7.2 Cause/Effect of Global Change

A consequence of global transportation has been the spread of ___________________ that outcompete or prey on native species.

• invasive species

• smog

• carbon dioxide

• ecosystems

Answer explanation

Global transportation has led to the spread of invasive species, which outcompete or prey on native species.

Global climate change is the result of increasing levels of carbon dioxide, methane, and other greenhouse gases in Earth's atmosphere. How are the causes of ocean acidification and climate change related to one another?

• Acids in the ocean decompose to form carbon dioxide, which then diffuses into the atmosphere.

• Warmer ocean temperatures increase the stability of carbonic acid and other acids in the water.

• Carbon dioxide diffuses from the atmosphere to the ocean, where it reacts to form carbonic acid.

• Methane diffuses from the atmosphere to the ocean, where it reacts to form methanoic acid.

Answer explanation

Ocean acidification is caused by carbon dioxide diffusing from the atmosphere to the ocean, reacting to form carbonic acid.

Cause and Effect:

Spraying DDT, a pesticide used to kill mosquitoes and other insects

• damage to the ozone layer

• poisoning of predators by biomagnification

• toxic algal blooms

• habitat loss and fragmentation

Answer explanation

Spraying DDT can lead to poisoning of predators through biomagnification.

Cause and Effect:

Expansion of humans

• damage to the ozone layer

• poisoning of predators by biomagnification

• toxic algal blooms

• habitat loss and fragmentation

Answer explanation

The expansion of humans leads to habitat loss and fragmentation, which is the correct choice.

Cause and Effect:

Burning fossil fuels

• damage to the ozone layer

• global climate change

• toxic algal blooms

• habitat loss and fragmentation

Answer explanation

Burning fossil fuels causes global climate change.

How is ocean water becoming more acidic?

• the burning of fossil fuels produces excess of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere. CO2 dissolves in sea water producing carbonic acid

• fishes produce acid secretions when they eat plastic

Answer explanation

Ocean water is becoming more acidic due to the burning of fossil fuels, which releases excess carbon dioxide (CO2) into the atmosphere. This CO2 dissolves in seawater, forming carbonic acid.

How does the evidence provided by the graph support the claim that Earth's climate has gradually been warming?

• The rising sea level is a result of melting ice from the South and North poles expanding the sea water.

• The rising sea level is a result of an increasing rate of all processes of the water cycle.

Answer explanation

The graph shows that the rising sea level is due to melting ice from the poles, supporting the claim of gradual warming.

Why is resilience important for sustainable development?

• Sustainable development must include resilience to be flexible enough to survive environmental stresses

• Sustainable development must include resilience to recover faster

Answer explanation

Resilience is crucial for sustainable development as it enables flexibility to withstand environmental stresses.

When taken to a new habitat, non-native plants often threaten native plants of the new habitat.  Why do they do this?

• Non-native plants are able to mutate rapidly

• Non-native  plants cause native animals to relocate

• Non-native plants are able to be used for medicine

• Non-native plants compete with native plants for resources

Answer explanation

Non-native plants threaten native plants in a new habitat because they compete for resources.

The primary causes of extinction (and endangerment and threatened status) is...

• polar ice cap melting

• global warming

• habitat loss and fragmentation

• burning of fossil fuels

Answer explanation

The primary cause of extinction is habitat loss and degradation.