Question 1

Overgrazing by cattle primarily contributes to desertification by

Accepted Answer

A) promoting erosion and loss of rooted plant cover. 
B) contaminating streams with cattle wastes. 
C) cattle outcompeting natural herbivores. 
D) spreading the growth of non-native species. 
A) promoting erosion and loss of rooted plant cover. 
B) contaminating streams with cattle wastes. 
C) cattle outcompeting natural herbivores. 
D) spreading the growth of non-native species.

Question 2

Which of the following is true?

Accepted Answer

A) Only about 10% of the world's food comes from land-based agriculture. 
B) Soil degradation is a problem unique to the past two centuries. 
C) More than 20% of cultivated land was degraded between 1989 and 2003. 
D) The Mayan Empire serves as a model for excellent soil management. 
A) Only about 10% of the world's food comes from land-based agriculture. 
B) Soil degradation is a problem unique to the past two centuries. 
C) More than 20% of cultivated land was degraded between 1989 and 2003. 
D) The Mayan Empire serves as a model for excellent soil management.

Question 3

The SARE;and WHIP,EQIP and CSP programs

Accepted Answer

A) mandate soil conservation programs in all U.S.-subsidized agriculture. 
B) promote research in sustainable agriculture (SAR
E) or land and wildlife conservation on agricultural lands. 
C) are U.N.FAO programs aimed at sustainable agriculture in South America and Africa. 
D) are NGOs that work with Central American steeplands farmers to improve soil fertility. 
A) mandate soil conservation programs in all U.S.-subsidized agriculture. 
B) promote research in sustainable agriculture (SAR
E) or land and wildlife conservation on agricultural lands. 
C) are U.N.FAO programs aimed at sustainable agriculture in South America and Africa. 
D) are NGOs that work with Central American steeplands farmers to improve soil fertility.

Question 4

-The movement of the water through this plant involves

Accepted Answer

A) transpiration and stomata in the leaves. 
B) transpiration and stomata in the roots. 
C) infiltration and high soil fertility. 
D) infiltration and photosynthesis in the leaves. 
A) transpiration and stomata in the leaves. 
B) transpiration and stomata in the roots. 
C) infiltration and high soil fertility. 
D) infiltration and photosynthesis in the leaves.

Question 5

A soil that has become mineralized will have

Accepted Answer

A) more earthworms,more humus,and more sand. 
B) fewer earthworms,less humus,and more sand,silt,or clay. 
C) more detritus,more fungi,but less aeration. 
D) more detritus,more bacteria,but less water-holding capacity. 
A) more earthworms,more humus,and more sand. 
B) fewer earthworms,less humus,and more sand,silt,or clay. 
C) more detritus,more fungi,but less aeration. 
D) more detritus,more bacteria,but less water-holding capacity.

Question 6

When a plant does not get enough water and starts to wilt,it

Accepted Answer

A) opens its stomata,stops transpiration,and generates oxygen but not carbon dioxide. 
B) opens its stomata,starts transpiration,and generates carbon dioxide but not oxygen. 
C) closes its stomata,stops transpiration,and no longer brings in carbon dioxide from the air. 
D) closes its stomata,starts transpiration,and no longer brings in oxygen from the air. 
A) opens its stomata,stops transpiration,and generates oxygen but not carbon dioxide. 
B) opens its stomata,starts transpiration,and generates carbon dioxide but not oxygen. 
C) closes its stomata,stops transpiration,and no longer brings in carbon dioxide from the air. 
D) closes its stomata,starts transpiration,and no longer brings in oxygen from the air.

Question 7

We would expect that soil leaching would be most severe in regions where

Accepted Answer

A) there is little rainfall and no irrigation of crops. 
B) irrigation is applied to fields on hillsides. 
C) mollisols are abundant and farmers rarely plow. 
D) cattle are grazed and natural grasses cover the land. 
A) there is little rainfall and no irrigation of crops. 
B) irrigation is applied to fields on hillsides. 
C) mollisols are abundant and farmers rarely plow. 
D) cattle are grazed and natural grasses cover the land.

Question 8

Most plants do best in soils with a pH that is

Accepted Answer

A) below 2. 
B) between 6-8. 
C) between 8-10. 
D) above 10. 
A) below 2. 
B) between 6-8. 
C) between 8-10. 
D) above 10.

Question 9

Which of the following would do the most harm to the productivity of a garden?

Accepted Answer

A) killing the fungi and bacteria in the soil 
B) killing the nematodes and insects in the soil 
C) adding humus and sandy loam to the soil 
D) plowing into the soil the stalks from last year's crops 
A) killing the fungi and bacteria in the soil 
B) killing the nematodes and insects in the soil 
C) adding humus and sandy loam to the soil 
D) plowing into the soil the stalks from last year's crops

Question 10

On a hot day with bright sunlight and plenty of water in the soil,a plant actively engaged in photosynthesis will use its stomata to move

Accepted Answer

A) water and oxygen from the plant and take in carbon dioxide. 
B) water and carbon dioxide from the plant and take in oxygen. 
C) oxygen and carbon dioxide from the plant and take in water. 
D) water from the plant and take in carbon dioxide and oxygen. 
A) water and oxygen from the plant and take in carbon dioxide. 
B) water and carbon dioxide from the plant and take in oxygen. 
C) oxygen and carbon dioxide from the plant and take in water. 
D) water from the plant and take in carbon dioxide and oxygen.

Question 11

At a county fair,the winner of the best garden vegetable competition is asked how she grows such wonderful produce consistently.Wanting not to reveal all of her secrets,she says she uses composted materials.What this gardener is using is

Accepted Answer

A) a type of soil made of sand and fertilizer. 
B) a type of soil made of a mixture of clay and sand. 
C) decomposed organic matter called humus. 
D) a mixture of fungi,insects,and worms. 
A) a type of soil made of sand and fertilizer. 
B) a type of soil made of a mixture of clay and sand. 
C) decomposed organic matter called humus. 
D) a mixture of fungi,insects,and worms.

Question 12

Which of the following farming practices would be expected to produce the least nutrient leaching,and thus contribute most to soil sustainability?

Accepted Answer

A) deep plowing,irrigation,and the use of inorganic fertilizers 
B) deep plowing,no irrigation,and the use of inorganic fertilizers 
C) no plowing,irrigation,and the use of organic fertilizers 
D) no plowing,no irrigation,and the use of organic fertilizers 
A) deep plowing,irrigation,and the use of inorganic fertilizers 
B) deep plowing,no irrigation,and the use of inorganic fertilizers 
C) no plowing,irrigation,and the use of organic fertilizers 
D) no plowing,no irrigation,and the use of organic fertilizers

Question 13

In which of the following agricultural situations are fertilizers least needed?

Accepted Answer

A) A pumpkin patch is harvested only in the fall,and the vines remain behind. 
B) 1,000 acres of corn are raised and harvested for export from a midwestern farm. 
C) A natural prairie pasture where cattle feed and defecate. 
D) A field where a farmer applies cow manure after harvesting hay. 
A) A pumpkin patch is harvested only in the fall,and the vines remain behind. 
B) 1,000 acres of corn are raised and harvested for export from a midwestern farm. 
C) A natural prairie pasture where cattle feed and defecate. 
D) A field where a farmer applies cow manure after harvesting hay.

Question 14

In general,United States subsidies for farmers and ranchers have

Accepted Answer

A) been based on a sustainable use of natural resources. 
B) produced unsustainable soil conservation practices and increased pesticide and fertilizer use. 
C) shown how satellite technology can benefit conservation efforts. 
D) demonstrated the benefit of government investment to support conservation efforts. 
A) been based on a sustainable use of natural resources. 
B) produced unsustainable soil conservation practices and increased pesticide and fertilizer use. 
C) shown how satellite technology can benefit conservation efforts. 
D) demonstrated the benefit of government investment to support conservation efforts.

Question 15

Children learning the process of good home gardening decide to help as best they can.Every day they walk along rows of bean plants,carefully inspecting each plant for insects,and removing any that they find.However,the bean plants do not grow well,and few beans form.Their parents notice the poor beans,inspect the plants and soil,and tell the children that walking around the plants every day has hurt the plants by

Accepted Answer

A) compacting the soil,decreasing aeration and infiltration. 
B) increasing soil aeration and killing soil microorganisms. 
C) reducing the nutrient minerals out of the soil. 
D) converting the topsoil into clay. 
A) compacting the soil,decreasing aeration and infiltration. 
B) increasing soil aeration and killing soil microorganisms. 
C) reducing the nutrient minerals out of the soil. 
D) converting the topsoil into clay.

Question 16

Adding humus in a garden will most likely

Accepted Answer

A) decrease the nutrients of the soil and the water-holding capacity. 
B) increase the nutrients of the soil and the water-holding capacity. 
C) increase the nutrients of the soil but decrease the water-holding capacity. 
D) decrease the nutrients of the soil but increase the water-holding capacity. 
A) decrease the nutrients of the soil and the water-holding capacity. 
B) increase the nutrients of the soil and the water-holding capacity. 
C) increase the nutrients of the soil but decrease the water-holding capacity. 
D) decrease the nutrients of the soil but increase the water-holding capacity.

Question 17

No-till farming would be most beneficial for farmers

Accepted Answer

A) with steeply sloped fields. 
B) who plant a cash crop every third year. 
C) who typically experience minimal soil erosion. 
D) using contour strip cropping. 
A) with steeply sloped fields. 
B) who plant a cash crop every third year. 
C) who typically experience minimal soil erosion. 
D) using contour strip cropping.

Question 18

Compared to inorganic fertilizers,organic fertilizers such as

Accepted Answer

A) cow manure applied to a field increase the chances of nutrient leaching. 
B) cow manure applied to a field reduce the chances of nutrient leaching. 
C) liquid ammonia sprayed on a field decrease the chances of nutrient leaching. 
D) liquid ammonia sprayed on a field increase the formation of humus. 
A) cow manure applied to a field increase the chances of nutrient leaching. 
B) cow manure applied to a field reduce the chances of nutrient leaching. 
C) liquid ammonia sprayed on a field decrease the chances of nutrient leaching. 
D) liquid ammonia sprayed on a field increase the formation of humus.

Question 19

In a region of eastern Washington state known as the Palouse,farmers grow wheat on steep sloped hills.Which of the following agricultural practices might be of greatest benefit in this region?

Accepted Answer

A) use of shelterbelts 
B) contour strip farming 
C) irrigation 
D) repeated plowing 
A) use of shelterbelts 
B) contour strip farming 
C) irrigation 
D) repeated plowing

Question 20

In a healthy soil environment that demonstrates sustainability,

Accepted Answer

A) the levels of humus steadily declines,but the aeration increases. 
B) sandy or silty soils are steadily converted to clay soils. 
C) abundant populations of bacteria are steadily replaced by mycorrhizae. 
D) the humus forming processes of topsoil is renewed by the addition of detritus and humus. 
A) the levels of humus steadily declines,but the aeration increases. 
B) sandy or silty soils are steadily converted to clay soils. 
C) abundant populations of bacteria are steadily replaced by mycorrhizae. 
D) the humus forming processes of topsoil is renewed by the addition of detritus and humus.

Exam 11: Soil: Foundation for Land Ecosystems

Overgrazing by cattle primarily contributes to desertification by

Which of the following is true?

The SARE;and WHIP,EQIP and CSP programs

-The movement of the water through this plant involves

A soil that has become mineralized will have

When a plant does not get enough water and starts to wilt,it

We would expect that soil leaching would be most severe in regions where

Most plants do best in soils with a pH that is

Which of the following would do the most harm to the productivity of a garden?

On a hot day with bright sunlight and plenty of water in the soil,a plant actively engaged in photosynthesis will use its stomata to move

At a county fair,the winner of the best garden vegetable competition is asked how she grows such wonderful produce consistently.Wanting not to reveal all of her secrets,she says she uses composted materials.What this gardener is using is

Which of the following farming practices would be expected to produce the least nutrient leaching,and thus contribute most to soil sustainability?

In which of the following agricultural situations are fertilizers least needed?

In general,United States subsidies for farmers and ranchers have

Adding humus in a garden will most likely

No-till farming would be most beneficial for farmers

Compared to inorganic fertilizers,organic fertilizers such as

In a region of eastern Washington state known as the Palouse,farmers grow wheat on steep sloped hills.Which of the following agricultural practices might be of greatest benefit in this region?

In a healthy soil environment that demonstrates sustainability,

Science and the Environment

Economics, Politics, and Public Policy

Basic Needs of Living Things

Populations and Communities

Ecosystems: Energy, Patterns, and Disturbance

Wild Species and Biodiversity

The Use and Restoration of Ecosystems

The Human Population

Population and Development

Water: Hydrologic Cycle and Human Use

The Production and Distribution of Food

Pests and Pest Control

Energy From Fossil Fuels

Nuclear Power

Renewable Energy

Environmental Hazards and Human Health

Global Climate Change

Atmospheric Pollution

Water Pollution and Its Prevention

Municipal Solid Waste: Disposal and Recovery

Hazardous Chemicals: Pollution and Prevention

Sustainable Communities and Lifestyles

Filters