EXAM 1 STUDY GUIDE
CONSIDER LECTURES UP TO 26 FEB and TEXT BOOK CHAPTERS UP THOURGH MODULE 4.1 (Through HUMAN POPULATIONS)
1.
Give a basic definition of biodiversity.
2.
Which of the following accurately reflects the connection between science, decision-making, and environmental science? a. Science and environmental science rely on evidence; good decision-making only sometimes relies on evidence.
b. Science and good decision-making rely on evidence; environmental science does not always rely on evidence.
c. Science relies on good decision-making and environmental science relies on evidence.
d. Science and good decision-making relies on evidence; environmental science relies on good decision-making.
e. Science and good decision-making rely on evidence; environmental science relies on evidence.
3.
Compare the life history strategy of a deer mouse with that of a bear, and identify each as either an r- or K-selected species.
4.
Why are tertiary information sources considered less reliable than primary and secondary sources? What is a primary source?
5.
What is an environmental footprint? How is this used to measure sustainability?
6.
Scientists have studied the impact of clear cutting forests on erosion and waterways. They know that clear cutting will cause erosion and waterways will suffer the impact of sediment loading. Evaluate the situation and choose the statement that best explains how humans may perceive the risks involved.
a. Since the chance of disaster is low humans will not have biases about this situation.
b. Although the seriousness of the impact is well known people’s judgment may still vary dramatically.
c. All people understand this situation and will work together on a solution. d. Both a and c
e. None of the above
7.
Why are some people more vulnerable to toxic substances than other people, even if exposed to the same dose?
8.
Explain how a composting toilet works. Use a diagram to explain the cycling of water and organic matter.
9.
Distinguish between chronic and acute effects cuased by exposure to toxic substances.
10.
List THREE abiotic parameters and THREE biotic parameters: ABIOTIC
1
2
3
BIOTIC
1
2
3
11.
Which of the following best describes ecosystem capital? a. mineral and living resources of the earth.
b. living organisms and other renewable resources of the earth.
c. natural resources such as forests and fisheries.
d. natural resources (goods) and services provided by ecosystems
e. ecosystem services that support life on earth
12.
Refer to the figure below to determine which country has the lowest population size but the highest density?
a. Asia
b. South Africa
c. Eastern Europe
d. Western Europe
e. Oceania
13.
List three of the things you might measure to determine your ecological footprint?
1
2
3
14.
Which of the following statements about biodiversity is false?
a. Ecosystem diversity is essential for evolution and natural selection.
b. Keystone species greatly influence the abundance and distribution of other species.
c. Genetic variation may provide the means to develop resistance to disease.
d. Species evenness is the degree to which species have representation in a habitat.
e. Biodiversity refers to the variety of life on Earth.
15.
Gray wolves once roamed the western portions of North America from Alaska to Mexico. Gray wolves prey on bison, deer, elk, and moose. These prey had been depleted by hunting by settlers. Ranches and farms were built near gray wolf habitat.
The wolves thus began to prey on livestock. When the federal government set aside the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem
(GYE) as a national park in 1872, about 300–400 wolves were present, preying mostly on elk and bison (Yellowstone Association 1996). Fearing the wolves’ impact on elk and bison herds as well as livestock owned by area ranchers, the federal government began eradicating the wolf population. Bounty programs that continued until 1965 offered as much as $50 per wolf. By the 1930s, wolves had been effectively eliminated from the 48 contiguous states and Mexico and remained in high numbers only in Alaska. The elk population then grew. Elk grazed on plants and soon plant populations declined. Plants such as willow trees and aspen were negatively affected. Song birds depended on the trees for habitat, river banks remain stable because of the trees, but now the trees were not producing saplings (young trees). Which of the following is the best conclusion to make based on this situation?
a. Keystone species are crucial to the long-term sustainability of the ecosystems they inhabit.
b. Keystone species can sometimes cause more harm than good and humans need to step in to solve the problem.
c. Keystone species greatly influence the abundance and distribution of other species. d. Both a and c
e. All of the above
16.
In human populations, crude birth and death rates enable one to compare a. the natural increase or decrease of different populations.
b. relative rates of immigration and emigration.
c. the proportions of fertile women of different populations.
d. the causes of deaths of a population.
e. age profiles of different populations.
17.
Four types of benefits that biodiversity provides for humans would be a. direct use, indirect use, options, and keystone value.
b. deductive reasoning, inductive reasoning, options, and existence value.
c. direct use, indirect use, options, and existence value.
d. deductive, inductive, direct, and indirect uses.
e. direct use, indirect use, organism use, and existence value.
18.
What is doubling time? What would be the doubling time for a population whose annual growth rate is 5%? Show your calculations.
19.
Humans depend on biodiversity in many ways. Which of the following is considered to be an “option value”? a. The future discovery of a cure for cancer
b. Having clean air and drinkable water
c. Breeding strains of crops resistant to drought
d. The opportunity to experience the beauty of the natural world
e. Mangroves providing a natural buffer from hurricane-force winds and floods
20.
Explain why habitat fragmentation may be just as serious a threat to a species survival as total habitat destruction.
21.
Which of the following describes a biotic community?
a. all the plants, animals, and microbes in a geographic area.
b. all the plants and animals in a geographic area.
c. all the species of trees in a forest.
d. all the trees and other plants in a forest.
e. abiotic factors in a geographic area.
22.
A grouping of plants, animals, and other organisms interacting with each other and their environment in such a way as to perpetuate the grouping more or less indefinitely is called a/an a. ecosystem.
b. abiotic community.
c. population.
d. ecotone.
e. species
23.
All of the following would contribute to declines in fertility rates EXCEPT: a. availability of social programs to care for the elderly.
b. low rates of infant mortality.
c. mandatory childhood education.
d. opportunities for higher education.
e. use of children in farm work
24.
Where is most of the fresh water on the Earth’s surface? Where does your fresh water come from in Miami-Dade County?
25
Abiotic means a. toxic.
b. antibiotic.
c. nonliving.
d. desert.
e. microscopic.
26.
The process that photo-autotrophic producers perform that is not performed by other organisms in most ecosystems is a. chemosynthesis.
b. metabolism.
c. photosynthesis.
d. cell respiration.
e. reproduction.
27.
In most ecosystems, the producers are the a. green plants.
b. fungi.
c. animals.
d. humans.
e. bacteria
28.
The complete loss of all individuals of a species is defined as a. extinction.
b. biodiversity.
c. hot spots.
d. aesthetics.
e. existence value.
29.
Which of the following have removed limits to human population growth? a. Medical practices
b. Agriculture
c. Sanitation methods
d. Both a and c
e. All of the above
30.
Select the best conclusion based on the data in the chart below.
Category
Benefit
Effect
Medical advances
Disease incidence or severity lessened
Humans live longer
Agricultural advances
Excess food is now grown
Humans have more food available
Waste management and sewage system advances
Less water pollution
Humans have access to safer water and fewer diseases
a. Human populations worldwide are healthy and have plenty of food and clean water.
b. The effects of limiting factors that might stabilize populations have been reduced.
c. There is now more healthy food than ever before so larger human populations can be supported.
d. Advances lead to more resource consumption but human population growth does not negatively affect the environment.
e. Agricultural advances have led to more nutrition so that the world no longer has humans facing starvation.
31.
The maximum number of individuals an ecosystem can support is referred to as a. its carrying capacity.
b. density dependence.
c. its ecological footprint.
d. immigration.
e. emigration.
32.
Draw a simple diagram for an group of 8th graders to explain the Carbon cycle – Explain where the “extra” carbon is coming from in the increase of CO2 in the Earth’s atmosphere.
33.
What is the major limiting factor for humans? a. Immigration
b. Disease
c. Lack of adequate food supply
d. Lack of clean water
e. Natural disasters
34.
The movement of individuals into a population is called a. emigration.
b. maximizing the carrying capacity.
c. population density.
d. the limiting factor.
e. immigration.
35.
Which of the following correctly describes I = P × A × T?
a. Population size, standard of living, and technology impact the environment.
b. Population size, standard of living, and technology have no impact on the environment.
c. Population size is impacted by the standard of living, technology, and the environment.
d. Standard of living and technology impact the population size.
e. Standard of living, technology, and the impact they have on the environment determine population size.
36.
In nature an oxygen free environment is termed a. aerobic.
b. anaerobic.
c. biotic.
d. complete.
e. organic.
37.
A population with stable size is one in which a. death rate is less than birth rate.
b. death rate is the same as birth rate on the average.
c. death rate exceeds birth rate.
d. birth rate equals recruitment.
e. there are no deaths.
38
Explain how “Biotic potential” and “environmental resistance” regulate animal populations in ecosystems. How do these terms apply to human population growth?
39
How could it be possible that we are already living beyond the long-term carrying capacity of Earth?
40
An increase in the population of an herbivore is generally
a. preceded by an increase in population of its natural enemies.
b. paralleled by an increase in populations of its natural enemies.
c. followed by an increase in populations of its natural enemies.
d. independent of populations of its natural enemies.
e. dependent on an increase of its natural enemies.
41
A condition that would most likely result in the S-shaped population growth curve is the a. introduction of a foreign species.
b. elimination of a predator.
c. alteration of the habitat.
d. removal or reduction of competing species.
e. a stable abiotic and biotic environment.
42
The IPAT equation is used to
a. mathematically figure out the exact impact humans have on the environment.
b. determine how to limit population size.
c. provide a useful way to think about human population growth and its consequences.
d. compute how immigration and emigration affect population size.
e. gather mathematical data to help governments make policies about population sizes.
43
A species that has an essential role in maintaining ecosystem structure is called a: a. keystone species.
b. critical species.
c. endangered species.
d. predator.
e. threatened species.
44
Human population growth before the 1900s was limited by all of the following EXCEPT a. primitive medical technology.
b. birth control technology.
c. famines. d. disease.
e. poor sanitation.
45
Provide a climate diagram for a Midwest tall grass prairie. Describe the patterns of temperature and precipitation you would see, and the resulting vegetation.
46
Provide a climate diagram for a Montane forest in Yellowstone National Park. Describe the patterns of temperature and precipitation you would see, and the resulting vegetation.
47
What is ecosystem function, and how can people benefit from ecosystem function? Give a specific example.
48
Describe the major groups of living organisms on earth based on the SOURCES of Carbon and SOURCES of Energy used.
49
Which human activities can increase the chances of diseases such as malaria, yellow fever, and other diseases carried by vectors like mosquitos?
a. Changes in livestock management
b. Adding microbes to soil
c. Planting trees to have more carbon sinks
d. Clear-cutting, building roads, and mining in forests
e. Using bacteria to clean up oil spills
50
Living vegetation and the ocean are known as “carbon sinks” because a. they are made of carbon.
b. they create carbon.
c. they destroy carbon.
d. they store carbon.
e. due to gravity, carbon is found closer to the ground.
51
A condition that would most likely result in the S-shaped population growth curve is the a. introduction of a foreign species.
b. elimination of a predator.
c. alteration of the habitat.
d. removal or reduction of competing species.
e. a stable abiotic and biotic environment.
52
Biotic factors the influence ecosystems include all of following except: a. Herbivory pressure
b. Predation
c. Competition
d. Altitude
e. Mutualism/ symbiosis
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