PSSA SCIENCE PREP ENVIRONMENT & ECOLOGY

CLASS OPENER:
Which event explains what most likely happened at the beginning of Month 3?
A. B. C.
D.

More predators of species X were introduced. The prey of species X decreased in number. A disease that affected species X was introduced. A competitor of species X decreased in number.

TODAYS OBJECTIVES:

Explain biogeochemical cycles within an ecosystem. Explain how biological diversity relates to the viability of an ecosystem.

Describe how an ecosystem can change over time to become a different type of ecosystem (i.e.., lake to pond to wet meadow succession).
Identify and explain a watershed and stream order. Describe natural and human factors that impact water quality in wetlands and watersheds.

Explain the primary functions of a wetland.

Explain how a scientist can analyze a freshwater system to check for water quality in the environment. Describe how renewable and non-renewable resources provide for human needs and how the use of these impact the environment.

Explain how plants and animals are used in the United States based upon specific growing climates and soil conditions.
Describe Best Management Practices (BMPs) used in agriculture to reduce environmental impacts due to farming. Explain various ways how organisms come to a point of extinction what impacts an organisms ability to successfully replenish its population.

OVERALL FOCUS OF THE DAY:

TEST TAKING STRATEGIES

REMEMBER your test taking strategies! Read the question! what is it asking? Read the answers! use POE to get rid of obvious wrong answers! Take your time! dont change an answer unless you KNOW it is wrong!

Open Ended Questions

 The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska is

SAMPLE PSSA OPEN-ENDED ITEM

over 19 million acres of land. Its unique habitat supports at least 45 species of land and marine animals, 36 species of fish, and 180 species of birds. Some people want to drill for oil in parts of the refuge. Scientists estimate the total amount of recoverable oil in the refuge is between 5 and 16 billion barrels. PART A Describe an environmental problem that could be caused by drilling for oil in Alaska.
PART B Describe a regional benefit of drilling for oil in Alaska.

Possible CORRECT Answers

SAMPLE PSSA QUESTION #1

A small lake has an algae bloom,

and the water is very green. Which change is most likely the cause of the algae growth?
A.

An increase in the amount of fertilizer used near the lake. An increase in the amount of fresh water flowing into the lake An increase in the number of people fishing in the lake An increase in the number of boats using the lake

B.

C.

D.

Answer on Next Slide..

SAMPLE PSSA QUESTION #1

A small lake has an algae bloom,

and the water is very green. Which change is most likely the cause of the algae growth?
A.

An increase in the amount of fertilizer used near the lake. An increase in the amount of fresh water flowing into the lake An increase in the number of people fishing in the lake An increase in the number of boats using the lake

B.

C.

D.

SAMPLE PSSA QUESTION # 2

Which statement correctly describes an energy source and

its effect on the environment?

A. Fossil Fuel, which comes from a continuously renewable resource,

generates greenhouse gases. B. Solar Power, which comes from a continuously renewable resource, generates greenhouse gases. C. Nuclear Energy, which comes from a non-renewable resource, generates dangerous waste. D. Hydroelectric Power, which comes from a non-renewable resource generates dangerous waste.

Answer on Next Slide..

SAMPLE PSSA QUESTION # 2

Which statement correctly describes an energy source and

its effect on the environment?

A. Fossil Fuel, which comes from a continuously renewable resource,

generates greenhouse gases. B. Solar Power, which comes from a continuously renewable resource, generates greenhouse gases. C. Nuclear Energy, which comes from a non-renewable resource, generates dangerous waste. D. Hydroelectric Power, which comes from a non-renewable resource generates dangerous waste.

SAMPLE PSSA QUESTION # 3

A developer plans to clear a forest to make room for a

shopping mall. How will this building project most likely affect the forest ecosystem?
A. B. C.
D.

It will destroy the habitat of forest organisms. It will cause a drought that damages vegetation It will cause overharvesting of the forest animals
It will decrease the reproduction rates of forest organisms

Virgin Forest 1620

Virgin Forest 1920

Virgin Forest 1850 Answer on Next Slide..

Virgin Forest TODAY

SAMPLE PSSA QUESTION # 3

A developer plans to clear a forest to make room for a

shopping mall. How will this building project most likely affect the forest ecosystem?
A. B. C.
D.

It will destroy the habitat of forest organisms. It will cause a drought that damages vegetation It will cause overharvesting of the forest animals
It will decrease the reproduction rates of forest organisms

Virgin Forest 1620

Virgin Forest 1920

Virgin Forest 1850

Virgin Forest TODAY

SAMPLE PSSA QUESTION # 4

Which statement describes how recycling aluminum cans

positively affects the environment?

A. B. C. D.

Recycling uses energy. Recycling makes solid waste. Recycling conserves mineral resources. Recycling produces air pollution.

Answer on Next Slide..

SAMPLE PSSA QUESTION # 4

Which statement describes how recycling aluminum cans

positively affects the environment?

A. B. C. D.

Recycling uses energy. Recycling makes solid waste. Recycling conserves mineral resources. Recycling produces air pollution.

SAMPLE PSSA QUESTION # 5

Which type of moving water provides the best environment

for organisms that decompose dead organic matter?

A.

A steep mountain stream that flows when snow melts in the spring
A shallow river with cold, clear water and a sandy bottom A slow-moving river with a wide, open channel A rapidly moving stream with a narrow, steep channel

B. C. D.

Answer on Next Slide..

SAMPLE PSSA QUESTION # 5

Which type of moving water provides the best environment

for organisms that decompose dead organic matter?

A.

A steep mountain stream that flows when snow melts in the spring
A shallow river with cold, clear water and a sandy bottom A slow-moving river with a wide, open channel A rapidly moving stream with a narrow, steep channel

B. C. D.

SAMPLE PSSA QUESTION # 6

This diagram is an example of a biogeochemical cycle. How does this cycle contribute to watersheds? A. B. C. D.

The Water Cycle is how water enters a watershed and how water flows through the watershed. The Water Cycle does not contribute to watersheds. Watersheds are made up of land only. The Water Cycle only occurs in the atmosphere.

Answer on Next Slide..

SAMPLE PSSA QUESTION # 6

This diagram is an example of a biogeochemical cycle. How does this cycle contribute to watersheds? A. B. C. D.

The Water Cycle is how water enters a watershed and how water flows through the watershed. The Water Cycle does not contribute to watersheds. Watersheds are made up of land only. The Water Cycle only occurs in the atmosphere.

SAMPLE PSSA QUESTION # 7

The Everglades are a wetland ecosystem. Humans blocked the flow

of water from Lake Okeechobee to build human dwellings. Recently, the flow has be partially restored. Which of the following is not a reason the flow to the Everglades was restored?
A.

To restore the natural water filtration of the Everglades to the ecosystem. To protect the native wildlife and plant populations. To provide flood control and water supply for a growing population. To increase the invasive species populations in the wetland.

B. C. D.

Answer on Next Slide..

SAMPLE PSSA QUESTION # 7

The Everglades are a wetland ecosystem. Humans blocked the flow

of water from Lake Okeechobee to build human dwellings. Recently, the flow has be partially restored. Which of the following is not a reason the flow to the Everglades was restored?
A.

To restore the natural water filtration of the Everglades to the ecosystem. To protect the native wildlife and plant populations. To provide flood control and water supply for a growing population. To increase the invasive species populations in the wetland.

B. C. D.

EXIT TICKET
In Agriculture, Best Management Practices (BMPs) are what farmers use to make environmentally sound decisions in managing which aspects of the farming business?
A. BMPs are for engineers not farmers. B. BMPs are only used with crops. C. BMPs are only used with farm animals.

D. BMPs apply to all aspects of the farming business.

Answer on Next Slide..

EXIT TICKET
In Agriculture, Best Management Practices (BMPs) are what farmers use to make environmentally sound decisions in managing which aspects of the farming business?
A. BMPs are for engineers not farmers. B. BMPs are only used with crops. C. BMPs are only used with farm animals.

D. BMPs apply to all aspects of the farming business.