BIology 1.4 How do humans impact the environment

Open Ended

Learning Target(s): 

Predict the impact of individuals on environmental systems, and examine how human lifestyles affect sustainability. (Content Complexity Level 3)

Open Ended

Learning Target(s): 

Predict the impact of individuals on environmental systems, and examine how human lifestyles affect sustainability. (Content Complexity Level 3)

Multiple Choice

Whaling was a very profitable profession until whale populations crashed. The global community came together to enact a ban on whaling. However, Japan and Norway have not agreed to stop whaling. Which of the following is the most likely consequence of their decision?

• The whale populations will change their ecosystems and migration patterns to avoid being hunted.

• The whale populations will mutate and evolve into new kinds of organisms with tougher skin to avoid being hunted.

• The whale populations will not rebound as quickly as they might if all of the countries agreed not to hunt whales

• The whale populations are bouncing back very successfully and are unaffected by Japan and Norway continuing to whale

Multiple Choice

If a scientist discovers a new synthetic chemical that appears to have many potential uses, why must society be extremely cautious after the new chemical is manufactured?

• The scientist's work may be flawed, and his work must be verified.

• The chemical may be too expensive to manufacture for the general population.

• Harmful problems for individuals and the environment may not be initially known.

• The best use may not be immediately obvious, and the chemical may be wasted

Multiple Choice

The presence of wastes, such as plastic bags and motor oil, can be found in lakes and streams miles away from developed areas. What does this suggest about the human impact on ecosystems?

• Ecosystems are interconnected and human action can alter ecosystem equilibrium.

• Recycling programs have failed to conserve biotic resources in ecosystems.

• Ecosystem stability is unaffected by the presence of wastes from humans.

• Direct harvesting practices have led to irreversible destruction of ecosystems.

Open Ended

Discuss the need for adequate monitoring of environmental parameters when making policy decisions.

Open Ended

Discuss the need for adequate monitoring of environmental parameters when making policy decisions.

Multiple Choice

A local company has requested a permit to dredge a passage in the local waterway. The county commissioners are looking over the permit and request environmental monitoring to take place. Why is it important to monitor the waterway before, during, and after the dredging has occurred?

• To determine how local fish populations are affected by the dredging

• To assess fines on the company if the environment is damaged.

• To allow city officials to protect human health from the change in the waterway.

• To find other possible locations for the company to dredge in the future.

Multiple Choice

For years, a city has been monitoring runoff from the city into the nearby waterways. They would review the data to ensure that water quality levels were within EPA standards and species populations in the waterway were not negatively affected. This year, it was decided to implement a pollution control model aimed at improving water quality in the nearby waterways. Why is it important to continue monitoring the runoff from the city?

• They want to determine if the pollution control model has increased species diversity in the city.

• They want to determine whether or not the pollution control program is improving water quality

• They want to compare waterways nearby this city to waterways in a distant city.

• They want to compare past data with future data to see if diseases spread quicker to humans.

Multiple Choice

Some people are in favor of offshore drilling for oil because it allows the United States to be able to provide its own energy sources and not be dependent on other countries. Other people argue that accidents involving drill sites release toxic chemicals into the environment. Why should environmental monitoring occur at offshore drilling sites?

• To determine the impacts on native species and any changes in water quality

• To explore new techniques for removing oil in the event of a spill

• To analyze the yearly costs of maintaining the offshore drilling site.

• To maximize the amount of oil removed from drilling sites each month.

Open Ended

Deforestation and Wildlife Conservation

Your country’s rainforests are being rapidly cut down for agriculture, which is destroying habitats and threatening the survival of several species. Many animals, including endangered ones, are losing their homes, and biodiversity is decreasing.

What laws or policies should be used to fix this issue.

Open Ended

Air Pollution in a Growing City

A nearby city is expanding rapidly, and the increase in cars, factories, and construction is causing severe air pollution. People are beginning to suffer from respiratory issues, and the local ecosystem is being harmed.

Open Ended

Plastic Pollution in Oceans

Imagine a nearby coastal community has been struggling with increasing amounts of plastic waste washing up on the shores, harming marine life. Fish populations are declining, and turtles are being found with plastic in their stomachs. As a group of young environmental scientists, your job is to draft a law or policy that will help reduce plastic waste entering the ocean.