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






2. A group of similar organisms capable of interbreeding.






3. An international protocol designed to stabilize global warming.






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






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






6. A transitional area between two different ecosystems.






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






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






9. All of the water found on earth.






10. Consumers which eat both plants and animals.






11. Any living thing on earth.






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






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






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






15. Consumers which eat decomposing organic material.






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






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






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






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






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






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






22. Exceptionally acidic (low pH) rain. This phenomenon is caused mainly by emissions of carbon dioxide - sulfur dioxide - and nitrogen oxide which react with water particles in the air.






23. Plants taking in nitrates from the soil.






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






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






26. Animals which eat grass and roots.






27. 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.






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






29. A type of farming where the farmer will grow just enough crops to satisfy his family's needs for the next year.






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






31. Evolution in one organism due to change in a related organism.






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






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






34. Consumers which eat only other animals.






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






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






37. The rate at which producers create organic material.






38. Excess water which cannot be infiltrated into the soil and instead flows along the ground.






39. Modern man.






40. 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.






41. A variety of species living together.






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






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






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






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






46. An extinct hominid species believed to have the same brain capacity as modern man and use many different weapons.






47. The loss of water vapor from leaves.






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






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






50. The study of the interaction between organisms and their environment.