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






2. Animals which eat grass and roots.






3. Plants taking in nitrates from the soil.






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






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






6. 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.






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






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






9. The area between the troposphere and the stratosphere. Here the temperature reverses from decreasing to increasing with altitude.






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






11. The conversion of nitrates into nitrogen gas.






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






13. Organisms which consume autotrophs for food.






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






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






16. 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.






17. The crust and upper mantle of the earth.






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






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






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






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






22. 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.






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






24. The place of an organism in an ecosystem - such as what it eats and how it interacts with other organisms.






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






26. The process by which a new species is created. This process generally requires geographic isolation to prevent interbreeding between the newly emerging species and the parent species.






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






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






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






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






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






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






33. An international protocol designed to stabilize global warming.






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






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






36. The flow of water in the water table.






37. 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.






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






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






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






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






42. Organisms which produce their own food.






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






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






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






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






48. Modern man.






49. The uppermost atmospheric layer. Here satellites orbit the earth.






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