Test your basic knowledge |

DSST Environment And Humanity

Subjects : dsst, science
Instructions:
  • Answer 50 questions in 15 minutes.
  • If you are not ready to take this test, you can study here.
  • Match each statement with the correct term.
  • Don't refresh. All questions and answers are randomly picked and ordered every time you load a test.

This is a study tool. The 3 wrong answers for each question are randomly chosen from answers to other questions. So, you might find at times the answers obvious, but you will see it re-enforces your understanding as you take the test each time.
1. Evolution in one organism due to change in a related organism.






2. The process of planting trees in between other crops.






3. Also called that water cycle - this process describes the cycling of water throughout the environment. The stages of this cycle are evaporation - condensation - transportation - precipitation - infiltration and percolation - and run off.






4. The process of planting different plant species right next to each other to maximize one's yield.






5. Consumers which eat both plants and animals.






6. Modern man.






7. A community of similar living organisms largely affected by the area's climate.






8. The middle atmospheric layer. Meteors burn up after entering this layer.






9. Species which serve key roles in an ecosystem. The absence of these important organisms is detrimental to the surrounding area.






10. A law designed to locate toxic waste sites - gauge their pollution level - and ensure these sites are taken care of properly.






11. An extinct hominid species believed to exhibit the first example of full-time bipedalism.






12. A theory that our current ecological problems are a product of deeper social problems.






13. The rapid increase of harmful algae in a body of water.






14. Populations characterized by large size - long lifespan - and few offspring.






15. A transitional area between two different ecosystems.






16. A variety of species living together.






17. The decomposition of organic nitrogen into inorganic ammonium. This process is also called mineralization.






18. The flow of water in the water table.






19. A greenhouse gas which also plays a key role in regulating ozone levels.






20. The combination of evaporation from the ocean - lakes - and other bodies of water and transpiration - the loss of water from plants.






21. The infiltration of harmful chemicals - particles - or biological matter into the atmosphere which endanger living organisms. Pollutants include sulfur and nitrogen oxides - ammonia - and chlorofluorocarbons. Although there are natural sources for th






22. Species which react quickly to an environmental change and therefore can be used to diagnose a particular ecosystem.






23. Integrating rows of trees alongside crops to provide mulch and shade - retain water in the soil - and promote sustainable land use.






24. The crust and upper mantle of the earth.






25. Condensed water vapor which falls to earth. This comes in many forms - such as rain - snow - ice - and hail.






26. A bloom of phytoplankton in a body of water caused by an abnormal increase in nutrients. This process depletes the water's oxygen level - killing off other aquatic organisms.






27. An especially potent greenhouse gas emitted during production and transportation of fossil fuels - decomposition of organic matter - and herds of livestock.






28. The process of surface water entering the soil. This ensures that plants have adequate access to water.






29. The process of a substance passing directly from the solid phase to the gaseous phase - and vice versa.






30. A UN conference held in Rio de Janeiro. The conference decided to protect biodiversity - reduce pollution emissions and greenhouse gasses - and promote sustainable development.






31. An influential book by Rachel Carson which helped begin the environmental movement.






32. The process by which the sun's energy converts liquid water to water vapor in the atmosphere.






33. The amount of variation among organisms living in a particular ecosystem. The loss of this key characteristic leads to a reduction in ecosystem efficiency and the ability of species to adapt to new situations.






34. An international convention which created the framework for protecting the ozone layer.






35. The spraying of pesticides to prevent a pest problem before it happens.






36. An unstable form of oxygen which protects the earth from UV radiation. Although naturally occurring in the stratosphere (upper atmosphere) - in the lower atmosphere this gas acts as a pollutant.






37. The UN's first major conference on environmental issues.






38. An extinct hominid species believed to be the last common ancestor between man and apes.






39. All of the water found on earth.






40. Animals which eat leaves and shoots.






41. A situation where a layer of warmer air traps lower - cooler air - causing pollution to collect near the ground.






42. A rainforest in the temperate zone which receives heavy rainfall.






43. The second atmospheric layer. The ozone layer is found here - increasing the temperature with altitude.






44. A type of symbiosis where one species will benefit while the other will be neither benefit or be harmed.






45. The amount of pests needed before spraying pesticides is economical.






46. The process of a gas transforming into a liquid.






47. The conversion of nitrates into nitrogen gas.






48. The southern-most continent - of which 98% is ice. This continent includes 70% of the world's fresh water - and 90% of the world's ice. Although the average temperature is -49






49. An act which required the EPA to set standards for drinking water.






50. A type of farming where the farmer will fell and burn down trees to grow crops. After a few years - he will move on and continue the process.