All flashcards
Flashcard 1: Identify the main consequence of habitat loss.
Answer: Species extinction. Without suitable habitat, species cannot find food, shelter, or breeding sites.
Flashcard 2: What is a major effect of industrialization on ecosystems?
Answer: Pollution increase. Manufacturing processes release chemicals, particulates, and waste into ecosystems.
Flashcard 3: What is the primary effect of deforestation?
Answer: Loss of biodiversity. Removes habitat for countless species, reducing ecosystem complexity and stability.
Flashcard 4: What is the term for non-native species that cause harm to ecosystems?
Answer: Invasive species. Species introduced outside their native range can outcompete local organisms.
Flashcard 5: What is a key strategy for conserving biodiversity?
Answer: Establishing protected areas. Reserves and parks preserve critical habitats from human development pressures.
Flashcard 6: Which pollutant is primarily responsible for smog formation?
Answer: Ozone (O₃). Ground-level ozone forms from vehicle emissions and creates photochemical smog.
Flashcard 7: Identify the main consequence of habitat loss.
Answer: Species extinction. Without suitable habitat, species cannot find food, shelter, or breeding sites.
Flashcard 8: What is the effect of chlorofluorocarbons on the ozone layer?
Answer: Ozone depletion. CFCs break down ozone molecules in the stratosphere, creating holes.
Flashcard 9: Which human activity contributes to the urban heat island effect?
Answer: Urbanization. Concrete and asphalt absorb more heat than vegetation, raising city temperatures.
Flashcard 10: Which gas is primarily responsible for acid rain?
Answer: Sulfur dioxide (SO₂). Coal burning releases sulfur compounds that form acidic precipitation.
Flashcard 11: What is a major effect of industrialization on ecosystems?
Answer: Pollution increase. Manufacturing processes release chemicals, particulates, and waste into ecosystems.
Flashcard 12: What is the primary source of nitrous oxide emissions?
Answer: Agricultural activities. Fertilizer use and soil cultivation release N2O into the atmosphere.
Flashcard 13: Which human activity is primarily responsible for acid rain?
Answer: Burning of fossil fuels. Sulfur and nitrogen oxides from combustion react with water to form acids.
Flashcard 14: What is one major consequence of ocean acidification?
Answer: Coral bleaching. Lower pH from absorbed CO2 stresses coral, causing them to expel algae.
Flashcard 15: What is the primary cause of ocean dead zones?
Answer: Nutrient pollution. Excess nitrogen and phosphorus create oxygen-depleted zones where life cannot survive.
Flashcard 16: Identify one way to reduce carbon footprint.
Answer: Use renewable energy. Solar, wind, and hydroelectric power emit no greenhouse gases during operation.
Flashcard 17: Which human activity is a major contributor to soil erosion?
Answer: Agriculture. Plowing and harvesting remove protective vegetation, exposing soil to wind and water.
Flashcard 18: What is the effect of thermal pollution on aquatic ecosystems?
Answer: Decreased oxygen levels. Warm water holds less dissolved oxygen, stressing fish and aquatic organisms.
Flashcard 19: Which term describes the warming of Earth's atmosphere due to trapped heat?
Answer: Greenhouse effect. Atmospheric gases trap infrared radiation, warming Earth's surface temperature.
Flashcard 20: What is the definition of an ecological footprint?
Answer: The measure of human demand on Earth's ecosystems. Calculated using biologically productive area needed to sustain resource consumption and waste.
Flashcard 21: Which human activity contributes most to desertification?
Answer: Overgrazing. Too many animals remove vegetation faster than it can regenerate.
Flashcard 22: Which activity is a major source of water pollution?
Answer: Industrial discharge. Factories release chemicals, heavy metals, and heated water into rivers and lakes.
Flashcard 23: Identify one primary cause of habitat fragmentation.
Answer: Urban development. Buildings and roads break up continuous habitats into smaller, isolated patches.
Flashcard 24: What is the primary environmental concern with landfill sites?
Answer: Leachate contamination. Toxic liquids from decomposing waste can seep into groundwater supplies.
Flashcard 25: Identify one impact of increased atmospheric CO₂ levels.
Answer: Climate change. Higher atmospheric carbon concentrations enhance the greenhouse effect and warming.
Flashcard 26: Identify a major source of air pollution.
Answer: Vehicle emissions. Cars and trucks burn fossil fuels, releasing pollutants into the atmosphere.
Flashcard 27: Which renewable energy source reduces greenhouse gas emissions?
Answer: Solar power. Converts sunlight directly to electricity without burning fossil fuels.
Flashcard 28: What is a significant impact of plastic pollution in oceans?
Answer: Harm to marine life. Plastic debris entangles animals and releases toxic chemicals when ingested.
Flashcard 29: Which practice helps reduce soil erosion in agriculture?
Answer: Contour plowing. Plowing parallel to elevation contours slows water flow and reduces erosion.
Flashcard 30: What is the effect of increased ultraviolet radiation on humans?
Answer: Skin cancer. UV radiation damages DNA in skin cells, leading to cancerous mutations.