Quimester Exam #1

Question 1

Define, what is an environmental value system (EVS)?

Answer 1

An Environmental Value System (EVS) is a worldview that influences how individuals or societies perceive and respond to environmental issues, shaped by cultural, religious, and socio-political factors.

Question 2

Explain the 3 environmental value systems

Answer 2

1. Ecocentric: Nature-centered, emphasizing the intrinsic value of all life and advocating for harmony with nature and sustainability.
2. Anthropocentric: Human-centered, focusing on managing the environment responsibly to meet human needs through policies and regulations.
   3.Technocentric: Technology-centered, relying on innovation and technology to solve environmental problems and ensure progress.

Question 3

Sustainability is?

Answer 3

Sustainability is the ability to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. It involves balancing environmental, social, and economic considerations to ensure long-term health and stability for both people and the planet.

Question 4

What are the 3 pillars of sustainability and their meanings?

Answer 4

1. Economic Sustainability: Ensuring resources are managed efficiently to support long-term economic growth without causing harm to the environment or society.
2. Environmental Sustainability: Protecting natural ecosystems and resources to maintain ecological balance and meet current and future needs.
3. Social Sustainability: Promoting equity, well-being, and access to basic needs like education, health, and opportunities for all individuals and communities.

Question 5

What are the MDG’s and the SDG’s

Answer 5

The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) (2000-2015) were 8 global goals focused on reducing poverty, hunger, and improving health and education.

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) (2015-2030) are 17 broader goals that address global challenges like poverty, inequality, climate change, and environmental protection.

Question 6

Define the 3 sections of sustainability and their meanings.

Answer 6

Environmental Sustainability: Promote climate action, clean energy, and biodiversity conservation to protect ecosystems.

Social Sustainability: Ensure equity, access to education, healthcare, and reduce inequalities within and among communities.

Economic Sustainability: Foster inclusive economic growth, decent work, and innovation to improve livelihoods without depleting resources.

Question 7

Define is InTERspecific competition and give one example.

Answer 7

Competition between individuals of different species for the same resources (e.g., food, space).

Lions and hyenas competing for prey.

Question 8

Define InTRAspecific competition and give one example.

Answer 8

Competition between individuals of the same species for resources like mates or food.

Trees of the same species competing for light.

Question 9

Define predation and give one example.

Answer 9

Interaction where one organism (predator) hunts, kills, and eats another (prey).

A lion hunting a zebra.

Question 10

Define parasitism and give one example.

Answer 10

A relationship where one organism (parasite) benefits at the expense of the host, often without killing it.

Ticks feeding on a dog.

Question 11

Define commensalism and give one example.

Answer 11

A relationship where one organism benefits, and the other is neither harmed nor helped.

Barnacles on a whale.

Question 12

Define mutualism and give one example.

Answer 12

A relationship where both organisms benefit.

Bees pollinating flowers.

Question 13

Define Carrying capacity and give one example.

Answer 13

The maximum population size an environment can sustain indefinitely based on available resources.

A forest can support 500 deer.

Question 14

Define Exponential growth and give one example.

Answer 14

Rapid population increase where the growth rate becomes proportional to the growing total.

Bacteria multiplying in ideal conditions.

Question 15

Define Overshoot and give one example.

Answer 15

When a population exceeds the environment’s carrying capacity, depleting resources.

Overpopulation of deer leading to food shortages.

Question 16

Define Dieback and give one example.

Answer 16

A sudden population decline after overshoot due to resource depletion or other limiting factors.

Starvation reducing deer population.

Question 17

What is the name of an interaction in which one organism feeds on another by living on or in it and harming it?

Answer 17

Parasitism

Question 18

True or False: Some ecosystems only have biotic components.

Answer 18

False. All ecosystems have both biotic and abiotic components.

Question 19

Which term does NOT refer to an organism getting energy from a producer?
a. Secondary consumer
b. Decomposer
c. Herbivore
d. Primary consumer

Answer 19

Decomposer

Question 20

What do autotroph organisms do?

Answer 20

They produce their own energy through photosynthesis.

Question 21

Which of the following produces only abiotic factors?
a. Climate
b. Herbivores
c. Decomposers
d. Producers

Answer 21

Climate

Question 22

What is the formula for energy digested by consumers and available for life processes?
a. GPP = energy photosynthesized
b. GP = food eaten
c. NSP = GSP - R
d. GSP = food consumed - fecal waste

Answer 22

NSP = GSP - R

Question 23

What are the correct symbols and units used for energy stores and flows in energy flow diagrams?
a. Stores: arrows and measured in biomass per square meter per year / Flows: boxes and measured in biomass per year
b. Stores: arrows and measured in biomass per square meter / Flows: boxes and measured in Joules per square meter per year
c. Stores: boxes and measured in biomass per square meter / Flows: arrows and measured in Joules per square meter per year
d. Stores: boxes and measured in Joules per square meter per year / Flows: arrows and measured in biomass per square meter per year

Answer 23

Stores: boxes and measured in Joules per square meter per year / Flows: arrows and measured in biomass per square meter per year

Question 24

Define SUCCESSION and give one example.

Answer 24

Gradual process by which ecosystems change and develop over time. Stages: pioneer, intermediate, climax.

Forest growing on an abandoned farmland.

Question 25

Define PRIMARY SUCCESSION and give one example.

Answer 25

Succession occurring in areas with no prior life or soil, starting from bare substrate. Stages: colonization by lichens, soil formation, complex plants. Formation of vegetation on volcanic lava.

Question 26

Define SECONDARY SUCCESSION and give one example.

Answer 26

Succession in areas where an ecosystem previously existed but was disturbed. Stages: regrowth of grasses, shrubs, trees. Regrowth after a forest fire.

Question 27

Define R SPECIE and give one example.

Answer 27

Species with high reproduction rates, short life cycles, and low parental investment. Weeds or insects like dandelions.

Question 28

Define K SPECIE and give one example.

Answer 28

Species with lower reproduction rates, longer lifespans, and high parental investment. Elephants or oak trees.

Question 29

Define Biomass Pyramid and give one example

Answer 29

Represents the total dry mass of organisms at each trophic level in an ecosystem. Forest ecosystem: producers have the most biomass.

Question 30

Define NUMBERS PYRAMID and give one example

Answer 30

Shows the number of organisms at each trophic level. Grassland: many grass plants, fewer predators like lions.

Question 31

Define ENERGY/PRODUCTIVITY PYRAMID and give one example

Answer 31

Illustrates the energy flow through trophic levels, decreasing at higher levels. Only 10% of energy is passed to the next level.

Question 32

Define PP(Primary Productivity) and give one example

Answer 32

Rate at which plants convert solar energy into chemical energy (biomass). Energy captured by algae in a pond.

Question 33

Define GPP(Gross Primary Productivity) and give one example

Answer 33

Total energy captured by plants through photosynthesis. Total energy fixed by trees in a forest.

Question 34

Define NPP(Net Primary Productivity) and give one example

Answer 34

GPP minus energy used by plants for respiration; energy available to herbivores. Energy stored in plant biomass in a grassland.

Question 35

Define SP (Secondary Productivity) and give one example

Answer 35

Energy gained by consumers from food, converted into biomass. Biomass increase in herbivores like deer.

Question 36

Define GSP (Gross Secondary Productivity) and give one example

Answer 36

Total energy assimilated by consumers before respiration losses. Total food energy intake by cows.

Question 37

Define NSP (Net Secondary Productivity) and give one example

Answer 37

GSP minus energy lost to respiration; energy available to higher trophic levels. Biomass passed to carnivores from herbivores.