Which statement offers the best critique of how humans have impacted the environment through agricultural activities?(1 point)
Responses
Chemicals applied on agricultural crops have led to the lessening of cultural eutrophication.
Chemicals applied on agricultural crops have led to the lessening of cultural eutrophication.
Humans did not impact the physical environment until the last 150 years.
Humans did not impact the physical environment until the last 150 years.
The agricultural practice of slash and burn does not impact the physical environment in modern times.
The agricultural practice of slash and burn does not impact the physical environment in modern times.
Human agricultural activities have always impacted the physical environment.
Human agricultural activities have always impacted the physical environment.
Which option correctly identifies a result of agricultural practices? (1 point)
Responses
soil erosion
soil erosion
water diversion
water diversion
biodiversity
biodiversity
slash and burn agriculture
soil erosion
Which of the following critiques of forestry’s impact on the physical environment is a positive effect?(1 point)
Responses
Deforestation can cause soil erosion and landslides.
Deforestation can cause soil erosion and landslides.
Forestry can lead to the removal of carbon sinks.
Forestry can lead to the removal of carbon sinks.
Recreational use can engage more people with forest conservation.
Recreational use can engage more people with forest conservation.
Low regulation of fires increases the amount of slash and burn agriculture that occurs.
Recreational use can engage more people with forest conservation.
Which statement best explains what happened to wetland resources and ecosystem services after the 1970s in the U.S.?(1 point)
Responses
Increased knowledge of the role of wetlands in preserving ecosystem services led to policies to restore and protect wetlands.
Increased knowledge of the role of wetlands in preserving ecosystem services led to policies to restore and protect wetlands.
Flooding due to wetlands led to a decrease in the number of wetlands.
Flooding due to wetlands led to a decrease in the number of wetlands.
The Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Act, passed in 1980, required the destruction of all wetlands throughout the U.S.
The Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Act, passed in 1980, required the destruction of all wetlands throughout the U.S.
Wetlands began to deplete groundwater, leading to policies that favored draining wetlands.
Increased knowledge of the role of wetlands in preserving ecosystem services led to policies to restore and protect wetlands.
Which term best describes a process that supports human life and economies at no cost to humans?(1 point)
Responses
externality
externality
biodiversity
biodiversity
ecosystem service
ecosystem service
natural resource
ecosystem service
The best critique of how humans have impacted the environment through agricultural activities is: "Human agricultural activities have always impacted the physical environment."
To arrive at this conclusion, we need to evaluate the options presented and consider the evidence supporting each statement.
Option 1 states that the application of chemicals on agricultural crops has led to the lessening of cultural eutrophication. While this may be true in some cases, it does not address the broader impact of agricultural activities on the environment.
Option 2 suggests that humans did not impact the physical environment until the last 150 years. However, this statement is incorrect because humans have been engaging in agricultural practices for thousands of years, and their activities have undoubtedly influenced the environment throughout history.
Option 3 claims that the agricultural practice of slash and burn does not impact the physical environment in modern times. This statement is also incorrect as slash and burn agriculture is known to have negative impacts on ecosystems, including deforestation and soil degradation.
Finally, option 4 accurately states that human agricultural activities have always impacted the physical environment. This statement aligns with the historical evidence of how agricultural practices have altered landscapes, biodiversity, and natural resources.
Therefore, the best critique is that human agricultural activities have always impacted the physical environment.