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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After the Aswan High Dam was built on the Nile River, the rate of parasitic blood-flukeinfection doubled in the human population near the dam. As a result of building the dam, the flow of the Nile changed. This changed the habitat, which resulted in an increase in its population of a certain aquatic snail. The snails, which were infected, released larvae of the fluke. These larvae then infected humans. This situation best illustrates that:

• the influence of humans on a natural system is always negative in the long term
• the influence of humans on a natural system can have unpredictable negative impacts
• human alteration of an ecosystem does not need to be studied to avoid ecological disaster
• human alteration of an ecosystem will cause pollution and loss of finite resources

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One way humans can promote the survival of organisms in an ecosystem is to:

• decrease diversity in plant habitats
• introduce new consumers to control autotrophs
• release extra CO2 into the atmosphere to help autotrophs
• learn about the interactions of population

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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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A builder is proposing a new housing development in an area of western Massachusetts. Construction of the housing development will destroy the wetland habitat in the area.
Which of the following would be the most likely consequence of the wetland’s destruction?

• The wetland plant species would disperse to adjacent meadow habitats.
• The populations of wetland animals would be unable to survive in that area.
• The wetland animal species would survive by interbreeding with non-wetland species
• The populations of wetland plants would evolve to disperse seeds by wind rather than water.

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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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When fertilizers run off farmland into streams and ponds, the nitrogen content of the water increases. This can lead to rapid growth of algae in a process called eutrophication. How can this process affect other organisms in the water?

• Oxygen is used up as algae is decomposed, reducing the amount available to other organisms.
• The water becomes better able to support aerobic organisms.
• The algae provide food for fishes and other organisms, leading to decreased algae populations.
• The extra nitrogen provides additional food for the other organisms, increasing their population.

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