ENVIROMENTAL SCIENCE MIDTERM REVIEW

Front

Which of the following is most effective in slowing down biodiversity loss?

Back

Conservation efforts and protected areas

Answer explanation

Conservation efforts and protected areas are crucial for protecting habitats and species, directly addressing the causes of biodiversity loss, unlike habitat destruction, overexploitation, or climate change, which exacerbate the problem.

Front

What might happen if you remove a primary consumer from the ecosystem?

Back

The number of plants would increase.

Answer explanation

Removing a primary consumer reduces their grazing on plants, allowing plant populations to grow. Thus, the number of plants would increase, as they would face less competition for resources.

Front

If frogs were removed from this food web, predict what will happen to the butterfly population.

Back

The butterfly population will decrease.

Answer explanation

Removing frogs, which prey on insects including butterflies, will lead to an increase in insect populations. However, as the butterfly population competes for resources, it will ultimately decrease due to overpopulation and resource depletion.

Front

What will happen to the ecosystem if the chipmunk was removed?

Back

The fox population will decrease.

Answer explanation

Removing chipmunks can lead to a decrease in food availability for foxes, as they may rely on chipmunks as a food source. This could result in a decrease in the fox population due to reduced resources.

Front

Which statement describes kudzu?

Back

An invasive non-native species

Answer explanation

Kudzu is classified as an invasive non-native species because it was introduced to the US and spreads rapidly, outcompeting native plants and causing ecological harm, similar to the gypsy moth's impact on trees.

Front

The Jones family bought pigs, a tractor, some corn plants, and a barn to start their farm. Which of these things are renewable resources?

Back

pigs and corn plants

Answer explanation

Pigs and corn plants are renewable resources because they can reproduce and grow back over time. In contrast, tractors and barns are man-made and do not regenerate naturally.

Front

Role of krill in this food chain? Options: Producers, Decomposers, Primary consumers, Secondary consumers

Back

Primary consumers

Answer explanation

Krill are primary consumers as they feed on phytoplankton, which are producers. They play a crucial role in transferring energy from producers to higher trophic levels in the food chain.

Front

Immediate effect on the carbon cycle when many trees are removed from a forest by logging.

Back

Decreased use of atmospheric carbon dioxide

Answer explanation

Removing trees decreases their ability to absorb atmospheric carbon dioxide, leading to an increase in carbon dioxide levels. Thus, the immediate effect is a decreased use of atmospheric carbon dioxide.

Front

What type of plate boundary is shown in the picture?

Back

Convergent

Answer explanation

The picture depicts a convergent plate boundary, where two tectonic plates collide. This interaction often leads to mountain formation or subduction, distinguishing it from divergent and transform boundaries.

Front

Identify Leaf G using the dichotomous key. Options: Pine, Chestnut, Spruce, Holly

Back

Chestnut

Answer explanation

Leaf G is identified as Chestnut because it has broad, serrated leaves with a pointed tip, distinguishing it from Pine and Spruce, which have needle-like leaves, and Holly, which has spiny leaves.