Human Impacts on Ecosystems

Front

What is habitat fragmentation?

Back

Habitat fragmentation refers to the process of breaking up an ecosystem into smaller, isolated patches, often due to human activities such as urban development, agriculture, and road construction.

Front

What is the most likely effect of a new parking lot on an ecosystem?

Back

A new parking lot can lead to increased flooding in the area due to the impervious surfaces that prevent water absorption.

Front

True or False: Plowing fields is helpful to decomposers like earthworms and insects that live in the soil.

Back

False. Plowing can disrupt the habitat of soil decomposers and negatively affect their populations.

Front

How does water pollution impact aquatic ecosystems?

Back

Water pollution can harm aquatic life by introducing toxins and waste, leading to illness or death in animals that consume contaminated food.

Front

What is one way to reduce light pollution?

Back

Turning off outdoor lights when they are not in use helps to reduce light pollution.

Front

Define pollution.

Back

Pollution is the introduction of harmful substances or products into the environment, causing adverse effects on ecosystems and human health.

Front

What are fossil fuels?

Back

Fossil fuels are natural substances formed from the remains of ancient plants and animals, used as energy sources, including coal, oil, and natural gas.

Front

What is the impact of urbanization on ecosystems?

Back

Urbanization leads to habitat loss, increased pollution, and changes in local climate, which can disrupt local ecosystems and biodiversity.

Front

Explain the concept of ecological footprint.

Back

An ecological footprint measures the environmental impact of an individual or community, expressed as the amount of land and water area required to produce the resources consumed and absorb the waste generated.

Front

What is biodiversity?

Back

Biodiversity refers to the variety of life in a particular habitat or ecosystem, including the diversity of species, genetic variation, and ecosystem diversity.