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8th Human Impact Unit 2022

Total questions: 123

Worksheet time: 2hrs 50mins

Name
Class
Date
1.
The Nature Conservancy is an organization that protects a variety of habitats around the world. A project this organization would probably support is one that
a)
uses endangered animals for medical research
b)
protects biodiversity for future generations
c)
alters habitats for industry and housing 
d)
prevents animal species from migrating to other habitats
2.
Fishermen have harvested certain fish to the point where the population of that fish is decreasing. This level of direct harvesting could cause
a)
ecosystems to be improved for future generations
b)
ecosystems to be severely damaged
c)
the restoration of environmental stability
d)
all other fish species to increase in number
3.
As water temperature increases, the level of dissolved oxygen in the water...
a)
increases
b)
decreases
c)
remains the same
d)
water temperature and dissolved oxygen levels are unrelated 
4.
Which of the following is NOT a method of energy conservation?
a)
taking public transportation to work (bus, subway)
b)
riding your bike to work
c)
walking to work 
d)
driving alone in your car to work
5.
Which trophic level in a food web would accumulate the LEAST amount of a toxin, such as methylmercury or DDT?
a)
autotrophs
b)
primary consumers 
c)
herbivores
d)
secondary consumers 
6.
Which of the following is a finite resource?  
a)
solar energy 
b)
wind energy
c)
trees
d)
fossil fuels 
7.
Which of the following issues is the cause of the other environmental impacts caused by humans?
a)
pollution
b)
human population growth
c)
climate change
d)
habitat destruction 
8.
Toxins accumulate in the tissues of organisms as they pass through a food chain/web.
a)
eutrophication
b)
biomagnification
c)
ecological succession
d)
symbiosis 
9.
Which of the following is NOT related to biodiversity?
a)
species diversity 
b)
genetic diversity 
c)
climate diversity 
d)
ecosystem diversity 
10.

Modern lifestyles have led to increased demands for a wide variety of consumable products. The packaging of these products has caused environmental problems associated with

a)

food web contamination

b)

urbanization

c)

ozone depletion

d)

solid waste disposal

11.

Human impact on the environment is often more dramatic than the impact of most other living things because humans have a greater

a)

need for water

b)

need for food

c)

ability to alter the environment

d)

ability to adapt to change

12.

In some areas, foresters plant one tree for every tree they cut. This activity is an example of

a)

lack of management of nonrenewable resource

b)

a good conservation practice for renewable resources

c)

a good conservation practice for nonrenewable resources

d)

lack of concern for renewable natural resources

13.

Fertilizers used to improve lawns and gardens may interfere with the equilibrium of an ecosystem because they

a)

cause mutations in all plants

b)

cannot be absorbed by roots

c)

can be carried into local water supplies

d)

cause atmospheric pollution

14.

The tall wetland plant, purple loosestrife, was brought from Europe to the United States in the early 1800s as a garden plant. The plant's growth is now so widespread across the United States that it is crowding out a number of native plants. This situation is an example of

a)

an unintended effect of adding a species to an ecosystem

b)

the results of the use of pesticides

c)

the recycling of nutrients

d)

the flow of energy present in all ecosystems

15.

problem caused by increased levels of CFC's in the atmosphere; living things are exposed to more UV radiation

a)

global warming

b)

thermal pollution

c)

greenhouse effect

d)

ozone depletion

16.

Which of the following is NOT a possible result of decreasing biodiversity?

a)

increased ecosystem stability

b)

extinctions

c)

loss of natural resources

d)

loss of potential foods & medicines

17.

Occurs when nitrogen and sulfur-containing compounds from burning fossil fuels combine with water in the atmosphere

a)

global warming

b)

ozone depletion

c)

acid rain

d)

thermal pollution

18.

Which of the following results when levels of CO2 in the atmosphere increase due to the burning of fossil fuels?

a)

ecological succession

b)

acid rain

c)

ozone depletion

d)

global warming

19.

Which of the following ecological problems is NOT the result of burning fossil fuels?

a)

global warming

b)

ozone depletion

c)

climate change

d)

acid rain

20.

Which of the following natural resources would be described as finite (non-renewable)?

a)

hydro power (ie. Niagara Falls Power Authority)

b)

wind energy

c)

solar energy

d)

fossil fuels

21.
What are the greatest problems facing plants, animals, and people?
a)
introducing new species that  can cause problems 
b)
habitat destruction
c)
illegal hunting 
d)
all of the above
22.
What is one way that humans can lessen their impact on the environment?
a)
Recycle
b)
Eat more meat
c)
Drive large vehicles
d)
Increase agricultural area
23.
When taken to a new habitat, non-native plants often threaten native plants of the new habitat.  Why do they do this?
a)
Non-native plants are able to mutate rapidly
b)
Non-native  plants cause native animals to relocate
c)
Non-native plants are able to be used for medicine
d)
Non-native plants compete with native plants for resources
24.
Define deforestation
a)
The cutting down & removal of all or most of the trees in a forested area.
b)
A broadleaf evergreen forest that is found in hot regions, receives a lot of rain and that has very tall trees.
c)
The act or process of damaging or ruining something.  To treat poorly or w/out respect.
25.
One of the ways we increase the amount of carbon dioxide is
a)
use less fossil fuels
b)
use alternative energy sources
c)
remove trees
d)
plant GMO crops
26.
The presence of wastes, such as plastic bags and motor oil, in lakes and streams miles away from developed areas suggests that
a)
ecosystems are interconnected and human action can alter ecosystem equilibrium.
b)
recycling programs have failed to conserve biotic resources.
c)
natural processes can alter ecosystem stability.
d)
direct harvesting practices have led to irreversible destruction of ecosystems.
27.
 If worldwide deforestation (removal of forests) is not regulated, what could most likely result?  
a)
Acid rain could lower the pH of rivers and lakes to dangerous levels for aquatic life
b)
  CO2 levels in the atmosphere could increase and contribute to global warming problems
c)
Plants and animals could become better adapted to living in desert conditions.
d)
Future generations of humans could have an excess of wood and paper products.
28.
How can the planting of new trees help reduce climate change?
a)
Trees help create breezes.
b)
Trees release moisture that cools the atmosphere.
c)
Trees take in carbon dioxide from the atmosphere during photosynthesis.
d)
Trees block the release of greenhouse gases from soil.
29.
According to the pie chart, how much carbon dioxide emissions come from transportation?
a)
7.9%
b)
25.9%
c)
13.1%
d)
19.4%
30.
Using fewer wood products, buying used homes, and recycling paper are alternatives to 
a)
factories
b)
transportation
c)
solar panels
d)
deforestation
31.

As the human population grows, the demand for natural resources increases. Which activity wastes a natural resource?

a)

riding the bus

b)

keeping the lights turned off

c)

cooling a car or house by opening windows

d)

throwing an aluminum can in the trash

32.

What is the best explanation for the rise in atmospheric CO2 levels since the 1800's?

a)

natural fluctuations of the climate

b)

eruptions of large volcanoes

c)

increased use of fossil fuels by humans

d)

photosynthesis by algae

33.

What will most likely happen if the human population continues to grow at current rates?

a)

There will be an decrease in the number of strong hurricanes

b)

There will be a decrease in water pollution

c)

There will be an increase in nitrogen levels in the atmosphere

d)

There will be fewer natural resources available for future generations

34.

How are humans impacting the levels of salt that are in streams?

a)

Humans are not impacting the levels of salt in streams

b)

Humans are using salt in the food that they make which ends up in the streams through sewage

c)

Humans are using salt to help melt the ice that are on roads and end in the stream through runoff

d)

Humans are using salt to melt ice in the streams and eventually it will end up on the roads

35.

How does plastic effect sea life?

a)

Microplastics create dead zones in the oceans.

b)

Plastics provide habitats for marine life.

c)

Wildlife such as dolphins, seals and seabirds often eat plastic, mistaking it for food.

d)

None of the above

36.

Sustainability is...

a)

how much of a resource that can be used

b)

using up of a resource

c)

making a resource last

d)

reusing a resource

37.
The process in which organisms use oxygen to release the stored energy in sugar.
a)
photosynthesis
b)
respiration
c)
decomposition
d)
combustion 
38.
What do plants release in the carbon/oxygen cycle?
a)
Carbon dioxide 
b)
Oxygen 
39.
What do organisms release in the carbon/oxygen cycle?
a)
carbon dioxide
b)
oxygen 
40.
What type of succession starts with bare rock?
a)
primary succession
b)
secondary succession
41.
What type of succession starts with soil?
a)
primary succession
b)
secondary succession
42.
Which is a pioneer species?
a)
trees
b)
flowers
c)
mushrooms
d)
lichen
43.
What is the greenhouse effect?
a)
the burning of fossil fuels causes gases to mix with water in the atmosphere
b)
ground level ozone and vehicle exhaust react in the presence of sunlight
c)
certain gases such as carbon dioxide act like a blanket and keep the sun's energy close to earth
44.
Which is a cause of climate change?
a)
melting of sea ice
b)
cutting down trees
c)
severe storms 
d)
changes in plant life 
45.
Which is an effect of climate change?
a)
melting of sea ice 
b)
burning of fossil fuels
c)
cutting down trees 
d)
vehicle exhaust
46.
What is biodiversity?
a)
a population of a species 
b)
the growth of cities
c)
destruction of natural habitats
d)
a variety of organisms 
47.
What is one way to prevent climate change?
a)
avoid dumping in storm drains
b)
turn off electricity when you are not using it
c)
pick up after your pet's litter
d)
open windows 
48.
The process in which plants use energy from the sun to convert carbon dioxide and water into oxygen and glucose.
a)
respiration 
b)
decomposition
c)
photosynthesis
d)
combustion
49.

Urbanization is

a)

the process by which human activity and natural process damage land to the point that it can no longer support the local ecosystem.

b)

replacing forests, fields, and grasslands with houses, roads, schools and shopping area.

c)

the growth of urban areas caused by people moving into cities

d)

The process by which wind, water, ice, or gravity transports soil and sediment from one location to another

50.

When human activity and natural process damage land to the point it can no longer support the local ecosystem.

a)

Urbanization

b)

Erosion

c)

Land Degradation

d)

Deforestation

51.

When wind, water, ice, or gravity transports soil and sediment from one area to another it is called

a)

Erosion

b)

Desertification

c)

Deforestation

d)

Urbanization

52.

This image is an example of what type of land degradation

a)

Desertification

b)

Deforestation

c)

Urban Sprawl

d)

Urbanization

53.

This image is an example of what type of land use

a)

Residential

b)

Commercial

c)

Agricultural

d)

Recreational

54.

Land that is kept untouched but is used for hiking and other leisure activities

a)

Transport land

b)

Agricultural Land

c)

Residential Land

d)

Recreational Land

55.

This image is an example of what type of land degradation

a)

Desertification

b)

Deforestation

c)

Urbanization

d)

Urban Sprawl

56.

Land used for business and/or use of natural resources is called

a)

Residential Land

b)

Transport Land

c)

Commercial Land

d)

Agricultural Land

57.

Land use for building homes and small communities

a)

Recreational Land

b)

Residential Land

c)

Transport Land

d)

Commercial Land

58.

Urban Sprawl is

a)

large network of roads and train tracks that connect urban and rural areas across the country

b)

process by which land becomes more desert-like and unable to support life

c)

replacing forests, fields, and grasslands with houses, roads, schools and shopping area.

d)

the process by which human activity and natural process damage land to the point that it can no longer support the local ecosystem.

59.

Land use for roads and train tracks is called

a)

Transport land

b)

Industrial Land

c)

Residential Land

d)

Agricultural Land

60.

True or false: Rural areas have a dense population and many buildings.

a)

True

b)

False

61.

Several factors can lead to land degradation. Which of these activities is least likely to contribute to land degradation?

a)

Urbanization

b)

Deforestation

c)

Poor farming methods

d)

Using an irrigation system on crops

62.

Soil erosion can increase when humans remove trees and other vegetation from an area. What is this process called?

a)

Decomposition

b)

Conservation

c)

Deforestation

d)

Urbanization

63.

Choose the following that describes why land is important to humans . (Choose all that apply)

a)

Fossil Fuels for energy

b)

Nutrients for plants to grow

c)

Buildings

d)

Minerals for Construction

64.
What is the greenhouse effect?
a)
the burning of fossil fuels causes gases to mix with water in the atmosphere
b)
ground level ozone and vehicle exhaust react in the presence of sunlight
c)
certain gases such as carbon dioxide act like a blanket and keep the sun's energy close to earth
65.
What is biodiversity?
a)
a population of a species 
b)
the growth of cities
c)
destruction of natural habitats
d)
a variety of organisms 
66.

According to the graph, what material’s recycling would reduce the largest portion of America’s trash?

a)

Metals

b)

paper

c)

plastics

d)

Yard trimmings

67.

What is global warming

a)

the normal temperature fluctuations of Earth's climate cycle

b)

the melting of the polar ice caps

c)

the trend of increasing temperatures on Earth

d)

the changes in Earth's biosphere that affect the atmosphere

68.
What is deforestation?
a)
Clearing Earth's forests on a massive scale
b)
Eating too much vegetables
c)
Going to a forest and pulling weeds
d)
Clearing the five trees in my backyard
69.

The threat to biodiversity that occurs when the homes of different species are destroyed

a)

pollution

b)

habitat destruction

c)

overexploitation

d)

climate change

70.

When human-made chemicals and garbage find their way into nature and harm the air, soil, and water it is called

a)

pollution

b)

habitat destruction

c)

overexploitation

d)

climate change

71.

The largest threat to biodiversity is

a)

bacteria

b)

fungi

c)

humans

d)

plants

72.
Why are fossil fuels a nonrenewable resource? 
a)
they take millions of years to replace 
b)
they can be used over and over again
c)
they are used to heat and light homes 
d)
they cause air and water pollution 
73.
What does conserving resources mean?
a)
Use as much of the resources as you can
b)
Only use the resources at school
c)
Protecting the resource so it does not run out
74.
Most water pollution is the result of
a)
human activities.
b)
drought.
c)
volcanic eruptions.
d)
storms.
75.
What is the major cause for air pollution? 
a)
factories and cars
b)
cigarretes 
c)
deforestation
d)
oil spills
76.

Look at the diagram of a stream with toxic chemicals. The diagram models how toxic runoff can pollute a stream and also...

a)

create algae blooms.

b)

produce acid rain.

c)

pollute the groundwater.

d)

cause soil erosion.

77.
The number one threat to biodiversity
a)
pollution
b)
fragmentation
c)
habitat destruction
d)
limiting factors
78.
All of the following are examples of environmental changes that can be caused by humans except - 
a)
clearing land for housing developments
b)
pesticides
c)
volcanic eruption
d)
pollution
79.

Burning fossil fuels creates air pollution.

a)

True

b)

False

80.
According to the pie chart, how much carbon dioxide emissions come from transportation?
a)
7.9%
b)
25.9%
c)
13.1%
d)
19.4%
81.
Using fewer wood products, buying used homes, and recycling paper are alternatives to 
a)
factories
b)
transportation
c)
solar panels
d)
deforestation
82.

How does plastic effect sea life?

a)

Microplastics create dead zones in the oceans.

b)

Plastics provide habitats for marine life.

c)

Wildlife such as dolphins, seals and seabirds often eat plastic, mistaking it for food.

d)

None of the above

83.

What will most likely happen if the human population continues to grow at current rates?

a)

There will be an decrease in the number of strong hurricanes

b)

There will be a decrease in water pollution

c)

There will be an increase in nitrogen levels in the atmosphere

d)

There will be fewer natural resources available for future generations

84.

What is the main pollution concern with cars?

a)

air pollution

b)

water pollution

c)

light pollution

85.

Spreading fertilizer on your lawn may be good for your grass but it can be bad for the environment because

a)

it can lead to pollution of nearby soil from animals walking through your grass.

b)

it can lead to pollution from runoff into nearby water sources.

c)

it could seep through the grass into your pipes and into your houses drinking water.

d)

it can pollute the air.

86.

How can humans help the environment become more sustainable?

a)

strip mining

b)

erosion control

c)

wetland development

d)

clear-cutting forests

87.

Which ones of these are sources of water pollution?

a)

wind turbines

b)

industrial waste

c)

chemical runoff

d)

farm pesticides

88.

When we develop areas of land there are consequences. What is a consequence of developing wetlands?

a)

decreased flooding

b)

increased habitats

c)

decreased water quality

d)

increased erosion

89.

What is a potential impact to the environment from urbanization?

a)

acid rain

b)

greater food production

c)

increased water into surface water

d)

warmer temperatures

90.

Desertification is

a)

clearing of trees in a forested area

b)

spread of desert like conditions due to actions of humans

c)

large numbers of people moving to small areas

91.

Deforestation is

a)

clearing of trees in a forested area

b)

spread of desert like conditions due to actions of humans

c)

large numbers of people moving to small areas

92.

Urbanization is

a)

clearing of trees in a forested area

b)

spread of desert like conditions due to actions of humans

c)

large numbers of people moving to small areas

93.

This can happen if we are not careful to what is cut down or moved in our environment because the anchors in the Earth are lost....

a)

erosion

b)

deforestation

c)

urbanization

d)

pollution

94.

Do you recycle?

a)

yes

b)

no

c)

sometimes

d)

rarely

95.

Which of these is not considered ocean pollution?

a)

Dumping garbage

b)

Artificial reefs

c)

Oil spills

d)

Chemical runoff

96.

Which of these human activities most relies on highquality soil?

a)

Hunting

b)

Hiking

c)

Coal mining

d)

Growing crops

97.

A student is hiking through a forest taking pictures for science class. Which picture would most likely be used as an example of human impact on Earth?

a)

A trail built by cutting down tree

b)

A river eroding away the riverbank

c)

A bird nest made of dead branches

d)

A group of butterflies landing on flowers

98.

Which of these activities is most likely to have a positive impact on the environment of Earth?

a)

Expanding neighborhoods

b)

Building factories

c)

Constructing highways

d)

Creating nature preserves

99.

Turning up the volume of radios and televisions will not result in pollution.

a)

true

b)

false

100.

Which of the following activities does not have a negative impact on the environment?

a)

Burning of fossil fuels

b)

Increasing the use of chlorofluorocarbons

c)

Using weedkillers for farming

d)

Planting trees in a nature reserve

101.

We can reduce land pollution by ________________.


A: incinerating rubbish

B: reducing deforestation

C: using organic pesticides in farming

D: building taller chimneys for factories

a)

A only

b)

B and C only

c)

A and C only

d)

A, C and D only

102.

Which of the following are non-biodegradable materials?


A: Wood

B: Plastics

C:Styrofoam box

D: Prawn shell

a)

A and B only

b)

B and C only

c)

B. C, and D only

d)

A, B, C, and D

103.

Species of animals become extinct or endangered due to reforestation.

a)

true

b)

false

104.

Which of the following will lead to fewer deaths of large numbers of animals in an area?

a)

People building homes in a smaller area.

b)

People taking the land to build new houses, causing the animals to lose space to live and find food.

c)

People removing too many nutrients and resources from the land, causing the animals not to have any food.

d)

People polluting the land, causing the animals to get sick.

105.

How have human activities influenced the spread of invasive species?

a)

Human actions are causing the spread of invasive species to new ecosystems.

b)

Invasive species are more controlled due to human actions.

c)

The spread of invasive species is unrelated to human actions.

d)

Invasive species are experiencing high extinction rates due to human actions.

106.

Which human activity has a positive impact on ocean fish populations?

a)

Allowing trash dumping into the oceans.

b)

Improved technology for catching fish.

c)

Allowing fishermen to catch as many fish as possible.

d)

Decreasing the amount of pollution that enters the oceans.

107.

Which of the following is a major way that humans have made water habitats less livable for animals?

a)

Removed habitats to build human settlements.

b)

Altered habitats to create parkland.

c)

Introduced pollutants like fertilizers.

d)

Increased soil erosion.

108.

Which statement about human impacts on other living things is TRUE?

a)

Human activity mostly impacts animal species, but not plants.

b)

The number of endangered and extinct species is increasing because of human activity.

c)

The number of species that are going extinct because of human activity is balanced out by new species being formed.

d)

Human activity has only had a small impact on other species compared to natural causes.

109.

Invasive species are animals that...

a)

take over a new habitat.

b)

destroy human homes.

c)

leave habitats.

d)

destroy their own habitat.

110.

Which of the following statements is FALSE?

a)

Untreated sewage creates pollution because it spreads human waste.

b)

Two sources of pollution from farming are animal waste and fertilizer.

c)

Mining makes the earth cleaner because it removes metals from the ground.

d)

Chemical plants are a big source of water pollution.

111.

Which of these human actions is MOST harmful to a lake ecosystem?

a)

Making rules to limit the amount of fishing in the lake.

b)

Allowing pollution to enter the lake from nearby farms.

c)

Making rules to limit the speed of boats on the lake.

d)

Researching plants and animals that live in the lake.

112.

Which of the following human activities causes loss of soil?

a)

Planting cover crops to hold soil in place.

b)

Moving grazing animals from field to field.

c)

Leaving soil exposed to wind and rain.

d)

Replanting forests.

113.

Which farming practice protects soil?

a)

Irrigating

b)

Fertilizing

c)

Tilling.

d)

Terracing

114.

What is the definition of a habitat?

a)

A natural area that is used for parkland.

b)

A natural area that supports agriculture.

c)

A natural area that is the home of an animal.

d)

A natural area that people live close to.

115.

Which of the following is a result of slash-and-burn agriculture?

a)

Increased numbers of species.

b)

Increased number of organisms that can be supported.

c)

Increased productivity in the surrounding environment.

d)

Increased soil erosion and species loss.

116.

What is the name for substances that people release that cause harm to habitats?

a)

Pollution

b)

Desertification

c)

Deforestation.

d)

Oxygenation

117.

Which of these human activities decreases the amount of land available for other living organisms?

a)

Overuse of fertilizers.

b)

Building increasingly larger cities.

c)

Disposal of industrial waste.

d)

Release of air pollution.

118.

When will the human population become too large to be supported by Earth?

a)

When the number of people exceeds the planet's carrying capacity.

b)

When people have used up all the fossil fuels that provide energy.

c)

When the number of people reaches ten billion.

d)

When people can no longer buy luxury items.

119.

Which practice has had the GREATEST effect on allowing for rapidly increasing human population growth?

a)

More children born to each woman.

b)

Improvements to medicine.

c)

Restrictions on where people can live.

d)

More people owning cars.

120.

Which statement about resource use and population growth in rich nations is TRUE?

a)

Population and resource use is increasing in rich nations.

b)

Population and resource use is decreasing in rich nations.

c)

Population is decreasing and resource use is increasing in rich nations.

d)

Population is increasing and resource use is decreasing in rich nations.

121.

As a growing population demands more energy, which of these changes will result?

a)

The price of oil will decrease.

b)

The amount of carbon dioxide will decrease.

c)

Global warming will increase.

d)

The total amount of oil in the earth will increase.

122.

What is the definition of carrying capacity?

a)

The number of organisms in an environment that will best support biodiversity.

b)

The actual number of organisms currently living in an environment.

c)

The number of organisms in an environment that is needed to provide food for people.

d)

The highest number of organisms that can be supported by an environment.

123.

In general, how has the increasing human population size affected the biodiversity of ecosystems on the earth?

a)

Biodiversity has decreased in a few ecosystems but increased in most.

b)

Biodiversity has decreased in many ecosystems.

c)

Biodiversity has increased in nearly every ecosystem.

d)

Biodiversity has been largely unaffected by the human population.