APES Human Impact on the Environment — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is one major cause of habitat destruction worldwide?
- Composting
- Deforestation (Correct answer)
- Conservation
- Crop rotation
Correct answer: Deforestation
Deforestation for agriculture and development is a leading cause of habitat loss, reducing biodiversity.
Question 2: How does the burning of fossil fuels affect the atmosphere?
- Cools the atmosphere
- Removes nitrogen
- Releases carbon dioxide (Correct answer)
- Increases oxygen levels
Correct answer: Releases carbon dioxide
Burning fossil fuels releases carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change.
Question 3: Which practice can lead to the depletion of aquifers?
- Rainwater harvesting
- Surface water recycling
- Over-pumping groundwater (Correct answer)
- Desalination
Correct answer: Over-pumping groundwater
Overdrawing groundwater for agriculture and urban use can lead to aquifer depletion and land subsidence.
Question 4: What is a consequence of excessive fertilizer use?
- Increased biodiversity
- Algal blooms and dead zones (Correct answer)
- Improved water clarity
- Less plant growth
Correct answer: Algal blooms and dead zones
Runoff from fertilizers can lead to eutrophication, which causes algal blooms and oxygen depletion in water bodies.
Question 5: What is one effect of urban sprawl?
- Increased forest cover
- Reduced greenhouse emissions
- Increased habitat fragmentation (Correct answer)
- Lower energy demand
Correct answer: Increased habitat fragmentation
Urban sprawl leads to increased land use, loss of natural habitats, and greater reliance on vehicles.
Question 6: How does plastic pollution primarily affect marine ecosystems?
- It fertilizes coral reefs
- It promotes fish growth
- It endangers marine wildlife (Correct answer)
- It improves water temperature
Correct answer: It endangers marine wildlife
Marine animals can ingest or become entangled in plastic debris, leading to injury or death.
APES Human Impact on the Environment
What is one major cause of habitat destruction worldwide?