Human Impact

One way that humans could have a positive impact on local environments is to:

• generate waste products as a result of technological advances
• use resources that are renewable
• increase planting large areas of one crop
• increase the use of pesticides

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Environmentalists are hoping to protect endangered organisms by calling for a reduction in the use of pesticides, because loss of these organisms would:

• increase the mutation rate in plants
• cause pesticides to become more toxic to insects
• reduce biodiversity in various ecosystems
• decrease the space and resources available to other organisms

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Some people see the benefit of wind energy as a clean alternative to fossil fuels for energy production. Others believe it is dangerous for migratory birds. These opinions best illustrate that decisions about alternate energy sources:

• will usually favor older methods of energy production over newer methods
• must be made by weighing the risks and costs against the benefits
• must be made by taking into account the present needs of the citizens without looking toward the future
• should be the responsibility of each individual

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New fuels are being produced by converting corn and grasses into compounds containing alcohols that can be broken down for energy in various engines. The purpose of this research is to

• reduce the use of nonrenewable resources.
• increase the rate of air pollution.
• reduce the rate of homeostasis in organisms.
• cause a loss of biodiversity in the rain forests.

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The presence of wastes, such as plastic bags and motor oil, in lakes and streams miles away from developed areas suggests that:

• ecosystems are interconnected and human action can alter ecosystem equilibrium.
• recycling programs have failed to conserve biotic resources.
• natural processes can alter ecosystem stability.
• direct harvesting practices have led to irreversible destruction of ecosystems.

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DDT and other pesticides used over 50 years ago are still affecting the environment today. Scientists have found these substances in recent glacier runoff. Glacier runoff occurs during the summer, when precipitation that has fallen on glaciers during the winter is released. Ice layers from existing glaciers have been analyzed. The results of this analysis show that the concentrations of DDT and other pesticides were highest about 10 years after the use of these substances was banned.This information shows that:

• DDT and other pesticides cause glacier runoff during the summer.
• it takes humans over 50 years to analyze a glacier.
• precipitation helps to break down pesticides.
• the decision of one human generation may have an impact on future generations.

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What long-term impact could the destruction of large areas of forests have on Earth?

• decreased rates of erosion
• increased atmospheric carbon dioxide levels
• decreased amounts of acid rain
• increased atmospheric oxygen levels

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Why is it important to conserve the biodiversity of Earth?

• to decrease the amount of global predator populations
• to decrease the stability of major global ocean currents
• to increase the stability of ecosystems during environmental changes
• to increase the amount of nonrenewable resources located in the lithosphere

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If the population of a certain predator increases, there is often _______ its prey

• a decrease the population of
• an increase of the population of 
• great news for its prey of
• no  impact found on

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Invasive species are:

• non-native
• harmful to an ecosystem
• organisms that can lack predators in the new environment
• all of the answers are correct

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