Human Impacts on Ecosystems - AP Environmental Science
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Identify the main consequence of habitat loss.
Identify the main consequence of habitat loss.
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Species extinction. Without suitable habitat, species cannot find food, shelter, or breeding sites.
Species extinction. Without suitable habitat, species cannot find food, shelter, or breeding sites.
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What is a major effect of industrialization on ecosystems?
What is a major effect of industrialization on ecosystems?
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Pollution increase. Manufacturing processes release chemicals, particulates, and waste into ecosystems.
Pollution increase. Manufacturing processes release chemicals, particulates, and waste into ecosystems.
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What is the primary effect of deforestation?
What is the primary effect of deforestation?
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Loss of biodiversity. Removes habitat for countless species, reducing ecosystem complexity and stability.
Loss of biodiversity. Removes habitat for countless species, reducing ecosystem complexity and stability.
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What is the term for non-native species that cause harm to ecosystems?
What is the term for non-native species that cause harm to ecosystems?
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Invasive species. Species introduced outside their native range can outcompete local organisms.
Invasive species. Species introduced outside their native range can outcompete local organisms.
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What is a key strategy for conserving biodiversity?
What is a key strategy for conserving biodiversity?
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Establishing protected areas. Reserves and parks preserve critical habitats from human development pressures.
Establishing protected areas. Reserves and parks preserve critical habitats from human development pressures.
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Which pollutant is primarily responsible for smog formation?
Which pollutant is primarily responsible for smog formation?
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Ozone (O₃). Ground-level ozone forms from vehicle emissions and creates photochemical smog.
Ozone (O₃). Ground-level ozone forms from vehicle emissions and creates photochemical smog.
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Identify the main consequence of habitat loss.
Identify the main consequence of habitat loss.
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Species extinction. Without suitable habitat, species cannot find food, shelter, or breeding sites.
Species extinction. Without suitable habitat, species cannot find food, shelter, or breeding sites.
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What is the effect of chlorofluorocarbons on the ozone layer?
What is the effect of chlorofluorocarbons on the ozone layer?
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Ozone depletion. CFCs break down ozone molecules in the stratosphere, creating holes.
Ozone depletion. CFCs break down ozone molecules in the stratosphere, creating holes.
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Which human activity contributes to the urban heat island effect?
Which human activity contributes to the urban heat island effect?
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Urbanization. Concrete and asphalt absorb more heat than vegetation, raising city temperatures.
Urbanization. Concrete and asphalt absorb more heat than vegetation, raising city temperatures.
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Which gas is primarily responsible for acid rain?
Which gas is primarily responsible for acid rain?
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Sulfur dioxide (SO₂). Coal burning releases sulfur compounds that form acidic precipitation.
Sulfur dioxide (SO₂). Coal burning releases sulfur compounds that form acidic precipitation.
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What is a major effect of industrialization on ecosystems?
What is a major effect of industrialization on ecosystems?
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Pollution increase. Manufacturing processes release chemicals, particulates, and waste into ecosystems.
Pollution increase. Manufacturing processes release chemicals, particulates, and waste into ecosystems.
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What is the primary source of nitrous oxide emissions?
What is the primary source of nitrous oxide emissions?
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Agricultural activities. Fertilizer use and soil cultivation release $N_2O$ into the atmosphere.
Agricultural activities. Fertilizer use and soil cultivation release $N_2O$ into the atmosphere.
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Which human activity is primarily responsible for acid rain?
Which human activity is primarily responsible for acid rain?
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Burning of fossil fuels. Sulfur and nitrogen oxides from combustion react with water to form acids.
Burning of fossil fuels. Sulfur and nitrogen oxides from combustion react with water to form acids.
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What is one major consequence of ocean acidification?
What is one major consequence of ocean acidification?
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Coral bleaching. Lower pH from absorbed $CO_2$ stresses coral, causing them to expel algae.
Coral bleaching. Lower pH from absorbed $CO_2$ stresses coral, causing them to expel algae.
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What is the primary cause of ocean dead zones?
What is the primary cause of ocean dead zones?
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Nutrient pollution. Excess nitrogen and phosphorus create oxygen-depleted zones where life cannot survive.
Nutrient pollution. Excess nitrogen and phosphorus create oxygen-depleted zones where life cannot survive.
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Identify one way to reduce carbon footprint.
Identify one way to reduce carbon footprint.
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Use renewable energy. Solar, wind, and hydroelectric power emit no greenhouse gases during operation.
Use renewable energy. Solar, wind, and hydroelectric power emit no greenhouse gases during operation.
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Which human activity is a major contributor to soil erosion?
Which human activity is a major contributor to soil erosion?
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Agriculture. Plowing and harvesting remove protective vegetation, exposing soil to wind and water.
Agriculture. Plowing and harvesting remove protective vegetation, exposing soil to wind and water.
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What is the effect of thermal pollution on aquatic ecosystems?
What is the effect of thermal pollution on aquatic ecosystems?
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Decreased oxygen levels. Warm water holds less dissolved oxygen, stressing fish and aquatic organisms.
Decreased oxygen levels. Warm water holds less dissolved oxygen, stressing fish and aquatic organisms.
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Which term describes the warming of Earth's atmosphere due to trapped heat?
Which term describes the warming of Earth's atmosphere due to trapped heat?
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Greenhouse effect. Atmospheric gases trap infrared radiation, warming Earth's surface temperature.
Greenhouse effect. Atmospheric gases trap infrared radiation, warming Earth's surface temperature.
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What is the definition of an ecological footprint?
What is the definition of an ecological footprint?
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The measure of human demand on Earth's ecosystems. Calculated using biologically productive area needed to sustain resource consumption and waste.
The measure of human demand on Earth's ecosystems. Calculated using biologically productive area needed to sustain resource consumption and waste.
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Which human activity contributes most to desertification?
Which human activity contributes most to desertification?
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Overgrazing. Too many animals remove vegetation faster than it can regenerate.
Overgrazing. Too many animals remove vegetation faster than it can regenerate.
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Which activity is a major source of water pollution?
Which activity is a major source of water pollution?
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Industrial discharge. Factories release chemicals, heavy metals, and heated water into rivers and lakes.
Industrial discharge. Factories release chemicals, heavy metals, and heated water into rivers and lakes.
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Identify one primary cause of habitat fragmentation.
Identify one primary cause of habitat fragmentation.
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Urban development. Buildings and roads break up continuous habitats into smaller, isolated patches.
Urban development. Buildings and roads break up continuous habitats into smaller, isolated patches.
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What is the primary environmental concern with landfill sites?
What is the primary environmental concern with landfill sites?
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Leachate contamination. Toxic liquids from decomposing waste can seep into groundwater supplies.
Leachate contamination. Toxic liquids from decomposing waste can seep into groundwater supplies.
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Identify one impact of increased atmospheric CO₂ levels.
Identify one impact of increased atmospheric CO₂ levels.
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Climate change. Higher atmospheric carbon concentrations enhance the greenhouse effect and warming.
Climate change. Higher atmospheric carbon concentrations enhance the greenhouse effect and warming.
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Identify a major source of air pollution.
Identify a major source of air pollution.
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Vehicle emissions. Cars and trucks burn fossil fuels, releasing pollutants into the atmosphere.
Vehicle emissions. Cars and trucks burn fossil fuels, releasing pollutants into the atmosphere.
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Which renewable energy source reduces greenhouse gas emissions?
Which renewable energy source reduces greenhouse gas emissions?
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Solar power. Converts sunlight directly to electricity without burning fossil fuels.
Solar power. Converts sunlight directly to electricity without burning fossil fuels.
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What is a significant impact of plastic pollution in oceans?
What is a significant impact of plastic pollution in oceans?
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Harm to marine life. Plastic debris entangles animals and releases toxic chemicals when ingested.
Harm to marine life. Plastic debris entangles animals and releases toxic chemicals when ingested.
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Which practice helps reduce soil erosion in agriculture?
Which practice helps reduce soil erosion in agriculture?
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Contour plowing. Plowing parallel to elevation contours slows water flow and reduces erosion.
Contour plowing. Plowing parallel to elevation contours slows water flow and reduces erosion.
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What is the effect of increased ultraviolet radiation on humans?
What is the effect of increased ultraviolet radiation on humans?
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Skin cancer. UV radiation damages DNA in skin cells, leading to cancerous mutations.
Skin cancer. UV radiation damages DNA in skin cells, leading to cancerous mutations.
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