Climate Topic Test

Why was the concern over global cooling replaced with a concern over global warming? a. The science community needed a cause to frighten the general population. b. Steady surface temperature increases were noted between the 1970's and 90's. c. Air pollution only became a concern in the 1980's. d. Scientists observed severe ocean acidification.

Which of the following is the most likely global climate change? a. a decrease in the overall temperature of the Earth b. an increase in the overall temperature of the Earth c. an increase in the number of cold climates d. no change to global climate

Which of the following is not true concerning the Pleistocene ice age. a. Earth began warming out of the ice age 18,000 years ago. b. Glaciers stopped advancing 15,000 years ago. c. Sea levels during the ice age were higher than today. d. Forests and grasslands became more common after the ice age.

Which of the following is not a characteristic of a climax community? a. high levels of biodiversity b. presence of complex organisms c. conditions suitable for all organisms d. experiences no change

Ecosystems have trouble adjusting to short-term changes.

The increased ranges of plant and insect species resulting from climate change has only negative consequences.

All scientists agree that global climate change will happen rapidly.

Secondary succession occurs in ecosystems without soil.

"In a 2009 study, presented by the National Academy of Science, 97% of climate scientists agree that human activity is causing global warming." Which of the following statements is best supported by this study? a. Most climate scientists dispute the theory of human influence on global warming. b. Global warming is most likely alarmist propaganda based on false data. c. Global warming is definitely not caused by human influence on nature. d. Most climate scientists believe that there is evidence that explains global warming.

Without the greenhouse effect the Earth would be _______ than it is today. a. warmer b. drier c. colder d. wetter

Succession occurs after ecosystems experience some type of disruptive event.

Habitat change occurs more frequently through natural causes than human activity.

Fish populations and other aquatic resources are likely to be affected by changes in what aquatic factors? a. water temperatures b. disease c. water quality d. all of the above

What is a possible consequence of climate change to species that have a narrow temperature tolerance range? a. extinction b. decreased population c. changes in migratory patterns d. all of the above

Which of the following statements about current theories on global warming is true? a. Scientists generally agree that global warming is taking place. b. Some scientists think that we should accelerate global warming. c. The scientific community disagrees about whether we should take action about global warming. d. Cutting down trees and burning fossil fuels does not lead to global warming.

Which of the following is the most likely cause of succession in ecosystems? a. arrival of new species b. rain c. loss of an animal species d. wildfires

Human impact on ecosystems would most likely lead to secondary succession over primary succession.

Which of the following is not true concerning the interglacial period that began 15,000 years ago? a. glaciers stopped advancing b. sea levels rose c. biodiversity increased d. none of the above

Which of the following is a negative effect of algal blooms on the environment? a. transport of carbon to the bottom of the ocean b. production of oxygen c. consumption of water's oxygen d. large source of energy

Environmental factors can cause various changes in ecosystems. Which of the following would most likely have the greatest lasting effect on an ecosystem? a. a seasonal excess of fertilizer runoff b. a disease among a population c. change to the landscape from construction d. seasonal drought

Which of the following could cause a habitat change? a. introduction of an invasive species b. a wildfire c. a mudslide d. all of the above

Ecosystems change when _______. a. living components of an ecosystem change b. nonliving components of an ecosystem change c. their stability is disrupted d. all of the above

Why are there different theories about the effects of global warming? a. There is no data to support global warming. b. Global climate is complex, so changes in global climate are hard to predict. c. Increased levels of carbon dioxide are offset by other changes. d. There has been a decrease of extreme weather.

Human activities _______. a. exacerbate the natural greenhouse effect b. create the greenhouse effect c. diminish the greenhouse effect d. eliminate the greenhouse effect

How could climate change affect the ecosystems of the island nation of Samoa? a. increased cyclone activity could damage land plants and coral reefs b. increasing global temperatures could raise ocean levels and temperatures subsequently damaging aquatic environments c. a and b d. none of the above