Deck 32: Human Impact on the Biosphere

Question 1

Extensive irrigation may contribute to global climate change because it may cause droughts in some semiarid regions of the world.

Answer 1

False

Question 2

Desertification and deforestation are similar in that both involve

A) overpopulation of an area by humans.
B) loss of plant and animal life in an area.
C) lack of rainfall in an area.
D) overgrowth of undesirable plants in an area.
E) loss of wetland habitats.

Answer 2

B

Question 3

Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) are damaging to the world's freshwater supply.

Answer 3

False

Question 4

Since water is a renewable resource, freshwater is readily available globally.

Question 5

Preserving biodiversity can increase the value of land and the resources extracted from it.

Question 6

Knowledge of both basic biology and applied biology are needed to support conservation biology.

Question 7

Which of the following is an example of pollution?

A) Turkeys enter a field and eat some of the seeds scattered on the ground.
B) A heavy rain occurs, resulting in some ponding of water.
C) Small amounts of iron leach from rocks in a streambed, increasing the amount of dissolved iron in the water.
D) Leftover minerals from ores are left along a streambed, allowing leftover traces of the mineral to run off into the stream after heavy rains.
E) Deer cross a stream, disturbing the sand and silt on the streambed, making the water muddy and cloudy.

Question 8

Growing livestock is more sustainable than growing crop plants.

Question 9

Biodiversity is important in that some organisms and ecosystems play a role in breaking down pollutants.

Question 10

Habitat destruction is the largest cause of the loss in biodiversity worldwide.

Question 11

The requirements of large amounts of fossil fuels and fertilizers in modern agriculture is one of the reasons that human society is unsustainable.

Question 12

Pollution is defined as

A) an alteration in land usage.
B) an undesirable alteration to the environment.
C) the impact of human activity on the environment.
D) the impact of animal and plant species on the environment.
E) the introduction of a new species into an environment.

Question 13

Which of the following is a nonrenewable resource?

A) fossil fuels
B) food crops
C) water
D) wild game
E) solar energy

Question 14

Beach erosion is often caused by structures built to prevent erosion.

Question 15

More sparse urban settlement patterns may help conserve energy and preserve the environment.

Question 16

Which of the following activities contribute to beach erosion?

A) construction of groynes
B) filling coastal wetlands
C) use of seawalls to protect cities from hurricane storm surges
D) rising sea levels
E) All of the above describe activities that contribute to beach erosion.

Question 17

Desertification is primarily caused by which of the following activities?

A) overgrazing of livestock
B) overplanting of crops
C) overuse of farm machinery
D) lack of rainfall
E) restoration of wetlands

Question 18

One of the goals of conservation biology is to sustainably manage the Earth's biodiversityfor human use

Question 19

Wildlife management is a subfield of biology that supports conservation biology.

Question 20

Agriculture, industrial use, and domestic use are the largest uses of freshwater supplies, in that order.

Question 21

Which of the following is a major drawback of dams?

A) saltwater intrusion
B) providing irrigation water
C) sediment buildup
D) depletion of aquifers
E) deforestation of nearby lands

Question 22

Which of the following types of compounds have been implicated in ozone depletion?

A) chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)
B) volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
C) DDT
D) polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)
E) chromium

Question 23

An accumulation of mineral salts due to evaporation of irrigation water is called

A) salinization.
B) desalinization.
C) desertification.
D) forestation.
E) sedimentation.

Question 24

Which of the following is a consequence of removing water from aquifers?

A) land subsidence including sinkhole formation
B) loss of habitat for aquatic organisms
C) lowering of sea levels
D) water seepage into underground rock beds
E) sediment buildup

Question 25

Which of the following is a drawback to the use of hydropower?

A) Hydropower consumes more fossil fuels than power plants fueled solely by fossil fuels.
B) More countries derive more power from fossil fuels as compared to hydropower.
C) Hydropower causes more pollution than fossil fuels, such as coal or oil.
D) Hydropower is less efficient as compared to fossil fuels, such as coal or oil.
E) Water levels below dams are reduced, and large dams disrupt upstream ecosystems.

Question 26

A disproportionately large percentage of resources in more-developed countries (MDCs) goes to

A) growing crops.
B) providing water.
C) growing livestock.
D) cleaning sewage.
E) pest and weed control.

Question 27

Extensive irrigation may contribute to desertification because

A) the water dissolves soil nutrients, making them unavailable to plants.
B) water used in irrigation leaves behind toxic substances in the soil.
C) runoff of water leaves silt deposits behind, which reduce the ability of plants to grow.
D) a reduction of water available in the aquifer lowers lake, river, and stream levels.
E) evaporation of water used in irrigation causes salinization of the land, reducing the ability of plants to grow.

Question 28

Hydropower and wind power are similar in that both are

A) nonrenewable energy sources.
B) renewable energy sources.
C) commonly used worldwide as power sources.
D) dependent in part on fossil fuels.
E) sources of environmental pollution.

Question 29

How does the use of minerals such as metals differ from the use of fossil fuels?

A) Fossil fuels are more plentiful than metals and are depleted more slowly.
B) Metals can be extracted by strip mining, while fossil fuels may not.
C) Many metals may be recycled, decreasing the necessity for finding new reserves, unlike fossil fuels, which cannot be recycled.
D) The mining of metals is not as destructive to the environment as the mining of fossil fuels.
E) The recycling of fossil fuels is more economically feasible than the recycling of metals.

Question 30

Which of the following creates the least amount of soil erosion?

A) poor landscaping practices that expose the land to excess wind
B) overgrazing by livestock
C) use of drip irrigation systems
D) deforestation
E) wetland destruction

Question 31

Before solar energy can become usable for consumers, which of the following events must occur?

A) Energy must be collected, converted into another form, and stored until needed.
B) Energy must be converted into another form, stored until needed, and then converted into heat.
C) Energy must be used to heat water, and solar energy is combined with steam to heat a photovoltaic system that produces electricity.
D) Solar energy passes through a photovoltaic cell, which then stores the energy as heat until it is needed.
E) Solar energy is used to power a photovoltaic cell, which splits water into hydrogen and oxygen, and the hydrogen can be used to provide energy.

Question 32

In which ways does overfishing lead to decreased biodiversity?

A) It reduces the available habitat for other species.
B) Overfishing allows fished species to overpopulate once the larger individuals are removed from the population, which in turn depletes the species' food sources.
C) Newer technologies allow the fishing fleet to take a larger catch while leaving larger numbers of breeding pairs, which overpopulate and degrade the environment.
D) It depletes fish that feed on some species and serve as food sources for other species, leading to the eradication of some species and the overpopulation of others.
E) It depletes food sources for aquatic mammals, which then overpopulate.

Question 33

How do forests regulate global climate?

A) Forests replenish atmospheric oxygen.
B) Forests provide shade.
C) Forests block wind.
D) Forests add moisture to the atmosphere via transpiration.
E) Forests take up carbon dioxide.

Question 34

The world today derives the majority of its energy from which of the following sources?

A) coal and oil
B) hydropower and nuclear power
C) hydropower
D) nuclear power
E) wind and solar power

Question 35

Which of the following methods may help conserve water by reducing the amount used for agriculture?

A) polyculture
B) construction of dams for irrigation needs
C) biological pest control
D) contour with no-till farming
E) reducing pesticide and fertilizer usage

Question 36

The increased efficiency of fishing has led to

A) no change in the biodiversity of the ocean.
B) decreased yields from fishing.
C) increased biodiversity of aquatic animals other than fish.
D) increased nutritional deficiencies in the human population.
E) decreased need for agriculture.

Question 37

Mercury can enter an aquatic food chain and collect in fish as well as people who eat fish. This is an example of which of the following processes?

A) biotic potential
B) biological magnification
C) salinization
D) bioremediation
E) biological accumulation

Question 38

Most of the world's freshwater supply is used for

A) drinking water by humans.
B) bathing by humans.
C) irrigating crops.
D) drinking water for livestock.
E) boating and recreation.

Question 39

Some rivers have been dammed under the guise of flood control. What might be an unintended consequence of using this approach?

A) saltwater intrusion into the aquifer
B) reduced fertility of downstream land due to reduced silt deposits
C) more frequent rainfall
D) deforestation of land downstream due to reduced silt deposits
E) increased rainfall due to increased water evaporation

Question 40

Which of the following has reduced fishing pressures on wild populations?

A) depletion of fish populations through overfishing
B) use of aquaculture/aquafarming
C) herbicide and pesticide use
D) new technologies that increase fishing efficiency
E) water pollution

Question 41

Which of the following is inconsistent with the idea of making rural areas more sustainable?

A) planting of native grasses to rebuild the soil
B) planting of trees next to land used for agriculture to break the wind and protect the soil from erosion
C) use of cover crops to stabilize the soil between growing seasons
D) restoration and maintenance of wetlands to lessen runoff and alleviate flooding
E) increasing use of extensive irrigation techniques to nurture demanding crops

Question 42

The major cause of the loss in Earth's biodiversity is

A) fossil fuel usage.
B) pollution.
C) habitat loss.
D) overfishing and water pollution.
E) agricultural runoff.

Question 43

Which subfield directly supports conservation biology?

A) genetics
B) ecology
C) wildlife management
D) field biology
E) All of the subfields listed support conservation biology.

Question 44

Which of the following groups is suspected of causing climate change?

A) fossil fuel usage, deforestation, and agriculture
B) overfishing and hydropower usage
C) fossil fuel usage and overfishing
D) salinization and desertification
E) erosion, deforestation, pollution, and salinization

Question 45

A company that owns an office building decides to build a "green roof." Which of the following is least likely to occur as a result?

A) higher water bills because of the need to irrigate vegetation
B) fresh fruits and vegetables for employees to take home to their families
C) additional recreational space for employees to enjoy during work breaks
D) lower electric bills due to the extra insulation the vegetation provides
E) lowered rainwater runoff

Question 46

Deforestation may contribute toward climate change because

A) the trees naturally trap heat near the Earth's surface, and the loss of trees allows this heat to escape into space through the atmosphere.
B) it leads to habitat loss for many forest species, which invade nearby marginal habitats, including those used by humans.
C) loss of trees disrupts the carbon cycle, limiting the amount that is absorbed by plants, and increasing the concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
D) the forest canopy reflects some solar radiation back into space, allowing more of it to penetrate to the Earth's surface.
E) it leads to salinization of the land.

Question 47

Which of the following practices would be most effective in reversing the loss of biodiversity on Earth?

A) redesign city developments to revitalize existing areas instead of developing new ones
B) increase the number of species housed in zoos and captive environments
C) establish large-scale captive breeding programs to help bolster wild populations
D) preserve the genetic material of endangered species
E) eliminate the opportunity for invasive species to establish themselves in new communities

Question 48

Multipurpose trees are useful for what purpose?

A) improved pest control, as well as serving as a windbreak
B) water conservation and improved pest control
C) providing additional products, as well as serving as a windbreak
D) restoring wetlands and improving soil quality
E) providing fossil fuel sources and assisting with irrigation

Question 49

How much revenue is generated from ecotourism annually in the United States?

A) 25 million
B) 5 billion
C) 25 million
D) 1 billion
E) 75 million

Question 50

Which of the following explanations about the financial impact of biodiversity on the economy is inaccurate?

A) Protecting biodiversity prevents damage to farms due to the alleviation of flooding and siltation problems.
B) Many communities are utilizing biodiversity to assist in wastewater treatment, both lowering costs and protecting the environment in the process.
C) Loss of biodiversity in many areas of the world has led to increases in local and global average temperatures (global warming).
D) Protecting biodiversity has decreased the amount of freshwater available to human populations because of the "sponge effect."
E) Protecting biodiversity has led to new industries in ecotourism, adding billions of dollars to the economy annually.

Question 51

Conservation biology supports all of the following ethical principles except

A) all animals have the same rights or legal status as humans.
B) biodiversity is desirable for the biosphere and humans.
C) biodiversity has value in and of itself regardless of any practical benefit to humans.
D) extinction due to human actions are undesirable.
E) the complex interactions of ecosystems support biodiversity and are desirable.

Question 52

Which of the following is inconsistent with the idea of making urban environments more sustainable?

A) development of more energy-efficient means of transportation
B) utilization of "green roofs"
C) creation of "greenbelts"
D) development of new sections in cities as older ones become dilapidated and unusable
E) use of native species in landscaping that require less maintenance and attract bees and butterflies

Question 53

Which indirect value of biodiversity will have the greatest economical value to people?

A) a twenty-hectare marshland that acts as a sponge for rainwater
B) the ecotourism market in the United States
C) two hundred hectares of wetlands in Canada that soak up pollutants and purify water
D) forests that decrease erosion along the banks of rivers in the Philippines
E) a row of trees that act as a wind block on the northwest side of our homes, decreasing our need for air conditioning and cooling systems in the summer

Question 54

Human society in its current form is unsustainable because

A) important natural resources are being consumed more quickly than they can be replenished.
B) renewable energy sources require too many land and this is reducing the area available for farming.
C) recycling has eliminated the need for the mining of some mineral resources.
D) freshwater is being effectively preserved through conservation.
E) diverting agricultural yield for feeding livestock supplies enoughprotein to fulfill community's dietary needs.

Question 55

Biodiversity increases the consumptive value of land, meaning that

A) more value can be derived from the more diverse products produced by ecosystems with high biodiversity relative to land that has been cleared for agriculture.
B) ecosystems with higher biodiversity consume more resources than those with lower biodiversity, creating more strain on the environment.
C) ecosystems with low biodiversity consume resources at a higher rate than those with higher biodiversity.
D) land that has been cleared for agriculture consumes natural resources at a slower rate and is cheaper to maintain.
E) land with lower biodiversity has many more possible uses for humans than land with higher biodiversity.

Question 56

Forests and other natural ecosystems, such as wetlands, exhibit the "sponge effect," meaning that they

A) soak up water from runoff and rainfall, and thus accumulate pollutants.
B) soak up water from runoff and rainfall, releasing it at a regular rate that moderates flooding of streams and rivers.
C) soak up pollutants from runoff and rainfall, releasing it quickly into streams and rivers and raising their levels.
D) draw water away from rivers and streams, lowering their levels.
E) soak up water from runoff and rainfall, saturating nearby ecosystems.

Question 57

Which of the following would have the greatest influence in creating a more sustainable urbansociety?

A) improving the efficiency of water filtration systems in order to decrease our consumption of freshwater
B) increasing fuel efficiency in our vehicles so we can decrease the consumption of fossil fuels
C) decreasing the amount of environmental pollution produced by industry
D) decreasing the amount of land that is altered in order to accommodate human desires (new homes, factories, agriculture, etc.)
E) exploring alternative energy sources that are more environmentally favorable (i.e., solar, hydropower, etc.)

Question 58

The main goal of conservation biology is to

A) conserve natural resources for this and future generations.
B) promote the needs of certain ecosystems that are determined to be in danger.
C) prevent the hunting and fishing of species.
D) prevent the building of large structures like shopping malls and businesses.
E) promote the welfare of endangered species.

Question 59

Which of the following is a benefit of biodiversity?

A) development of novel medicines
B) waste disposal
C) new and better crop plants
D) climate regulation
E) All of the choices are benefits of biodivesity.

Question 60

The Canada lynx ( Lynx canadensis) is currently listed as an endangered species. Which of the following would play the greatest role in removing the lynx from the endangered species list?

A) create a law that bans the development and use of roads for snowmobiling and skiing in the lynx habitat
B) pass a law that restricts hunting of lynx
C) increase the amount of available prey for the lynx
D) establish limits on the amount of timber that can be harvested from the forests that the lynx use as their habitat
E) remove any potential competitors (i.e., wolves and coyotes) from the lynx habitat to increase the amount of resources available for the lynx

Question 61

Which of the following activities will help make rural societies more sustainable?

A) plant multipurpose trees
B) design energy-efficient forms of transportation
C) create greenbelts
D) improve storm-water management
E) promote sustainability by encouraging the recycling of business equipment

Question 62

Which of the following human behaviors is considered sustainable?

A) the use of the sun in order to produce a readily available form of energy
B) consumption of meat by people in the United States
C) the use of fossil fuels as our primary form of energy
D) mining, processing, and the use of minerals for everyday products
E) modern agricultural practices that require large amounts of fertilizers