Human Impact

1) State TWO factors that contributed to the increase of human population.

a. ________________________________________________________________________
b. ________________________________________________________________________
2) Identify three specific effects that the current levels of human population have had on global
resources.
a. _____________________________________________________________________________________
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b. _____________________________________________________________________________________
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c. _____________________________________________________________________________________
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3) Identify one non-native (invasive) organism and its impact.
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4) Identify one organism that was exploited by humans that eventually became extinct.
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5) Explain the environmental and the human health impact of pesticide use.
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6) Distinguish between bioaccumulation and biomagnification.
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7) Explain how the biomagnification of DDT led to the bald eagle being placed on the
endangered species list.
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8) Identify the 4 Rs.
a. ________________________________________________________________________
b. _______________________________________________________________________
c. ________________________________________________________________________
d. _______________________________________________________________________
9) Identify one material that is currently being recycled.
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10) Distinguish between biodegradable waste and non biodegradable waste.

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11) Explain the impact of biodegradable waste being dumped into a stream on the CarbonOxygen-Hydrogen cycle.
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12) Identify the chemical compound and its source responsible for depletion of the ozone layer.
State one way to prevent further destruction of the ozone layer.
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13) Explain how the depletion of the ozone layer affects human health and other organisms.
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14) Identify two greenhouse gases and their sources
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15) Explain the greenhouse effect.
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16) Explain two effects of global warming.
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17) How can we slow down global warming?
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18) Identify three fossil fuels.

A._____________________________________________________________________________B.__________
___________________________________________________________________C.______________________
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19) Identify the effect of sulfur dioxide in the atmosphere and its source.
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20) Identify four alternate sources of energy.

a. _______________________________________________________________________
b. ________________________________________________________________________
c. ________________________________________________________________________
d. ________________________________________________________________________
21) State one advantage and one disadvantage of each one.
a. ________________________________________________________________________
b. ________________________________________________________________________
c. ________________________________________________________________________
d. ________________________________________________________________________
22) Explain the environmental impact of the BP Oil Spill and one clean up measure.
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23) Explain thermal pollution and its effect on aquatic life.
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Base your answers to questions 24 through 26 on the information below and on your knowledge of
biology.
The last known wolf native to the Adirondack Mountains of New York State was killed over a century
ago. Several environmental groups have recently proposed reintroducing the wolf to the
Adirondacks. These groups claim there is sufficient prey to support a wolf population in this area.
These prey include beaver, deer, and moose. Opponents of this proposal state that the Adirondacks
already have a dominant predator, the Eastern coyote.
24. State one effect the reintroduction of the wolf may have on the coyote population within the
Adirondacks. Explain why it would have this effect. [1]
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25. Explain why the coyote is considered a limiting factor in the Adirondack Mountains. [1]
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26. State one ecological reason why some individuals might support the reintroduction of wolves to
the Adirondacks. [1] _______________________________________________________________________

Base your answers to questions 27 through 29 on the information below and on your
knowledge of biology.
Untreated organic wastes were accidentally discharged into a river from a sewage treatment plant.
The graph below shows the dissolved oxygen content of water samples taken from the river at
specific distances downstream from the plant, both before, and then three days after the discharge
occurred.

27 State why this accident would be expected to benefit the decomposers in the river
below the sewage plant. [1]
_______________________________________________________________________
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28 Explain why an energy-releasing process occurring in the mitochondria of the decomposer
organisms is most likely responsible for the change indicated by the data shown at sampling site C in
the graph. [1]
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29 State one reason why the statement below is correct.
The effects of the accidental discharge are not expected to last for a long time. [1]
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