ENVS 1126 LSU Van Heerden Test 1
Exam Questions and Answers
Ecosystem Services - Answer- Benefits that humans receive from ecosystems, like
clean water, air, and pollination. Example: Bees pollinating crops.
Discount Rate - Answer- The interest rate used to determine the present value of
future cash flows. Example: Evaluating environmental projects' long-term benefits.
Critical Number - Answer- The minimum population size needed for a species to
survive. Example: Minimum viable population of a fish species.
The Environmentalist's Paradox - Answer- The conflict between improving human
well-being and declining ecosystem health. Example: Increased agricultural
productivity harming soil health.
Technological Optimist/Pessimist - Answer- Beliefs about technology's ability to
solve environmental problems. Example: Optimists believe in renewable energy
solutions; pessimists worry about technological limitations.
Three Themes of Environmental Sciences - Answer- Sustainability, stewardship, and
science. Example: Researching sustainable agriculture practices.
Types of Capital - Answer- Natural, human, and manufactured. Example: Natural
capital includes forests; human capital includes skills and education.
Means of Production - Answer- Resources and tools used to produce goods and
services. Example: Factories and machinery.
Species - Answer- A group of organisms that can interbreed and produce fertile
offspring. Example: Homo sapiens (humans).
Populations - Answer- Groups of individuals of the same species living in a specific
area. Example: A herd of elephants in a savanna.
Communities - Answer- Different species living together in the same area. Example:
A coral reef community.
Ecosystem - Answer- A community of living organisms and their physical
environment. Example: A forest ecosystem.
Potential & Kinetic Energy - Answer- Stored energy (potential) and energy of motion
(kinetic). Example: A wound-up spring (potential) and a moving car (kinetic).
4 Spheres of Earth - Answer- Atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere, and biosphere.
Example: The air we breathe (atmosphere).
Exam Questions and Answers
Ecosystem Services - Answer- Benefits that humans receive from ecosystems, like
clean water, air, and pollination. Example: Bees pollinating crops.
Discount Rate - Answer- The interest rate used to determine the present value of
future cash flows. Example: Evaluating environmental projects' long-term benefits.
Critical Number - Answer- The minimum population size needed for a species to
survive. Example: Minimum viable population of a fish species.
The Environmentalist's Paradox - Answer- The conflict between improving human
well-being and declining ecosystem health. Example: Increased agricultural
productivity harming soil health.
Technological Optimist/Pessimist - Answer- Beliefs about technology's ability to
solve environmental problems. Example: Optimists believe in renewable energy
solutions; pessimists worry about technological limitations.
Three Themes of Environmental Sciences - Answer- Sustainability, stewardship, and
science. Example: Researching sustainable agriculture practices.
Types of Capital - Answer- Natural, human, and manufactured. Example: Natural
capital includes forests; human capital includes skills and education.
Means of Production - Answer- Resources and tools used to produce goods and
services. Example: Factories and machinery.
Species - Answer- A group of organisms that can interbreed and produce fertile
offspring. Example: Homo sapiens (humans).
Populations - Answer- Groups of individuals of the same species living in a specific
area. Example: A herd of elephants in a savanna.
Communities - Answer- Different species living together in the same area. Example:
A coral reef community.
Ecosystem - Answer- A community of living organisms and their physical
environment. Example: A forest ecosystem.
Potential & Kinetic Energy - Answer- Stored energy (potential) and energy of motion
(kinetic). Example: A wound-up spring (potential) and a moving car (kinetic).
4 Spheres of Earth - Answer- Atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere, and biosphere.
Example: The air we breathe (atmosphere).
