NEW
Font size
WorksheetsEnvironmental Changes
Total questions: 25
Worksheet time: 13mins
The Great Barrier Reef has a number of endangered species which live only in that ecosystem. What would MOST LIKELY happen if pollution killed most of the coral that made up the reef?
The endangered species might become extinct
The animals on the reef would find a new habitat
The population size of the endangered species would increase
The endangered species would take the niche of the dead coral
A species of giant pandas lives only in central China. Bamboo, a tall, green tropical plant, is the main food source for these animals. Large areas of bamboo are being cut down in central China to make room for growing other crops. What will MOST LIKELY happen to these giant pandas?
They will become endangered or extinct
They will migrate to warmer areas of China
They will become carnivores
They will begin to live in caves
The marsh willow herb is a plant that naturally grows in the northeastern part of the United States. It grows best in damp habitats. Which of the following environmental changes would MOST LIKELY cause a decrease in the marsh willow herb population in an area?
A rainstorm lasting several weeks
A drought lasting more than a year
Unusually low temperatures during the month of July
Unusually high temperatures during the month of January
Teresa and Rafael each set up a terrarium for a class project. Teresa never had to add water to her terrarium, but Rafael had to water his every other day. Why do you think this happened?
Teresa poured more water in hers before closing it up
Rafael used different plants in his terrarium
Rafael left the top off and the water inside evaporated quickly
Teresa used more plant food than Rafael did
How does too much fishing in an area affect its ecosystem?
The fish will lay many more eggs to replace the fish that were caught
Organisms that eat the fish could become endangered due to starvation
Organisms that eat the fish will have to start eating plants
People could eat too many fish and become ill
Which of the following would have the greatest effect on an ecosystem because of the changes made to the environment?
Bees building a hive in a hollow tree
Wasps building a nest in a leafy bush
Beavers building a dam across a stream
Fish digging a burrow on a river bottom
Which of the following is an example of how living organisms change their physical environment to meet their needs?
Before building their lodge, beavers build a dam across a stream
A bird eats seeds from a backyard bird feeder
A raccoon washes a piece of fruit in a lake before eating the fruit
A young kangaroo climbs into its mother’s pouch for warmth
Which of the following is not an example of a way organisms change their environment to meet their needs?
A wasp builds a nest made of mud
A human builds a house
A prairie dog digs a tunnel into the ground
A bird rests on the limb of a tree
Water lilies growing on ponds and lakes can do great damage to these bodies of water. How do the water lilies affect a pond environment in a dangerous way?
The fish will not grow and reproduce
Water lilies pollute the pond water
Water lilies prevent sunlight from reaching organisms below the water’s surface
Water lilies attract many unwanted pests, such as snakes and turtles to the pond
Tropical rainforests are cut down and burned at a very high rate in many parts of the world. An area the size of a football field is destroyed every second of every day. The burning wood and vegetation release large amounts of carbon dioxide. Fewer plants remain to take in carbon dioxide. How does this burning affect the carbon cycle in tropical rain forests?
More carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere
More carbon dioxide is stored in animals
More carbon dioxide is released into the soil
More carbon dioxide is stored in plants
All of the following are ways humans can adversely change the ecosystem EXCEPT—
waste dumping
using biodegradable products
overhunting animals
industrial pollution
What effect would building a highway have on an ecosystem?
Increase in butterfly migration
Decrease in destruction of habitat
Increase in carbon dioxide
Increase in oxygen
Overpopulation animals cause severe damage to an ecosystem and the surrounding landscape. Additionally, overpopulation can affect the food chain, water routes, and land. Based on the information provided, which of the following is the best conclusion about the effects of overpopulation?
Overpopulation is destroying the entire U.S.
Overpopulation does not impact the food chain
Overpopulation can change the entire structure of the ecosystem
Overpopulation causes serious issues with the water cycle
Hunting is an environmental management tool that helps control wildlife populations. Hunting is an example of—
the deer population creating change in an ecosystem
the food chain creating change in an ecosystem
humans creating change in an ecosystem
a cycle creating change in an ecosystem
Which of the following is a positive effect of building highways in an ecosystem?
Enhancing access between existing communities
Destruction of existing homes and businesses
Prohibiting some species from migrating
Increase in noise and air pollution
Which activity by people puts the greatest number of animals at risk for becoming endangered?
starting forest fires
destruction of habitat
hunting and fishing
making pets of wild animals
What is an effect of cutting down forests for the development of land and cities?
increase in amount of oxygen
decrease in energy provided for producers
lack of habitat areas for plants and animals
gain of habitat areas for new species of animals and plants
The Texas Blind Salamander lives in the underwater caves of the Edwards Aquifer, which is used to proved drinking water for many Texans. The Texas Blind Salamander has been on the endangered list since 1967. Which could NOT be a possible cause for the salamanders being on the endangered list?
motor oil draining into the sewer
using lots of water for irrigation
lower average rainfall totals
swimming and fishing activities
Biologists observe and record the deer population. They notice that the population is 4 times larger than the habitat can support. Which is LEAST likely to occur from the overpopulation of deer?
The grass population in the deer’s habitat will begin to decrease
The deer population will be stronger and healthier
The area’s water source will be reduced or depleted
The deer will spread disease to other animals and humans
Based on the information given in the table, why do overpopulated animals wander?
Their natural ecosystem can no longer support them
They migrate to compete with other species for garbage
Their natural ecosystem has a vast supply of food and water
They migrate to areas where there are fewer producers
Student are given an assignment to research and document the negative and positive effects of changes in ecosystems caused by humans. Which of the following tools would be most appropriate to use for this assignment?
notebook
calculator
hand lens
aquarium
A group of students is exploring the causes of change in the physical structure of a forest ecosystem. Each student in the group makes a prediction of how changes will impact the ecosystem. The students have each—
made a table
formed a hypothesis
developed a model
planned an experiment
In order to reduce the negative impact on the ecosystem, it is important that people —
make informed choices in conservation
demonstrate safety practices
record data using technology
neglect wildlife regulations
In class, students learned that conserving water reduces the human impact on area watershed. Students want to investigate whether 4th or 5th graders use the most water when washing their hands. Which part of the investigation should be recorded?
height of the students
time the faucet is turned on
size of the sink
grade level of the students
Students are doing outdoor experiment in a marshy area. They are collecting water samples for viewing under the microscope to determine if pollution has impacted the health of the pond. The water is oily and shiny, and students are not sure what is in the water. All are good precautions to use while gathering the water samples EXCEPT—
wearing rubber gloves
running around the pond
keeping long hair tied back
staying with the group
