EARTH ENVIRONMENTAL STUDY GUIDEKEY

INTRO UNIT 1. The branch of earth science that deals with the Earth’s history and structure is called?

Geology

2. Can a metric ruler be used to find the volume of a regular solid? If so, HOW?Yes. Length X width X height

3. Can meters be used to measure the volume of a liquid? If so, HOW?Yes 1 mL = 1 cm3

4. A unit for density is g/L. Give an example of how this information can be used.The mass of an object divided by the volume ; D = m/v

5. If we were to measure the distance from Charlotte to Mobile, AL, what metric unit of measurement should we use?

km6. Oil floats on top of water. What does this mean with regards to its DENSITY?

Oil is less dense than water.

7. Can meters be used to measure the volume of a liquid? If so, HOW?

Yes 1 mL = 1 cm3

8. Identify and describe the steps of the Scientific Method?

9. What would a scientist do to test a hypothesis?Determine the independent and dependent variables.

Control as much as possible.

10. Recorded observations or measurements are called data and can be displayed…HOW?

Quantitatively (Numerical in a chart)or Qualitatively (in descriptive words)

11. At the end of an experiment, a scientist forms a conclusion.

12. A visual display of data or information is called a Graph

13. For statements A-D, determine which step in the scientific method is being described.

Hypothesis A. Spencer said, “If I fertilize my ferns, they will grow faster”

Experiment B. Bobby grew bacteria from his mouth on special plates in the lab. He placed different mouthwashes on the plates.

ASTRONOMY (EEN 1.1)14. What is the shape of a planet’s orbit? elipse

15. What theory states that the universe began in a violent explosion? What evidence(s) do we have to support this theory?

Big Bang Theory. Radiation, expansion (red shift/blue shift)

16. Why does Earth experience precession? Change in direction of the axis of the Earth

17. Identify 1-3 on the diagram of Earth’s motions to the right

1. Procession 2. Nutation 3. Rotation

18. How are the following terms related to one another: galaxy, universe, star, and planet?galaxy = massive, gravitationally bound system consisting of stars, stellar remnants, an interstellar medium of gas and dust, and dark matter

19. As a planet moves closer to the sun in its orbit, how is its motion affected?Kepler's 2nd Law; “The Law of Equal Areas”Planets sweep out equal areas in timeThe speed of a planet is faster at its perihelion

20. Define the following terms:

ROTATIONHow many days does it take for the Earth to spin on its axis

REVOLUTIONHow many days does it take for the Earth to orbit the sun?

PRECESSIONChange in direction of the AxisEvery 26,000 years.

NUTATION

A small irregularity in the tilt of the Earthdue to gravitational pull of moon½ a degree every 18 yrs. (Avg. 23.5)“Wobble Baby”

BARYCENTER● he point at which the objects are balanced.  ● NOT exact center● the point at which the objects are balanced.  

● NOT exact centerThe point at which objects are balanced. Not the exact center.

21. Even though it appears that planets orbit the center of the sun, explain what is really happening (consider barycenter).

The center of mass of two or more bodies, usually bodies orbiting around each other, such as the Earth and the Moon. Based upon the mass of the two objects.

22. How can astronomers determine if a star is moving toward or away from Earth? Explain thoroughly.

23. Why are the seasons in the Southern Hemisphere opposite to those in the Northern Hemisphere?

Due to the 23.5 degree tilt of the axis one hemisphere is tilted toward the sun while the other is tilted away.

24. Why does the Earth experience seasons? Due to the 23.5 degree tilt of the axis and the revolution of the Earth around the Sun.

25. At what point is the tidal range at its greatest? Draw a picture to show the positions of the earth, sun, and moon.

26. What is a tidal bulge and how is it formed?

27. What chemical reaction produces the sun’s energy? Fusion of Hydrogen atoms into Helium28. Energy is transferred from the Sun to Earth mainly by Radiation29. At the higher latitudes, there is a lower concentration of solar energy than at the equator. What does

this mean? The rays of the sun are not hitting directly at this location. The areas with more direct rays of sun will have a warmer climate. *See 30. Label the types of radiation (A-G) on the electromagnetic

spectrum to the right.

31. How does Earth’s atmosphere filter some of the electromagnetic radiation?

Radio Waves, microwaves, infrared, visible light, ultra violet, x-ray, gamma

32. How is solar energy essential to plants? the plants use solar energy to produce the nutrients the need to survive.33. How does the sun’s energy affect food webs on Earth? The plants absorb the suns energy and transfers it into food and nutrients. Smaller animals eat the plants and uses it for energy, in turn larger animals eat the smaller animals. This is the process that occurs in the food chain/web. As the energy passes form species to species, it decreases in amount.

34. What is the difference in the heating of land and the heating of water?The land heats and cools more quickly than water.

35. How does the earth’s magnetic field interact with space? How does it protect us from radiation?

The Earth’s magnetic field redistributes the radiation from a CME (coronal mass ejection) out around the Earth. This radiation can also be seen as the aurora at the North and South Pole.

GEOLOGY (EEN 2.1)36. Diagram a simple continental and a simple oceanic subduction zone explaining the relation between

earthquakes, the Benioff zone (subduction zone wi, and the formation of mountains by eruption of magmas formed from melting of ocean floor sediment.

Benioff zone = subduction zone with resulting earthquakes.

37. Explain the process of sea floor spreading.

As a divergent boundary under the oceanic crust pulls apart, new crust is formed in the resulting mid-ocean ridge.

38. Diagram an oceanic rift zone demonstrating the evidence for upwelling of mantle rocks by means of absolute dating and paleomagnetic evidence.

As new oceanic crust is formed, the older crust is pushed out in opposite directions. This has been proven by the evidence shown in the matching of the polarity reversals in the rock opposite the ridge.

39. List and describe the various types of plate boundaries. Diagram What processes (land

formations) are created

DIVERGENTBOUNDARY

Land = Rift Valley (East Africa)Ocean – Ridge (MidAtlantic Ridge)

TRANSFORMBOUNDARY

(THREE FAULT)

Earthquakes

CONVERGENTBOUNDARY

OCEAN-OCEAN

Subduction Zone – Trench and Island Arc (Japan)

OCEAN-CONTINENT

Trench in oceanVolcanic mountain range

CONTINENT-CONTINENT

Folded – Appalachian Moutains

40. How does the subduction of crustal plates influence the rock cycle?

As one plate subducts under the other plate, the crust is melted by the intense heat. This rock can then be recycled into igneous rock, forming new crust.

41. What is the difference between a focus and an epicenter? label the diagram.Focus is the location within the Earth where the earthquake took place. The epicente the location on the Earth’s

surface directly above the focus.

42. How can triangulation be used to find the earthquake? (Include the relationship between the speed of the p and s waves in your explanation.)

The seismometers will only work out how far the wave has travelled and not the direction. By using information from three seismometers, you can calculate the epicentre, which is where all three distances meet: this process is called triangulation.

43. In the diagram (to the right) of the faults, label the type of fault with the following terms: strike-slip, reverse, and normal.

44. Why are seismic waves of an earthquake more strongly felt at the epicenter of an earthquake?As the waves travel through the Earth, they lose energy. The closer you are to the epicenter, the stronger the earthquake.

45. Annotate a world map showing plate boundaries by type and hotspots.

46. In Figure 3-1, label the process or processes would be occurring in the blank parts of the rock cycle.

47. If granite undergoes high temperatures and high pressures at depth within Earth, what type of rock will be formed? Assume that the granite does not melt. Metamorphic Rock

48. The three groups of rocks are classified by...how they are formed

49. What is the difference between magma and lava?magma is inside the Earth, lava is at the Earth’s surface.

50. Where would the energy source be found which drives the processes that form igneous and metamorphic rocks?

The convection current within the mantel

51. The process that occurs when physical forces break rock into smaller pieces without changing the rock’s chemical composition is called

Mechanical/physical weathering52. Which weathering process involves the constant freezing and thawing of water?

Frost/Ice wedging (mechanical)53. List several types of chemical weathering.

Acid rain can cause dissolution of limestoneOxidation = Rusting of iron into iron oxidesHydrolisis = water breaking down the chemical structure of a rock/mineral

54. List several types of mechanical weathering.frost wedgingexfoliation - rock breaking into smaller piecesanimal wear

55. How would acid rain cause the inscription on a marble gravestone to become harder and harder to read over time?Dissolves the calcite within the stone causing a rounding of any curved surfaces

56. Chemical weathering would happen faster in what conditions?

Hot and humid areas.57. Why are wind, water, and gravity major agents of erosion

rather than weathering? They are continuous in one area and are intensified due to gravity

58. What is the force behind mass movements? Gravity59. What factor commonly triggers mass movements? Water - heavy rain, melting snow60. How does terracing relate to mass movements? Helps reduce the amount of mass movement61. In figure to the right, what is found in the layer labeled R?

bedrock (parent rock)

62. In the figure to the right, what is the layer labeled O composed of? humus63. In the figure to the right, the B horizon is also called the ____.

subsoil64. What are the major components of soil?

Sand, Silt, Clay65. The factor that has the greatest effect on soil formation is

Climate

HUMAN IMPACT (EEN 2.2)66. What are some consequences of land use such as urbanization, deforestation & agriculture?Loss of biodiversity, erosion, pollution, loss of fertile farmland.

67. How can humans lessen their impact on the earth while maximizing sustainable use of natural resources?Less fertilizer, pesticides. Eat locally. Use sustainable agriculture. Buy products made from sustainable species such as bamboo. Use reclaimed, recycled materials.

68. Explain effects of human activity on shorelines. Describe how development and artificial stabilization efforts impact shores.● Clearing vegetation causes damage of the roots of the natural plant that can increase the process of

erosion. ● Construction and development can increase storm water runoff, which can increase sediment load in the

water body.● Pavement, buildings, roofs, drainage ditches, increase the amounts, velocity, and energy of storm water

being routed to streams and rivers with increases the amount of shoreline erosion.● Building walls and other such projects reduces habitat and commonly affects property elsewhere due to

redirection of waves in the opposite direction.

69. Describe the effects of human activity on mountainsides. Explain 2 different methods used to stabilize these slopes.

a. Humans perform mountain top removal to access coal. During this process, the tops of mountains are blown off exposing the underlying coal. These actions deposit debris into the rivers and streams contaminating the fresh water sources for the surrounding areas.

b. increase construction can also affect mountainsides. This increase can make the land unstable and in turn cause the soil to become loose and create mudslides.

Using the maps above, answer the following questions:70. Give the approximate coordinates for location B (N.Canada).

60 N, 120 E71. Which letter is closest to the coordinates (30N, 120W)?

E72. Are the coordinates (25S, 80E) describing an area of land or water?

Water73. On the topographical map, in what direction is the Ert River flowing? South74. How does the replacement of large land areas with concrete and asphalt affect the land? Creates Heat Islands that raise the temperature in the area.75. Compare the methods of obtaining energy resources: harvesting, mining, drilling and the effects of

these activities on the environment.

76. Why does mining of coal and other natural resources often result in environment pollution? Toxic chemicals are released into the water and air. It also destroys the natural habitat.

WATER (EEN 2.3)77. Sketch the water cycle

78. How can polluting one step in the water cycle have a cascading effect on the populations that rely on water as a resource?

Since it is a cycle, implementing pollution into one part with cause pollution to travel through out the cycle. This process contributes to acid rain. (Factories release nitrogen and carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, as water vapor begins to cool (condensate) it uses the nitrogen and carbon molecules as condensation nuclei and in turn the combination of the water and the nitrogen and carbon create acid rain. When the rain hits the ground it then either is infiltrated into ground water, or runoff into a river or stream.)

79. How does groundwater and surface water interact?When ground water naturally reaches the surface, it is called a spring. The groundwater is recharged by surface water (precipitation) infiltrating the soil and eventually reaching the aquifer below the surface.

80. Explain how water is an energy agent (currents and heat transfer).Water is cycled through the oceans due to convection currents.

81. How can rising groundwater levels result in a flooding event? When the ground is saturated, it can no longer hold any more water between the soil molecules. This results in water collecting on the surface.82. By what process does groundwater enter an aquifer? By what process does it leave the aquifer?Recharge through precipitation leaching through the soil into the aquifer. Discharge out of the aquifer by naturally reaching the surface forming lakes, rivers, streams or by being pumped through a man-made well.

83. Describe what a rock layer with higher porosity might look like. Describe what a rock layer with low permeability might look like.

84. Be able to describe a river system (as a family): How groundwater, rivers, Basins, aquifers and watersheds unite to form a system. What is the cascading effect if one of these are being polluted?

If pollution occurs in any part of the river system, the pollution would be transferred to the larger body of water. A good example of this is the coal ash spill in the Dan river in Eden, NC.

85. Where does the energy that drives the ocean’s circulation ultimately come from? the oceans

circulation occurs form convection currents. The sun warms up the water, as the warm water cools, it

sinks pushing warmer water up. This circular motion creates the oceans currents.

a. Is hot water more or less dense than cold water? Why? Hot water is less dense becasue it

expands when it cools. the bonding of hydrogen atoms contributes to this property.

b. Describe this rising and sinking process in the ocean. as water warms it rises.

c. What is this giant current called? convection currents

86. What happens to warm water as it moves away from the Equator towards the poles? As warm water moves away from the equator, it cools.

87. What is salinity, how is it measured and how does this create convection currents in the ocean? Salinity is the amount of salt(dissolved) in a body of water. It is measured by how well electricity travels through water.

a. List some processes that increase the salinity of seawater? a. If there is more evaporation than precipitation, the salinity may increase.

b. List some processes that decrease salinity… Are heat and salinity related? a. When a large river empties into the ocean, the large input of freshwater can drop

the salinity in the area surrounding the mouth of the riverb. If there is a massive melting of ice, the freshwater deposit could decrease the

amount of salinityc. Heat and salinity are related, the higher the temperature the more salt can be

dissolved.

88. Describe the Coriolis Effect.

When the mass of an object affects the force acting perpendicular to it. (example, if you are on a merry go round trying to throw a ball to a friend, in order for the friend to get the ball, you must throw it after you pass the friend, or the ball will go in the opposite direction).

89. What is the difference between surface currents, upwelling and wave action?

1. Surface currents are primarily driven by the winds as well as the movement of the earth and the coriolis effect.

2. Upwelling is when the winds blowing across the ocean surface push water away. Water then rises up from beneath the surface to replace the water that was pushed away.

3. wave action is caused by the wind. The wind transfers energy to the surface of the water, the stronger the wind the larger the wave.

90. Why is La Nina/El Nino a great example of how the oceans and atmosphere interact to influence global climate conditions? How is it proof that these systems (ocean/air) are working together as a team to effect the climate?

La Nina and El Nino are both storms that form at or near the equator.

91. Describe how the balance of energy is maintained by ocean water? Use this map to explain how the earth’s climate is regulated by the movement of ocean water.

the sun hits the equater directly all year long. this energy heats up

the oceans waters and provides energy (convection currents) thatmoves the water upward. as the warm water moves upward it cools and then begans to fall down again because it becomes moredense.

WATER QUALITY (EEN 2.4)92. Define potable? Why is our water Potable? Can you describe the cleaning process that makes it

potable? Potable means able to be used by humans without the threat of disease or infection through pathogens.

93. Are fertilizers bad for river systems? Why? Yes. See #9394. What causes and algal bloom? Why does this result in fish kills?Fertilizer and nitrates found in water supply. The algae will disrupt the distribution of resources and gases within the water environment. 95. As the population continues to increase, what would you say will happen to our supply of potable

water resources here in Raleigh? The water supply will be lost faster than it can be recharged through the water cycle.

a. At the beach? Salt water intrusion will take place where the freshwater will be replaced

with salt water.

b. In the mountains? See raleigh

96. Define non-point and point source pollution. List some possible sources of nonpoint source pollution and some possible sources of point source pollution.

Point solution has a direct point of output such as a drainage pipe from a factory. Non-point pollution is from multiple areas such as run-off from roads, fields that include pesticides, herbicides, etc.

97. Which river basin has the highest population density? How does this impact the river basin ecosystem? How does development and growing cities effect the water basin ecosystem family?

98. Explain consequences of aquifer depletion including defining and explaining subsidence.

Not enough water for human consumption. Subsidence = the sinking of land resulting from groundwater extraction. This leads to sinkholes

99. Describe salt-water intrusion on the coast, what is the consequence of salt water intrusion? How does it happen?

This causes a depletion in freshwater available. As the freshwater in an aquifer is depleted, salt water moves in to take its place.

100. What are wetlands and why are they important? How are we polluting them? What would happen if we lost all out wetlands? Areas where the water table is very close to the surface. This is important because wetlands act as a natural filtration system. They are also a habitat for many species which adds to biodiversity of the planet. Pollution occurs through point and non-point pollution. Herbicides, pesticides, acid rain, etc.

METEOROLOGY (EEN 2.5)101. What does this station model tell us?It is 57 degrees, rainy with a dew point of 56, the

pressure is 107 and the sky is clear. The winds are blowing to the north west t 15 knots.

102. What are the major gases in the atmosphere from most abundant to least abundant?Nitrogen is the most abundent then oxygen, with small traces of hydrogen, arogn and carbod dioxide.

103.

Location Atmospheric Layer As you rise, temperature:

As you rise, pressure: What can be found here?

4 (highest) thermosphere warms drops Auroras

3 Mesosphere cools drops space debris

2 stratosphere warms drops ozone

1 (lowest) Troposphere cools drops All Land (including Mt.

Everest)

104. Does air (on Earth’s surface) generally blow from

High Pressure to Low Pressure or from Low Pressure to High Pressure? Draw a diagram to the right

105. What does it mean if the relative humidity is 100%? This means that the air is saturated with moisture, and rain begin to fall from the atmosphere.

106. If the air temperature is very close to the dew point, what is likely to form and why? water droplets

107. What are the forces that influence wind?When air moves form areas of high pressure to areas of low pressure, also the heating of air through the process of

convection.

108. On a weather map, what connects points of equal pressure? isobars

What connects points of equal temperature? isotherms

109. What are some characteristics of LOW pressures and of HIGH pressures?Low pressure = warm air = more moisture = rain = counter-clockwise rotation

High Pressure = cold air = less moisture = cool, dry weather = clockwise rotation

110. Annotate this diagram showing Lows, Highs, Rainy weather, Clear weather, Strong wind, Weak wind, and general direction of wind. See above for rotation of air mass.

111. On an August afternoon in North Carolina, the barometric pressure is 29.92 inches and falling. What weather condition is likely to happen?

A storm or rainy conditions are coming in (low pressure) moving into the area

112. Label the fronts listed below with a C=cold W=warm S=stationary O=occluded

113. How are hurricanes and tornadoes related to air masses?The air mass in the area can determine what type of weather will form, warm air mass over water under low pressure is the perfect condition for a hurricane to form. when a warm air mass is overtake by a cold air mass, a tornado can be formed.114. Which is more damaging… hurricanes or tornadoes? Why? hurricanes (slow moving) tend to cause

more damage than a tornado (fast moving), because they tend to stay in an area for longer periods of time.

115. What can humans do to minimize damage from hurricanes and tornadoes?● early indication of coming storm● building with materials strong enough to withstand server storms● educating individuals living in storm area of how to be safe in the storm.

116. What human activity causes acid rain to form? Where would the highest amounts of acid rain most likely be found?

Burning fossil fuels by coal burning power plants, factories, and automobiles.

117. How is the ozone layer destroyed by human activities? What causes this destruction?In areas where sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides are readily released.

118. List ways to mitigate human impacts on the atmosphere. Carpool, walk, use less energy

CLIMATE CHANGE (EEN 2.6)119.Describe the distinguishing features of the 6 major biomes.Temperature, location, and biotic life forms

120.Compare weather and climate. Weather occurs day to day, and climate is the average temperature over time.

121.Determine the relationship between sea temperature, wind direction and convection along the equatorial Pacific during El Nino and La Nina. these storms form near the equater causing the sea temperature to be at its warmest, which creates the energy that drives El Nino and La Nina. The convection current then drives the storms.

122.Describe changes in shorelines given selected rises in mean sea level.Sea level rise means a loss of land resources including plant species as well as intrusion of salt water into freshwater supply

123.Using the NC barrier islands, predict the effect of sea level rise, nor’easters and hurricanes on the islands and their inhabitants.

Will cause an increase in erosion of the shoreline124.Explain the concept of the greenhouse effect and why carbon dioxide is most often the focus of public

discussion. Burning of fossil fuels releases carbon dioxide. This increase cause a greenhouse effect which traps the radiant energy that enters our atmosphere. The increase in heat is causing a rise in annual mean temperatures and having an impact on species habitats especially those in colder climates. This also has an effect on sea level rise which causes flooding and salt water intrusion in coastal areas.

125. Describe how deforestation and the burning of fossil fuels contribute to global climate change.Plants use photosynthesis to pull CO2 out of the atmosphere. When there is more CO2 being put into the Carbon cycle, by burning of fossil fuels, than is removed, this causes the Greenhouse Effect. This in turn raises the annual mean temperature of the planet.

126. Explain how large areas of development can contribute to regional climate changes (for example: why is the temperature warmer in a city than in the rural areas surrounding the city?).

The expansive amount of concrete traps heat creating heat islands. This effects the microclimate of areas around large cities.

127. Name 3 ways that humans can mitigate climate change locally as well as globally.Use public transportation, walk, ride bicycle, shop for local product and goods. look for products that are organic, have less packaging. Grow a garden.

128. How will climate change affect agriculture, biodiversity and ecosystem balance?Those species that are sensitive to temperature change will be in decline. The intrusion of salt water on the coasts will cause freshwater species to die off. Have a monoculture in fields could cause a wide-spread epidemic should a disease target such species.

129. Describe ocean acidification and its effect on ocean life. How is this connected to climate change?

Acid rain is attributed to an increase air pollution from factories, burning of fossil fuels. This increase in pH levels has a negative effect on sea life. Especially those more susceptible to changes such as coral

reefs. 130. Describe how glaciations and tectonic movements affect sea level change. Include any long term &

short term changes.Global warming causes melting of glaciers. This in turn increases sea levels. Earthquakes within the ocean could cause Tsunamis. This will have short-term effects on the coasts

including flooding, property damage and loss of life.

BIOSPHERE (EEN 2.7)131. Many of the biomes that exist on Earth can be found in the western parts of North Carolina. What

is the primary reason for the existence of such a wide range of biomes in this area? 3 the location on the surface of the earth contributes to the range in climate. Areas that receive the most sun will have warmer climates. ( less tilt) Areas where tilt is great are cooler in the winters and warmer in the summers because of the amount of sun it receives.

132. A biome is identified by its particular set of abiotic factors, like __rain fall_ and __temperature_…

and its biotic factors, like _vegetation__ and animal life (species)__.

133. A biotic or an abiotic resource in the environment that causes population size to decrease is called Limiting factors134. How is biodiversity essential to the environment? It helps to maintain a balance of species and vegetation. An ecosystem that is specie rich is more resilient and adaptive to external stress. It allows for the cycle of nutrients to be continual.

135. Biodiversity loss is caused by what five major factors? Which of those is the most negative influence?

Human impact

The five factors are:Human growthPollutionClimate alterationsHabitat destructionAgriculture

136. Define (and give a few examples of) an Invasive Species.

An invasive species is one that is not a native to the environment (ecosystem) brought in by human or other entities and takes over the habitat of the natural species in that environment.

Example: The black rat137. Which global concern is indirectly responsible for all of the other concerns?

Pollution (human impact)

SUSTAINABILITY (EEN 2.8)SOLAR WIND HYDRO NUCLEAR BIOMASS /

BIOFUELGEO-

THERMALFOSSIL FUELS

PROS Requires less energy Affordable

Affordable, easy access

Provides a large

amount of energy

~Reduce dependency

of out of state/foreign

energy~Clean energy

~converts waste into

fuel

No pollution

Most effective form of energy

CONS expensiveRequires

large amounts of

Water must be

moving at

Dangerous, difficult to

dispose

Releases small

amounts of

~Expensive starter cost~Cannot be

Causes large

amounts

land high speeds waste energy

transported to generation

sights

of pollutions

ENV. IMPACT None

Loss of usable land

NoneIncrease in radioactive

wasteNone None Global

warming

What technology

is….USED IN

THE MOUNTAIN

REGIONS OF NORTH

CAROLINAUSED IN

THE RALEIGH

AREACREATES

RECREATIONAL AREAS

BUT PREVENTS SPAWNING

USING LAND AND SEA

BREEZES IN COASTAL NORTH

CAROLINAFOUND

MAINLY IN WESTERN

US BECAUSE IT IS

VOLCANICALLY ACTIVERELEASES

GREENHOUSE GASSES AND AIR

PARTICLES

138. Why should the farming industry adopt sustainable agriculture practices?‘to help reserve the nutrients in the soil.To help reduce the amount of land agriculture consumes.To decrease the reduction in biodiversity.

139. Which change would most likely occur as a result of rapid increases in the global population?With the increase in population, there will be a change in the biodiversity of each ecosystem.A rapid change will also cause a decrease in the ability for the ecosystem (biome) to support and sustain life.

140. Explain carrying capacity and describe what it means to a population.The carrying capacity is the potential amount of each individual species an ecosystem can hold. For example, field mice are an important part of the farming community. Several higher order organisms depend on them to live. If the hawk population doubled in a short amount of time, it would require a larger amount of field mice to provide food for them. Because of this the field mice may become sparse causing a change in the biodiversity of the ecosystem.

141. What are some factors that would cause the human population to reach its carrying capacity?

Limited amount of water available to support humans in a particular area. Limited amount of land to grow food and provide housing.

142. Deer share the open plains with other grazing animals and predators. What would lead to a decrease in the deer population?

Reduction in vegetation they are consuming

143. Why would citizens be advised to recycle plastic products? Relate this to personal ecological footprints. Plastics are very hard to get rid of, they do not decompose. This will cause reduction in the quality of soil, cause a difficult situation for vegetation to grow.