1.
Climate change is controlled by a single factor.
Correct Answer
B. False
Explanation
Climate change is not controlled by a single factor. It is a complex phenomenon influenced by a variety of factors including greenhouse gas emissions, deforestation, industrial activities, and natural processes such as volcanic eruptions and solar radiation. These factors interact with each other and contribute to changes in temperature, precipitation patterns, and sea levels over time. Therefore, the statement that climate change is controlled by a single factor is false.
2.
Select the following that are true regarding our urban environments.
Correct Answer(s)
A. The use of concrete, glass, and steel have different thermal bulk properties than natural elements and change the energy balance due to the holding of heat.
B. The urban environment causes human health issues such as asthma.
E. It is affected by the surrounding ecological context, the size of the city, and the shape of the city.
Explanation
Energy consumption goes up due to more heat being held in these areas and the people living in them needing to use more air-conditioning and heating.
Temps int he urban core are higher at night because the man-made surfaces hold heat that reaches it during the daytime.
3.
Volcanic eruptions, like Mount Pinatubo in the Philippines, influence the climate by...
Correct Answer(s)
A. Releasing sulfur molecules into the atmospHere that reflect sunlight away from the Earth.
B. Cooling the planet for 1-2 years after the eruption.
Explanation
Volcanic eruptions, such as Mount Pinatubo in the Philippines, have a significant impact on the climate. They release sulfur molecules into the atmosphere, which act as a reflective barrier, reflecting sunlight away from the Earth's surface. This leads to a cooling effect on the planet for a period of 1-2 years after the eruption.
4.
Select all examples of proxy records.
Correct Answer(s)
A. Tree rings
D. Ice cores
E. Pollen samples
F. Mud cores
Explanation
Remember, proxy records are those that we obtained prior to the instrumental period when we could not make quantitative measurements such as temperature and concentration recordings. Proxy records are the natural records that are built over long periods of time to tell us about the Earth and what has occurred.
5.
Select the following examples given regarding proxy records.
Correct Answer(s)
A. LACCORE collecting lake-bed sediment to analyze the lake's history.
B. Measuring the amount of radiocarbon within preserved plants and insects to dates to what is found in lake sediment.
D. Studying ancient ring cores to compare to climatic events.
Explanation
The examples given regarding proxy records include collecting lake-bed sediment to analyze the lake's history, measuring the amount of radiocarbon within preserved plants and insects to date what is found in lake sediment, and studying ancient ring cores to compare to climatic events. These examples demonstrate different methods of using indirect evidence, or proxy records, to understand past environmental conditions and events.
6.
A sunspot is defined as cooler, darker area on the Sun's surface where energy and light are released by intense magnetic forces.
Correct Answer
B. False
Explanation
They are areas on the Sun's surface where energy and light are SUPPRESSED by intense magnetic forces.
7.
Select all impacts of drought.
Correct Answer(s)
A. A decrease in air quality.
C. A decrease in agricultural production.
Explanation
There would be a decrease in forest health (think about your dendrochronology lab). There would be a negative effect on power production (think about the Monticello and having a low water level would not be able to produce energy).
8.
The decline in American bald eagle populations was due to adult eagles consuming high concentrations of DDT that lowered calcium levels and weakened egg shells, resulting in shells that broke during incubation or hatching failures.
Correct Answer
A. True
Explanation
The explanation for the given correct answer is that the decline in American bald eagle populations was indeed caused by adult eagles consuming high concentrations of DDT. This pesticide lowered calcium levels in their bodies, leading to weakened egg shells. As a result, the shells broke during incubation or hatching, leading to failures in reproduction. This explanation highlights the impact of DDT on the bald eagle populations and the subsequent decline in their numbers.
9.
What factors contributed to the bald eagle population comeback?
Correct Answer(s)
A. Legal protection such as the Endangered Species Act.
B. The implementation of fines for interfering with protected nesting areas.
C. Banning the use of DDT in the United States.
D. Deliberate reintroduction of bald eagles.
Explanation
The bald eagle population comeback can be attributed to a combination of factors. Legal protection provided by the Endangered Species Act helped in safeguarding the species and their habitats. The implementation of fines for interfering with protected nesting areas discouraged human interference, allowing the eagles to thrive. Banning the use of DDT in the United States was crucial as this pesticide was harmful to the eagles and their reproductive abilities. Additionally, deliberate reintroduction efforts played a significant role in boosting the bald eagle population.
10.
Select the option that best describes the overall idea regarding the wildfire diagram.
Correct Answer
B. Frequency and severity of fires are determined by the availability of fuel.
Explanation
All statements are true, except regarding the fire ladder. This diagram is showing fuel vs. fire severity vs. fire frequency.
The best overall statement is saying that the more fuel, the worse the fire will be. The less fuel, the smaller the fire.
11.
Phenology refers to...
Correct Answer
D. The study of when things become apparent.
Explanation
Phenology refers to the study of when things become apparent. It involves observing and recording the timing of natural events such as flowering, migration, and hibernation in plants and animals. By studying phenology, scientists can better understand the effects of climate change on ecosystems and make predictions about future changes.
12.
Select one of the following that can be used to show evidence of Earth's warming.
Correct Answer
B. The melting of Montana's glaciers.
Explanation
Sunspots occur in cycles not necessarily in relation to Earth's warming. Droughts in California are a temporary disturbance that are isolated to a fraction of the Earth. Previous bald eagle population decline is attributed to lack of protection and use of pesticides such as DDT.
13.
Biomagnification refers to when you go up a trophic cascade, there is a decrease in organic pollutants and metals.
Correct Answer
B. False
Explanation
There is a increase in pollutants and metals due to secondary consumers feeding on the lower levels and acquiring many sources of small concentrations of these pollutants that add up for the secondary consumer.
14.
Urban environments are highly homogenous, have low habitat diversity, leads to low biological diversity, and provides opportunities for stenophagous organisms.
Correct Answer
B. False
Explanation
They provide opportunities for euryphagous organisms because they have the ability to live in a range of habitats and can be considered generalists that can survive off of many different types of food sources.
15.
Superposition refers to the principle that states that layers are sediment are deposited in a time sequence with the oldest sediment at the bottom and youngest at the top.
Correct Answer
A. True
Explanation
Superposition is a fundamental principle in geology that states that the layers of sedimentary rocks are deposited in a chronological order, with the oldest layers at the bottom and the youngest layers at the top. This principle is based on the understanding that new layers of sediment are deposited on top of older layers over time. By studying the sequence of sedimentary layers, geologists can determine the relative ages of rocks and reconstruct the history of Earth's past environments. Therefore, the statement "Superposition refers to the principle that states that layers of sediment are deposited in a time sequence with the oldest sediment at the bottom and youngest at the top" is true.
16.
The greenhouse effect is a natural occurrence.
Correct Answer
A. True
Explanation
The greenhouse effect would be happening regardless of human intervention, however humans are adding to the effect and worsening the process.