Ecology - quiz 2

Question 1

what do high-intensity fires lead to?

Answer 1

Dead trees, nutrient-depleted soil, and less carbon sequestering.

Question 2

pollution

Answer 2

Any harmful contaminants released into the environment (ex. Acid precipitation, plastics, garbage, pesticides)

Question 3

acid precipitation effects (5)

Answer 3

Can cause health problems, acid leaching, damage to vegetation, acidification of lakes, soil depletion

Question 4

bioaccumulation

Answer 4

The gradual accumulation of substances, such as pesticides, or other chemicals in an organism.(eg. DDT and bald eagles)

Question 5

the cycles of matter

Answer 5

water, phosphorus, nitrogen, and carbon

Question 6

the water cycle

Answer 6

The series of processes that cycle water through the environment.
Liquid water evaporates, forming water vapour. The vapour eventually condenses, forming liquid water or ice crystals, and returns to Earth as rain, hail, or snow. Water falling on land may enter the soil and groundwater or move across the surface entering lakes, rivers, and oceans. Water that is taken in by plant roots maybe released from leaves in a process called transpiration.

Question 7

carbon cycle

Answer 7

The biogeochemical cycle in which carbon is cycled through the lithosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere.
Carbon moves between the abiotic and biotic parts of an ecosystem in the carbon cycle.
This carbon is not cycled but it is stored in carbon-rich deposits. Examples include fossil fuels like coal, oil, natural gases.
humans change the carbon cycle as we burn fossil fuels which releases large amounts of carbon dioxide. Deforestation as well increases the amount of CO2 in our atmosphere due to a reduction in the amount of carbon dioxide being removed in the atmosphere.

Question 8

nitrogen cycle

Answer 8

The series of processes that cycle water through the environment.
Nitrogen used by organisms are taken from the atmosphere. Some organisms have bacteria which converts the nitrogen into nitrogen-containing compounds which is then absorbed by producers. It is passed up the food chain. From waste or dead organic material, decomposes break down the nitrogen-rich compounds which are then recycled in the soil or released into the atmosphere.

Question 9

biogeochemical cycle

Answer 9

the movement of matter through the biotic and abiotic environment

Question 10

phosphorus cycle

Answer 10

The movement of phosphorus through the environment
Phosphorus is absorbed by plants through weathering of rocks. It is then passed along to consumers who excrete waste that contain phosphorus and leave behind organic matter when they are dead which are all broken down by bacteria and fungi. The phosphorus can then be carried into the water or be uplifted, allowing phosphorus to enter soil and water again.

Question 11

putting out fires leads to forests that are…

Answer 11

overly thick and dense

Question 12

branches and dry vegetation are referred to as…

Answer 12

ladder fuels

Question 13

another word for low-intensity burns is?

Answer 13

cultural burns

Question 14

low-intensity burns/cultural burns
*to __ ecosystems
*decrease the chance of …

Answer 14

Fires that have been lit purposefully for thousands of years by Indigenous fire keepers to rebalance ecosystems. Forests treated with low-intensity burns decreases the chances of a wildfire disaster.

Question 15

what do low-intensity burns due to seeds?

Answer 15

they wake up and germinate

Question 16

what are the effects of low-intensity burns?

Answer 16

The forest has space and can start to regenerate
Animals are drawn to the area and new vegetation
Trees have more room to grow bigger and develop thicker bark, protecting them from surface fires, disease, and damage
The tree canopy expands, providing habitats for insects, birds, and animals
These bigger trees can also take in more carbon dioxide

Question 17

2 differences between high intensity burns and low intensity burns

Answer 17

high intensity burns are not intentionally lit and result in dead trees, nutrient-depleted soil, and less carbon sequestering.

low intensity burns are intentionally lit and are controlled. they result in regeneration and a healthier forest.

Question 18

acid precipitation

Answer 18

Also referred to as acid rain and is caused by industrial processes and the burning of fossil fuels
Compounds such as SO2, CO2, or NOx are released into the atmosphere as emissions and form acids with the water Vapor

Question 19

leaching

Answer 19

process by which nutrients are removed from the soil as water passes through it

Question 20

effects of synthetic fertilizers

Harms aquatic ecosystems as fertilizer runoff causes __ __ in which they grow due to fertilizer then die.
If leached into water, can be harmful to humans due to high __ levels

Answer 20

Harms aquatic ecosystems as fertilizer runoff causes algae bloom in which they grow due to fertilizer then die.
If leached into water, can be harmful to humans due to high nitrogen levels

Question 21

why are pesticides sometimes ineffective?

Answer 21

Pesticides become less effective over time as plants and insects become resistant to the sprays

Question 22

how do large plastics harm organisms?

Answer 22

large plastics can entangle, attach, kill, or main aquatic organisms

Question 23

microplastics effect on environment

Answer 23

microplastics can cause chemicals to be absorbed from the environment. Microplastics in our drinking water and water sources (eg. fish) is considered a growing risk.

Question 24

oil spills can occur due to…

Answer 24

international shipping

Question 25

how can oil affect animals

Answer 25

oil cause organ damage to animals and hinders the insulation of birds feathers

Question 26

3 ways to repair damage of oil spills

Answer 26

skimming, vacuuming, bioremediation (microorganisms that feed on oil)

Question 27

why are synthetic fertilizers more harmful?

Answer 27

because they are high in nitrogen levels that can cause health problems to humans, especially infants

Question 28

how do pesticides help farmers?

Answer 28

pesticides help farmers kill pests, which increase food production

Question 29

what are pesticides used to control (4)

Answer 29

weeds, insects, rodents, fungi, and others. ex. used to kill mosquitos or prevent diseases

Question 30

when can bioaccumulation occur?

Answer 30

when higher food chain organism consume other organisms which have ingested pesticides

Question 31

most of the earths carbon is not cycled. what deposits are carbon stored in? how do they form?

Answer 31

-deposits in coal, limestone, ocean sediments, shells of marine animals, oil, and natural gas
-form when decomposed organisms are compressed over millions of years

Question 32

what is soil a mixture of

Answer 32

minerals, water, dissolved nutrients, air and decomposing matter, and home to organisms

Question 33

what are the most important nutrients for plants

Answer 33

nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium

Question 34

natural fertilizers + ex

Answer 34

made from natural materials like plant and animal waste
ex. manure, compost, wood, ashes

Question 35

pros and cons of natural fertilizers

Answer 35

pros: -danger of over fertilizing
-release nutrients slowly
-can improve soil structure

cons: -nutrients may be too slow
-low concentrations of nutrients
-difficult to apply and measure

Question 36

synthetic fertilizers + ex

Answer 36

made by humans using chemical processes
ex. ammonia, potassium, “bagged” fertilizer

Question 37

synthetic fertilizer pros and cons

Answer 37

pros: -easy to apply and measure
- release nutrients quickly

cons:-if released too quickly can cause an imbalance in soil chemistry
-takes a lot of energy to produce
-causes water pollution leaching