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. A type of symbiosis where one species benefit at the expense of the other.






2. 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.






3. 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.






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






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






6. 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






7. 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.






8. An international protocol designed to stabilize global warming.






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






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






11. An act which called for the careful examination of new chemicals to ensure they are safe for their intended uses.






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






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






14. Organisms which consume autotrophs for food.






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






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






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






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






19. Growing only one crop at a time.






20. The biggest atmospheric layer. Without ozone - UV radiation causes ionization and the auroras in this layer.






21. A forest characterized by clearly differentiated seasons - such as the trees loosing leaves in the fall and heavy snowfall in the winter.






22. 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.






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






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






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






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






27. Modern man.






28. The flow of water in the water table.






29. Organisms which create their own food out of inorganic (abiotic) substances.






30. 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.






31. An extinct hominid species with near the same brain capacity as modern man believed to use fire and stone tools - live a hunter/gatherer lifestyle - and speak a language.






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






33. A forest found in temperate regions with warm summers - cool winters - and plenty of rainfall. These kinds of forests are characterized by evergreens and deciduous trees.






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






35. An international organization designed to promote free trade between countries.






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






37. Organisms which thrive in high nutrient environments - especially those with plenty of carbon.






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






39. A type of farming where the farmer will grow crops both to fulfill his family's needs for the next year and to sell on the market.






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






41. An act which set standards for the amount of pollution in water.






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






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






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






45. Animals which eat leaves and shoots.






46. Consumers which eat only other animals.






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






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






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






50. Surface run-off caused by melted snow.