8.11B DOL (Man v. Environment)

Before the Industrial Revolution in England, the peppered moth was commonly found on tree trunks that had light-colored lichen (kind of like moss) on its bark. Most of the peppered moths were a light brown, grey color, similar to that of the lichen. A few moths had a mutation that made them a dark grey-brown color. During the industrial revolution, coal-burning factories produced black soot and smoke that covered the trees and killed the lichen. In these areas, the number of dark peppered moths increased, while the number of light peppered moths increased. What contributed to the change?

• The soot covered trees camouflaged the dark moths, allowing them to survive and reproduce like they couldn't before.

• The dark moths preyed on the light moths because they were strengthened by the smoke.

• Bird populations increased near the factories, wiping out both populations of moth colors.

• The dark moths laid fewer eggs than the light moths because they were tired from the smoke.

Copper compounds are used in large amounts to control the growth of algae and other aquatic plants. Copper interferes with a plant's ability to perform photosynthesis. What would most likely result of an accidental spill of these copper compounds in an aquatic ecosystem?

• the fish would grow larger than usual

• zooplankton population would increase

• plants would increase in size but decrease in number

• plant populations would be reduced.

Mangrove trees have special roots that let them live in the somewhat salty water where rivers meet the ocean. These roots collect sediments, debris, and mud. This gradually helps coastlines stretch farther into the sea, providing shelter for tons of different wildlife, including fish, crabs, migratory birds, and many others. The high winds of hurricanes and typhoons can destroy mangrove forests. The destruction of these forests most likely affect ecosystems ---

• reducing beach erosion in sea-turtle nesting areas

• reducing the amount of saltwater flowing into lakes

• causing pollution in inland rivers and streams

• forcing migratory birds to find other places to shelter

The types of small organisms that live on the bottom of streams can be good indicators of water pollution. The table below groups some organisms by their tolerance of pollution. A certain stream that was historically clear and clean has become increasingly polluted with fertilizer waste over the years. Which of these describe a likely result of the pollution?

• mayflies that were previously abundant are no longer present in the stream

• stone flies and midges thrive and compete for the same food source

• large numbers of crayfish have suddenly died

• riffle beetles have become abundant in the stream

Snowshoe hares are related to rabbits and live in cold regions. In warm weather, they have a brown coat and spend many hours feeding on vegetation. To avoid predators they either remain still and try to blend into their habitat, or use their powerful hind legs to flee. When winter comes, the area is blanketed in snow. What change brought about by the winter season would help these animals avoid predators in a snowy climate?

• bodies slow down to require less food

• spend more of the day sleeping

• their brown fur changes to white fur

• they must search longer to find vegetation

How did Eagles ingest DDT when it was only used on crops?

• The bald eagles ate the agriculture (crops) containing DDT and this affected them.

• When DDT was sprayed the Bald Eagles inhaled the DDT and were affected by it.

• Bald Eagles were not affected by the DDT even through eating organisms containing concentrations of it.

• Chemicals from agriculture are carried by surface water runoff to bodies of water in which the eagles food supply is found.

Bald eagles ingested DDT from eating fish from lakes, river and streams.  What concentration of DDT were they exposed to?

• none

• high concentration

• medium concentration

• low concentration

Bald Eagle eggs from the 1960s were modeled in this evidence.  What happened to the shells of the eggs?

• The Bald Eagle egg shells were hardened by the DDT

• The Bald Eagle pecked at the egg shells causing them to break early

• DDT caused the eggs shells to become weakened (lack of calcium carbonate) therefore breaking when the mother sat on them and incubated them.

• The DDT made the eagles sterile and unable to reproduce.