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. Political organizations not affiliated with the government which try to bring about social change.






2. 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.






3. 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






4. 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.






5. A shubland found primarily in the South-Western United States and Mexico. Fire plays a predominant role in the life-cycle of the plants in this area - the seeds of which will sprout only after a fire.






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






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






8. An international protocol designed to protect the ozone layer by phasing out the production of CFCs and other harmful chemicals.






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






10. Organisms with a nucleus.






11. An act created to protect endangered and threatened species.






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






13. The loss of water vapor from leaves.






14. Precipitation which does not reach the soil but is instead collected by plants.






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






16. 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.






17. A partially enclosed part of the ocean with rivers or streams flowing into it.






18. Any living thing on earth.






19. A group of similar organisms capable of interbreeding.






20. 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.






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






22. All of the ecosystems on earth.






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






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






25. 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.






26. The cloudiness of a liquid due to small suspended particles.






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






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






29. The conversion of nitrates into nitrogen gas.






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






31. An act which established and enforced acceptable levels of air pollution.






32. Animals which eat grass and roots.






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






34. 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.






35. All of the water found on earth.






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






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






38. Growing only one crop at a time.






39. Different species living in close contact with each other.






40. Organisms which eat other organisms.






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






42. 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.






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






44. Animals which eat leaves and shoots.






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






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






47. All members of a species which live in the same area.






48. Consumers which eat decomposing organic material.






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






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