PSSA Prep Envt-Ecology

7/29/2019 PSSA Prep Envt-Ecology

1/22

PSSA SCIENCEPREP ENVIRONMENT &

ECOLOGY

CLASS OPENER:

Which event explains what most likelyhappened at the beginning of Month 3?

A. More predators of species X were introduced.

B. The prey of species X decreased in number.

C. A disease that affected species X was

introduced.

D. A competitor of species X decreased in

number.


2/22

TODAYS OBJECTIVES:

Explain biogeochemical cycles within an ecosystem. Explain how biological diversity relates to the viability of an ecosystem.

Describe how an ecosystem can change over time to become a different type of

ecosystem (i.e.., lake to pond to wet meadow succession).

Identify and explain a watershed and stream order.

Describe natural and human factors that impact water quality in wetlands andwatersheds.

Explain the primary functions of a wetland.

Explain how a scientist can analyze a freshwater system to check for water quality

in the environment.

Describe how renewable and non-renewable resources provide for human needs

and how the use of these impact the environment.

Explain how plants and animals are used in the United States based upon specific

growing climates and soil conditions.

Describe Best Management Practices (BMPs) used in agriculture to reduce

environmental impacts due to farming.

Explain various ways how organisms come to a point of extinctionwhat impactsan organisms ability to successfully replenish its population.


3/22

OVERALL FOCUS OF THE DAY:

TESTTAKING STRATEGIES

REMEMBER your test taking

strategies!Read the question! what is it

asking?

Read the answers!use POE to

get rid of obvious wrong answers!Take your time!dont change an

answer unless you KNOW it is wrong!


4/22

O

penEn

dedQuestions


5/22

SAMPLE PSSA OPEN-ENDED

ITEMThe Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska is

over 19 million acres of land. Its unique habitatsupports at least 45 species of land and marine

animals, 36 species of fish, and 180 species of

birds. Some people want to drill for oil in parts of

the refuge. Scientists estimate the total amount of

recoverable oil in the refuge is between 5 and 16

billion barrels. PART A

Describe an environmental problem that could

be caused by drilling for oil in Alaska.

PART B

Describe a regional benefit of drilling for oil in

Alaska.


6/22

Possible CORRECT Answers


7/22

SAMPLE PSSA QUESTION #1

A small lake has an algae bloom,

and the water is very green.Which change is most likely the

cause of the algae growth?

A. An increase in the amount of

fertilizer used near the lake.

B. An increase in the amount of

fresh water flowing into the lake

C. An increase in the number of

people fishing in the lake

D. An increase in the number of

boats using the lake

Answer on Next Slide..


8/22

SAMPLE PSSA QUESTION #1

A small lake has an algae bloom,

and the water is very green.Which change is most likely the

cause of the algae growth?

A. An increase in the amount of

fertilizer used near the lake.

B. An increase in the amount of

fresh water flowing into the lake

C. An increase in the number of

people fishing in the lake

D. An increase in the number of

boats using the lake


9/22

SAMPLE PSSA QUESTION # 2 Which statement correctly describes an energy source and

its effect on the environment?

A.Fossil Fuel, which comes from a continuously renewable resource,

generates greenhouse gases.

B.Solar Power, which comes from a continuously renewable resource,


C.Nuclear Energy, which comes from a non-renewable resource, generatesdangerous waste.

D.Hydroelectric Power, which comes from a non-renewable resource

generates dangerous waste.



10/22

SAMPLE PSSA QUESTION # 2 Which statement correctly describes an energy source and

its effect on the environment?

A.Fossil Fuel, which comes from a continuously renewable resource,


B.Solar Power, which comes from a continuously renewable resource,


C.Nuclear Energy, which comes from a non-renewable resource, generatesdangerous waste.

D.Hydroelectric Power, which comes from a non-renewable resource

generates dangerous waste.


11/22

SAMPLE PSSA QUESTION # 3

A developer plans to clear a forest to make room for a

shopping mall. How will this building project most likely

affect the forest ecosystem?

A. It will destroy the habitat of forest organisms.

B. It will cause a drought that damages vegetation

C. It will cause overharvesting of the forest animalsD. It will decrease the reproduction rates of forest organisms

Virgin Forest

1620

Virgin Forest

1920

Virgin Forest

1850

Virgin Forest

TODAY



12/22


A developer plans to clear a forest to make room for a

shopping mall. How will this building project most likely

affect the forest ecosystem?

A. It will destroy the habitat of forest organisms.

B. It will cause a drought that damages vegetation

C. It will cause overharvesting of the forest animalsD. It will decrease the reproduction rates of forest organisms

Virgin Forest

1620

Virgin Forest

1920

Virgin Forest

1850

Virgin Forest

TODAY


13/22


Which statement describes how recycling aluminum cans

positively affects the environment?

A. Recycling uses energy.

B. Recycling makes solid waste.

C. Recycling conserves mineral resources.

D. Recycling produces air pollution.



14/22


Which statement describes how recycling aluminum cans

positively affects the environment?

A. Recycling uses energy.

B. Recycling makes solid waste.

C. Recycling conserves mineral resources.

D. Recycling produces air pollution.


15/22

SAMPLE PSSA QUESTION # 5 Which type of moving water provides the best environment

for organisms that decompose dead organic matter?A. A steep mountain stream that flows when snow melts in the

spring

B. A shallow river with cold, clear water and a sandy bottom

C. A slow-moving river with a wide, open channel

D. A rapidly moving stream with a narrow, steep channel



16/22

SAMPLE PSSA QUESTION # 5 Which type of moving water provides the best environment

for organisms that decompose dead organic matter?A. A steep mountain stream that flows when snow melts in the

spring

B. A shallow river with cold, clear water and a sandy bottom

C. A slow-moving river with a wide, open channel

D. A rapidly moving stream with a narrow, steep channel


17/22

SAMPLE PSSA QUESTION # 6 This diagram is an example of a biogeochemical cycle.

How does this cycle contribute to watersheds?A. The Water Cycle is how water enters a watershed and how

water flows through the watershed.

B. The Water Cycle does not contribute to watersheds.

C. Watersheds are made up of land only.

D. The Water Cycle only occurs in the atmosphere.



18/22

SAMPLE PSSA QUESTION # 6 This diagram is an example of a biogeochemical cycle.

How does this cycle contribute to watersheds?A. The Water Cycle is how water enters a watershed and how

water flows through the watershed.

B. The Water Cycle does not contribute to watersheds.

C. Watersheds are made up of land only.

D. The Water Cycle only occurs in the atmosphere.


19/22

SAMPLE PSSA QUESTION # 7 The Everglades are a wetland ecosystem. Humans blocked the flow

of water from Lake Okeechobee to build human dwellings.

Recently, the flow has be partially restored. Which of the following isnot a reason the flow to the Everglades was restored?

A. To restore the natural water filtration of the Everglades to the

ecosystem.

B. To protect the native wildlife and plant populations.

C. To provide flood control and water supply for a growing population.

D. To increase the invasive species populations in the wetland.



20/22

SAMPLE PSSA QUESTION # 7 The Everglades are a wetland ecosystem. Humans blocked the flow

of water from Lake Okeechobee to build human dwellings.

Recently, the flow has be partially restored. Which of the following isnot a reason the flow to the Everglades was restored?

A. To restore the natural water filtration of the Everglades to the

ecosystem.

B. To protect the native wildlife and plant populations.

C. To provide flood control and water supply for a growing population.

D. To increase the invasive species populations in the wetland.


21/22

In Agriculture, Best Management Practices (BMPs) are what farmers

use to make environmentally sound decisions in managing which

aspects of the farming business?

A. BMPs are for engineers not farmers.

B. BMPs are only used with crops.

C. BMPs are only used with farm animals.

D. BMPs apply to all aspects of the farming business.

EXIT TICKET



22/22

In Agriculture, Best Management Practices (BMPs) are what farmers

use to make environmentally sound decisions in managing which

aspects of the farming business?

A. BMPs are for engineers not farmers.

B. BMPs are only used with crops.

C. BMPs are only used with farm animals.

D. BMPs apply to all aspects of the farming business.

EXIT TICKET

PSSA Prep Envt-Ecology

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