following approaches is commonly used to combat the problem of overfishing? A Reducing the limits on the numbers of commercial fish species that can be caught B Banning the use of sonar as a means for capturing fish in open ocean waters C Promoting fishing in estuaries and breeding grounds rather than in the open ocean D Enforcing minimum-size requirements for the capture of some commercial species
D Enforcing minimum-size requirements for the capture of some commercial species
Humans consume a variety of protein products, each with a different carbon footprint based on a variety of factors. Which of the following claims is best supported by the data in the graph? A Feedlot beef is the most sustainable protein because it has low requirements for fossil fuels, requires small pastures, and produces a large amount of protein for human consumption with low levels of pollution released. B Beans and soy products provide the least amount of protein for human consumption because they are plant-based foods. They require large amounts of land and have a high carbon footprint. C Seafood harvested from aquaculture has a larger carbon footprint than seafood harvested from fisheries. Aquaculture requires large amounts of fossil fuels and releases more greenhouse gases than fisheries do because the fish are more concentrated. D Grass-fed beef has the highest carbon-equivalent footprint because of land-use changes to create pasture land combined with contributions from transportation, processing, manure treatment, making fertilizers, and digestive fermentation processes.
D Grass-fed beef has the highest carbon-equivalent footprint because of land-use changes to create pasture land combined with contributions from transportation, processing, manure treatment, making fertilizers, and digestive fermentation processes.
Which of the following best exemplifies how an action within the fishing industry could lead to a tragedy of the commons? A Fishing companies increasing the number of aquaculture facilities B Fishers throwing back fish that are at peak reproductive age to help keep fish populations stable C Fisheries limiting the amount of overall catch per fishing season D Overfishing of threatened fish species leading to the eventual depletion of the resource
D Overfishing of threatened fish species leading to the eventual depletion of the resource
Which of the following would decrease with the manufacture, application, and use of synthetic fertilizers rather than organic fertilizers? A Groundwater pollution B Cultural eutrophication C Use of fossil fuels D Recycling of organic matter
D Recycling of organic matter
