The Environment and Sustainability Flashcards
7 cards from real BECE practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 The Environment and Sustainability flashcards as text
What is acid rain, and what primarily causes it?
Answer: Precipitation made acidic by sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides from burning fossil fuels
Acid rain forms when sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides emitted by burning fossil fuels react with atmospheric moisture to form sulfuric and nitric acids.
Which ecosystem is known as the 'lungs of the Earth' because it produces vast amounts of oxygen?
Answer: Tropical rainforest
Tropical rainforests produce enormous amounts of oxygen through photosynthesis and absorb large quantities of CO2, earning them the nickname 'lungs of the Earth.'
What is the difference between renewable and non-renewable resources?
Answer: Renewable resources replenish naturally over time; non-renewable have finite supplies
Renewable resources like solar and wind energy naturally replenish, while non-renewable resources like coal and oil form over millions of years and can be depleted.
How does overfishing threaten ocean ecosystems?
Answer: It removes key species faster than they can reproduce, disrupting food webs
Overfishing depletes fish populations faster than they can reproduce, which disrupts food chains and can cause entire ecosystem collapses.
What is the role of decomposers in an ecosystem?
Answer: They break down dead organic matter and return nutrients to the soil
Decomposers such as bacteria and fungi break down dead organisms and waste, recycling nutrients back into the soil for plants to use.
Which of the following is a consequence of urban sprawl on the environment?
Answer: Loss of farmland and natural habitats due to expanding cities
Urban sprawl converts natural lands and agricultural areas into roads, buildings, and infrastructure, reducing habitat and green space.
What is an ecological footprint?
Answer: A measure of the natural resources required to sustain a person's or population's lifestyle
An ecological footprint estimates the area of productive land and water needed to support a person's or community's resource consumption and absorb their waste.