EVR Chapter 1
Global population is projected to be about ________ in 2050. A) 9 billion B) 10 billion C) 11 billion D) 7 billion E) 8 billion
A) 9 billion
What ethical perspective would you ascribe to someone who makes environmental choices based on a respect for just the living things in an ecosystem? A) biocentrism B) egocentrism C) anthropocentrism D) ecocentrism
A) biocentrism
Which of the following philosophies is the most anthropocentric? A) conservationism B) the land ethic C) preservationism D) biocentrism
A) conservationism
A paradigm ________. A) is a dominant world view in science B) is a group of several hypotheses that can be tested together C) can only come from qualitative data D) is synonymous with the scientific method E) is a means of evaluating scientific hypotheses
A) is a dominant world view in science
In a controlled experiment, if a researcher wants to examine the effect of random exposure to rat longevity, which one would be the independent variable? A) the rats' longevity B) the cage the rats were kept in C) random exposure D) neither the radon exposure nor the rats' longevity, because both variables are manipulated
C) random exposure
A study's results are deemed worthy of acceptance into the body of scientific knowledge if they are published in journals which ________. A) charge a high fee for acceptance B) conform to current political and religious views C) use the peer review process D) are funded by corporations funding the research E) meet guidelines advocated by environmentalists or consumer groups
C) use the peer review process
The following answers for the Causes and Consequences features are examples, and are not intended to represent a comprehensive list. In addition, the sequence of items is not meant to connote relative importance. Sort the examples below into the appropriate bin.
Cause: strong demand for material goods, cultural influences that encourage consumption, rising per-capita affluence Consequences: excess waste and pollution of air, water, and soil; depletion of natural resources; habitat loss and ecosystem degradation Solutions: adoption of cultural changes to reduce desire for consumption; sustainable harvest of resources; improved efficiency of manufacturing processes; enhanced technologies to reduce impacts of goods and activities
Pablo and Johanna have to do a yearlong study for their biology course. After some discussion, they decide to try comparing their dogs and the diet that they feed them. Each has a dog from the pound, and both dogs are less than one year old. Pablo feeds his shepherd-mix dog a special diet of wet and dry foods from the local vet, while Johanna uses generic dry kibble from the supermarket for her bulldog. They want to see which diet results in bigger, healthier, faster-growing dogs. After meeting with their instructor, Pablo and Johanna know that they need to change their experimental design. They contact a local puppy farm and arrange to do their study with 3-month-old litters of pups from four Irish setters, a total of 24 puppies, consisting of 12 females and 12 males. If the puppies in the experimental group gain, on average, 3 pounds more than those in the control group over a 4-month period and seem healthier and more energetic, then ________. A) there is a probability that the veterinary diet is better than kibble for puppies B) they have proven the veterinary diet is best for all dogs C) there is a probability that the veterinary diet is better than kibble for all dogs D) there is a probability that the kibble is better for puppies E) they have proven that the kibble diet is best for female dogs
A) there is a probability that the veterinary diet is better than kibble for puppies
Which of the following best embodies the qualities of a scientific theory? A) Prairies that have larges herds of bison show greater plant diversity than prairies without bison. B) All gases, liquids, and solids consist of atoms. C) Squirrels in central Illinois prefer to build their nests in oak trees instead of hickory trees. D) Dangerous wildfires in California could be avoided by better fire prevention strategies. E) Students who study for their environmental science exams will perform better on those exams than those who do not.
B) All gases, liquids, and solids consist of atoms.
Who is credited for articulating the conservation ethic and for founding the U.S. Forest Service? A) John Muir B) Gifford Pinchot C) Theodore Roosevelt D) Aldo Leopold E) Ralph Waldo Emerson
B) Gifford Pinchot
Which of the following would be the most appropriate prediction for the hypothesis that poodles are smarter than Dalmatians? A) Dalmatians are dumber than poodles. B) If poodles are smarter, then poodles will learn to obey commands more quickly than Dalmatians. C) Poodles are smarter than Dalmatians because poodles can learn commands faster than Dalmatians. D) Poodle owners are smarter than Dalmatian owners.
B) If poodles are smarter, then poodles will learn to obey commands more quickly than Dalmatians.
When scientists conduct an experiment, what term describes the variable that researchers intentionally change, or manipulate, to see its effects on other variables? A) Dependent variable B) Independent variable C) Controlled variable
B) Independent variable
Ruben has a new puppy and wants to feed it the best possible food. He decides on an experiment where he will feed it the very best canned food plus a dietary supplement of vitamins recommended by a veterinarian. Which of the following best describes Ruben's project? A) This is an example of an excellent, controlled experiment as it is written. B) This is not an experiment—there are no controls or replicates. C) Ruben needs to take careful measurements of the puppy's weight and height at least once a week for it to be a good experiment. D) Ruben needs to use his mother's 6-year-old chocolate shar-pei to feed a standard diet so he can compare his puppy with a control dog. E) Ruben needs to control for the amount of exercise, sunshine, water, and care that the puppy gets each week, so that they are equal from week to week.
B) This is not an experiment— there are no controls or replicates.
Which statement best exemplifies the concept of sustainability? A) Human population must decline for the foreseeable future to maintain Earth's natural resources. B) Water extracted from underground resources must be equal to or less than the water that recharges the underground resources. C) The E.P.A. sets stricter standards on air pollutants, such as sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides. D) Forests that we have today will be preserved and not used for human consumption.
B) Water extracted from underground resources must be equal to or less than the water that recharges the underground resources.
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) analysis conservationist D) a biocentrist
B) an ecocentrist
The following statement is an example of a(n) __________: "Zebra mussels were accidentally introduced to the waters of the Great Lakes." A) theory B) observation C) hypothesis D) conclusion
B) observation
The preservation ethic states that we should __________. A) put natural resources to use B) protect our environment in an unaltered state C) proceed with a project that could cause environmental harm, so long as its economic and other benefits outweigh the harm D) treat all people fairly, regardless of income, race, or ethnicity
B) protect our environment in an unaltered state
You have read about the mistakes made on Easter Island. On Tikopia, another small island, the people acted in other ways. When they realized that the pigs they had imported were damaging the environment, they killed them all. They had to have permission from a chief to fish, which prevented overfishing. They practiced contraception. These all indicate that ________. A) they were concerned with only one year at a time B) they truly practiced sustainability C) they believed in full resource utilization D) they felt that everything was a renewable resource E) they felt that everything was a nonrenewable resource
B) they truly practiced sustainability
What is the key lesson learned from Easter Island? A) Overfishing can lead to depletion of food resources, which can ultimately lead to starvation. B) Rats can be effectively introduced to an area to control invasive palm trees. C) An island population must learn to live within its means. D) Human ingenuity can turn a decimated landscape into a lush and productive tropical paradise.
C) An island population must learn to live within its means.
Which of the following terms best describes the practice of environmental science? A) Abstract and theoretical B) Highly specialized and focused C) Integrative and interdisciplinary D) Theoretical and controversial E) Elitist and unnecessary
C) Integrative and interdisciplinary
If someone says, "Earth and all of its contents were created for the betterment of human beings, so as long as something is good for humans, it is good for the whole earth," what ethical perspective would he or she hold? A) envirocentric B) biocentric C) anthropocentric D) ecocentric
C) anthropocentric
Members of the __________ movement would be very concerned about the unequal exposure of members of a certain race to pollution. A) preservationist B) human population C) environmental justice D) conservationist
C) environmental justice
The average citizen of which of the following nations has the largest ecological footprint? A) China B) France C) Haiti D) United States
D) United States
A hypothesis is ________. A) a prediction about something that has not yet been observed B) an instrument that is used to examine environmental conditions C) the design of an experiment that can be used in scientific inquiry D) a testable proposition that explains an observed phenomenon or answers a question E) a proven scientific fact
D) a testable proposition that explains an observed phenomenon or answers a question
The main advantage of observational studies and natural experiments over manipulative studies is that natural experiments __________. A) can prove hypotheses B) show causation C) always limit the independent variables to one D) are able to test hypotheses in the field and with large study areas
D) are able to test hypotheses in the field and with large study areas
A(n) ________ is best defined as one who considers the impacts on the whole ecosystem, both the living and non-living, when considering an action. A) relativist B) biocentrist C) ethnocentrist D) ecocentrist E) anthropocentrist
D) ecocentrist
If a scientist makes an observation and carries out an experiment to explain that observation, he or she is conducting __________. A) observational science B) descriptive science C) pseudo-science D) hypothesis-driven science
D) hypothesis-driven science
An experiment ________. A) involves only collection of quantitative data B) does not need to be repeated if well designed C) is designed to generate new scientific hypothesis D) is an activity designed to test the validity of a hypothesis E) often involves manipulating as many variables as possible
D) is an activity designed to test the validity of a hypothesis
Sustainable development ________. A) is possible given our increased use of fertilizers and technology for agriculture B) is impossible to accomplish C) ensures an economy that will decline over time D) means consuming resources without compromising future availability E) is beyond our current technology and attitudes
D) means consuming resources without compromising future availability
________ 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) Realism B) Ecocentrism C) Anthropocentrism D) Relativism E) Biocentrism
E) Biocentrism
Ecosystem services ________. A) contribute to keeping ecosystems productive B) are required to rebalance natural systems that we have disturbed C) are not necessary to sustainable systems D) are valuable to natural systems but not to human-created systems E) are economically valuable services provided by natural systems
E) are economically valuable services provided by natural systems
Nonrenewable natural resources include ________. A) coal B) crude oil C) minerals D) wind E) coal, crude oil, and minerals
E) coal, crude oil, and minerals
The scientific process and knowledge is based on ________. A) a systematic process of learning about and testing our understanding of the world B) quantitative data alone C) observation alone D) the fact that all hypotheses can be proven true E) guesses based our personal feelings about the subject under inquiry
A) a systematic process of learning about and testing our understanding of the world
The Endangered Species Act, passed by Congress nearly four decades ago, has spawned a continuous series of debates between those who feel the ethical necessity to protect species at the brink of extinction and others who feel that if we have to protect every habitat of every species at risk, then there will be a loss of jobs and a blow to an already shaky economy. This boils down to a conflict between ________. A) anthropocentrists and ecocentrists B) relativists and environmental justice advocates C) universalists and ecofeminists D) social scientists and conservationists E) economists and environmental scientists
A) anthropocentrists and ecocentrists
If a scientist travels to the rain forest to observe and catalog new species, he or she would be conducting __________. A) descriptive science B) hypothesis-driven science C) biased science D) variable-driven science
A) descriptive science
Water purification, nutrient cycling, and plant pollination are all examples of Earth's __________. A) ecosystem services B) renewable resources C) capital services D) nonrenewable resources
A) ecosystem services
Advances in agriculture ________. A) have often resulted in alteration and destruction of natural systems B) do not rely on ecosystem services C) did not increase the amount of food per person from a global perspective D) are always sustainable, since they are based on natural ecosystems E) have resulted in a smaller global population
A) have often resulted in alteration and destruction of natural systems
Which one of the following represents quantitative data? A) levels of nitrate pollution in local waterways B) whether an endangered California condor successfully raises a condor chick offspring gender C) whether you play a college sport
A) levels of nitrate pollution in local waterways
A __________ occurred when scientists determined that the earth is round rather than flat. A) paradigm shift B) theory C) hypothesis D) cyclical shift
A) paradigm shift
Which of the following is the study of how the natural world works, how our environment affects us, and how we affect our environment? A) microbiology B) anthropology C) environmental science D) environmentalism
C) environmental science
Qualitative data ________. A) cannot be used to support or disprove hypotheses B) have variables that may not have been properly manipulated C) cannot be replicated D) can be acquired in the detailed examination of personal interviews or observations E) are data that are expressed as numbers and tested using statistics
D) can be acquired in the detailed examination of personal interviews or observations
In a manipulative experiment ________. A) replication of the experiment is not necessary B) the motive is economic gain C) the peer review process is bypassed D) researchers manipulate the independent variable E) researchers manipulate as many variables as possible
D) researchers manipulate the independent variable
A __________ is widely accepted and has been extensively validated by a great amount of research. A) paradigm shift B) prediction C) hypothesis D) theory
D) theory
A researcher wants to determine if water runoff from farm fields sprayed with herbicides affects the hatching success of frog eggs in nearby ponds. What experiment could the researcher conduct to address her question?
1) Observation: "I've seen that frog eggs in ponds that receive runoff from farm fields sprayed with herbicides hatch at lower ratesthan those unaffected ponds." 2) Hypothesis: "The hatching success of frog eggs is affected by exposure to herbicides." 3) Prediction: "If frog eggs are exposed to elevated levels of herbicides the hatching success of the eggs will decrease." 4) Test: In the laboratory, raise frogs in pond water with varying concentrations of herbicide, and measure hatching successrates. 5) Result: Analysis of experiment data concludes that herbicide levels affect hatching rates.
1. _______ scientific field of study 2. ____________ Information expressed with numbers 3. __________ The variable that is manipulated 4. _______ Expectations of experimental outcome 5. ______ Widely accepted, well-tested explanation of one or more cause-and-effect relationships 6. ____________ Type of discipline describing environmental science
1. Ecology 2. Quantitative data 3. Independent variable 4. Prediction 5. Theory 6. Interdisciplinary science
1. A(n) ___________ is a testable statement that attempts to answer a scientific question. 2. A(n) ________ tests the validity of a hypothesis. 3. A condition in an experiment that can change is called a(n) _________. 4. A scientist manipulates the ______________ __________ in an experiment. 5. A scientist measures the _______________ variable in an experiment. 6. A(n) ___________ is an unmanipulated point of comparison for treatments in an experiment. 7. _____ is information obtained from scientific studies.
1. hypothesis 2. experiment 3. variable 4. independent variable 5. dependent variable 6. control 7. data
The process by which several researchers review another researcher's manuscript prior to publication to ensure research quality is referred to as ________. A) peer review B) quality control C) investigative inquiry D) hypothesis testing E) critical analysis
A) peer review
In general, natural resources ________. A) should be used efficiently and conserved B) should not be used C) are evenly divided among all countries D) belong only to those on whose property they exist E) should be used by everyone equally
A) should be used efficiently and conserved
Pablo and Johanna have to do a yearlong study for their biology course. After some discussion, they decide to try comparing their dogs and the diet that they feed them. Each has a dog from the pound, and both dogs are less than one year old. Pablo feeds his shepherd-mix dog a special diet of wet and dry foods from the local vet, while Johanna uses generic dry kibble from the supermarket for her bulldog. They want to see which diet results in bigger, healthier, faster-growing dogs. The independent variable in this study will be ________. A) the type of food the dogs receive B) the age of the dogs C) how much the dogs grow D) the breed of the dogs E) the sex of the dogs
A) the type of food the dogs receive
After meeting with their instructor, Pablo and Johanna know that they need to change their experimental design. They contact a local puppy farm and arrange to do their study with 3-month-old litters of pups from four Irish setters, a total of 24 puppies, consisting of 12 females and 12 males. In order to have two sets of puppies, one set to be the control group and one set to be the experimental group, Pablo and Johanna should ________. A) put all the puppies from two of the litters in one group and all of the puppies from the other two litters in the other group B) randomly choose one dog for the control group and use the other 23 in the experimental group C) flip a coin for each dog to see which group it will be in D) put six males and six females in each group, with some from each litter in each group E) put the 12 females in one group and the 12 males in the other group
D) put six males and six females in each group, with some from each litter in each group
