Science USA

The picture shows a flooded riverbed. Which of the following is the best prediction for how this flood will impact the ecosystems along the riverbed in the future?

• Silt and minerals will be added to the soil, enhancing plant growth.

• Grasses and other plants will die from a lack of water, causing animals to starve.

• Large cracks will appear in the ground, providing new habitats for insects.

• Tree branches will break off due to high winds, damaging birds' nests.

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An area that normally has a moderate amount of rain is suddenly struck with weeks of rain, leading to a flood in this region. All of the following could be an effect of this flood EXCEPT —

• an increase in insect populations that live mainly in soil and grasses.

• the contamination of local watersheds from runoff of toxins and fertilizers.

• a decrease in erosion in areas where water is flowing.

• sediment buildup in areas of sitting water.

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The picture models runoff from a mine into local watersheds. The runoff will affect local watersheds in all of the following ways EXCEPT —

• by contaminating the lake with heavy metals.

• by increasing sediments in the stream.

• by increasing the number of animals that live in the lake or stream.

• by introducing acid rock drainage to the lake and stream.

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The diagram traces the development of acid rain from factory pollutants. The diagram does not explain how acid rain —

• can get into groundwater and increase the acidity of local watersheds.

• forms within the water cycle at different phases.

• is chemically broken down into harmful substances when it enters bodies of water.

• is formed because factories release sulfuric and nitric oxides into the air.

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The picture shows sand dunes on Padre Island, Texas, in the Gulf Coast Prairies and Marshes ecoregion.

The sand dunes most likely formed by —

• the deposition of sand carried by swift wind blowing along the coast.

• land that slightly uplifted when tectonic plates moved under the beach sand.

• a primitive river that flowed toward the ocean and carved out the sand dunes.

• strong waves dumping chunks of the ocean floor onto the beach.

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How will the rusting barrels in this stream affect the surface water in the watershed ecosystem?

• The barrels will drop the temperature of the surface water that reaches the river.

• The barrels will alter the course of the surface water that reaches the river.

• The barrels will pollute the surface water that reaches the river.

• The barrels will filter the surface water that reaches the river.

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Highly developed regions contain large amounts of fertilizers in their soil due to yard maintenance. When these fertilizers are released from the soil, they enter local ponds, where they deposit an unusually high amount of organic matter. This excessive organic matter leads to massive algal blooms. What is the most likely result of the fertilizer entering the pond?

• An increase in light received by organisms that live below the water's surface

• An increase in the diversity of the organisms in pond

• A decrease in light received by organisms that live below the water's surface

• A decrease in the amount of soil and sediment at the bottom of the pond

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The picture shows a map of a part of the Gulf Coast Prairies and Marshes ecoregion. The circled portion represents islands in this ecoregion. Which of the following best explains how these islands formed?

• They formed as sand from the shore was deposited in a location where water movement slowed down.

• They formed as a reef built up deposits so high that it created an above water mass.

• They formed as underwater volcanoes erupted and deposited lava.

• They formed as hurricanes deposited sand from distant regions.

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Polar bears in the Arctic use the sea ice that covers the North Pole as a platform for hunting seals, the mainstay of their diet. Recent data suggest that Arctic sea ice may have thinned as much as 40% over the past 50 years. If the polar ice continues to melt, it is likely that the polar bear will become extinct. Many scientists believe that the melting of the Arctic sea ice is due primarily to human activities. Which of the following human activities would have the most direct effect on the thickness of the polar ice cap?

• Increased nuclear energy production

• Increased fishing in the Arctic ocean

• Increased burning of fossil fuels

• Increased human population

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Lightning can cause a forest fire, destroying the majority of plants in a forest. A forest fire will do all of the following EXCEPT —

• increase the amount of sunlight that can reach the forest floor, allowing new plant growth.

• cause a huge decrease in the predator population, maintaining the prey population numbers.

• increase nutrients in the soil available for plants, allowing for increased growth.

• stimulate the germination of certain seeds that need heat to complete a plant's life cycle.

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