Environmental Issues - Multiple Choice

Sustainability refers to the ability to maintain and support the productivity and growth of a country or organization while minimizing negative impacts on the environment. This definition encompasses the idea of balancing economic development with environmental responsibility. It emphasizes the importance of ensuring long-term productivity and success while also considering the well-being of the environment and future generations.

All of the options provided - revegation of degraded land, conservation tillage, minimum tillage, and recycling of waste - are connected with a sustainable farming approach. Revegation of degraded land involves restoring vegetation on land that has been damaged or degraded. Conservation tillage refers to the practice of reducing soil disturbance during planting and cultivation to improve soil health and reduce erosion. Minimum tillage is a similar approach that aims to minimize soil disturbance while still allowing for crop growth. Recycling of waste involves reusing or repurposing agricultural waste materials, such as composting or using organic waste as fertilizer, to reduce waste and promote sustainability in farming practices.

The increase of legume pastures mixed with annual grasses and the liberal use of superphosphate fertilizer can lead to soil acidification. Legumes have the ability to fix nitrogen from the atmosphere, which can increase soil acidity. Additionally, the use of superphosphate fertilizer, which contains phosphoric acid, can also contribute to soil acidification. As a result, the combination of these factors can cause a decrease in soil pH, leading to soil acidification.

All of the options listed would be considered sensitive areas in terms of the environment. Riparian areas are important ecological zones that are located along the banks of rivers and streams, and they play a crucial role in maintaining water quality and supporting diverse plant and animal species. Major highways can have significant negative impacts on the environment, including habitat fragmentation, pollution from vehicle emissions, and disturbance to wildlife populations. Similarly, major residences can contribute to environmental degradation through increased urbanization, habitat destruction, and increased demand for resources. Therefore, all three options are considered sensitive areas due to their potential environmental impacts.

The correct answer is the diversity of flora and fauna. Biodiversity refers to the variety of plant and animal species in a particular habitat or ecosystem. It encompasses the different types of plants, animals, and microorganisms, as well as their genetic variations. Biodiversity is important for maintaining the balance of ecosystems, as each species plays a crucial role in the functioning of the ecosystem. It also provides various ecosystem services, such as pollination, nutrient cycling, and climate regulation. Therefore, the diversity of flora and fauna is a key component of biodiversity.

Riparian areas are defined as corridors of vegetation along rivers and streams. This means that they are areas of land that are adjacent to bodies of water, specifically rivers and streams, and are characterized by the presence of trees and other vegetation. These areas are important for maintaining water quality, preventing erosion, and providing habitat for wildlife. The other options, such as rivers and lakes or large water storages, do not accurately describe riparian areas as they do not specifically mention the presence of vegetation.

Remnant vegetation refers to the small remaining patches of vegetation that are either in decline or are rare. These areas are often the last remnants of larger ecosystems that have been cleared or degraded due to human activities. They are important because they provide habitat for endangered or threatened species, contribute to biodiversity, and can help restore degraded landscapes. The term "remnant vegetation" does not specifically refer to any vegetation protected by the government, declared weed, or the preferences of environmentalists (greenies).

A deep sandy soil with readily available water for irrigation would be most suitable for growing pastures and irrigated perennial crops. These types of crops require a well-draining soil like sandy soil to prevent waterlogging and allow for proper root development. Additionally, the availability of water for irrigation ensures that these crops can receive sufficient moisture even during dry periods, promoting their growth and productivity.

The Environmental Protection Act is a legislation that aims to protect the environment and address various concerns related to it. The act typically includes provisions related to issues such as spray odour drift, recycling of wastes, water use, and reduction in remnant vegetation. However, buffel grass productivity decline is not specifically mentioned as a concern in the act.

The word "care" in this context refers to the responsibility or obligation that all primary producers have towards the environment. It implies that they must take appropriate actions and make conscious decisions to ensure the well-being and protection of the environment in which they operate. This includes practices such as sustainable farming, reducing pollution, conserving resources, and minimizing the negative impact on ecosystems. By exercising care, primary producers contribute to the overall health and sustainability of the environment.

The correct answer is capping bores and piping water to stock troughs. This is likely the correct answer because capping bores and piping water to stock troughs would help reduce the use of water from the underground aquifer. By capping bores, less water would be extracted from the aquifer, and by piping water to stock troughs, the water would be used more efficiently and effectively. This method would help conserve water resources and promote sustainable water management in the great artesian basin.

Clearing trees in catchment areas can lead to soil salinity issues. When trees are removed, there is a decrease in the amount of water taken up by the roots, resulting in higher water tables. This can cause the salts present in the soil to rise to the surface, leading to an increase in soil salinity. Salty soils can negatively impact plant growth and reduce agricultural productivity.

Using fine droplets to produce a mist will increase spray drift. Fine droplets are more easily carried by wind and can travel farther distances compared to larger droplets. This increases the likelihood of the spray drifting away from the intended target area and potentially causing harm to non-target areas or sensitive areas.

When investigating a complaint about drift onto a neighbor's property, the batch number of the chemical would not be considered. The batch number is a unique identifier for a specific production batch of a chemical, and it is not directly relevant to the issue of drift. The other factors listed, such as the type of application equipment, prevailing weather conditions, active constituent of the chemical, and instructions on the label, are all important in determining the cause and extent of the drift.

Drum muster is the correct answer because it is the name of the scheme that recycles chemical drums. The other options, Clean up drum Inc., Drum clear, Drum recyclers, and Drum shredders, do not specifically indicate a recycling scheme for chemical drums.

Adding gypsum is a suggested solution for overcoming compaction or improving water infiltration in cropping paddocks and pasture paddocks. Gypsum is known to help break up compacted soil by improving its structure. It works by reducing soil crusting and increasing the porosity, allowing water to infiltrate more easily. This can help improve drainage and prevent waterlogging in the paddocks. Additionally, gypsum can also enhance the availability of nutrients in the soil, promoting healthier plant growth.

Before clearing vegetation, it is important to check an ecosystem map or an environment map. This is because both ecosystem and environment maps provide valuable information about the surrounding area, including the various plant and animal species present, as well as any sensitive habitats or protected areas that need to be considered during the clearing process. By consulting these maps, one can ensure that the vegetation clearing is done in a responsible and sustainable manner, minimizing any negative impacts on the ecosystem or environment.

To overcome the complaints of the residents, an initial solution would be for the feed miller to only operate during work hours. By limiting the operation of the miller to specific hours, such as typical work hours, the noise generated from mixing feeds can be minimized during times when residents are more likely to be awake and active. This can help reduce disturbance and inconvenience to the residents, addressing their complaints to some extent.

Gypsum is added to soil to improve its structure. It helps to create a better, more friable soil structure that allows for better drainage. By adding gypsum, the soil becomes more porous and allows water to penetrate more easily, preventing waterlogging and improving overall drainage. This ultimately leads to better soil health and plant growth.

The three gases listed, carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide, are considered greenhouse gas emissions that the government is considering taxing. This suggests that the government wants to address and reduce the emissions of these gases, as they contribute to climate change and global warming. By imposing taxes on these gases, the government aims to incentivize industries and individuals to reduce their emissions and transition towards more sustainable practices.