Q: A population grows at a rate of 2% per year. If the current population is 1,000,000, what will the population be after 10 years? (Use the formula $$ P = P_0$ \times (1 + r)^t )$$

$$ P = 1,000,000 \times (1 + 0.02$$)^{10}$$ = 1,218,994 $$

Question 1

Which of the following best describes the concept of 'Ecological Footprint'?

Accepted Answer

The measure of the area of land and water required to supply the resources a person or population consumes and to absorb the wastes they generate.

Question 2

Earth Overshoot Day marks the date when humanity’s demand for ecological resources exceeds what Earth can regenerate in that year. If the global biocapacity is 12 billion global hectares and the world’s ecological footprint is 18 billion global hectares, what fraction of the year passes before Overshoot Day?

Accepted Answer

$$ \frac{12}{18} = 0.67  ($$about 67% of the year)

Question 3

Which of the following is NOT considered an ecosystem service?

Accepted Answer

Production of goods in a factory

Question 4

A keystone species is best defined as:

Accepted Answer

A species whose impact on its ecosystem is disproportionately large relative to its abundance.

Question 5

Which of the following is a renewable resource?

Accepted Answer

Forest products

Question 6

If a resource is used at a rate faster than its rate of replenishment, what is the likely outcome?

Accepted Answer

The resource will be depleted over time.

Question 7

Which formula correctly represents the calculation of Gross Domestic Product (GDP)?

Accepted Answer

$$ GDP = C + I + G + NX $$

Question 8

Why is the Genuine Progress Indicator (GPI) considered a better measure of societal well-being than GDP?

Accepted Answer

GPI subtracts negative environmental and social impacts from economic activity.

Question 9

Which of the following is an example of 'existence value' in environmental economics?

Accepted Answer

The value people place on knowing that a species or ecosystem exists, even if they never use it directly.

Question 10

Which of the following best describes biodiversity?

Accepted Answer

The variety among living organisms from all sources, including terrestrial, marine, and other aquatic ecosystems, and the ecological complexes of which they are part.

Question 11

Which of the following is NOT a major threat to marine environments?

Accepted Answer

Natural selection

Question 12

A population grows at a rate of 2% per year. If the current population is 1,000,000, what will the population be after 10 years? (Use the formula $$ P = P_0$ 	imes (1 + r)^t )$$

Accepted Answer

$$ P = 1,000,000 	imes (1 + 0.02$$)^{10}$$ = 1,218,994 $$

Question 13

Which of the following is an example of a nonrenewable resource?

Accepted Answer

Coal

Question 14

Which of the following best explains why biodiversity is important for ecosystem services?

Accepted Answer

Biodiversity enhances the resilience and productivity of ecosystems, supporting services such as pollination, nutrient cycling, and climate regulation.

Question 15

Which of the following is a plausible consequence of a declining global biodiversity for human populations?

Accepted Answer

Reduced resilience of ecosystems to environmental changes, threatening food security and health.

Question 16

Which of the following is NOT a component of the Genuine Progress Indicator (GPI)?

Accepted Answer

Stock market performance

Question 17

Which of the following best describes the anthropocentric view of natural resources?

Accepted Answer

Resources are valuable because they provide benefits to humans.

Question 18

Which of the following is an example of a multi-step problem involving ecosystem services and resource use?

Accepted Answer

The community will deplete the forest resource over time, reducing ecosystem services such as carbon sequestration and habitat provision.

Question 19

Which of the following is NOT a category of biodiversity?

Accepted Answer

Population density

Introduction to Environmental Science: Core Concepts and Biodiversity

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