Q: Which formula correctly calculates the percentage of a habitat remaining after deforestation, given initial area $$A_0$$ and area lost $$A_l$$?

$$\frac{A_0$ - A_l}{A_0$} \times 100$$

Question 1

Which of the following gases is the most abundant in Earth's atmospheric envelope?

Accepted Answer

Nitrogen

Question 2

Which process is primarily responsible for the recent dramatic increase in atmospheric CO$$_2$$ concentrations since the 19th century?

Accepted Answer

Industrial fossil fuel burning

Question 3

What is the main ecological consequence of 'edge effects' resulting from tropical deforestation?

Accepted Answer

Greater susceptibility to fire, disease, and tree fall at forest edges

Question 4

According to Vitousek (1994), which human activity has most significantly altered the global nitrogen cycle?

Accepted Answer

Intensive agriculture and industrial processes

Question 5

If the annual rate of tropical rainforest loss in 1989 was 142,000 km$$^2$$, what percentage of the remaining 8 million km$$^2$$ was lost that year? Use the formula $$	ext{Percentage lost} = \frac{	ext{Area lost}}{	ext{Total area}} 	imes 100.$$

Accepted Answer

$$1.8\%$$

Question 6

Which of the following is NOT considered a greenhouse gas contributing to the greenhouse effect?

Accepted Answer

Argon

Question 7

What is a major direct effect of tropical deforestation on global biodiversity?

Accepted Answer

Loss of species and ecosystem services

Question 8

Which of the following best describes the relationship between atmospheric CO$$_2$$ levels and global temperature over the last 160,000 years?

Accepted Answer

Periods of high CO$$_2$$ correspond to interglacial periods

Question 9

Which of the following is a consequence of human-induced changes in the nitrogen cycle?

Accepted Answer

Reduced diversity and ecosystem health

Question 10

Alien species can disrupt island ecosystems because:

Accepted Answer

Native species are specially adapted to each other and cannot compete with exotics

Question 11

Which of the following is an example of overexploitation impacting biodiversity?

Accepted Answer

Harvesting so many individuals from a wild population that numbers become severely depleted

Question 12

Which formula correctly calculates the percentage of a habitat remaining after deforestation, given initial area $$A_0$$ and area lost $$A_l$$?

Accepted Answer

$$\frac{A_0$ - A_l}{A_0$} 	imes 100$$

Question 13

Which of the following is an indirect value of biodiversity?

Accepted Answer

Provision of fresh water and regulation of climate

Question 14

Which human activity is most responsible for the conversion of 1/3 to 1/2 of the ice-free land surface of the Earth?

Accepted Answer

Conversion of land for agriculture and urbanization

Question 15

Which pollutant is primarily responsible for ozone depletion in the atmosphere?

Accepted Answer

Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)

Question 16

A forest fragment is exposed to increased solar radiation and wind after deforestation. What is the most likely abiotic change at the edge?

Accepted Answer

Higher temperature and lower humidity

Question 17

Which of the following is NOT a consequence of pollution on biodiversity?

Accepted Answer

Increase in native species populations

Question 18

Which of the following is a recommended strategy for working toward a sustainable society?

Accepted Answer

Protect natural ecosystems and conserve energy

Question 19

If fossil fuel burning produces 5,600 Tg/yr of CO$$_2$$ and recent atmospheric concentrations are 3,500 Tg/yr, what does this suggest about the fate of the remaining CO$$_2$$? (Assume $$1 	ext{ Tg} = 10$$^{12}$$ 	ext{g})$$

Accepted Answer

Some CO$$_2 is $$absorbed by oceans and terrestrial ecosystems

Chapter 23: Global Ecology – Human Impacts on the Biosphere

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