Human Impact

Members of an environmental protection group have noticed that fish populations have decreased in a local wetland area. They think that pollution in runoff from nearby farms is to blame. What is the first step they should take to solve the problem and restore the wetland fish population.

• Enact laws that prohibit farming near wetland areas and near creeks that drain into them.

• Educate other communities whose wetlands are at risk of the dangers of having farms nearby.

• Collect and analyze data to assess which factors are causing the fish populations to decrease.

• Bring in fish from other wetlands to restore the original fish populations size of the local wetland area.

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NGSS.MS-LS2-4

Fishermen introduced a species of fish into a lake that already contained a native fish species. The two species competed for the same resources, but the native species was more successful.

Which of the graphs above illustrates what happened to the two species of fish?

• graph A

• graph B

• graph c

• graph d

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NGSS.MS-LS2-4

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

The number of pythons throughout the Everglades National Park has increased in recent years. These huge snakes are not native to Florida and are believed to have been released into the wild by pet owners. Wildlife biologists have initiated attempts to capture and remove these pythons. Which statement best explains the biologists’ reason for removing these pythons from the Everglades?

 

• The pythons could upset the territorial boundaries of native organisms.

• The pythons could adapt to overcome diseases common to native snakes.

• The pythons could prey on native organisms and cause native populations to decline.

• The pythons could begin to interbreed with native snakes and produce a more successful species.

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NGSS.MS-LS2-4

Fossil fuels are commonly used as an energy source for transportation vehicles. Burning fossil fuels has led to more carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and dissolved in seawater. Which of the following describes how burning fossil fuels is most likely to impact marine organisms?

• Increased levels of carbon dioxide in seawater would increase the rate of photosynthesis in marine plants.

• Dissolved carbon dioxide in seawater would cause an increase in shellfish populations due to strengthened skeletons.

• Increase levels of carbon dioxide in seawater would cause ocean acidification and weaken corals.

• Dissolved carbon dioxide in seawater would cause invasive species to out-compete native species.

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NGSS.MS-LS2-4

In 1963 Bormann and Likens conducted a controlled experiment to compare the loss of nutrients and water from an uncut forest and one that was stripped of its trees. The graph below shows the results of their long-term ecological research on nutrient cycling in the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest.

Which statement is not an impact of deforestation as illustrated above?

• Chemical nutrients are absorbed by the soil.

• There is a loss of biodiversity as a result of habitat loss

• Runoff increased because there were no trees to absorb the water

• Excess water carried dissolved nutrients out of the deforested area.

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NGSS.MS-LS2-4

NGSS.MS-ESS3-4

NGSS.MS-LS2-5

After implementing a solution to an environmental problem, environmental workers often continue to collect and analyze data associated with the problem area. Why is it important for public officials to follow through and check the results of implemented solutions to environmental problems?

• Once data is collected on an area, public officials will have to continue to monitor that area.

• The act of collecting data ensures that the problem will not come back again in that area.

• Collected data can show whether or not the solution is actually working or whether it needs to be modified.

• Public officials monitor the environment whether or not there has been an environmental problem.

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NGSS.MS-LS2-4

NGSS.MS-ETS1-3

The San Marcos salamander, Eurycea nana, is a light reddish-brown translucent salamander about 2–5 cm in length. E. nana is found only in Spring Lake and a portion of the San Marcos River. Which human activity would most likely decrease the ability of the salamanders to survive?

• Increasing water consumption that decreases the flow of clean water from the springs that feed the river

• Public transportation that reduces the number of automobiles that contribute to pollution runoff into the river

• Tourism that helps fund the educational programs related to river ecosystem conservation

• The addition of a new food source into the river that limits competition for resources

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NGSS.MS-LS2-4

NGSS.MS-ESS3-4

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

Which catastrophic event will most likely have the effect of returning an ecosystem to primary succession?

• A tornado
• A volcanic eruption
• A flood
• A drought

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NGSS.MS-ESS3-2

What type of succession is shown going from figure A to figure B?

• primary succession
• eutrophication
• secondary succession
• intermediate

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NGSS.MS-LS2-1

Which experiences the least change over time?

• Pioneer Species

• Primary Succession

• Aquatic Succession

• Climax Community

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NGSS.HS-LS2-6