Unit 8 Review

What is the definition of the tragedy of the commons?

• when humans overuse a natural resource

• when the short-term, positive effects go to the individual, while the long-term, negative effects are spread out to the group

• when humans act selfishly, thinking of the own interest

• when plants and animals compete for space, resources, and/or food

Which of the following is an example of a solution to the tragedy of the commons?

• Improving literacy among urban populations

• Inventing stronger antibiotics

• Raising taxes for large corporations

• Passing laws to prevent overharvesting

What do we mean when we refer to "commons" in environmental science?

• shared values

• shared resources

• shared personalities

• shared classes

Which of the following is NOT an example of a commons?

• air

• oceans

• private beach

• forests

In the story of Easter Island, what was considered the commons?

• the statues

• the ocean

• the trees

• the Europeans

Sustainability is

• the process of maintaining resources so they are not depleted or permanently damaged

• the ability to use resources faster than they are renewed

• they ability to save resources for years and years

• the process of using resources for one's own benefit without regard for others

In the story of Easter Island, what was the unintended consequence of clear cutting all the trees?

• They were able to erect a lot of statues

• They built many boats

• Their environment was destroyed

• They were able to get more cows

What is meant by overgrazing?

• When the cows eat too much and get sick

• When a section of land is used for an extended period of time without sufficient recovery periods

• When too much grass is planted

• When a section of land is not used for an extended period of time and becomes overgrown

What is a negative consequence of overgrazing?

• The land can turn into a desert (desertification) and can no longer be used for feeding or agriculture.

• The cows become overweight.

• Vegetation becomes overfertilized and grows uncontrollably.

• Vegetation becomes plentiful and lasts for decades.

What is overfishing?

• The removal of a bad fish from an environment?

• The removal of a dead fish from a body of water.

• The over-breeding of fish.

• The removal of a fish species from a body of water at rate faster than the species can repopulate.