Human Impacts on Earth's Surface

Which is one way poor use of fertilizers in agriculture can affect the environment?

• it can increase the ability of many species to find suitable habitats

• it can cause pollution of water in lakes and rivers

• it can cause an increase in greenhouse gases

• it can reduce the amount of sediment in the local waterways

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-5

What is an effect of deforestation?

• decrease in biodiversity

• decrease in rainwater runoff

• decrease in carbon dioxide in the atmosphere

• decrease in the amount of water on earth

Tags

NGSS.HS-LS2-7

NGSS.HS-LS2-2

NGSS.HS-LS2-5

NGSS.HS-LS4-5

How are surface mining and peat harvesting similar in the way they affect an ecosystem?

• both increase air pollution, causing acid rain

• both flood the area with water, decreasing soil erosion

• both release carbon dioxide, decreasing global temperatures

• both remove vegetation in the area, destroying habitats

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

NGSS.MS-LS2-5

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

Which is most likely to occur after the excessive withdrawl of groundwater in coastal areas?

• increased reliance on irrigation because of drier soil conditions

• dilution of brackish water in estuarine ecosystems

• reduced efficiency of local desalination facilities

• intrusion of salt water into the water table

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

Which is a possible consequence of the destruction of a marsh?

• decreased flooding

• decreased filtering of water

• increased types of plant life

• increased habitat for organisms

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

NGSS.MS-LS2-5

What would most likely result if more farms were developed along river basins in North Carolina?

• an increase in water pollution

• an increase in average rainfall

• an increase in nonnative species

• an increase in severe weather events

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS3-4

NGSS.MS-LS2-5

Which could increase the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere?

• planting trees in areas that have been deforested

• reducing the use of gasoline-powered vehicles

• burning coal to produce electricity

• creating wind farms in desert areas

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS3-4

NGSS.MS-ESS3-5

How can urbanization affect a local area?

• it can increase the number of invasive species in an area

• it can decrease the risk of water pollution in an area

• it can increase the risk of flooding in an area

• it can decrease the need for natural resources in an area

Tags

NGSS.HS-LS2-7

NGSS.HS-ESS2-2

NGSS.HS-LS2-6

Which is a farming technique that could improve the soil and the environment?

• using fueled machines that will turn the soil continuously

• creating undisturbed layers of mulch in the soil

• placing inorganic chemical fertilizers in the soil

• irrigating the soil with salty water

Which is the most common contamination source for freshwater resources?

• runoff

• digging wells

• melting of glaciers

• lightning