Environmental Changes

Weather patterns during a La Niña cause less rainfall than normal along the southeastern coast of the United States. However, above-average rainfall occurs in Australia. Which event is most likely to occur during this La Niña?

A drought will cause rivers to run low along the southeastern coast of the United States.

Which long-term environmental change could allow some organisms to flourish?

ice age

In which time frames can short-term environmental changes occur? Check all that apply.

in days in minutes over hundreds of years

What event might occur when favorable adaptations build up in a population over many generations?

speciation

Which statements accurately describe earthquakes and tectonic plate movement? Check all that apply.

Both earthquakes and tectonic plate movement can affect organisms. Earthquakes happen quickly and are short-term environmental changes. Tectonic plate movement occurs slowly and is a long-term environmental change.

Which statements accurately describe long-term environmental changes? Check all that apply.

Long-term environmental changes cause changes in genetic makeup.. Long-term environmental changes occur in thousands to billions of years. Long-term environmental changes affect organisms over several generations.

How will a short-term environmental change most likely affect organisms within an ecosystem? Check all that apply.

It will lead to some deaths.. It will lead to forced migration. It will lead to changes in behavior.

A volcano violently erupts near a small town and wildlife preserve. Which effects might occur? Check all that apply.

Lava destroys homes and farmland. Ash and dust fill the air and reduce sunlight. Organisms and populations on the wildlife preserve die.

A large asteroid impact occurs, kicking up dust that blocks the sun and prevents plants from photosynthesizing. What would most likely happen as a result of the asteroid impact? Check all that apply.

Many plants will die without sunlight for photosynthesis. Some animals will adapt over time to survive in new conditions. Many species will eventually die off because they lack a food source.

Humans clear-cut a forest. How would animals most likely be affected by this action? Check all that apply.

Some animals would lose their habitat. Some animals would die. Some animals would be forced to migrate.

Which natural occurrence is an example of a long-term environmental change?

The peppered moth evolves from a light to a dark color.

Which statements describe effects of large asteroid and comet impacts? Check all that apply.

They may cause extinction. They may kick up dust and pollute Earth's atmosphere. They may cause organisms and populations to die.

What are possible effects of long-term environmental changes? Check all that apply.

adaptation extinction speciation

Which short-term environmental changes would a very small asteroid or comet impact on Earth most likely cause? Check all that apply.

craters on surface death of organisms and populations

During an earthquake, buildings and roads collapse. This causes people to move to new locations and find new homes. Which effect of short-term environmental change is presented in this scenario?

forced migration