Human Impact on the Environment Vocab

New fuels are being produced by converting corn and grasses into compounds containing alcohols that can be broken down for energy in various engines. The purpose of this research is to

•  reduce the use of nonrenewable resources.
• increase the rate of air pollution.
• reduce the rate of homeostasis in organisms.
•  cause a loss of biodiversity in the rain forests.

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NGSS.HS-ESS3-2

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NGSS.HS-LS2-7

The presence of wastes, such as plastic bags and motor oil, in lakes and streams miles away from developed areas suggests that

• . ecosystems are interconnected and human action can alter ecosystem equilibrium.
• recycling programs have failed to conserve biotic resources.
  
• natural processes can alter ecosystem stability.
•  direct harvesting practices have led to irreversible destruction of ecosystems.

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NGSS.MS-ESS3-4

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

DDT and other pesticides used over 50 years ago are still affecting the environment today. Scientists have found these substances in recent glacier runoff. Glacier runoff occurs during the summer, when precipitation that has fallen on glaciers during the winter is released. Ice layers from existing glaciers have been analyzed. The results of this analysis show that the concentrations of DDT and other pesticides were highest about 10 years after the use of these substances was banned. This information shows that

• DDT and other pesticides cause glacier runoff during the summer.
• it takes humans over 50 years to analyze a glacier.
• precipitation helps to break down pesticides.
• the decision of one human generation may have an impact on future generations.

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NGSS.MS-ESS3-4

A strip mining company wants to lease some land that is currently part of a national park. They promise to reclaim the land should any minerals be mined from the area, and they are willing to pay top dollar for the rights. As an ecologist, what factors would you raise with the local government?

• the threat to local biodiversity
• management of the land after the company leaves
• the new jobs that would be created
• the increased traffic in the area

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NGSS.MS-ESS3-4

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

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How do invasive plants damage the environment?

• Compete with native species
• Change plant community
• Alter diversity
• All of these

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NGSS.MS-LS2-4

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The primary cause of invasive species introduction is

• too much food

• human actions

• weather events

• asteroids

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NGSS.MS-ESS3-4

Which of these is one cause of deforestation?

• Urbanization

• Buying a Christmas tree during the holidays

• Overbreeding birds in the wild

• Cutting down the tree in your backyard

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NGSS.MS-ESS3-4

What is deforestation?

• Clearing Earth's forests on a massive scale
• Eating too much vegetables
• Going to a forest and pulling weeds
• Clearing the five trees in my backyard

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NGSS.MS-ESS3-4

NGSS.MS-LS2-5

Which of the following is NOT a threat to biodiversity?

• Pollution

• Deforestation

• Invasive Species

• Ecological Succession

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NGSS.MS-LS2-5

The threat to biodiversity that occurs when the homes of different species are destroyed

• pollution

• habitat destruction

• overexploitation

• climate change

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-4