Human Impact on the Environment

Front

What happened several years after rabbits were introduced into Australia in the 1800s, where they had no natural predators and a plentiful food supply?

Back

The rabbits began to overpopulate greatly.

Front

A toxin that breaks down slowly is introduced into the environment through the spraying of insecticides. The toxin is very lethal when an organism receives high levels of it. Which organism in the food web is in the most danger? Options: Grass, Rabbit, Fox, Fish

Back

Fox

Front

A glacier in Alaska sweeps through leaving bare rock in its path. Which of the following will most likely be the pioneer species? grass, lichen, insects, birds

Back

lichen

Front

The design of air conditioners and aerosol cans has been changed in the last few years in an attempt to reverse which ecological problem?

Back

hole in the ozone layer

Front

Primary succession in a region can take place after which of the following?

• A farmer loses control of a fire in a field.
• An animal herd wipes out a grassland.
• A glacier slides over a large tract of land.
• A tsunami washes away a shoreline ecosystem.

Back

A glacier slides over a large tract of land.

Front

Poisons such as DDT build up in lakes and streams due to runoff. Then they enter the food chain. Once in living organisms, the poisons are not broken down and their concentrations increase as they are passed along the food chain. Which term best describes this ecological phenomenon? global warming, loss of biodiversity, biological magnification, loss of genetic diversity

Back

biological magnification

Front

What is the major difference between primary and secondary succession?

Back

Primary succession begins on bare rock, while secondary starts on soil.

Front

Which event starts the process of secondary succession? Options: A volcano erupts, spewing out lava; A glacier slides across the land; Lightning starts a large forest fire; A new island forms in the ocean.

Back

Lightning starts a large forest fire.

Front

Biological Magnification

Back

The buildup of non-biodegradable chemicals in consumers as they are passed up the food chain

Front

The final stable community in an ecosystem at the end of succession is called the _____________.

Back

climax community