WorksheetsHuman Impact on the Environment
Total questions: 15
Worksheet time: 23mins
A major environmental concern in urban areas is pollution produced by automobiles. Fluids, such as oil and gasoline, may leak out of vehicles and end up in lakes, streams, and rivers. One reason why scientists are concerned about this type of pollution is that
the presence of these
fluids in waterways could make them uninhabitable for aquatic organisms and reduce water supplies for humans
the addition of these fluids will cause an increase in the levels of lakes and rivers, possibly causing
flooding in nearby areas
these fluids increase the rate of photosynthesis in aquatic plants, reducing the amount of O2 available for other life forms
the addition of these chemicals to waterways reduces air quality, which would lead to increased respiratory diseases and global warming
Destruction of ocean habitats by pollution today means that the organisms living there may not survive in the future. By polluting the oceans, humans are
helping advance economic gains by using resources wisely
altering the equilibrium of ocean ecosystems
decreasing the rate of species extinction
increasing the stability of the oceans
Human society has become increasingly dependent on industry and technology. While this has had many benefits, it also has had the disadvantage of
reducing the amount of food that can be produced by one acre of farmland
lowering the level of carbon dioxide available for plants to use for photosynthesis
raising the number of producers worldwide to dangerous levels
increasing our reliance on energy sources such as fossil fuels
Direct harvesting occurs when
pine trees are cut from a forest for use as lumber
corn is planted in a newly plowed field
zebra mussels are accidentally imported to the Great Lakes
zebra mussels are accidentally imported to the Great Lakes
In New York State, it is common for farmers to plant large fields of one crop, such as the cornfield shown .
A negative outcome of this practice is that
the corn will interbreed with weeds in the area
new predators will be introduced into the ecosystem
the stability of the ecosystem will be reduced
new species of insect-resistant corn will evolve
Humans are able to positively or negatively affect their environment in many ways. Which statement accurately describes one of these possible effects?
A positive environmental effect is that burning fossil fuels to generate electricity reduces carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere.
A positive environmental effect is the cutting of trees in rain forests to provide large quantities of lumber to build homes for the increasing world population.
A negative environmental effect is that industrialization provides many jobs and helps the economy grow.
A negative environmental effect is that unregulated fishing in the ocean can disrupt the interactions between organisms in existing food webs.
Dead zones are areas found in the oceans and some large lakes where there is not enough oxygen to support life. Algae blooms occur when excess nutrients are introduced as pollutants from fertilizers, sewage-treatment plants, and the burning of fossil fuels. When the algae die and undergo decay, bacteria rapidly use up the oxygen in the area. Which human activity would most likely result in a decrease in the size and number of dead zones?
irrigating fields and lawns to increase runoff into the ocean and rivers
building more coal-fired electrical generating plants
reducing the use of chemicals on farm fields and golf courses
constructing more sewage-treatment plants on the shores of lakes and rivers
A recent study found high levels of the toxic industrial pollutant mercury in the feathers of some songbirds. Those birds sang shorter, simpler versions of the songs they use to attract mates. Which statement regarding this finding is supported by the study?
Mercury pollution will result in the extinction of all songbirds.
Mercury prevents songbirds from obtaining required nutrients.
Human activities usually affect the smallest animals in ecosystems.
Human activities can have negative effects on a species.
In 2013, biologists encouraged nations to decrease the number of fish caught in order to help global fish populations recover. This seems to be helping some fish populations to increase. This increase in the size of some fish populations is a result of human
actions that killed many of the predators of these fish populations
decisions that weighed the need for food with the need to maintain fish populations
activities that are increasing the use of nonrenewable resources of the oceans
decisions that are increasing the use of renewable ocean resources
A decrease in the biodiversity of an ecosystem usually leads to
an increase in predator and prey populations
the elimination of material cycling
a decrease in stability
an increase in dynamic equilibrium
Which human activity best represents a method for recycling nutrients?
mixing lawn clippings with vegetable waste to produce compost used to fertilize gardens
raking and bagging lawn clippings in plastic bags for disposal in landfills
collecting lawn and garden wastes for burning
clearing a forested area to provide open land for cattle
Sustainable development occurs when people use their resources without depleting them. Which human activity is the best example of sustainable development?
draining a wetland to build houses
loggers planting a tree for each one cut down
using nets to quickly capture large numbers of fish
building coal-burning power plants to provide electricity
Which human activity has the potential to greatly affect the equilibrium of an ecosystem?
cutting down a few small evergreen trees and using them to make holiday decorations
mowing the playing fields in a city park
washing a car with a detergent-based cleaner
emptying an aquarium containing many nonnative fish of several species into a local lake
Orcas are endangered whales. Only about 80 individuals remain off the coast of Washington State. Salmon are a source of food for orcas. Some individuals are proposing that four dams in Washington State be removed so that habitat areas for salmon will be increased. Those opposed to the dam removals say that the dams provide low-cost hydroelectric power and positively influence the local economy. This situation is an example of
direct harvesting of an endangered orca species by humans
orcas overproducing in an ecosystem with no resources
a community relying on nonrenewable energy sources
a decision where benefits and risks have to be weighed
An increased demand for soybeans has led to an increase in converting native forests and grasslands to fields for growing soybeans. One negative consequence of this environmental change has been
an increase in natural resources for the future
an increase in the kinds of foods that can be produced
a decrease in suitable habitats for wildlife
a decrease in the need to set aside land for conservation
