Global Effects and Dynamics - AP Environmental Science
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Which of the following is the best example of critical habitat?
Which of the following is the best example of critical habitat?
Critical habitat is defined as vital for sustaining endangered or threatened populations. The whooping crane is endangered and requires wetland ecosystems to sustain a population, while the other examples are situations where alternative (albeit less successful) habitat was available or the population was neither threatened nor endangered.
Critical habitat is defined as vital for sustaining endangered or threatened populations. The whooping crane is endangered and requires wetland ecosystems to sustain a population, while the other examples are situations where alternative (albeit less successful) habitat was available or the population was neither threatened nor endangered.
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What is the approximate proportion of amphibian species worldwide that are at risk of extinction?
What is the approximate proportion of amphibian species worldwide that are at risk of extinction?
Amphibians are one of the most susceptible groups of species to mass extinction, with one in three currently at risk of extinction.
Amphibians are one of the most susceptible groups of species to mass extinction, with one in three currently at risk of extinction.
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How does the 6th mass extinction significantly differ from the other 5 mass extinctions that have occurred throughout the history of Earth?
How does the 6th mass extinction significantly differ from the other 5 mass extinctions that have occurred throughout the history of Earth?
Previous extinction events can be attributed to pathology, climate change and other natural factors. The current 6th mass extinction event is largely attributed to human activities and the resulting climate change.
Previous extinction events can be attributed to pathology, climate change and other natural factors. The current 6th mass extinction event is largely attributed to human activities and the resulting climate change.
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Diversity can be calculated at various scales. Which type of diversity refers to the total number of species in a geographic region that spans multiple habitats?
Diversity can be calculated at various scales. Which type of diversity refers to the total number of species in a geographic region that spans multiple habitats?
Gamma diversity refers to the total number of species within a region. This can also be referred to as regional diversity. Gamma diversity is useful in order to investigate biodiversity from a broad scale or at the landscape level.
Gamma diversity refers to the total number of species within a region. This can also be referred to as regional diversity. Gamma diversity is useful in order to investigate biodiversity from a broad scale or at the landscape level.
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In the 1960s, Robert MacArthur and E.O. Wilson came up with one of the most prominent theories in the field of ecology—Island Biogeography Theory. This theory describes the balancing of which of the following two processes?
In the 1960s, Robert MacArthur and E.O. Wilson came up with one of the most prominent theories in the field of ecology—Island Biogeography Theory. This theory describes the balancing of which of the following two processes?
Island Biogeography Theory is related to the balancing of immigration and extinction. In short, the number of species that occurs on an island should be directly related to the rate of extinction and the rate of immigration. If the rate of immigration is higher than the rate of extinction, then the number of species will be high. If the rate of extinction is higher than the rate of immigration, then the number of species will be low.
Island Biogeography Theory is related to the balancing of immigration and extinction. In short, the number of species that occurs on an island should be directly related to the rate of extinction and the rate of immigration. If the rate of immigration is higher than the rate of extinction, then the number of species will be high. If the rate of extinction is higher than the rate of immigration, then the number of species will be low.
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The ecologist Joseph Connell studied tropical rain forests and noticed that they contain high levels of biodiversity compared to temperate zones. He noted that earthquakes and storms are important forces that continually open canopies and create new habitat for species colonization. Which of the following hypotheses best describes this phenomenon?
The ecologist Joseph Connell studied tropical rain forests and noticed that they contain high levels of biodiversity compared to temperate zones. He noted that earthquakes and storms are important forces that continually open canopies and create new habitat for species colonization. Which of the following hypotheses best describes this phenomenon?
The Intermediate Disturbance Hypothesis describes how habitats experiencing moderate levels of disturbance can support the most species. This occurs because disturbance initiates the turnover of dominant species, which allows new species to emerge. For example, a tree falling in the forest could be an example of a disturbance. Trees falls open up the canopy and allow sunlight to reach the floor of the forest and creates an open space for species to colonize.
The Intermediate Disturbance Hypothesis describes how habitats experiencing moderate levels of disturbance can support the most species. This occurs because disturbance initiates the turnover of dominant species, which allows new species to emerge. For example, a tree falling in the forest could be an example of a disturbance. Trees falls open up the canopy and allow sunlight to reach the floor of the forest and creates an open space for species to colonize.
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Beta diversity refers to the difference in species across habitats. If an area of particular interest has 8 different habitats and an average of 3.2 species occupying each habitat, then what would the beta diversity be?
Beta diversity refers to the difference in species across habitats. If an area of particular interest has 8 different habitats and an average of 3.2 species occupying each habitat, then what would the beta diversity be?
Beta diversity is calculated by taking the total number of habitats divided by the number of species in each habitat of a given environment.
Total number of habitats:
Number of species in each habitat:
Solve:
Beta diversity is calculated by taking the total number of habitats divided by the number of species in each habitat of a given environment.
Total number of habitats:
Number of species in each habitat:
Solve:
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Biological diversity is the variation between organisms in a ecosystem; both plant and animal.
What three aspects are taken into account when measuring biological diversity?
Biological diversity is the variation between organisms in a ecosystem; both plant and animal.
What three aspects are taken into account when measuring biological diversity?
Biological diversity is concerned with not only the number, variety and variability of species within ecosystems but the number of ecosystems on the Earth and genetic diversity within species.
Biological diversity is concerned with not only the number, variety and variability of species within ecosystems but the number of ecosystems on the Earth and genetic diversity within species.
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Riparian zones are important because __________.
Riparian zones are important because __________.
Riparian zones prevent erosion and are incredibly high in biodiversity. Riparian areas are thin and ribbon-like, accompanying streams and rivers, but often long and dense.
Riparian zones prevent erosion and are incredibly high in biodiversity. Riparian areas are thin and ribbon-like, accompanying streams and rivers, but often long and dense.
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Which is not a value of every species on Earth?
Which is not a value of every species on Earth?
Every species is important because of its niche in its ecosystem. Additionally, all species are potentially of scientific and medical/economic value.
Every species is important because of its niche in its ecosystem. Additionally, all species are potentially of scientific and medical/economic value.
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Imagine that there is a museum that contains every species that has ever lived on planet Earth. Of all the species that have ever existed on Earth, what percentage of those are still alive today?
Imagine that there is a museum that contains every species that has ever lived on planet Earth. Of all the species that have ever existed on Earth, what percentage of those are still alive today?
The correct response is 1%. The majority of species that have ever lived on Earth are extinct. Mass extinctions have occurred throughout geological history due to large disturbances such as meteor crashes and ice ages. Life is fragile and disturbances can cause millions of species to go extinct rather quickly - such as most recent mass extinction when the dinosaurs disappeared. Thus, the species still alive today represent a tiny portion of the variety of life that has existed throughout the geological history of Earth.
The correct response is 1%. The majority of species that have ever lived on Earth are extinct. Mass extinctions have occurred throughout geological history due to large disturbances such as meteor crashes and ice ages. Life is fragile and disturbances can cause millions of species to go extinct rather quickly - such as most recent mass extinction when the dinosaurs disappeared. Thus, the species still alive today represent a tiny portion of the variety of life that has existed throughout the geological history of Earth.
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Ozone depletion is caused by the presence of halogen containing compounds in the atmosphere. Which of the following is NOT a halogen?
Ozone depletion is caused by the presence of halogen containing compounds in the atmosphere. Which of the following is NOT a halogen?
Fluorine, chlorine, bromine, and iodine are all halogens. Neon on the other hand is an inert noble gas.
Fluorine, chlorine, bromine, and iodine are all halogens. Neon on the other hand is an inert noble gas.
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In Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Argentina, and Chile, cases of __________ are increasing due to ozone depletion.
In Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Argentina, and Chile, cases of __________ are increasing due to ozone depletion.
Cataracts, skin cancer, and high-intensity sunburns are all on the rise in these countries due to ozone depletion and therefore higher exposure to harmful UV rays.
Cataracts, skin cancer, and high-intensity sunburns are all on the rise in these countries due to ozone depletion and therefore higher exposure to harmful UV rays.
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The greenhouse effect is responsible for many beneficial aspects of the earth's atmosphere. Which of these is NOT provided directly by the greenhouse effect?
The greenhouse effect is responsible for many beneficial aspects of the earth's atmosphere. Which of these is NOT provided directly by the greenhouse effect?
The greenhouse effect plays a role in all of the options because of the interaction between the layer of gasses surrounding the earth and the solar radiation that approaches the earth. An easy way to remember this is to follow the path of solar radiation traveling from the sun to the earth and think of all the possible ways in which this radiation can travel. The radiation can bounce off and not enter, it can enter and be absorbed in the surface, or it can enter and both bounce off the earth's surface and then be absorbed.
The greenhouse effect plays a role in all of the options because of the interaction between the layer of gasses surrounding the earth and the solar radiation that approaches the earth. An easy way to remember this is to follow the path of solar radiation traveling from the sun to the earth and think of all the possible ways in which this radiation can travel. The radiation can bounce off and not enter, it can enter and be absorbed in the surface, or it can enter and both bounce off the earth's surface and then be absorbed.
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Choose the scientist that was not involved in studying the early existence of the greenhouse effect.
Choose the scientist that was not involved in studying the early existence of the greenhouse effect.
Every scientist listed but Norman Burlaug are responsible for the early studies of the greenhouse effect. Joseph Fourier spoke about the effect in 1824. Claude Pouillet studied its existence further in 1827 and 1838. John Tyndall conducted experimental observations in 1859.
Every scientist listed but Norman Burlaug are responsible for the early studies of the greenhouse effect. Joseph Fourier spoke about the effect in 1824. Claude Pouillet studied its existence further in 1827 and 1838. John Tyndall conducted experimental observations in 1859.
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The term "greenhouse effect" was first coined by whom?
The term "greenhouse effect" was first coined by whom?
This term was first used by Nils Gustaf Ekholm in 1901. Ekholm was an early adopter of climate control. His early studies included how the burning of coal could add unnecessary levels of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere.
This term was first used by Nils Gustaf Ekholm in 1901. Ekholm was an early adopter of climate control. His early studies included how the burning of coal could add unnecessary levels of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere.
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__________ the largest contributor to greenhouse effect.
__________ the largest contributor to greenhouse effect.
Water vapor is the largest contributor to greenhouse gases at 36-70%. Carbon dioxide is second with 9-26%, then methane with 4-9%, and finally ozone with 3-7%.
Water vapor is the largest contributor to greenhouse gases at 36-70%. Carbon dioxide is second with 9-26%, then methane with 4-9%, and finally ozone with 3-7%.
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Which of the following statements regarding the greenhouse effect is true?
Which of the following statements regarding the greenhouse effect is true?
The greenhouse effect can also be found on Mars, Venus, and Saturn's largest moon, Titan. The effect on Venus is large because of its dense atmosphere of made of carbon dioxide.
The greenhouse effect can also be found on Mars, Venus, and Saturn's largest moon, Titan. The effect on Venus is large because of its dense atmosphere of made of carbon dioxide.
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The most abundant greenhouse gas in the Earth's atmosphere is __________.
The most abundant greenhouse gas in the Earth's atmosphere is __________.
Water vapor is the most abundant greenhouse gas in the Earth's atmosphere. Infrared radiation that gets absorbed and reflected by the Earth's surface gets trapped and reflected back to the Earth's surface by greenhouse gasses in the atmosphere in a process known as the "greenhouse effect."
Water vapor is the most abundant greenhouse gas in the Earth's atmosphere. Infrared radiation that gets absorbed and reflected by the Earth's surface gets trapped and reflected back to the Earth's surface by greenhouse gasses in the atmosphere in a process known as the "greenhouse effect."
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What is the primary source of the greenhouse gas Nitrous Oxide (
)?
What is the primary source of the greenhouse gas Nitrous Oxide (
Chemical fertilizers are produced to fix nitrogen for farmers' fields, and while fields naturally lose nitrogen to the atmosphere in the form of 
, increased abundance of fixed nitrogen results in more 
being released. Feedlots produce large quantities of nitrogen-rich animal waste, which also decays and enters the atmosphere in massive quantities.
Chemical fertilizers are produced to fix nitrogen for farmers' fields, and while fields naturally lose nitrogen to the atmosphere in the form of
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