WorksheetsEcology - Human Impact
Total questions: 40
Worksheet time: 20mins
Name
Class
Date
1.
Base you answer on the table below.
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Which inference can be made from the graphs?
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Which inference can be made from the graphs?
a)
A) The increase in sewage waste from 1950 to 1970 was due to a decreasing human population.
b)
B)The decrease in sewage waste shows that the environmental problems associated with land pollution have been solved.
c)
C)Sewage waste is a good source of nutrients for most fish.
d)
D)Increases in sewage waste were responsible for decreasing oxygen levels in the lake.
2.
Water pollution as a result of fertilizer runoff from farms is harmful because it initially
a)
A) changes the chemical composition of nearby streams and lakes
b)
B)adds ozone to the atmosphere, increasing global temperatures
c)
C)decreases the water temperature of streams and lakes
d)
D)decreases the amount of nutrient recycling in lakes
3.
A growing mass of plastic garbage is collecting in an area of the Pacific Ocean. This is caused by plastic garbage that is discarded by people, and it ends up in rivers that carry it to the ocean. Over time, ocean currents cause it to accumulate in this area of the Pacific. Currently, the mass is estimated to cover an area of ocean twice the size of Texas. As these plastics slowly break down, chemicals enter the water, and can enter ocean organisms that we might eventually use for food. This sequence of events illustrates that
a)
A)humans modify ecosystems as a result of population growth, consumption, and technology
b)
B)human activities that degrade ecosystems result in an increase in diversity of ecosystems
c)
C) when humans alter ecosystems by adding specific organisms, serious consequences could result
d)
D)industrialization brings a reduced demand for fossil and nuclear fuels
4.
In lakes that are exposed to acid rain, fish populations are declining. This is primarily due to changes in which lake condition?
a)
A) size
b)
B) temperature
c)
C) pH
d)
D) location
5.
A change in the acidity of mountain lakes would most likely be a result of
a)
A) ecological succession of the area at the top of the mountain
b)
B) the introduction of new species into the lakes
c)
C) air pollution from smoke stacks miles away
d)
D) planting grasses and shrubs around the lakes
6.
Water from nearby rivers or lakes is usually used to cool down the reactors in nuclear power plants. The release of this heated water back into the river or lake would most likely result in
a)
A) an increase in the sewage content in the water
b)
B) a change in the biodiversity in the water
c)
C) a change in the number of mutations in plants growing near the water
d)
D) a decrease in the amount of sunlight necessary for photosynthesis in the water
7.
Which relationship or trend can correctly be inferred from the data presented in the graphs below?
a)
A) As sewage waste increases, oxygen content decreases.
b)
B) As sewage waste increases, oxygen content increases.
c)
C) As oxygen content decreases, carp population decreases.
d)
D) As oxygen content decreases, trout population increases.
8.
Recent evidence indicates that lakes in large areas of New York State are being affected by acid rain. The major effect of acid rain in the lakes is
a)
A) an increase in game fish population levels
b)
B) the stimulation of a rapid rate of evolution
c)
C) the elimination of many species of aquatic life
d)
D) an increase in agricultural productivity
9.
Many homeowners and businesses are installing solar electric systems. Greater use of solar electric systems benefits the environment because it
a)
A) depends on the greater use of fossil fuels
b)
B) conserves nonrenewable resources
c)
C) produces gases that cause global warming
d)
D) reduces the need for the ozone shield
10.
Some time ago, there were thousands of California condors in North America. Large numbers were poisoned from lead in bullets that were used to kill the animals the condors fed on. An effort was made to help save this large scavenger. There are now more than 350 California condors in North America. The condors most likely increased in number because humans decided to
a)
A) produce lead-resistant condors through asexual reproduction
b)
B) pass laws against using lead bullets to kill animals used by condors for food
c)
C) introduce plants that didn't absorb the lead from discharged bullets
d)
D) produce lead-resistant prey for the condors through genetic engineering
11.
Nonrenewable resources are
a)
A) not finite and are not depleted over time
b)
B) not finite and are depleted over time
c)
C) finite and are not depleted over time
d)
D) finite and are depleted over time
12.
Car manufacturers have begun to explore the use of biofuels, such as biodiesel, ethanol, and cooking oils made from plant material. The desired outcome of using these biofuels would be
a)
A) a decrease in the use of fossil fuels
b)
B) a decrease in the release of oxygen gas
c)
C) an increase in abiotic resources
d)
D) an increase in global warming
13.
Many scientists are worried about some of Earth’s finite resources because humans are
a)
A) using carbon dioxide faster than it is being produced
b)
B) placing industrial wastes in landfills
c)
C) interfering with energy flow from consumers to producers
d)
D) using large amounts of some materials that cannot be renewed
14.
People living in and around the Amazon rain forest have used parts of the gaviola tree to prepare medicines. Research is being conducted to determine if this tree can provide cures for many types of cancer. Continued destruction of rain forests might
a)
A) reduce biodiversity and remove organisms with the potential to help humans
b)
B) increase biodiversity and remove damaged and diseased trees
c)
C) reduce biodiversity and increase the reproductive rates of all organisms
d)
D) increase biodiversity and ecosystem stability where humans plant crops
15.
A human activity that could significantly decrease the amount of carbon dioxide in the air is
a)
A) increasing the use of fossil fuel
b)
B) controlling insect pests that eat stored grain
c)
C) burning garbage and trash to generate electricity
d)
D) preserving and expanding forest habitats that shelter wildlife
16.
The finite resources of Earth are often affected by increasing human consumption. These finite resources are
a)
A) not renewable over a short period of time
b)
B) the products of rapid human population growth
c)
C) the result of deforestation
d)
D) needed to degrade ecosystems
17.
The overuse of chemical fertilizers has resulted in the growth of some lawns in which decomposers cannot live. This would interfere most directly with the ability of the lawn ecosystem to
a)
A) recycle energy
b)
B) recycle nutrients
c)
C) maintain atmospheric pH
d)
D) reduce biodiversity
18.
Which environmental change would cause the greatest reduction in the biodiversity of a large ecosystem?
a)
A) building a new home
b)
B) building a new store in a shopping mall
c)
C) widespread use of pesticides
d)
D) widespread recycling prograrns
19.
An alternative to the use of insecticides to combat the Mediterranean fruit fly is the Sterile Insect Technique (SIT). SIT involves the sterilization of male insects by radiation, which prevents the formation of functional male gametes. When these male insects mate with female insects of the same species, the result would be that
a)
A) only female offspring would be produced
b)
B) no offspring would be produced
c)
C) the offspring would have a reduced number of chromosomes
d)
D) the offspring would no longer be sterile
20.
Which farming practice causes the least harm to the environment?
a)
A) using natural predators to reduce insect numbers
b)
B) adding chemical fertilizers to all the crops in the area
c)
C) planting the same crop for 1 year on all the fields in the area
d)
D) planting the same crop in the same field each year for 10 years
21.
The diagram below represents a food pyramid.
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The concentration of the pesticide DDT in individual organisms at level D is higher than the concentration in individuals at level A because DDT is
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The concentration of the pesticide DDT in individual organisms at level D is higher than the concentration in individuals at level A because DDT is
a)
A) synthesized by organisms at level D
b)
B) excreted by organisms at level A as a toxic waste
c)
C) produced by organisms at level C which are eaten by organisms at level D
d)
D) passed through levels A, B, and C to organisms at level D
22.
The diagram below represents how air pollution may move across the eastern United States.
In order to reduce the amount of air pollution in Pennsylvania, which change is necessary?
In order to reduce the amount of air pollution in Pennsylvania, which change is necessary?
a)
A) Laws must be passed to protect endangered species.
b)
B) The use of natural resources must be increased.
c)
C) More coal-burning power plants must be built.
d)
D) The cooperation between the different states must be improved.
23.
Damage to the ozone shield over the United States is likely to cause
a)
A) increased warming of local ecosystems
b)
B) increased exposure to ultraviolet light
c)
C) reduction in the pH of acid precipitation
d)
D) reduction in the frequency of floods and droughts
24.
In New York State, cars are inspected to be sure they are not releasing excessive amounts of several gases into the atmosphere. This is done in an effort to
a)
A) recycle more nutrients
b)
B) reduce biodiversity
c)
C) reduce global warming
d)
D) increase the growth rates of forests
25.
The diagram below represents factors that affect New York State ecosystems.
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An increase in human activity at X would most likely result in
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An increase in human activity at X would most likely result in
a)
A) a decrease in rainfall in the area
b)
B) a decrease in available carbon dioxide
c)
C) an increase in air pollution in the area
d)
D) an increase in the supply of fossil fuels
26.
Some data suggest that the average global temperature will increase by 1°C - 2°C by the year 2050. If this occurs, a major concern for humans would most likely be that
a)
A) sea levels might rise enough to flood some coastal areas
b)
B) long-term stability of the climate will benefit ecosystems
c)
C) the availability of salt water for agricultural use will increase
d)
D) the threat of extinction of land organisms will decrease
27.
Which action by humans could improve the quality of the air?
a)
A) building homes that use only oil furnaces for heat
b)
A) building homes that use only solar energy for heat
c)
C) increasing the number of coal-burning power plants that generate electricity
d)
D) cutting down forests to clear land for factories
28.
Global warming has been linked to a decrease in the
a)
A) size of the polar ice caps
b)
B) temperature of the Earth
c)
C) rate of species extinction
d)
D) rate of carbon dioxide production
29.
As water flows downhill, its energy can be used to generate electricity. Later, this water may evaporate, fall as rain, and be used again to generate electricity in the same way. This explains why electricity generated with water is considered
a)
A) a source of water pollution
b)
B) a renewable form of energy
c)
C) more expensive than nuclear energy
d)
D) responsible for global warming
30.
The graph below shows how the level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere has changed over the last 150,000 years.
Which environmental factor has been most recently affected by these changes in carbon dioxide level?
Which environmental factor has been most recently affected by these changes in carbon dioxide level?
a)
A) light intensity
b)
B) types of decomposers
c)
C) size of consumers
d)
D) atmospheric temperature
31.
What will the continued depletion of the ozone layer most likely cause?
a)
A) an increase in skin cancer among humans
b)
B) a decrease in atmospheric pollutants
c)
C) an increase in marine ecosystem stability
d)
D) a decrease in climatic changes
32.
The graph shows the number of species that have become extinct since 1800. It also shows the change in the size of the human population for the same period of time.
The rapid increase in human population between 1960 and 2010 is most likely the direct result of advances in
The rapid increase in human population between 1960 and 2010 is most likely the direct result of advances in
a)
A) medical technology
b)
B) space exploration
c)
C) communication technology
d)
D) transportation technology
33.
The graph shows the number of species that have become extinct since 1800. It also shows the change in the size of the human population for the same period of time.
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The graph indicates that the number of species that have become extinct
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The graph indicates that the number of species that have become extinct
a)
A) has increased with increasing human population
b)
B) has decreased with increasing human population
c)
C) is not affected by the size of the human population
d)
D) is greater than the size of the human population
34.
The graph below shows data on human population growth.
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The trend shown on the graph would most likely result in
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The trend shown on the graph would most likely result in
a)
A) a decreased demand for deforestation
b)
B) an increase in available freshwater
c)
C) a decrease in air pollution
d)
D) an increased demand for land us
35.
Base your answer to question on the diagram below and on your knowledge of biology.
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What information would be appropriate to add to box X in order to complete the diagram?
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What information would be appropriate to add to box X in order to complete the diagram?
a)
A) cellular respiration by humans
b)
B) simple sugar
c)
C) oxygen
d)
D) burned by automobiles
36.
The diagram below represents a process that occurs in nature.
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If the oak and hickory trees were burned in a forest fire, leaving bare soil, which group of plants would most likely be the first to grow back?
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If the oak and hickory trees were burned in a forest fire, leaving bare soil, which group of plants would most likely be the first to grow back?
a)
A) crabgrass and horseweed
b)
B) oak and hickory trees
c)
C) broomsedge and pine seedlings
d)
D) mature pine and young deciduous trees
37.
Lichens are composed of two organisms, a fungus that cannot make its own food and algae that contain chlorophyll. Lichens may live on the bark of trees or even on bare rock. They secrete acids that tend to break up the rock they live on, helping to produce soil. As soil accumulates from the broken rock and dead lichens, other organisms, such as plants, may begin to grow.
a)
A) biological evolution
b)
B) ecological succession
c)
C) maintenance of cellular communication
d)
D) differentiation in complex organisms
38.
Events that occur in four different ecosystems are shown in the chart below.
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Which ecosystem would most likely require the most time for ecological succession to restore it to its original state?
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Which ecosystem would most likely require the most time for ecological succession to restore it to its original state?
a)
A
b)
B
c)
C
d)
D
39.
Base your answer on the chart below.
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Which stage represents a pioneer community?
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Which stage represents a pioneer community?
a)
A
b)
B
c)
C
d)
D
40.
The first living things to grow successfully on a newly formed sand dune are known as
a)
A) saprophytes
b)
B) pioneer organisms
c)
C) carnivorous plants
d)
D) heterotrophs
100 %
