Evaluate Solutions for Ecosystem Impacts - Biology
Card 1 of 30
Which forestry strategy best maintains biodiversity while allowing harvest?
Which forestry strategy best maintains biodiversity while allowing harvest?
Tap to reveal answer
Selective logging with sustainable yield management. Removes only some trees while maintaining forest structure and biodiversity.
Selective logging with sustainable yield management. Removes only some trees while maintaining forest structure and biodiversity.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Which metric best indicates improved water quality after reducing organic pollution?
Which metric best indicates improved water quality after reducing organic pollution?
Tap to reveal answer
Higher dissolved oxygen (DO). Higher oxygen levels indicate reduced organic pollution and healthier aquatic ecosystems.
Higher dissolved oxygen (DO). Higher oxygen levels indicate reduced organic pollution and healthier aquatic ecosystems.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
What is the main conservation advantage of protecting an ecosystem "hotspot"?
What is the main conservation advantage of protecting an ecosystem "hotspot"?
Tap to reveal answer
High species endemism and high threat make protection highly efficient. Protects maximum biodiversity per conservation dollar by focusing on threatened areas.
High species endemism and high threat make protection highly efficient. Protects maximum biodiversity per conservation dollar by focusing on threatened areas.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
What is the definition of an ecosystem service in environmental biology?
What is the definition of an ecosystem service in environmental biology?
Tap to reveal answer
Benefits humans obtain from ecosystems (provisioning, regulating, cultural, supporting). These are the four main categories of benefits ecosystems provide to humans.
Benefits humans obtain from ecosystems (provisioning, regulating, cultural, supporting). These are the four main categories of benefits ecosystems provide to humans.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Which land-use approach concentrates development to protect surrounding habitat?
Which land-use approach concentrates development to protect surrounding habitat?
Tap to reveal answer
Smart growth (compact, higher-density development). Reduces urban sprawl and preserves natural areas around developed zones.
Smart growth (compact, higher-density development). Reduces urban sprawl and preserves natural areas around developed zones.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
What is the main ecological purpose of a marine protected area (MPA)?
What is the main ecological purpose of a marine protected area (MPA)?
Tap to reveal answer
Limit extraction to allow populations and habitats to recover. Provides safe areas where species can reproduce without fishing pressure.
Limit extraction to allow populations and habitats to recover. Provides safe areas where species can reproduce without fishing pressure.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Which solution best reduces bycatch in commercial fishing?
Which solution best reduces bycatch in commercial fishing?
Tap to reveal answer
Selective gear (for example, turtle excluder devices). Allows target species to be caught while non-target species escape.
Selective gear (for example, turtle excluder devices). Allows target species to be caught while non-target species escape.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Which option best reduces $CO_2$ emissions: improving energy efficiency or increasing coal use?
Which option best reduces $CO_2$ emissions: improving energy efficiency or increasing coal use?
Tap to reveal answer
Improving energy efficiency. Efficiency reduces energy demand while coal increases emissions.
Improving energy efficiency. Efficiency reduces energy demand while coal increases emissions.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
What is the main purpose of an environmental impact assessment (EIA)?
What is the main purpose of an environmental impact assessment (EIA)?
Tap to reveal answer
Predict and mitigate environmental harm before a project proceeds. Identifies potential problems early so they can be avoided or minimized.
Predict and mitigate environmental harm before a project proceeds. Identifies potential problems early so they can be avoided or minimized.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Which choice best reduces habitat fragmentation from a new road: wildlife overpasses or more lanes?
Which choice best reduces habitat fragmentation from a new road: wildlife overpasses or more lanes?
Tap to reveal answer
Wildlife overpasses (or underpasses). Allows animals to cross roads safely, reconnecting fragmented habitats.
Wildlife overpasses (or underpasses). Allows animals to cross roads safely, reconnecting fragmented habitats.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Identify the better solution for overfishing: catch limits or increasing fishing fleet size.
Identify the better solution for overfishing: catch limits or increasing fishing fleet size.
Tap to reveal answer
Catch limits. Limits prevent depletion while fleet expansion worsens overfishing.
Catch limits. Limits prevent depletion while fleet expansion worsens overfishing.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Which option best reduces soil loss: planting cover crops or leaving soil bare after harvest?
Which option best reduces soil loss: planting cover crops or leaving soil bare after harvest?
Tap to reveal answer
Planting cover crops. Cover crops protect soil from erosion between main crop seasons.
Planting cover crops. Cover crops protect soil from erosion between main crop seasons.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Which option is the best solution to reduce eutrophication from farms: more fertilizer or buffer strips?
Which option is the best solution to reduce eutrophication from farms: more fertilizer or buffer strips?
Tap to reveal answer
Buffer strips. Buffer strips filter nutrients before they reach water bodies.
Buffer strips. Buffer strips filter nutrients before they reach water bodies.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Which solution most directly prevents introduction of aquatic invasive species by ships?
Which solution most directly prevents introduction of aquatic invasive species by ships?
Tap to reveal answer
Treat or exchange ballast water before discharge. Ballast water carries organisms between ports, spreading invasive species globally.
Treat or exchange ballast water before discharge. Ballast water carries organisms between ports, spreading invasive species globally.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
What is the primary goal of biological control for invasive species?
What is the primary goal of biological control for invasive species?
Tap to reveal answer
Use natural enemies to reduce invasive populations with minimal chemicals. Uses predators, parasites, or diseases specific to the invasive species.
Use natural enemies to reduce invasive populations with minimal chemicals. Uses predators, parasites, or diseases specific to the invasive species.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Which approach best reduces negative impacts of mining after extraction ends?
Which approach best reduces negative impacts of mining after extraction ends?
Tap to reveal answer
Land reclamation (recontouring, replacing soil, replanting natives). Restores disturbed land to productive use and prevents ongoing environmental damage.
Land reclamation (recontouring, replacing soil, replanting natives). Restores disturbed land to productive use and prevents ongoing environmental damage.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
What is the main environmental drawback of relying heavily on landfills?
What is the main environmental drawback of relying heavily on landfills?
Tap to reveal answer
Methane production and leachate that can contaminate groundwater. Organic waste decomposes anaerobically, producing greenhouse gases and toxic leachate.
Methane production and leachate that can contaminate groundwater. Organic waste decomposes anaerobically, producing greenhouse gases and toxic leachate.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
What is integrated pest management (IPM)?
What is integrated pest management (IPM)?
Tap to reveal answer
Using monitoring and multiple controls to minimize pesticide use. Combines biological, cultural, and chemical methods to reduce pesticide dependence.
Using monitoring and multiple controls to minimize pesticide use. Combines biological, cultural, and chemical methods to reduce pesticide dependence.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Which agricultural practice most directly improves soil structure and reduces erosion?
Which agricultural practice most directly improves soil structure and reduces erosion?
Tap to reveal answer
No-till or reduced-till farming. Maintains soil structure and organic matter while reducing disturbance.
No-till or reduced-till farming. Maintains soil structure and organic matter while reducing disturbance.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Which farming practice most directly reduces soil erosion on slopes?
Which farming practice most directly reduces soil erosion on slopes?
Tap to reveal answer
Contour plowing. Following natural slope contours slows water flow and reduces soil loss.
Contour plowing. Following natural slope contours slows water flow and reduces soil loss.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Which strategy best reduces runoff and flooding in urban areas?
Which strategy best reduces runoff and flooding in urban areas?
Tap to reveal answer
Green infrastructure (permeable pavement, rain gardens, green roofs). Mimics natural water cycle by allowing infiltration instead of surface runoff.
Green infrastructure (permeable pavement, rain gardens, green roofs). Mimics natural water cycle by allowing infiltration instead of surface runoff.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
What is the most direct ecological advantage of wetlands for water quality?
What is the most direct ecological advantage of wetlands for water quality?
Tap to reveal answer
Filter pollutants and trap sediments and excess nutrients. Natural filtration system that improves water quality through biological processes.
Filter pollutants and trap sediments and excess nutrients. Natural filtration system that improves water quality through biological processes.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Which water-treatment approach most directly reduces nutrient pollution from sewage?
Which water-treatment approach most directly reduces nutrient pollution from sewage?
Tap to reveal answer
Tertiary treatment that removes nitrates and phosphates. Advanced treatment specifically targets nutrients that cause eutrophication.
Tertiary treatment that removes nitrates and phosphates. Advanced treatment specifically targets nutrients that cause eutrophication.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
What is the primary ecological benefit of riparian buffer strips along streams?
What is the primary ecological benefit of riparian buffer strips along streams?
Tap to reveal answer
Reduce runoff, erosion, and nutrient loading into waterways. Vegetation along streams filters pollutants and stabilizes banks against erosion.
Reduce runoff, erosion, and nutrient loading into waterways. Vegetation along streams filters pollutants and stabilizes banks against erosion.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
What is the most direct ecological meaning of sustainability?
What is the most direct ecological meaning of sustainability?
Tap to reveal answer
Meeting needs without reducing future ecosystem function and resources. Ensures resources remain available for future generations while protecting ecosystem health.
Meeting needs without reducing future ecosystem function and resources. Ensures resources remain available for future generations while protecting ecosystem health.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
What is biodiversity (in a way relevant to evaluating ecosystem solutions)?
What is biodiversity (in a way relevant to evaluating ecosystem solutions)?
Tap to reveal answer
Variety of genes, species, and ecosystems in an area. Includes genetic diversity within species, species diversity, and ecosystem diversity.
Variety of genes, species, and ecosystems in an area. Includes genetic diversity within species, species diversity, and ecosystem diversity.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
What is the definition of an ecosystem service in environmental biology?
What is the definition of an ecosystem service in environmental biology?
Tap to reveal answer
Benefits humans obtain from ecosystems (provisioning, regulating, cultural, supporting). These are the four main categories of benefits ecosystems provide to humans.
Benefits humans obtain from ecosystems (provisioning, regulating, cultural, supporting). These are the four main categories of benefits ecosystems provide to humans.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Identify the best method to reduce nonpoint pollution: riparian buffers or taller smokestacks.
Identify the best method to reduce nonpoint pollution: riparian buffers or taller smokestacks.
Tap to reveal answer
Riparian buffers. Buffers filter diffuse pollution while smokestacks don't address nonpoint sources.
Riparian buffers. Buffers filter diffuse pollution while smokestacks don't address nonpoint sources.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Which solution best protects biodiversity long-term: creating connected reserves or isolated small parks?
Which solution best protects biodiversity long-term: creating connected reserves or isolated small parks?
Tap to reveal answer
Creating connected reserves. Connectivity allows gene flow and migration; isolation leads to local extinctions.
Creating connected reserves. Connectivity allows gene flow and migration; isolation leads to local extinctions.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Which option best addresses biomagnifying toxins: banning persistent pollutants or adding more pesticides?
Which option best addresses biomagnifying toxins: banning persistent pollutants or adding more pesticides?
Tap to reveal answer
Banning persistent pollutants. Bans prevent accumulation while more pesticides worsen biomagnification.
Banning persistent pollutants. Bans prevent accumulation while more pesticides worsen biomagnification.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →