Environmental biology final exam study guide

What do we mean by interdisciplinary?

Something draws from many different established fields of study across the natural sciences and social sciences.

What happens in a cap-and-trade program? A. People pay higher taxes to drive larger cars. B. Industries pay the government higher taxes, which they pass on to consumers in higher prices. C. Industries must buy permits for their emissions. D. Industries can voluntarily decrease emissions. E. Industries use technology to stop solar radiation from entering the atmosphere.

C. Industries must buy permits for their emissions

How and why did the industrial revolution affect human population size?

(Medicine got better, people were living longer) (Decreases death rate) (Increase in population growth)

Feedlots allow us to have lots of meat products. But the animals are often kept in undesirable, stressful conditions. Should the quality of the animals' lives be considered when we decide how to raise food? A. Yes, the quality of an animal's life is important, too. B. Yes, but only if it does not interfere with access to meat. C. No, animals have no right to a quality of life. D. No, we should do whatever we can to get the most meat for the lowest cost. E. I don't care; I'm not fond of cows or chickens.

Any answer

The Green Revolution increased crop yields, but only by increasing fertilizers, pesticides, irrigation, and hybrid seed. Do you consider it a success? A. Yes, because more people were fed, regardless of the price. B. Yes, because industrialized countries can help through education and technology. C. No, we will eventually pay the environmental costs of producing food in this way. D. No, it is only a short-term fix and is ultimately unsustainable. E. It does not matter; I can buy food whenever I want.

Any answer

Many wealthy people are buying land in developing countries and protecting them from exploitation. People of developing countries see this as interfering. Do you agree with this type of resource protection? A. Yes, biodiversity is under such attack, we need to protect it any way we can. B. Yes, but only if local people can also benefit somehow. C. Maybe, but I'm not sure. D. No, people have no right to interfere with how other countries manage their resources. E. No, we should focus on protecting our country and not others.

Any/all work

What are the best ways to use mineral resources sustainably? A. recycling and efficiency B. larger pit mines and recycling C. deeper mines and larger pit mines D. finding new mines and recycling E. deeper mines and efficiency

a. recycling and efficiency

________ gives inherent value to certain living things or to the biotic (living) realm of the earth in general; both human and nonhuman lives have ethical standing. a. Anthropocentrism b. Relativism c. Universalism d. Biocentrism e. Ecocentrism

d. biocentrism

This is matter that organisms need in large amounts: a. element b. atom c. reservoir d. nutrients e. isotope

d. nutrients

Describe in your own words what you think is meant by the term sustainability.

conserving resources for future generations

Describe the relationship between population growth rates and population size. a. Falling rates automatically mean a smaller population. b. Falling rates automatically mean a larger population. c. Falling growth rates signal that we no longer have a population problem. d. As long as the growth rate is above zero, the population will continue to grow, but more slowly. e. People will have to increase rates of growth to replace people that die.

d. as long as the growth rate is above zero, the population will continue to grow, but more slowly.

_________ describes the number of individuals in a population per unit area. a. Population size b. Population sex ratio c. Population age structure d. Population density e. Population growth

d. population density

Which of the following has been a cultural force for promoting lower fertility in Brazil over the last 50 years? a. equal access to education for women b. equal access to education for children ages 5-20 c. free family planning and contraception d. soap operas (telenovelas) e. import of programs from other nations

d. soap operas (telenovelas)

According to the I PAT formula, what would happen if the U.S. population of about 300 million people increased to 500 million, as projected? a. Its population would automatically drop soon after. b. Its affluence would have to increase to compensate. c. The total impact would increase slightly. d. Unless consumption were to decline drastically, the impact would be enormous. e. The quality of life would continue to improve.

d. unless consumption were to decline drastically, the impact would be enormous.

What is the definition of sustainable development? a. using resources to benefit future generations, even if it means lower current availability b. letting future generations figure out how to solve their own problems c. letting each country decide what is its best interest d. using resources to satisfy current needs without compromising future availability e. increasing economic output even if it harms the environment

d. using resources to satisfy current needs without compromising future availability.

Which term describes the practice of plowing fields perpendicularly across a hill? A. crop rotation B. contour farming C. intercropping D. shelterbelts E. conservation tillage

B. contour farming

What is environmental science?

The study of the environment and how humans interact with it.

Which of the following describes increased production of crops through the use of fertilizers, pesticides, and other technologies? A. the Green Revolution B. use of seed banks C. sustainable agriculture D. monocultures E. food security

A. the green revolution

Why is carbon dioxide the greenhouse gas of most concern? A. It is the major type of human-caused emission. B. It is the most abundant gas. C. It has the highest global warming potential. D. It is completely human-made. E. It is not the gas of most concern.

A. It is the major type of human-caused emissions

Which of the following are the primary indoor pollutants in developed nations? A. cigarette smoke and radon B. smoke from burning wood and carbon dioxide C. nitrogen and sulfuric acid D. industrial smog and cigarette smoke E. carbon dioxide and oxygen

A. cigarette smoke and radon

Which statement about meat consumption and feedlots is FALSE? A. Eating meat is far more energy-efficient than eating grains. B. Some species convert grain into meat more efficiently than other species. C. Much of the world's grain is fed to livestock. D. More livestock can be produced in a feedlot. E. Most U.S. meat is raised in feedlots.

A. eating meat is far more efficient than eating grains

For which of the following types of land is the ratio of growth to removal greatest? A. national forests B. other public forests C. private land

A. national forests.

What is the major component of Earth's atmosphere? A. nitrogen gas B. oxygen gas C. argon gas D. water vapor E. carbon dioxide

A. nitrogen gas

Which of the following is defined as "a mineral or grouping of minerals from which we extract metals"? A. ore B. sedimentary rock C. mined materials D. smelting E. igneous rock

A. ore

Pathogens and waterborne diseases enter drinking water supplies from ________. A. poorly treated wastewater or from animal wastes from feed lots B. upwellings C. pesticides entering groundwater D. oil and chemical spills E. excess nitrogen and phosphorus as agricultural runoff

A. poorly treated wastewater or from animal wastes from feed lots

A proposed highway would slice through the Serengeti National Park and disrupt the epic wildebeest migration and many of the interactions between predators and prey. Do you think the road should be built to increase commerce and connect Tanzanian people on each side? A. Yes, wildlife will adjust to the new habitat. B. Yes, but only if corridors are made for animals to safely pass under the road and the road is entirely blocked by fences. C. Maybe, but I'm not sure. D. No, the road will negatively effect wildlife and plant-life species and we should not interfere with nature. E. No, the road should be built around the migration areas.

All/Any are correct

Should the General Mining Act of 1872 be repealed? A. Absolutely; public land is more valuable as a functioning ecosystem than for mining. B. No, but companies should be allowed only to mine it, not to develop it for other purposes. C. Maybe, but only if it reduces our taxes. D. Probably not, since we are already hurting economically and need all the resources we can get.

Any

One reasonable way to prevent sinkholes might be to ________. A. install supports to maintain the shape of the underground aquifer B. increase groundwater recharge by constructing artificial wetlands that use treated municipal wastewater C. pump wastewater and sewage directly into the aquifer to maintain the water table D. have the local water company regularly transfer water from one local aquifer to the next, maintaining the average water level E. pump sand and gravel into the aquifer to fill in the bottom levels, thus raising the water table

B. Increase groundwater recharge by constructing artificial wetlands that use treated municipal wastewater.

Which of the following areas will suffer the highest loss of biodiversity? A. a small fragmented habitat that is close to a continuous forest B. a small fragmented habitat that is far away from a continuous forest C. a large fragmented habitat that is close to a continuous forest D. a large fragmented habitat that is far away from a continuous forest E. all of these will suffer an equally high loss of biodiversity

B. a small fragmented habitat that is far away from a continuous forest.

Of the following people, which is most likely to agree with the statement that an entire ecosystem has inherent value? a. an anthropocentrist b. an ecocentrist c. a biocentrist d. analysis conservationist e. an environmentalist

B. an ecocentrist are most likely to value nature (living and non-living) and humans.

Which of the following are major contributors to global climate change? A. burning fossil fuels and recycling B. burning fossil fuels and deforestation C. deforestation and nuclear energy D. fossil fuels and nuclear energy E. all of these

B. burning fossil fuels and deforestion

Which of the following created the Himalaya Mountains? A. divergent plate boundaries B. continental collision C. transform plate boundaries D. a strike-slip fault E. convergent boundary

B. continental collision

Biodiversity provides food, fuel, nutrient cycling, and plant pollination. These activities are collectively grouped as which of the following? A. food security B. ecosystem services C. ecosystem function D. aesthetic benefits of biodiversity E. ethical benefits of biodiversity

B. ecosystem services

Which statement is true regarding climate change? A. Climate is changing, but the evidence is lacking that humans are the cause of this change. B. here is a broad and clear scientific consensus that climate change is a pressing issue. C. The evidence is not yet strong enough to definitely say that climate is changing. D. Scientists are driven by greed to modify data about climate change. E. The United States is a world leader in addressing climate change.

B. here is a broad and clear scientific consensus that climate change is a pressing issue.

Which of the following methods is used to extract oil and natural gas from shale or other rock by releasing electrical charges, pumping in a slurry of water/sand/chemicals, and pumping the sludge to the surface? A. subsurface mining B. hydraulic fracturing C. nuclear testing D. oil suction E. strip mining

B. hydraulic fracturing

Global climate change is defined as _________. A. long-term atmospheric conditions B. modifications in Earth's climate C. an increase in Earth's average temperature D. atmospheric gases that absorb infrared radiation E. specific gases that absorb infrared radiation

B. modifications in Earth's average temperature

Which energy source is versatile, is used to generate electricity and heat homes, and emits the least CO2 of all fossil fuels? A. coal B. natural gas C. petroleum D. methane hydrate E. none of the above

B. natural gas

Which of the following forms when sunlight drives chemical reactions between primary pollutants and atmospheric compounds? A. photosynthesis B. photochemical smog C. industrial smog D. acid deposition E. cellular respiration

B. photochemical smog

Ozone in the _________ is a pollutant, but in the ______ is vital for life. A. stratosphere, troposphere B. troposphere, stratosphere C. troposphere, tropopause D. stratosphere, thermosphere E. air, water

B. troposphere, stratosphere

Which natural disaster is defined as "a severe, sudden mass wasting"? A. an earthquake B. a volcano C. a landslide D. a tsunami E. a tornado

C. a landslide

What happens with a thermal inversion? A. Vertical currents are created. B. Winds blow more strongly. C. Pollutants are trapped in cities. D. Air is lifted and moves precipitation to the equator. E. Air is deflected in a north-south direction.

C. air is lifted and moves precipitation to the equator.

Which concept describes the inherent love and emotional bond humans have with nature? A. ecotourism B. nature deficit order C. biophilia D. environmentalism E. ecosystem dystrophy

C. biophilia

What does inbreeding depression result in? A. increased population size but decreased individual size B. the population becoming extinct C. inferior offspring when genetically similar parents mate D. superior offspring when genetically similar parents mate E. increased number and variety of species

C. inferior offspring when genetically similar parents mate.

Which statement about GM food production is FALSE? A. Scientists mix genes from different organisms. B. It involves working with genetic material in a lab. C. It closely mimics natural selection. D. Producing GM foods is a big business. E. Although most American consumers have accepted GM foods, other nations continue to debate the genetic engineering of foods.

C. it closely mimics natural selection

Which of the following is NOT predicted to occur regarding climate change? A. Temperatures have increased and will increase further. B. Some areas will get more rain and snow. C. Glaciers around the world will finally stop melting. D. Low-lying islands will be flooded and submerged. E. Plant growth will be reduced, including crops.

C. low-lying islands will be flooded and submerged

This mining method uses terraces in very deep holes to extract iron and diamonds: A. strip mining B. placer mining C. open pit mining D. mountaintop removal E. subsurface mining

C. open pit mining

What does the Montreal Protocol address? A. global warming B. criteria pollutants C. ozone depletion D. acid deposition E. jobs in the public sector

C. ozone depletion

Xeriscaping can save water by ________. A. eliminating landscape plantings, replacing plants with rocks, sand and sculpture B. creating wetlands instead of landscaping C. planting native or drought-resistant plants with little or no water requirements D. planting invasive exotic plant species E. collecting rain water and storing it in cisterns or tanks

C. planting native or drought-resistant plants with little or no water requirements.

Which of the following is NOT a problem associated with use of pesticides? A. Many species can become resistant to pesticides. B. Offspring of resistant species are also resistant. C. Pesticides kill many nontarget species. D. A pest's predator is introduced into a field. E. Chemicals have to become more toxic to work.

D. a pest's predator is introduced into a field.

Ponds covered with aquatic vegetation: a stage in succession of aquatic ecosystems A. Limnetic zone B. Estuary C. Saltwater Marsh D. Bog E. Vernal pool

D. bog

An upwelling ________. A. occurs in areas where there are no currents B. is the flow of warm water upward toward the ocean surface C. is the flow of cold water that sinks towards the ocean floor D. brings benthic nutrients to the ocean surface promoting high primary productivity E. transports oxygen from deep to surface waters

D. brings benthic nutrients to the ocean surface promoting high primary productivity.

Which of the following uses data from various sources to simulate climatic processes? A. proxy indicators B. direct readings Ic. ndirect analysis D. climate models E. weather models

D. climate models

Which branch of science studies factors behind the loss, protection, and restoration of biodiversity? A. population genetics B. demography C. environmentalism D. conservation biology E. ecology

D. ecology

In general, why does an old-growth forest have higher diversity than younger forests? A. It has fewer microhabitats. B. It has more fragmentation. C. Less water flows through it. D. It has more resources. E. It has taller trees to provide more shade.

D. it has more resources

Which of the following is NOT an example of an adaptation to climate change? A. restricting coastal development in response to rising sea levels B. adjusting farming practices to cope with drought C. modifying water management practices to deal with reduced river flows or salt contamination of groundwater D. lowering the price of inefficient vehicles to remove them from the dealerships and make room for efficient vehicles E. building a seawall like the Maldives' Great Wall of Malé to protect coastal cities from flooding

D. lowering the price of inefficient vehicles to remove them for the dealerships and make room for efficient vehicles.

Which statement about agriculture is true? A. The U.S. is now producing food sustainably. B. Population growth has exceeded food production in recent decades. C. We have much more land in reserve that can be converted to agricultural production. D. Modern agriculture uses fossil fuels, pesticides, and fertilizers to increase production. E. Although there are slight problems, the outlook for future agricultural production is good.

D. modern agriculture uses fossil fuels, pesticides, and fertilizers to increase production.

To strip-mine for coal, what must first be removed? A. acid drainage B. coal C. ore D. overburden E. minerals

D. overburden

Currently, the greatest ecological crisis facing marine food webs is ________. A. radiation B. oil spills C. plastic dumping D. overharvesting E. abandoned fishing nets

D. overharvesting

Much of the biosolids material that is the end product of a water treatment plant is ________. A. trucked to special biohazard landfills for disposal B. used as part of the "fill" to develop wetlands into agriculture or housing areas C. loaded onto barges and sent to underdeveloped countries to use as fertilizer D. used as crop fertilizer in the United States E. placed in deep injection wells to keep it out of the water table

D. used as crop fertilizer in the united states

Which of these substances is MOST likely to affect the global air quality? A. SO2 B. PM2.5 D. tropospheric ozone D. CO E. CFCs

E. CFCs

Emissions have been reduced in the United States because of _________. A. federal policies B. cleaner-burning engines C. permit trading D. technologies such as scrubbers E. all of these

E. all of these

Which of the following is NOT a criteria pollutant? A. CO B. SO2 D. NO2 D. lead E. All of these are criteria pollutants.

E. all of these are criteria pollutants

Why are mine tailings dangerous? A. They pollute soil and water. B. They may contain heavy metals or acids. C. Surface impoundments containing slurries of tailings can be compromised. D. Tailings ponds may leach pollutants into the environment. E. All of these are reasons tailings are dangerous.

E. all of these are reasons tailings are dangerous

Which of the following statements is FALSE regarding coal? A. It is the world's most abundant fossil fuel. B. Coal is used to generate electricity. C. Mountaintop removal is a method of mining for coal. D. Coal can contain sulfur, mercury, and arsenic. E. All of these statements are true.

E. all of these statements are true

Which of the following is NOT a negative impact on coral reefs that is due to climate change? A. Warmer waters contribute to coral bleaching. B. Stronger storms physically damage coral reefs. C. Decreases in pH could destroy most of the planet's coral reefs. D. Fish populations decrease due to coral reef destruction. E. As coral reefs are destroyed, kelp will become the main habitats for fish.

E. as coral reefs are destroyed, kelp will become the main habitats for fish

Forests supply vital ecosystem services that include all of the following EXCEPT _______. A. erosion prevention B. decreased flooding C. storing carbon D. regulating climate E. increased temperatures from forest fires

E. increased temperatures from forest fires.

Under current law, what happens when a state does NOT comply with federal regulations involving air pollution? A. Nothing happens. B. States can "opt out" of federal regulations. C. States can ask for a waiver from standards, but only once. D. States can set their own standards. E. The EPA can take over enforcement of the regulations.

E. the EPA can take over enforcement of the regulations

Describe the scientific method, including the steps

observations, questions, hypothesis, predictions, tests, results

What needs to occur before researcher's results are published? And why is this important?

Peer review is important because it allows the outsider to evaluate the work to search for validity, mistakes, omissions, so that the work is not published with these errors.

what are some technologies, cultural changes, political policies that might cause or allow greater increase in human population size?

Wars ending, agricultural and industrial revolution

How and why did the agricultural revolution affect human population size?

The agriculture revolution affected human population size by the abundance of food that led to a more consistence food supply (decreases death rate)

What is an ecological footprint?

The impact we have on our environment; we are using renewable energy sources 50% faster than they are being replenished.

Although no study has shown undeniable evidence of human health impacts on humans from any genetically modified food, do you think it is safe to eat GM foods? A. Yes, because only one or two genes are altered. B. Yes, because GM foods have been laboratory tested and have been approved by the FDA. C. No, we still don't have enough evidence to show that GM foods are safe for human consumption. D. No, we should not alter an organism's DNA. E. It does not matter; I'm concerned only about the taste of the food I eat.

any answer

Explain what is meant by the term overshoot

When humans over use the planet, so when we take more than the Earth can give.

In which of the following situations will a population increase? a. Birth rate 5; immigration rate 3; death rate 1; emigration rate 5 b. Birth rate 5; immigration rate 1; death rate 4; emigration rate 5 c. Birth rate 2; immigration rate 3; death rate 1; emigration rate 5 d. Birth rate 2; immigration rate 4; death rate 3; emigration rate 5 e. Birth rate 3; immigration rate 3; death rate 4; emigration rate 5

a. Birth rate 5; immigration rate 3; death rate 1; emigration rate 5

The job of an environmental scientist is most likely to involve which of the following? a. pursuing knowledge to understand the natural world b. leading a social movement to protect the environment c. advocating for the environment in Congress d. showing bias during a newspaper interview e. joining in a protest to clean up a polluted river

a. Pursuing knowledge to understand the natural world.

Which is the correct order of the scientific method? a. observation-hypothesis-predictions-testing-results b. hypothesis-observation-testing-predictions-results c. observation-predictions-testing-results-hypothesis d. predictions-observation-hypothesis-testing-results e. hypothesis-observation-predictions-testing-results

a. observation-hypothesis-predictions-testing-results.

Allopatric speciation occurs in all of the following situations EXCEPT which one? a. One population of sparrows mates in May, and another population mates in June. b. A population of cedar trees is separated by a new mountain range formed by an earthquake. c. A population of meadow flowers is divided into two when a glacier grows down into a valley. d. A valley floods and forms a permanent river, which divides a population of deer. e. All of these would result in allopatric speciation.

a. one population of sparrows mates in May, and another population mates in June.

Aquaculture is the fastest-growing type of food production. Should food products that contain organisms grown in this type of environment be labeled? A. Yes, because aquaculture organisms are not as nutritious as organisms grown in open waters. B. Yes, I want to know where my food is coming from. C. No, because most of the fish and shellfish on the market were grown in aquaculture environments. D. No, because aquaculture helps reduce fishing pressures on overharvesting, and labeling these products may discourage people from buying them. E. It does not matter; I'm concerned only about the taste of the food I eat.

any answer

The USDA issues labels to certify that organic foods have met the government's standards. These foods are then sold at a higher price. Are you willing to pay extra for a organically grown food? A. Yes, because organically grown foods are safer to eat then traditionally grown food. B. Yes, because organically grown foods reduce impacts on the environment. C. No, we still don't have enough evidence to show that organically grown foods are safer for human consumption than are conventionally grown foods. D. No, organically grown food should not cost more . E. It does not matter; I'm concerned only about the taste of the food I eat.

any answer

Photosynthesis is the process of using the sun's energy to turn carbon dioxide and water into ________. a. kinetic energy and water b. chemical energy and sugar c. potential energy and carbon dioxide d. neutral energy and carbon e. heat energy and heterotrophs

b. chemical energy and sugar

An age structure diagram shaped like an upside-down pyramid with a wide top shows a(n) ________ population. a. increasing b. decreasing c. stable d. younger e. more educated

b. decreasing

The concept that stealing jewelry is bad whereas stealing a loaf of bread may not be bad is related to a ________. a. preservation ethic b. relativist ethic c. conservation ethic d. universalist ethic e. biocentric ethic

b. relativist ethic

What has accounted for most of the world's population growth in recent years? a. Women are having more babies than they used to. b. Technology, medicine, and food have decreased death rates, but birth rates remained high. c. Fewer women are using contraceptives, but more people are dying young. d. People have become more religious. e. Nothing; the population has dropped in recent years.

b. technology, medicine, and food have decreased death rates, but birth rates remained high.

Assuming the populations are of equal size, the length of time necessary for significant divergence to take place in the populations depends on ________. A. the area of the two meadow habitats B. the kinds of mutations in the populations and the similarity of the two isolated habitats C. how quickly the rabbits learn to swim between the two habitats D. the rapid restoration of contact between the two populations E. the absence of natural selection

b. the kinds of mutations in the populations and the similarity of the two isolated habitats.

Which of the following parts of an atom has a negative charge? a. proton b. neutron c. electron d. isotope e. ion

c. Electron

Which of the following statements is FALSE about negative feedback loops? a. Input and output neutralize each other. b. The system is stabilized. c. They occur mostly in systems altered by humans. d. The output moving in one direction acts as input that moves the system in the other direction. e. All of these statements are true.

c. The occur mostly in systems altered by humans

What type(s) of distribution do fish in the ocean exhibit? a. random b. uniform c. clumped d. random and clumped e. uniform and clumped

c. clumped

Which statement about organic agriculture is FALSE? A. It uses no synthetic fertilizers or pesticides. B. There are standards that must be met for labeling food as organically grown. C. For farmers, input costs are higher for organic agriculture, but they pay these costs willingly. D. The main obstacle is its higher price for consumers. E. U.S. land devoted to organic agriculture is increasing.

c. for farmers, input costs are higher for organic agriculture, but they pay these costs willingly.

When given a choice, a prairie mouse will build its home in a grassland instead of a forest. This is an example of ________. a. habitat b. habitat use c. habitat selection d. making a poor choice e. an accident - mice can't choose their habitat

c. habitat selection

The term environment includes which of the following? a. living things, such as animals and plants b. nonliving things, such as rivers and soil c. oceans, rivers, streams d. buildings and cities e. All of the above are included in this term.

e. All of the above are included in this term.

Which of the following describes a situation that can cause a species to go extinct? a. A warming climate melts the polar ice caps. b. Texas experiences severe drought. c. A species has only 25 breeding adults. d. Panda bears eat only bamboo plants. e. All of these factors can cause extinction.

e. all of these factors can cause extinction.

Which of the following is FALSE about the process of natural selection? a. It can direct and influence evolution. b. Traits that enhance survival and reproduction are passed on to future generations. c. It helps elaborate and diversify traits. d. It can lead to the formation of new species. e. All of these statements are correct about natural selection.

e. all of these statements are correct about natural selection.

Which of the following will reduce population growth rates? a. educating women b. marriage at an older age c. providing jobs outside the home d. increasing the availability of contraceptives e. All of these will help reduce population growth rates.

e. all of these will help reduce population growth rates.

Which of the following is NOT associated with proteins? a. They produce tissues and store energy. b. They produce hair, skin, and muscles. c. They are components of the immune system. d. They can promote chemical reactions. e. These are all associated with proteins.

e. these are all associated with proteins

An ecocentric worldview would consider the impact of an action on ________. a. plants only b. animals only c. humans only c. all living things e. whole ecological systems

e. whole ecological systems

Name several disciplines that environmental science draws upon

ecology, biology, physics, chemistry, zoology, mineralogy, oceanology, limnology, soil science, geology, atmospheric science, and geodesy

Explain the concept of environmental justice

fair treatment of all people with respect to the environment