Cc Environmental Science Quiz

Environmental sustainability refers to the ability to meet the current needs of humanity without depleting or harming the natural resources and ecosystems that future generations will rely on. It involves finding a balance between economic development, social well-being, and environmental protection. This concept recognizes the interconnectedness of human activities and the environment, and aims to ensure that our actions today do not compromise the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

Urban areas are more likely to flood after heavy precipitation than undeveloped areas because buildings and paved roads do not absorb water. This means that when it rains, the water cannot seep into the ground and instead runs off, causing a significant increase in runoff in developed areas. In contrast, undeveloped areas such as forests or fields have natural surfaces that can absorb water, reducing the amount of runoff and the risk of flooding.

Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) have no natural source. They are synthetic compounds that were commonly used in aerosol propellants, refrigerants, and solvents. CFCs are known to be potent greenhouse gases that contribute to the destruction of the ozone layer. Due to their harmful effects, their production and use have been regulated and phased out in many countries.

Marine organisms do not affect ocean currents. Ocean currents are primarily driven by the position of the continents, atmospheric temperatures, and prevailing winds. Marine organisms may be influenced by ocean currents, as they rely on them for transportation and nutrient distribution, but they do not have a direct impact on the formation or direction of ocean currents.

Subduction occurs when one tectonic plate slides underneath another. This process happens at convergent plate boundaries, where two plates collide. The denser oceanic plate sinks beneath the less dense continental plate, forming a subduction zone. This can lead to the formation of volcanic arcs, earthquakes, and the recycling of old oceanic crust. Mining activities, the Coriolis effect, and the leeward side of a mountain are not related to the process of subduction.

Species richness refers to the number of different species present in a community. It is a measure of biodiversity and indicates the diversity and abundance of species within a given area. This term specifically focuses on the variety of species and does not take into account the distribution or abundance of each species. Therefore, species richness is the most appropriate answer to describe the number of different species in a community.

A community is an example of a biotic component of an ecosystem because it refers to a group of different species living and interacting together in a specific area. Biotic components are living organisms that play a crucial role in the functioning of an ecosystem. In this case, a community represents the various populations of plants, animals, and microorganisms that coexist and depend on each other for survival and resources within an ecosystem.

Population ecology is the study of how and why the number of individuals in a given area changes over time. It examines the factors that influence population growth, such as birth rates, death rates, immigration, and emigration. It also explores the interactions between individuals within a population and how these interactions affect population dynamics. This field of study is essential for understanding and managing populations in various ecosystems, including those that are declining and in need of intervention, as well as those that are stable or increasing. Therefore, the statement that population ecology attempts to explain how and why the number of individuals in a given area changes over time is true.

Volcanoes are commonly found above hot spots because these are areas where magma rises from deep within the Earth's mantle, creating a hotspot of volcanic activity. They are also found along subduction zones, where one tectonic plate is forced beneath another, causing the melting of the subducted plate and the formation of volcanoes. Therefore, the correct answer is 1 and 3.

Industrialized agriculture's increased use of pesticides over the past years is resulting in more insects and weeds developing resistance to pesticides. This is because the repeated exposure to pesticides creates a strong selective pressure on the insect and weed populations. The individuals that have a natural resistance or tolerance to the pesticides are more likely to survive and reproduce, passing on their resistant traits to future generations. Over time, this can lead to the development of pesticide-resistant populations, making it more difficult for farmers to control pests effectively.

Dizziness can be a symptom of acute toxicity because certain toxic substances can affect the central nervous system, leading to impaired balance and coordination. This can result in feelings of lightheadedness, vertigo, or a spinning sensation, commonly referred to as dizziness. Other symptoms of acute toxicity may include nausea, vomiting, headache, confusion, and difficulty breathing. However, it is important to note that the presence of dizziness alone may not be sufficient to diagnose acute toxicity, as it can also be caused by various other factors such as dehydration, low blood sugar, or inner ear problems.

For a population to live within the limits of its environment, three things must occur: population growth must be held to a level that is sustainable, resource consumption must be decreased, and environmental degradation must be reduced. This means that the population must not grow at a rate that exceeds the carrying capacity of the environment, resources must be used more efficiently to minimize depletion, and efforts must be made to protect and restore the environment to prevent further degradation. Lowering the quality of life or maintaining a high degree of affluence are not necessary for living within the limits of the environment.

Extinction is the elimination of a species from Earth, which is stated correctly. Mass extinctions have indeed occurred 5-6 times throughout Earth's history, which is also true. Extinction rates are accelerated by human activities, which is supported by scientific evidence. The present extinction rate being 100-1,000 times the background rate is also a well-established fact. However, the statement that background extinction eradicates a large number of species during a relatively short period of geologic time is false. Background extinction refers to the ongoing, normal rate of extinction that occurs as a natural part of the Earth's processes, and it does not typically result in a large number of species being eradicated in a short period of time.

Greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide, trap heat in the atmosphere and contribute to the greenhouse effect. Even if all burning of fossil fuels was stopped today, the greenhouse gases that have already been emitted will continue to remain in the atmosphere for many years. These gases have a long atmospheric lifetime, meaning they persist in the atmosphere and continue to trap heat, leading to a continued increase in temperatures. Therefore, even without further emissions from fossil fuels, the existing greenhouse gases will continue to contribute to global warming.

Plankton, nekton, and benthos are the three main ecological categories of organisms found in aquatic ecosystems. Plankton are tiny organisms that drift in the water and include both plants (phytoplankton) and animals (zooplankton). Nekton refers to larger, free-swimming organisms such as fish, whales, and turtles. Benthos are organisms that live on or near the bottom of the water body, such as crabs, worms, and coral. These three categories represent different types of organisms with distinct ecological roles and adaptations within aquatic ecosystems.

Biological diversity refers to the number and variety of Earth's organisms. It encompasses the wide range of species, including plants, animals, and microorganisms, as well as the genetic diversity within each species. This concept emphasizes the importance of preserving and protecting the different forms of life on Earth, recognizing that every organism plays a unique role in maintaining the balance of ecosystems and contributing to the overall health and functioning of the planet.

Irrigation accounts for the highest percentage of the world's total water consumption because agriculture relies heavily on irrigation to water crops and sustain agricultural production. Agriculture is the largest consumer of water globally, with irrigation being the primary method used to provide water to crops. This is necessary to meet the growing demand for food and ensure agricultural productivity. Therefore, irrigation consumes a significant portion of the world's total water supply.

Carbon dioxide is considered a greenhouse gas because it has the ability to absorb infrared radiation. Greenhouse gases trap heat in the Earth's atmosphere, leading to the greenhouse effect and global warming. Carbon dioxide, along with other greenhouse gases, absorbs and re-emits infrared radiation, preventing it from escaping into space. This trapped heat contributes to the increase in global temperatures.

Landscape ecology is the study of the connections among various ecosystems. It focuses on understanding how different ecosystems interact and influence each other within a larger landscape. This field of study considers the spatial patterns, processes, and dynamics of landscapes, and how they affect biodiversity, species distribution, and ecological processes. By examining the connections between ecosystems, landscape ecologists aim to develop strategies for land management and conservation that promote ecological resilience and sustainability.

The ocean conveyor belt is responsible for the significantly warmer temperatures in parts of Great Britain compared to parts of Canada at the same latitude. The conveyor belt is a global circulation system that transports warm water from the equator towards the poles, and cold water from the poles back towards the equator. This circulation pattern helps to distribute heat around the globe, resulting in milder temperatures in regions like Great Britain that are influenced by the warm water carried by the conveyor belt.