Environmental Science CDE - Chapter 3

What is an environment made up of?

soil, water, plants, animals, energy, minerals, and atmosphere

What term was used to describe our planet?

"Spaceship Earth"

True or False: Many of nature's resources are NOT going to last forever

True

What is a way we must take an active role in caring for the environment?

Managing natural resources

Which of the following is not a key element in the human environment?

a. legislation

b. animals

c. minerals

d. water

A

A term describing a resource that is capable of replacing itself through reproduction or new growth is...

a. recycling

b. conservation

c. renewable resource

d. nonrenewable resource

C

Which of the following is a renewable resource?

a. coal

b. water

c. soil

d. oil

B

Which of the following is not a renewable resource?

a. wildlife

b. soil

c. forest

d. plants

B

The number of a particular species of plant or animal in a given area at a specific point in time is an example of...

a. carrying capacity

b. multiple use

c. population level

d. biologistics

What data is needed in understanding the natural processes that occur in an ecosystem?

data concerning the population trends and growth of the organisms that occupy the environment.

What can a manager do with data collected?

They can identify environmental issues at a much earlier stage.

What can accurate data do?

It can provide clues that are helpful in correcting problems or identifying events or conditions that lead to positive effects within the environment

True or False: Natural resource managers do NOT seek to avoid harming a resource

False

True or False: A different kind of management must be implemented in an ecosystem that has become severely damaged from human activities

True

What is a catalytic converter?

A device that removes vehicle exhaust gases by removing nitrogen compounds, acid precipitation.

What may happen when ecosystems are damaged too badly?

Large-scale cleanup operations are required.

What is federal superfund for the cleanup of severely damaged environments?

Created by legislation and has paid for cleaning up such sites as nuclear waste storage sites, mine tailings containing dangerous amounts of lead, polluted rivers, and many other sites.

What are some examples of natural resources?

Rocks, Wind, water, still air, resting water, minerals, insects, etc.

What is a resource?

When someone takes an object and uses it to perform work or change other parts of the environment, that object has become a resource.

What are inexhaustible resources?

Natural resources that can last forever regardless of human activities.

True or False: inexhaustible resources and renewable resources are not limited and human misuse cannot damage such resources.

False

True or False: Water is an inexhaustible resource

True

What are renewable resources?

Natural resources that can be replaced by human efforts.

What should conservation practices for renewable resources restrict?

Their use to ensure that they are used no faster than they are regenerated.

What are two examples of a renewable resource?

A forest and fish/wildlife populations

True or False: Great herds of bison and buffalo were almost hunted to extinction for their hides and meat

True

What has allowed bison populations to rebound

Techniques of game management

What are non-renewable/exhaustible resources?

Limited resources that cannot be replaced or reproduced

What is a key difference between exhaustible and non-renewable resources?

Exhaustible resources cannot be managed by us for their renewal. Once they are gone, they are gone forever

How is conservation of nonrenewable resources accomplished?

By reducing the rate at which these resources are used so that they last longer or recycling

True or false: All exhaustible resources are limited in quantity?

False. Some exhaustible resources are so abundant that there is practically no limit to their extraction

What has led to our current "energy crisis"?

Oil is an exhaustible resource, and there is only so much of it in the ground

How can we improve existing soil?

By making it more fertile, move water to it, and supply missing minerals

True or False: Soil is an exhaustible resource

True

How long does it take for soil to be replaced?

~500,000 years

True or false: nature is perfectly balanced?

False

Is there both change and balance in the environment?

Yes

What does managing our natural resources mean?

Controlling nature so that we can use its resources without destroying or at least permanently upsetting its balance

What is population level?

Number of a given species of plant or animal in a given area at a particular point in time

What is carrying capacity?

The ability of an ecosystem to provide food and shelter for a given population level

True or false: Populations levels cannot exceed the carrying-capacity of the ecosystem?

False, they can but for a very short time

What are population levels affected by?

carrying capacity, water availability, diseases, and parasites

What happens when a population exceeds its ecosystem's carrying capacity?

Diseases, predators, or starvation reduce the population level

What has been the most profound human effect on the ecosystem?

Agricultural production of food and fiber