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. The oxification of ammonia by certain bacterium into nitrite and later into nitrates - which can then be used by plants.






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






3. A greenhouse gas. Although it is a natural part of the carbon cycle - the atmospheric concentration of this gas has increased due to the burning of fossil fuels.






4. A forest near the equator with heavy rainfall and a great diversity of plant and animal life. Although a mere 2% of the earth is covered with these forests - they contain 50-80% of earth's land species.






5. Organisms which thrive in low nutrient environments and usually have slow growth rates.






6. 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.






7. The first atmospheric layer. Most weather and pollution occurs here - and the temperature decreases with altitude.






8. An act requiring federal agencies to detail the impact of proposed environmental policies.






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






10. Average expected birth rate for 1 -000 women.






11. 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






12. Water found in estuaries. This water is a mixture of saltine ocean water and fresh water - usually from a river or stream.






13. Consumers which eat only other animals.






14. The process by which pollutants are carried by flowing water - such as a river.






15. A UN conference that addressed the growing population problem.






16. A philosophy that extends ethics to non-humans. Under this system - animals - plants - and other aspects of the environment are seen as being deserving of justice and consideration.






17. A form of management which attempts to satisfy both the needs of humans and those of wildlife in the best way possible for both parties.






18. Growing more than one crop at a time.






19. A principle that states that two species competing for a single resource cannot coexist. One species will inevitably gain an advantage over the other - causing the looser either to migrate or to become extinct.






20. The process by which certain kinds of bacteria convert atmospheric nitrogen gas into ammonia - a form accessible to living creatures.






21. The cycling and reusing of elements and molecules (such as water - nitrogen - and phosphorus) that are essential to life.






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






23. The spraying of pesticides to keep produce from any injuries or damage.






24. Biomes with less than 10 inches of rain a year. Foliage is scarce in these areas - and remaining plants and animals work hard to conserve the little water they receive.






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






26. All of the ecosystems on earth.






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






28. Animals which eat grass and roots.






29. Grasslands with short - widely spaced trees and no canopy - allowing for an unbroken layer of grasses beneath.






30. The coexistence of two species using the same resource where the two will use the resource in different ways.






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






32. Forests found in the northern regions of North America - Europe - and Asia characterized by freezing winters and warmer summers. These forests lie just below the tree line.






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






34. A transitional area between two different ecosystems.






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






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






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






38. The crust and upper mantle of the earth.






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






40. Biomes far north in North America - Europe - and Asia which - due to very low temperatures - cannot support tree growth.






41. 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






42. Organisms which consume autotrophs for food.






43. The flow of water in the water table.






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






45. An extinct hominid species believed to have long - ape-like arms; have a brain capacity half that of modern men; and use primitive tools.






46. An act which protects certain lands as national parks.






47. A community of species interacting with their nonliving (abiotic) environment.






48. Populations characterized by small size - short lifespan - and lots of offspring.






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






50. An international protocol designed to stabilize global warming.