ES150 Final Exam
What are the three major (regional) watersheds that include parts of North Carolina?
1. South Atlantic Gulf- drains to the Atlantic Ocean 2. Tennessee- drains to Mississippi River and Gulf of Mexico 3. Ohio- drains to Mississippi River and Gulf of Mexico
Can you explain what a watershed is?
A watershed is an area of land that drains all water to a common outlet.
What are some reasons biodiversity is important and what is the need to think beyond only species diversity?
Biodiversity is important for resilience, which is the ability to recover from change, as well as for ecosystem services, the benefits that ecosystems provide to society, like food and fiber, absorption of air and water pollution, fresh water, carbon storage, habitat, climate moderation such as reducing urban temperatures, and cultural services like recreation and spirituality. It is important to consider genetic diversity for the survival of species, such as the examples of the Florida panther and the cheetah, functional diversity to support food webs and ecosystem services, and landscape diversity to provide resilience to events like storms and wildfires.
North Carolina's largest river basin, in terms of land area, is the ....
Cape Fear watershed
The watershed that include Charlotte, parts of the Pisgah National Forest, Granfather Mountain and Linville Gorge is the ....
Catawba River watershed
Please describe the way that precipitation forms: Convection
Convection: When the air at the surface is warmer than the lower atmosphere, air rises and cools, forming in convection clouds and precipitation. Rain is usually short in duration and local. This process is most common in the summer
Please describe the way that precipitation forms: Cyclonic/Frontal
Cyclonic/Frontal: A warm front is pushed up over a cold front because air air is less dense. As the warm air rises, it cools and condenses, resulting in precipitation that can be prolonged.
Name one strategy for plants to survive in very dry conditions AND one strategy for plants to survive in very wet conditions
Dry: Complete their life cycle quickly when water is available Dry: Tolerate drought by storing water (succulent) and reducing water loss (needle like leaves) Wet: Above ground structures like cypress knees or aerial roots known as pneumatphores like mangroves to increase gas exchange.
Potential ET is always [GREATER/ LESS] than or equal to Actual ET
GREATER
Plants such as trees that use more water compared to grasses can be found where the P/E ratio is [HIGH / LOW]
HIGH
Evaporation rates are [HIGHER/ LOWER] over the oceans compared to the land
HIGHER
What does HUC stand for?
Hydrologic Unit Code
Type of plants that grow where water is very abundant
Hydrophyte
Why does it matter which sources that wetland receive water from?
It can determine important factors for plants, like the amount of nutrients they can access. Precipitation does not have a lot of nutrients, but surface water and ground water often do. It can also determine how long the wetlands have water. Many precipitation fed wetlands dry out faster than groundwater wetlands.
Type of plants that grow where water is sufficient
Mesophyte
Right of capture
No restriction- use as much as you can
Correlative rights
Obtain a permit to use your neighbors
3. Place the following in order, from the largest to smallest amount of water: a. Ocean water b. Water in Rivers and Lakes c. Ground water d. Water stored in the atmosphere
Ocean Water Ground Water Rivers & Lakes Atmosphere
Please describe the way that precipitation forms: Orographic
Orographic: A warm air mass is pushed up in the atmosphere by hills or mountains, causing the air to cool and water to condense, resulting in precipitation
Name the ecosystem services that wetlands provide and can you discuss the Florida Everglades example?
Store water from flooding Absorb nutrients and improve water quality Provide habitat for plants, fish, waterfowl, amphibians and other wildlife Provide recreation The Everglades protected Florida from Hurricane Irma by absorbing the storm's energy, reducing the storm surge and absorbing a lot of water
As you move to smaller watersheds, what happens to the HUC?
The digits increase- from HUC 2 to HUC 12
In North Carolina, which region receives the highest precipitation? What about the lowest? What are the major factors that explain this?
The western part of the state includes the areas with both the highest and lowest precipitation totals due to the influence of the mountains, which cause the formation of orographic precipitation when air masses cross over, creating areas of high precipitation on one side of the mountains and then, areas of lower precipitation on the other side because the arriving air masses no longer hold as much water.
Salty Oceans have been identified in other parts of our solar system [TRUE or FALSE]
True
Reasonable use
Use as much as is reasonable- not wasted
Prior appropriation
Use as much as you own the rights to
Restatement of Torts
Use cannot affect surface or groundwater levels
Type of plants that grow where it's very dry
Xerophyte
The Uwharrie National Forest is located in the ....
Yadkin-Pee Dee watershed
Describe Mangrove Swamps
a coastal, tropical and subtropical saltwater swamps.
When totaled, greenhouse gases make up how much of the total atmosphere? a. <1% b. 5% c. 10% d. 17%
a. <1%
Which place on the landscape would likely have the most water available? a. A forest downhill with loamy soil b. A forest uphill with clayey soil c. A forest midslope with loamy soil d. A forest uphill with sandy soil
a. A forest downhill with loamy soil
IPCC reports include which of the following (all that apply)? a. Analyses of climate change risks b. New original research studies c. Policies they urge governments to adopt d. Multiple possible future scenarios
a. Analyses of climate change risks d. Multiple possible future scenarios
Which of the following are greenhouse gases (all that apply)? a. Carbon dioxide, CO2 b. Oxygen, O2 c. Nitrogen, N2 d. Nitrous oxide, N2O
a. Carbon dioxide, CO2 d. Nitrous oxide, N2O
What has Turkey done to influence conflicts in Iraq and Syria? a. Control the water supply through a series of upstream dams b. Artificially lowered food prices so that farmers have to grow more using more water c. The Turkish military has blown up dams d. Turkey has used foreign aid to install water infrastructure to gain the support of the people to end the conflicts.
a. Control the water supply through a series of upstream dams
The range of scenarios used by the IPCC and the National Climate Assessment suggest a. Global average temperature will increase by 1.8-4o C by 2100 b. Global average temperature will increase by 3.8-10o C by 2100 c. Global average temperature will increase 0.8-1o C by 2100 d. Global average temperatures will increase at an accelerating pace
a. Global average temperature will increase by 1.8-4o C by 2100
Explain greenhouse gases: a. how do they affect climate b. which are the most and least abundant, c. are there other factors that matter besides abundance d. What are some strategies that can reduce greenhouse gasses, especially those that reduce multiple gasses at once?
a. Greenhouse gases absorb infrared radiation, or heat from the sun, and increase global temperature. b. Carbon dioxide is the most abundant greenhouse gas, followed by methane and nitrous oxide and fluorinated gases. c. In addition to abundances, it is important to consider the radiative forcing or global warming potential (GWP) of gases. For example, although methane is not as abundant as carbon dioxide, its GWP is 25 over a 100 year period, meaning it has an effect 25x's stronger than carbon dioxide. d. Reducing fossil fuel use would reduce both carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide emissions, reducing fertilizer use is important to reduce nitrous oxide, and good manure management is important to reduce both methane and nitrous oxide.
What is important to determine if a forest is a CO2 sink (all that apply)? a. If growth (photosynthesis) is high b. If mortality and decomposition are high c. The P/E ratio d. Whether the forest is tropical or boreal
a. If growth (photosynthesis) is high b. If mortality and decomposition are high
Confidence that the intensity of individual storms can be attributed to climate change is a. Increasing b. Highly uncertain c. High confidence
a. Increasing
The processes of water moving toward ground water can be described as (all that apply): a. Infiltration is the initial penetration of the soil surface b. Throughfall is the initial penetration of water into the soil surface c. Percolation is the movement of water within the soil d. Sublimation is the movement of water within the soil
a. Infiltration is the initial penetration of the soil surface c. Percolation is the movement of water within the soil
Soil texture affects (all that apply): a. Infiltration rates b. The color of the soil c. How much water is available to plants d. Whether an area is a wetland
a. Infiltration rates c. How much water is available to plants
What describes a commonly used climate classification system? a. It is called the Köppen system, it is commonly used because it aligns with vegetation b. It is called the Köppen system, it is commonly used because it aligns with P/E ratio c. It is called the Thornthwaite syste, it is most widely used because it aligns with vegetation d. It is called the Thornwaite is most widely used because it aligns with latitudes
a. It is called the Köppen system, it is commonly used because it aligns with vegetation
What is the current situation regarding the Indus Water Treaty? a. It was signed in 1960 and has been maintained, although recently India is threatening to try and renegotiate it. b. It is currently being negotiated and expected to be signed by the end of the year c. It was signed in 1960 but was suspended by Pakistan this year d. It was signed in 1960 but India suspended it last year
a. It was signed in 1960 and has been maintained, although recently India is threatening to try and renegotiate it.
We completed an activity about the construction of what would be the largest dam in the world, what are the primary advantages and disadvantages? a. It would generate a lot of electricity for DR Congo and for export, but it will displace people and there are environmental concerns. b. It would provide a lot for irrigation water for Congo, but it is opposed by Angola, because they are concerned it will restrict downstream flow. c. It would provide energy and recreation, but farmers upstream will not be allocated any water for irrigation. d. It will generate electricity for DR Congo, but they have not negotiated the rate to provide energy to Zambia in exchange for the water allocation.
a. It would generate a lot of electricity for DR Congo and for export, but it will displace people and there are environmental concerns.
Currently, atmospheric CO2 concentrations are (all that apply): a. Just above 400 ppm b. Higher than they will be in June, at least in the northern hemisphere c. Much higher than they have been in the last 800,000 years d. Very high compared to the last 10,000 years since the last ice age but about the same 20,000 years ago
a. Just above 400 ppm b. Higher than they will be in June, at least in the northern hemisphere c. Much higher than they have been in the last 800,000 years
Which of the following wetland types are found at the coast and have plants that can tolerate salt water (all that apply): a. Mangrove swamp b. Bog c. Playa d. Tidal Marsh
a. Mangrove swamp d. Tidal Marsh
Which are accurate descriptions of continental climatic influences? a. Mountains that are oriented east west maintain relatively mild weather in Europe b. In North America, polar and tropical air masses rarely meet because of the mountain ranges c. The Sahara Desert occurs because moisture from the Atlantic Ocean is blocked by mountains. d. Most of Asia has similar climatic conditions
a. Mountains that are oriented east west maintain relatively mild weather in Europe
What are the primary benefits of dams? (all that apply) a. Provide year-round water supply b. Provide electricity c. Move water from areas of scarcity to abundance d. Provide recreation
a. Provide year-round water supply b. Provide electricity d. Provide recreation
Which of the following are watersheds in North Carolina (all that apply)? a. Roanoke b. James c. Tar-Pamlico d. Hudson e. French Broad f. Flint
a. Roanoke c. Tar-Pamlico e. French Broad
When cities are developed and surfaces are paved, this process increases: a. Runoff b. Percolation c. Sublimation d. Salinization
a. Runoff
The primary particle sizes that determine soil texture are: a. Sand, silt, and clay b. Sand, gravel, and loam c. Clay, gravel, and rock d. Particles, pores, and clay
a. Sand, silt, and clay
3. The highest P/E ratio would be found in which of these locations? a. Seattle, WA b.. Tucson, AZ c.. San Francisco, CA d. Raleigh, NC
a. Seattle, WA
What are the recent International developments in the Colorado River basin? a. The US and Mexico updated a treaty signed in 1944 in 2012 and again last year for the US to implement water conservation in Mexico so that both have more water b. The states in the basin signed an agreement to allocate groundwater after a major drought caused many wells to run dry c. The US agreed to increase the flow of the Colorado River to the delta in Mexico d. Mexico agreed to pay US states for increased access to water
a. The US and Mexico updated a treaty signed in 1944 in 2012 and again last year for the US to implement water conservation in Mexico so that both have more water
Which describes the current situation with dams? a. They are being constructed worldwide, by Turkey, China, Congo, Ethiopia, and India, primarily for hydropower, but they could also be used to divert water for irrigation. This might cause conflict with downstream neighbors. b. They are being constructed worldwide, but only after treaties are signed by affected countries, usually brokered by international agencies such as the World Bank. They are being constructed worldwide and should alleviate conflict as countries that can access greater water can grow their economies, which means they are less like to be involved in conflict.
a. They are being constructed worldwide, by Turkey, China, Congo, Ethiopia, and India, primarily for hydropower, but they could also be used to divert water for irrigation. This might cause conflict with downstream neighbors.
Why was there motivation to come to an agreement over the Aral Sea? a. Water was diverted for irrigation, but the dry sea caused salt to blow onto crop fields and affect production and people's health b. When the Soviet Union collapsed, the people came to an agreement that benefited the local community c. People depending on the fish in the Sea took the farmers to court in the Soviet Union d. The world bank stepped in to negotiate terms and avoid further conflict
a. Water was diverted for irrigation, but the dry sea caused salt to blow onto crop fields and affect production and people's health
Across the globe, what percent of the population occurs in river basins that cross international boundaries? a. 4% b. 40% c. 75% d. 80%
b. 40%
Based on the example from 2016, approximately how much of US power generation is from hydropower? a. 1% b. 6.5% c. 50% d. 75%
b. 6.5%
Signs that water resources are stressed in China are indicated because of which factors (all that apply) a. A record drought for the last 10 years b. About 1/3 of the wells in Beijing are dry c. The groundwater table is falling 2-3 m a year in some areas d. Projections that indicate a dramatic reduction in future precipitation
b. About 1/3 of the wells in Beijing are dry c. The groundwater table is falling 2-3 m a year in some areas
Most dams in the US were built a. Before 1950 b. Before 1970 c. Since 1980 d. Since 2000
b. Before 1970
The primary driver of the water cycle is a. Ocean currents b. Energy from the sun c. Land cover d. The tilt of the Earth
b. Energy from the sun
Fewer freezing temperatures impacts agriculture by (all that apply): a. It will decrease growth rates of cold weather crops like corn b. Extending the growing season, meaning productivity of some crops might increase c. It will increase the growth of perennial crops that have a chilling requirement d. It might decrease the growth of perennial crops that have a chilling requirement
b. Extending the growing season, meaning productivity of some crops might increase d. It might decrease the growth of perennial crops that have a chilling requirement
Downstream of dams, streams are often a. Meandering b. Incised c. Highly seasonal d. Cold with high dissolved oxygen
b. Incised
The National Climate Assessment identified which of these as key messages for the Southeast (all that apply)? a. Shorter winters b. Increasing water stress c. Sea level rise d. Increasing precipitation
b. Increasing water stress c. Sea level rise
A riparian buffer between this land use type and a river would likely be most beneficial a. Forest b. Industrial scale field of crops like soybeans c. A field for cattle grazing d. A meadow or grassland
b. Industrial scale field of crops like soybeans
Overall, the trend in global population a. Is primarily increasing in water rich regions b. Is increasing in many regions where water resources are limited c. Is decreasing in arid regions because of water shortages Is responding to policies that make efforts to locate people in regions with more water
b. Is increasing in many regions where water resources are limited
What is the Colorado River Compact? a. It is an agreement between states of the watershed about groundwater allocation b. It is an agreement between the states of the basin about surface water allocation c. Signed in 1922, it included all states in the watershed as well as Mexico and covered both ground and surface water. It was signed in 1922 and included the western states and Mexico, but only covered surface water.
b. It is an agreement between the states of the basin about surface water allocation
Why do we use the term evapotranspiration? a. It specifically describes only water from leaf and soil surfaces b. It is difficult to separate transpiration from plants and evaporation from plant and soil surfaces c. It is a technical term that indicates you have studied plant water use d. It combines evaporation and transpiration so you can calculate precipitation. Precipitation= evaporation + transpiration
b. It is difficult to separate transpiration from plants and evaporation from plant and soil surfaces
The region with the greatest number of water conflicts in the last year is which region and what is the primary cause? a. a. Development disputes in Latin America b. Military targets in the Middle East c. Military targets in Africa d. Development disputes in Asia
b. Military targets in the Middle East
Most dams in the US are also a. Not high (<25 ft) and primarily for hydropower generation b. Not high (< 25 ft) and primarily for recreation c. Greater than 100 ft and primarily for hydropower generation d. Greater than 100 ft and primarily for recreation
b. Not high (< 25 ft) and primarily for recreation
What kind of molecule is water, which makes it a powerful solvent? a. Neutral b. Polar c. Polymer d. Organic
b. Polar
Which of the following types of wetlands are dominated by trees and shrubs and receive primarily surface water. They are often found on the floodplains of rivers. a. Fen b. Swamps c. Pocosin d. Prairie potholes
b. Swamps
When you calculated your water footprint, what was virtual water? (select ONE best answer) a. The water used to power your technology, indirectly, because it was used for electricity b. The water that you do not use directly, but is used for energy, food, clothing, transportation, etc c. The water you would not use if you were able to implement water saving techniques like low flow showerheads and efficient washing machines d. The maximum capacity of your water treatment facility if supply was unlimited
b. The water that you do not use directly, but is used for energy, food, clothing, transportation, etc
Ethiopia is building a dam on the Nile River, what is Egypt's response a. They are providing some financing in exchange for being involved in the planning b. They secretly considered blowing it up, but that information was leaked to the internet and they reconsidered c. The World Bank negotiated that there will be no reduction in flow to downstream countries after the initial reservoir filling period d. Egypt negotiated an agricultural trade deal to import crops irrigated from the water in exchange for not objecting to the construction.
b. They secretly considered blowing it up, but that information was leaked to the internet and they reconsidered
How much of the US is in the Mississippi River watershed? a. 10% b. 20% c. 40% d. 70%
c. 40%
A successful water agreement between countries of the Rhine River was reached after a. Long term negotiations between Switzerland and downstream countries b. The EU stepped in and negotiated the terms as a neutral party c. A chemical spill in Switzerland motivated the countries to come together d. Belgium sued German in the European Courts to force them into an agreement
c. A chemical spill in Switzerland motivated the countries to come together
Groundwater extraction is tenuous across the world, what is the majority use of this water? a. Drinking and other municipal water uses b. Power generation c. Agricultural irrigation d. Industrial processing
c. Agricultural irrigation
There are two primary surface water allocation policy frameworks in the US, which is the best description? a. In the East, most states follow prior appropriation and, in the West, most states follow the riparian doctrine b. In the East, land and water rights are separate, so you can sell your water rights but, in the west, they are not, they are coupled with land ownership c. In the East, those along the water can use it, but in the west, water rights might not belong to the land owner adjacent to it. d. In the East, water can be transported for reasonable uses, but in the west it cannot be.
c. In the East, those along the water can use it, but in the west, water rights might not belong to the land owner adjacent to it.
What is the current situation across the Mekong River basin? a. There is an agreement that was signed in 1995 that spells out the process for countries to negotiate building dams b. There is no agreement and Laos is building dams, but Vietnam might attack them c. Laos is building dams without consulting other countries, even though an agreement was signed in 1995 d. China is building dams and providing downstream countries with foreign aid as a part of the agreement
c. Laos is building dams without consulting other countries, even though an agreement was signed in 1995
Which of the following climate classes includes trees (all that apply)? a. Arid b. Polar c. Mesothermal d. Tropical
c. Mesothermal d. Tropical
Which of the following is NOT a major driver of Earth's climate? a. Content of the atmosphere b. Topography and land masses c. Phases of the moon d. Reflectivity of Earth's surface
c. Phases of the moon
The maximum amount of water that would be evaporated and transpired by plants if enough water was available is called: a. Actual ET b. Maximum ET c. Potential ET d. ET phone home
c. Potential ET
Rocky Branch Creek on campus is part of HUC number of 03020201, which means it is a part of a. The larger Cape Fear, HUC 0303 b. The Upper Tar, HUC 03020101 c. The larger Neuse-Pamlico, HUC 0302 d. The Yadkin-Pee Dee, HUC 0304
c. The larger Neuse-Pamlico, HUC 0302
What are the primary concerns for the Oglala aquifer (all that apply)? a. There are a lot of excess nutrients in it and the quality is declining b. Farmers do not have a good way to share the water resources c. The levels are dropping quickly and there are not good estimates of how much is left d. Much of the water accumulated there over 1,000s of years and it replenishes slowly
c. The levels are dropping quickly and there are not good estimates of how much is left d. Much of the water accumulated there over 1,000s of years and it replenishes slowly
What is functional diversity? a. The number of species b. The difference in the entire genetic code of organisms c. The number of groups species that have different life forms, feeding guilds, etc d. The number of groups of species that are all from the class, like mammals
c. The number of groups species that have different life forms, feeding guilds, etc
What is the primary reason dams are so problematic for anadromous fish like salmon? a. Fish frequently get sucked into the hydroelectric power turbines. b. They confuse fish and they go back to a different stream and change the population dynamics. c. They migrate back to the same stream where they were born, dams break up the connectivity. d. They collect sediment and prevent it from travelling downstream, altering habitat.
c. They migrate back to the same stream where they were born, dams break up the connectivity.
During what period of history have water conflicts been the most abundant? a. a. 0-1799 b. 1800-1899 c. 1900-1999 d. 2000-present
d. 2000-present
The river recently in the news because of concerns about emerging contaminants like GenX is a. Neuse b. Yadkin-Pee Dee c. Catawba d. Cape Fear
d. Cape Fear
The most common type of conflict over water globally since 2010 has been what type? a. Terrorism b. Military targets c. Political targets d. Development disputes (includes dams)
d. Development disputes (includes dams)
What people make up the IPCC? a. Members of government Environmental Ministries (our EPA) b. Scientists appointed by their central governments c. Scientists hired through a competitive process d. Leading scientists who volunteer their time
d. Leading scientists who volunteer their time
Most of the water on the planet is found in a. The atmosphere b. Groundwater c. Ice and snow (glaciers) d. Oceans
d. Oceans
What is the ratio that indicates how much precipitation is available for plants? a. Evaporation to Percolation b. Temperature to Precipitation c. Runoff to Precipitation d. Precipitation to Evapotranspiration
d. Precipitation to Evapotranspiration
Most dams in the US are owned by a. The federal government b. State governments c. Local governments d. Private entities
d. Private entities
What was the primary cause of sea level rise over the 20th century? a. Glacial retreat b. Melting polar ice c. Melting of Greenland ice sheets d. Thermal expansion
d. Thermal expansion
Describe Prairie Potholes
depressions left by glaciers in the Upper Midwest that collect water
Describe Swamps
dominated by trees and shrubs, their hydrology is from surface water. They are often found on the floodplains of rivers. Common trees include bald cypress and water tupelo.
Describe Carolina Bays
elliptically shaped depression wetlands that are found through out the coastal plain. They are fed primarily from precipitation, but might also have a connection to groundwater.
Describe Bogs and Pocosin
fed by precipitation and have spongy peat deposits
Describe Marshes
have herbaceous vegetation (non-woody). Periodically flooded or more permanently flooded. Freshwater marshes have mineral soils (no peat). Wet meadows and wet prairies are in low lying areas and primarily collect precipitation.
Describe Vernal Pools
hold water for part of the year, often winter and spring (vernal= spring). They can be important breeding habitat for amphibians.
Describe Fens
similar to bogs, but are fed by groundwater
Describe Playas
similar to prairie potholes but are depressions in the Southern High Plains (New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma).