Human Impact on the Environment

In the 1800s rabbits were introduced for the first time into Australia. Here they had no natural predators and a plentiful food supply. What happened several years after the rabbit was introduced into Australia?

• The rabbits began to overpopulate greatly.

• Populations of animals competing with rabbits grew.

• The rabbit population declined sharply.

• New rabbit predators evolved.

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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?

• Grass

• Rabbit

• Fox

• Fish

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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

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

• deforestation

• freshwater pollution

• hole in the ozone layer

• acid rain

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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.

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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

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Succession is the natural replacement of species that takes place in an area over time.

What is the major difference between primary and secondary succession?

• Primary succession happens much faster than secondary succession.

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

• Primary succession occurs after a minor disturbance, while secondary occurs after a major disturbance.

• Primary succession is the new growth of grasses, and secondary succession is the new growth of trees.

Which of the following events would start the process of secondary succession?

• 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.

Which of the following best describes the term biological magnification?

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

• When members of a crowded population are at odds for food, water, space, and other resources

• Using the earth's resources more carefully, and preserving and restoring natural habitats

• When food, water, and space are limited, causing carrying capacity to be reached

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

• pioneer species

• climax community

• primary population

• carrying capacity