Human Impacts on the Environment

The image above best represents what type of short-term change to the environment?

• pollution

• wildlife hazard

• non-sustainable harvesting

• nonnative species introduction

Which statement describes the current theory about the relationship between the human population and mass extinction?

• The human population is increasing, so the likelihood of a mass extinction is also increasing

• The human population is increasing, so the likelihood of a mass extinction is decreasing

• The human population is decreasing, so the likelihood of a mass extinction is also decreasing

• The human population is decreasing, so the likelihood of a mass extinction is increasing

A large power plant burns coal (a type of fossil fuel) to generate electricity for nearby homes and businesses.

This contributes most directly to which short-term human-induced environmental change?

• wildlife hazard

• habitat destruction

• global warming

• deforestation

Which of the following are examples of short-term environmental changes? Select three answer choices.

• mass extinction

• global warming

• deforestation

• ozone layer destruction

• pollution

Which situation is an example of nonnative species introduction?

• A large oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico killed many organisms that lived there

• A huge volcanic eruption in Washington destroyed many habitats

• Horseshoe crabs in the waters of Virginia have been overfished, and their numbers have declined

• Water hyacinths from Asia now grow in the United States and are crowding out animals and other plants

Which situation is an example of pollution?

• A large oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico killed many organisms that lived there

• A huge volcanic eruption in Washington destroyed many habitats

• Horseshoe crabs in the waters of Virginia have been overfished, and their numbers have declined

• Water hyacinths from Asia now grow in the United States and are crowding out animals and other plants

A lake, which served as an ecosystem for many types of organisms, was completely drained and filled in order to make room for a new housing development.

This is an example of what type of short term change to the environment?

• deforestation

• nonnative species introduction

• habitat destruction

• pollution

Which chemicals are major contributors to ozone layer destruction? Select two answer choices.

• phosphorus

• nitrogen

• bromine

• carbon dioxide

• chlorine

Which of the following shows the order of events that scientists believe will likely lead to the disappearance of many species?

• increase in human population, increase in short-term human-induced changes, ozone layer destruction

• increase in short-term human-induced changes, increase in human population, ozone layer destruction

• increase in human population, increase in short-term human-induced changes, mass extinction

• increase in short-term human-induced changes, increase in human population, mass extinction

Human-caused environmental changes can affect living things at which level(s)?

• organisms only

• organisms and populations only

• species only

• organisms, populations, and species