Ecology Review #1

What will most likely occur if the population of the world continues to increase at predicted rates?

• there will be an increase in biodiversity as a result of improvements in technology

• there will be more rapid depletion of natural resources

• the human race will rapidly become extinct

• all human diseases will be eliminated

What will most likely happen if a nonnative species is introduced into a stable ecosystem?

• the native species will change their diet, and the ecosystem will remain stable

• the native species will move to another area, and the ecosystem will remain stable

• the native species will have to compete for resources with the nonnative species, and the ecosystem will become unbalanced

• the native species will share their food with the introduced species, and the ecosystem will become unbalanced

What will most likely be the result as humans move into new areas, forests are clear cut and housing developments are built?

• global temperatures will decrease because trees are removed

• many organisms will lose their homes because their habitats have been destroyed

• better sanitation in the area will reduce the amount of pollution

• the rainfall in the area will increase because there will be increased runoff

What activity most contributes to the depletion of the ozone layer?

• burning fossil fuels

• release of CFCs

• deforestation

• overuse of fertilizers

Which environmental concern is most associated with burning fossil fuels?

• global climate change

• pollution of ocean waters

• ozone layer destruction

• decrease in levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide

The construction of a new coal-burning power plant would have the greatest impact on which environmental issue?

• depletion of the ozone

• release of radiation

• production of acid rain

• increase in deforestation

Which environmental factor would cause the greatest decrease in the number of species of plants and animals living in some of the lakes in the United States?

• increase in dissolved oxygen levels

• global warming

• ozone destruction

• acid rain

If worldwide deforestation is not regulated, what could most likely result?

• Acid rain could lower the pH of rivers and lakes to dangerous levels for aquatic life.

• CO₂ levels in the atmosphere could increase and contribute to global warming problems.

• Plants and animals could become better adapted to living in desert conditions.

• Future generations of humans could have an excess of wood and paper products.

Which human activity most likely causes acid rain?

• using chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)

• generating nuclear energy

• burning fossil fuels

• using pesticides

Which best explains the buildup of toxins in an organism over time?

• invasive species

• deforestation

• bioaccumulation

• point source pollution