AP Environmental Science | Quiz Questions
Which of the following animals is native to North America? A) Blue mussels B) Fire ants C) Zebra mussels D) Water hyacinth E) Kudzu vine
A) Blue mussels
Legal and illegal capture and sale of wild species of plants and animals for huge profits A) Exotic pet trade B) Deforestation C) Over-exploitation D) Pollution E) Habitat fragmentation
A) Exotic pet trade
Caused by roads, logging, and urban development that reduces large habitats into smaller divided areas A) Habitat fragmentation B) Exotic pet trade C) Pollution D) Over-exploitation E) Deforestation
A) Habitat fragmentation
Any habitat surrounded by a different one can be referred to as A) Habitat island B) Biome C) Ecological easement D) Biological hotspot E) Ecotone
A) Habitat island
Oceanic upwelling I. are the site of the world's major fisheries II. are produced when a deeper, cool mass encounters a warmer one III. occur away from shore A) I only B) III only C) I and II only D) I, II, and III
A) I only
Which of the following aquatic life zones is not considered marine and does not have saltwater? A) Inland wetlands B) Coastal marshes C) Estuaries D) Mangrove swamps E) Coral reefs
A) Inland wetlands
A species of animals that occasionally explodes in population and then consequently crashes to a lower level has what type of population fluctuation? A) Irruptive B) Stable C) Cyclic D) Eruptive E) Irregular
A) Irruptive
Which of the following is most harmful to biodiversity? A) Loss of habitat B) Global warming C) Acid deposition D) Proliferation of endemic species E) Depletion of the ozone
A) Loss of habitat
Which of the following best describes soil in many tropical rain forests? A) They are quickly depleted nutrients when the forest is removed B) They are well suited for growing a wide variety of crops C) They are similar to soils in grasslands D) They are deep and well drained
A) They are quickly depleted nutrients when the forest is removed
The melting of the polar ice caps is likely to result in higher global temperatures thereby leading to the further melting of the ice caps. This is an example of A) a positive feedback loop B) a negative feedback loop C) the ice cap treadmill effect D) a revolving-door E) a kickback mechanism
A) a positive feedback loop
Animals listed as endangered or threatened cannot be _____ in the United States. A) any of the choices B) killed C) collected D) injured E) hunted
A) any of the choices
When introduced species have no predators, competition, parasites or pathogens to control their populations, it is an example of... A) biotic pollution B) mutualism C) coevolution D) intolerance E) environmental inertia
A) biotic pollution
The majority of the energy put into the food chain A) exits in the form of low quality waste heat B) is converted to biomass by the end of the chain C) is recycled by the end of the chain D) is used efficiently by the end of the chain E) is in the form of heat
A) exits in the form of low quality waste heat
Compared to passive solar heating, active solar heating A) has a higher cost B) has a higher net energy efficiency C) needs more access to the sun D) is more visually attractive usually
A) has a higher cost
If an arrow is fired from a drawn bow at a given velocity, the energy required for the arrow's movement is supplied by A) potential energy of the arrow B) chemical energy of the arrow C) nuclear energy of the bow D) heat energy of the air E) kinetic energy of gravity
A) potential energy of the arrow
Wetlands are a valuable ecological resource because they A) purify polluted water B) contain large amounts of fossil fuels C) contain a large coral population D) have low annual rainfall E) control bird populations
A) purify polluted water
An endangered species is any species that can A) soon become extinct in all or part of its range B) undergo alteration of its genetic traits C) become rare within the next century D) eventually become threatened or rare E) be considered economically important but is rare
A) soon become extinct in all or part of its range
On which continent is most of the world's current population?
Asia
If a population is growing at a constant rate of 7% a year, it will double in approximately A) 5 years B) 10 years C) 15 years D) 20 years E) 25 years
B) 10 years
The Dust Bowl during the Great Depression was caused by farming methods that removed protective plant cover, allowing winds to distribute the component of which soil horizon? A) C B) A C) B D) E E) O
B) A
Where are photosynthetic organisms least likely to be found? A) Disphotic zone B) Abyssal zone C) Intertidal zone D) Euphotic zone E) Splash zone
B) Abyssal zone
The greatest rates of deforestation are currently found in A) Africa B) Asia C) Latin America D) Australia E) Europe
B) Asia
Base your answer to the following question on the following concepts related to energy (A) First law of thermodynamics (B) Second law of thermodynamics (C) Potential energy (D) Kinetic energy (E) Heat flow Energy is always degraded to lower quality energy after it is used to do work. A) A B) B C) C D) E E) D
B) B
Select the person who matches the description from the list below. Author of Tragedy of the Commons (1986) A) Henry David Thoreau B) Barrett Hardin C) Rachel Carson D) Upton Sinclair E) Aldo Leopold
B) Barrett Hardin
Base your answer to the following question on the list of natural areas below. (A) Antarctic (B) Benthos (C) Coral Reefs (D) Deserts (E) Freshwater (F) Grasslands (G) Oceans (H) Savannas (I) Tundra Are quickly disappearing due to pollution, dredging, and sedimentation. A) E B) C C) D D) B E) A
B) C
Which of the following sequences shows biomass that would appear at a similar latitude, but with decreasing precipitation? A) Desert -> savanna -> scrubland -> tropical forest B) Deciduous forest -> chaparral -> grassland -> desert C) Scrubland -> chaparral -> coniferous forest -> tundra D) Rainforest -> coniferous forest -> desert E) Tropical rainforest -> temperate rainforest -> deciduous forest
B) Deciduous forest -> chaparral -> grassland -> desert
The captive breeding program was successfully used to increase what endangered species population? A) Bald eagle B) Dodo C) Brown pelican D) Passenger pigeon E) Nile perch
B) Dodo
At the convergence of two oceanic plates, one would expect to find I. the subduction of a continental plate II. a trench III. minimal volcanic activity A) I only B) II only C) III only D) I and II only E) I, II and III
B) II only
Invasive species _______________________ A) Usually displace endemic species of a given area B) One of the above is false C) Flourish in a new environment due to lack of predators, diseases, or resource limitations D) Rarely invade islands because of their comparative isolation E) Have been introduced both deliberately and accidentally
B) One of the above is false
If the birthrate and deathrate for a population is equal but the emigration is more than the immigration, which of the following is likely to occur? A) Population remains stable B) Population decreases C) Population increases rapidly D) Population fluctuates randomly E) Population increases slowly
B) Population decreases
Which of the following is NOT a point source pollution? A) Smokestacks B) Runoff from streets C) Oil spill D) Nuclear meltdown E) Industrial waste drain
B) Runoff from streets
Allopatric speciation is the process by which A) the background rate of extinction is doubled B) a population that inhabits a particular area is divided into 2 or more geographically separated groups C) the gene pool is stabilized D) members of 2 distinct species interbreed E) evolution selects organisms for survival
B) a population that inhabits a particular area is divided into 2 or more geographically separated groups
Passenger pigeons no longer exist anywhere in the world. We say that they have undergone A) ecological extinction B) biological extinction C) global extinction D) local extinction E) mass extinction
B) biological extinction
The theory that one of two species sharing the same niche will be eliminated by the more efficient species is called A) total extinction B) competitive exclusion C) stabilizing selection D) K-strategy E) niche specificity
B) competitive exclusion
All of the following are factors affecting oil spill cleanup except A) oil viscosity B) diversity of wildlife C) geography of spill location D) weather conditions E) water conditions
B) diversity of wildlife
Which is NOT a simple way to save energy in the winter heating your home? A) open curtains when its sunny, close when the sun goes down B) run the hot water to warm the air C) install solar panels to heat hot water and circulate it around the house D) lower the furnaces thermostat when you're not home
B) run the hot water to warm the air
Most evaporation from oceans and lakes is caused by A) nuclear energy from deep sea vents B) solar energy released by the sun C) release of thermal energy by marine animals D) radiant energy from condensed water on surface E) chemical energy from deep sea vents
B) solar energy released by the sun
The amount of solar radiation reaching the Earth's surface depends on all of the following EXCEPT A) the time of day B) the albedo of the earth's surface C) the amount of cloud cover D) the atmospheric concentration of sulfur dioxide
B) the albedo of the earth's surface
Net primary productivity can be a measure of A) the efficiency of the hydrologic cycle B) the food resources available on Earth C) the availability of vital minerals on Earth D) the percentage of an ecosystem that is healthy E) none of the above
B) the food resources available on Earth
In an aquatic ecosystem, zooplankton occupy A) the first trophic level B) the second trophic level C) the third trophic level D) the fourth trophic level E) no particular trophic level
B) the second trophic level
All of the following are true of benthic species except A) some are adapted to darker colder waters B) they are adapted to swim quickly to evade predators C) they inhabit the benthic zone of lakes D) they are mostly detrivores feeding on dead matter E) they feed on marine snow in the profundal zone of oceans
B) they are adapted to swim quickly to evade predators
The acidity/alkalinity balance in soil is important. A pH change of 8 to 5 is drastic and is representative of what type of change in [H+]? A) 3000 times increase in concentration of H+ B) 3 times decrease in concentration of H+ C) 1000 times increase in concentration of H+ D) 1000 times decrease in concentration of H+ E) 3 times increase in concentration of H+
C) 1000 times increase in concentration of H+
Which of the following is an example of a change in weather? A) Desertification of an area causes the area to see increase annual temperatures B) While climbing a mountain, one moves through several different biomes C) A thunderstorm forms and drops 1.5 cm of rain D) A large area changes from grassland to desert E) Increased greenhouse gases in the atmosphere cause atmospheric warming
C) A thunderstorm forms and drops 1.5 cm of rain
Which of the following leads to more erosion and is itself increased by additional erosion? A) Surface mining without land reclamation, leaving soil exposed to the atmosphere B) Soil compaction from farm machinery and livestock all across the world C) Deforestation, reducing firewood and forcing poor farmers to use crop residue and manure for fuel D) Increased irrigation of farmland with new irrigation systems in developed countries, leading to salinized soil E) Massive amounts of herbicide spraying on farmland, causing increased leaching of nutrients
C) Deforestation, reducing firewood and forcing poor farmers to use crop residue and manure for fuel
This biome contains plants that are adapted to prevent water loss due to the low average rainfall and high temperatures year-round. A) Savanna B) Tundra C) Desert D) Tropical rain forest E) Boreal forest
C) Desert
______________ is a weather pattern characterized by unusually _____________ temperatures in the equatorial pacific. A) Tropical storm; cool B) Tornado; cool C) El Nino; warm D) La Nina; warm
C) El Nino; warm
Crude oil spills in the Arctic Ocean have disastrous environmental hazards. What is the most important for oil companies to do in order to solve this problem? A) Pouring more money into cleaning up spills B) Using high-pressure water to clean beaches C) Fitting all oil tankers with double hulls D) Training response teams better E) Build bigger vessels
C) Fitting all oil tankers with double hulls
Which of the following types of organisms would be LEAST harmed by global warming? A) Arctic dwelling animals such as polar bears B) Trees whose seeds spread by the wind C) Generalist species such as foxes D) Aquatic organisms such as salmon E) Specialist species such as Kirtland's warbler
C) Generalist species such as foxes
Which of the following characteristics of species are likely to result in increased risk of extinction? I. Limited geographic range II. Naturally small numbers III. Generalist specification A) I only B) I, II, and III C) I and II only D) II only E) III only
C) I and II only
Which of the following is a strategy of r-selected species? I. Conserve energy for elaborate mating rituals II. Reproduce in abundance to overcome high death rates of unprotected young III. Give their offspring little protection to help the stronger ones survive A) III only B) II only C) II and III only D) I, II, and III E) I only
C) II and III only
Which of the following human devices is the most energy inefficient? A) Internal combustion engine B) Fuel cell C) Incandescent light D) Fluorescent light
C) Incandescent light
Which of the following is NOT an example of how nitrogen is "fixed" and made ready for plant consumption? A) Humans take nitrogen and put it in fertilizers such as NH4 NO3 which is sold commercially B) Bacteria in aquatic and terrestrial systems convert N into compounds such as NH24+ C) N2 is taken directly by plants from the atmosphere and converted to compounds such as NH3 D) Fungi convert nitrogenous wastes in soil into nitogen containing nutrients E) Atmospheric discharge in the form of lightning can convert N into compounds like NO2
C) N2 is taken directly by plants from the atmosphere and converted to compounds such as NH3
This biome is characterized by long dry seasons and is dominated by grasses, shrubs, and grazing animals A) Tropical rain forest B) Coniferous forest C) Savanna D) Desert E) Taiga forest
C) Savanna
Which fuel source has the most potential energy for humans to utilize? A) Uranium B) Tidal C) Solar D) Coal
C) Solar
Scientists believe that the earth is undergoing or is about to undergo a mass extinction. Which of the following statements about this is TRUE? A) The current mass extinction resembles past mass extinctions very closely B) Mass extinctions occur when the natural rate of extinction rises above the speciation rate C) The current mass extinction is taking place much more rapidly than previous extinctions D) The current mass extinction will be followed by a quick recovery fueled by evolution E) Extinction rates are expected to level off as conservationists have become more aware of the importance of biodiversity
C) The current mass extinction is taking place much more rapidly than previous extinctions
Which of the following species was accidentally introduced into the United States? A) African honeybee B) European starling C) Zebra mussel D) Purple loosestrife E) Water hyacinth
C) Zebra mussel
Which of the following introduced species is INCORRECTLY paired with a description of its effects? A) Water hyacinth - prevents sunlight and oxygen from penetrating the water B) Kudzu - prevent erosion C) Zebra mussels - no effects from its introduction D) Mongoose - prey on Nene goose
C) Zebra mussels - no effects from its introduction
Habitat fragmentation A) increases edge areas that make some species more vulnerable t predators B) may create habitats too small to support the minimum breeding population of some species C) all of these answers D) can create barriers that limit the ability of species to find food and mates E) may limit the ability of some species to disperse and colonize new areas
C) all of these answers
The Endangered Species Act of 1973... A) authorizes identification of endangered species solely on a biological basis B) requires all commercial shipments of wildlife enter or leave the U.S. through one of nine designated ports C) all of these answers D) is one of the world's toughest environmental laws E) allows the use of endangered species for approved scientific purposes or if the use of enhances the survival of the species
C) all of these answers
Compared to nuclear power plants, coal-fired power plants A) give off CO2 B) disrupt less land due to surface mining C) are more efficient D) have higher costs
C) are more efficient
The annual sustainable yield for a species yellow flounder in the Gorges Bank off the coast of New England has been determined to be 200,000 tons per year. The best way to maintain the coastal marine ecosystem while fishing is to A) throw more bycatch back into the ocean B) use drift-net fishing and long line fishing instead of trawler fishing C) fish many species of fish well under the sustainable yield D) harvest the entire annual surplus of yellow flounder and leave other fish species alone E) fish more than 200,000 tons a year for a while and then move on to let the Gorges Bank area recover
C) fish many species of fish well under the sustainable yield
Biotic pollution is most practically mediated by A) the introduction of species B) the establishment of preserves C) governmental regulation D) large corporations
C) governmental regulation
A country in which the birth rates only narrowly exceed death rates is most likely A) pre-industrial B) transitional C) industrial D) postindustrial E) underdevelopment
C) industrial
A country's fertility rate is NOT decreased by A) urbanization B) higher educational opportunities for women C) lower marriage age D) decreased importance of children in labor forces E) reduced cost of raising children
C) lower marriage age
Terrestrial producers _______________ CO2 from the atmosphere, aquatic producers _______________ CO2 from the water, and consumers ______________ CO2 from the atmosphere. A) replenish, remove, replenish B) remove, remove, remove C) remove, remove, replenish D) replenish, replenish, replenish E) remove, replenish, replenish
C) remove, remove, replenish
The Earth's exponential increase in human population during the last century has been largely influenced by A) increased immigration and emigration B) a decrease in wars C) the Industrial Revolution D) increase in birth control E) the Green Revolution
C) the Industrial Revolution
The majority of crustal activity on earth is centered about A) the Mediterranean Sea B) the African continent C) the Pacific Ocean D) the Atlantic Ocean E) none of the above
C) the Pacific Ocean
The population of Japan is steadily declining. Which of the following is not a reason for such a decline? A) High education costs B) Family planning C) Late marriages D) AIDS E) High land prices
D) AIDS
Base your answer to the following question on the below sources of energy. A. Oil B. Coal C. Nuclear D. Natural gas E. Wind Which of the following energy sources has the highest cost and is actually being slowly phased out in the US mainly because of cost? A) E B) D C) A D) C
D) C
Which type of soil consists of very fine particles that make permeability of water low? A) Sand B) Silt C) Loam D) Clay E) Gravel
D) Clay
Which of the following was not a recommendation by the National Academy of Sciences to make the Endangered Species Act effective? A) Base decisions about a species' status on biological criteria, not economic criteria B) Increase funding for the ESA C) Develop recovery plans more quickly D) Eliminate habitat conservation subsidies to private landowners E) Create a core emergency habitat when species are first listed
D) Eliminate habitat conservation subsidies to private landowners
The lowest birth rates are currently to be found in A) China B) Latin America C) Eastern Europe D) Germany E) Sub-Saharan Africa
D) Germany
Climate changes have which of the following effects on marine animals? I. Global warming can destroy coral reefs II. Increased nitrates and phosphates can lead to unnatural algal blooms III. Harmful UV radiation can damage surface dwelling marine species A) II only B) I only C) II and III only D) I, II, and III
D) I, II, and III
The largest oil spill in history so far was the A) Deepwater Horizon BP spill B) Ixtoc Oil Well C) Exxon Valdez in 1989 D) Persian Gulf War E) Lakeview Spill
D) Persian Gulf War
Which of the following would be best classified as a nonpoint source of pollution? A) Plastic bottles all with the unique label "Saratoga Springs Water" sold only in Saratoga Springs B) Used oil from one car dealership being dumped directly into a stream C) All of the car oil coming off of every driveway in Lansdale during a rainstorm D) Pesticides run off of several farms and fields in waterways such as rivers, lakes, and oceans
D) Pesticides run off of several farms and fields in waterways such as rivers, lakes, and oceans
The great grasslands of the world have which of the following primary characteristics in common? A) They are restricted in occurrence to the region between 30 degrees north latitude and 30 degrees south latitude B) Due to high humidity, fires are uncommon and rarely affect large areas C) They are typically created by overgrazing by livestock D) Seasonal cycles of temperature and precipitation produce abundant vegetative growth E) High winds blow seeds of trees away such that only grasses exist
D) Seasonal cycles of temperature and precipitation produce abundant vegetative growth
Which of the following organisms is a type of nekton? A) Barnacle B) Bacteria C) Algae D) Whale E) Jellyfish
D) Whale
The greatest threat to most species is... A) sport hunting B) water pollution C) parasites D) reduction of habitats E) climate change
D) reduction of habitats
All of the following are passive solar techniques EXCEPT A) earth tube cooling B) south-facing triple-paned window installation C) greenhouse annexation D) rooftop solar panel installation
D) rooftop solar panel installation
Since the 1980s, there has been growing interest in using which of the following to insulate superinsulated buildings in order to improve the energy efficiency? A) polyesterene B) wood C) concrete D) straw
D) straw
When the focus for saving a species from extinction is what that species can do for humans, we say that it has ________ value. A) intrinsic B) ecological C) existence D) use E) bequest
D) use
The greatest source of sulfur release into the environment is/are A) erosion B) fossil fuel combustion C) deep sea vents D) volcanic eruptions E) animal and plant biomass decomposition
D) volcanic eruptions
Which of the following would most likely be found in a rocky shore beach as opposed to a barrier or sandy beach? A) Clam B) Mole shrimp C) Ghost shrimp D) Silversides E) Anemone
E) Anemone
Instrumental value of a species can be divided into use and nonuse values. Which of these is a use value? A) Satisfaction derived from knowing that a species exists B) The inspiration provided by the sounds of birdsongs C) The beauty of natural scenery, such as coral reef formations D) Willingness of people to pay to protect natural capital for future generations E) Ecological services provided by species, such as pollination by honeybees
E) Ecological services provided by species, such as pollination by honeybees
Which of the following best explains the high birth rate in stage 2 in contrast to the rapidly declining death rate? A) Increase in educational and employment opportunities for women B) Nations becoming more developed and industrialized C) Increases in many areas including technological and medical innovations D) The average age of marriage increasing E) Hard to change social values that place value on having many children
E) Hard to change social values that place value on having many children
Which of the following is a point source of water pollution? A) Livestock runoff B) Pesticides C) Acid rain deposition D) Inorganic fertilizers E) Oil tankers
E) Oil tankers
Long term differences in which two variables are the primary determinants of climate? A) Temperature and soil type B) Temperature and cloud cover C) Precipitation and soil type D) Soil type and cloud cover E) Precipitation and temperature
E) Precipitation and temperature
Which of the following characteristics would make a species less prone to extinction? A) Serving as a food source for humans B) Nesting in large flocks C) Requiring large amounts of unfragmented habitat D) Possessing a valuable skin E) Producing many offspring when environmental conditions are both favorable and unfavorable
E) Producing many offspring when environmental conditions are both favorable and unfavorable
Country with the largest area of boreal forests A) Indonesia B) Australia C) United States of America D) Brazil E) Russia
E) Russia
Which of the following factors is not a primary determining factor for whether an organism is found on the surface or in the middle of the water column in the ocean? A) Temperature B) Dissolved oxygen C) Availability of light D) Nutrient availability E) Salinity
E) Salinity
Which of the following countries is NOT expected to have a declining population in the twenty-first century? A) Japan B) Greece C) South Africa D) Germany E) The United States
E) The United States
Increases in the entropy of a system are caused by A) conversion of heat energy to light B) combustion of a piece of wood C) transformation of chemical energy to kinetic energy D) photosynthetic manufacturing of glucose E) all of the above
E) all of the above
Coral reefs under extreme environmental stress will expel their photosynthetic zooxanthellae. This process is known as A) necrosis B) expulsion C) decolonization D) desiccation E) bleaching
E) bleaching
In Mediterranean climate regions like portions of California, a wetter-than-normal winter often leads to greater severity of fires the following summer. This seeming paradox occurs because increased rain leads to A) greater erosion and damage of access roads B) greater accumulation of chaparral biomass C) higher pollination rates of annual flowers D) greater recreational use of parklands E) decreased summer rainfall
E) decreased summer rainfall
Nearly 90% of the world's fisheries are located A) near coral reefs B) in equatorial waters C) at volcanic hot spots D) at mid-oceanic ridges E) on the continental shelf
E) on the continental shelf
Density-independent population controls include all of the following except A) pesticide spraying B) floods C) habitat destruction D) fire E) parasitism
E) parasitism
Both saltwater and freshwater environments have weakly swimming, free-floating autotrophic organisms called A) nekton B) jellyfish C) benthos D) zooplankton E) phytoplankton
E) phytoplankton
Clumping patterns occur with vegetation primarily because A) they arise naturally from shading and resource competition B) seeds are randomly distributed C) plants secrete antagonistic varietal chemicals D) such patterns arise from chance E) resources are naturally found in pockets
E) resources are naturally found in pockets
The major determinants of the course of the water cycle are A) polar attraction and electromagnetic forces B) cohesion and adhesion C) transpiration pull and organic need D) hydrous sinks and deep sea vents E) solar energy and gravity
E) solar energy and gravity
Anemia results from lack of a mineral most commonly found in A) carrots B) fish C) corn D) eggplant E) spinach
E) spinach