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AESC 2050 – APPLIED ENVIRONMENTAL
SCIENCE & SUSTAINABILITY CONCEPTS FINAL
EXAM ACTUAL PREP QUESTIONS AND WELL
REVISED ANSWERS - LATEST AND COMPLETE
UPDATE WITH VERIFIED SOLUTIONS –
ASSURES PASS
Course: Applied Environmental Science
Subject: Environmental Systems, Sustainability, Agriculture, Climate, and Human
Impacts
Description:
AESC 2050 explores the scientific foundations of environmental systems, global
sustainability challenges, and the interaction between agriculture, climate, and
human society. This comprehensive final exam evaluates a student's ability to
analyze environmental processes, interpret ecological data, and apply sustainability
principles to real-world issues. Topics include ecosystems, soil science, climate
dynamics, agricultural systems, water resources, biodiversity, pollution,
environmental policy, and emerging sustainability technologies. Students
completing this exam demonstrate proficiency in environmental impact
assessment, sustainable resource management, and evidence-based decision-
making. This test is designed to reflect the full range of difficulty found in upper-
level environmental science coursework.
1. Which of the following best describes an ecosystem?
A. A group of individuals of the same species in an area
B. All living organisms in an area
C. The interaction of living organisms with their physical environment
D. A community that excludes abiotic factors
Answer: C
Rationale: Ecosystems include both biotic and abiotic components interacting as a
functional unit.
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2. The term "carrying capacity" refers to:
A. The maximum number of ecosystems an environment can support
B. The maximum population size an environment can sustainably support
C. The population size where birth rates equal migration rates
D. The lowest sustainable population of a species
Answer: B
Rationale: Carrying capacity is the upper limit of population growth constrained
by environmental resources.
3. Which greenhouse gas has the highest global warming potential (GWP)?
A. CO₂
B. Methane (CH₄)
C. Nitrous oxide (N₂O)
D. Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)
Answer: D
Rationale: CFCs have very high GWP values and long atmospheric lifetimes.
4. Soil horizons are arranged primarily by:
A. Temperature
B. Depth and composition
C. Water content only
D. Age of the parent rock
Answer: B
Rationale: Soil horizons are layered vertically based on physical and chemical
composition.
5. The majority of Earth’s freshwater is stored in:
A. Lakes
B. Rivers
C. Glaciers and ice caps
D. Groundwater
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Answer: C
Rationale: Approximately 68% of freshwater is locked in ice and glaciers.
6. Which biome is characterized by permafrost?
A. Temperate forest
B. Savanna
C. Tundra
D. Tropical rainforest
Answer: C
Rationale: Tundras have permanently frozen soil layers near the surface.
7. Eutrophication is primarily caused by:
A. Sedimentation
B. Nutrient runoff
C. Acid precipitation
D. Increased salinity
Answer: B
Rationale: Excess nitrogen and phosphorus lead to algal blooms and oxygen
depletion.
8. The Clean Air Act mainly regulates:
A. Greenhouse gas emissions only
B. Waterway pollutants
C. Air pollutants harmful to human health and environment
D. Pesticide use
Answer: C
Rationale: The Act sets standards for pollutants like ozone, sulfur dioxide, and
particulates.
, 4|Page
9. Which agricultural practice reduces soil erosion most effectively?
A. Monocropping
B. Contour plowing
C. Increased irrigation
D. Synthetic fertilizers
Answer: B
Rationale: Contour plowing follows natural terrain to reduce runoff.
10. Biodiversity is highest in which biome?
A. Tundra
B. Desert
C. Tropical rainforest
D. Grassland
Answer: C
Rationale: Rainforests contain dense vegetation and diverse species.
11. The main cause of ocean acidification is:
A. Water pollution
B. CO₂ absorption
C. Increased salinity
D. Nitrogen fixation
Answer: B
Rationale: Dissolved CO₂ forms carbonic acid, lowering ocean pH.
12. Which of the following best defines sustainable development?
A. Unlimited economic growth
B. Meeting present needs without compromising future generations
C. Reducing all industrial activity
D. Maintaining biodiversity only
Answer: B
Rationale: Sustainability balances environmental, economic, and social needs.
AESC 2050 – APPLIED ENVIRONMENTAL
SCIENCE & SUSTAINABILITY CONCEPTS FINAL
EXAM ACTUAL PREP QUESTIONS AND WELL
REVISED ANSWERS - LATEST AND COMPLETE
UPDATE WITH VERIFIED SOLUTIONS –
ASSURES PASS
Course: Applied Environmental Science
Subject: Environmental Systems, Sustainability, Agriculture, Climate, and Human
Impacts
Description:
AESC 2050 explores the scientific foundations of environmental systems, global
sustainability challenges, and the interaction between agriculture, climate, and
human society. This comprehensive final exam evaluates a student's ability to
analyze environmental processes, interpret ecological data, and apply sustainability
principles to real-world issues. Topics include ecosystems, soil science, climate
dynamics, agricultural systems, water resources, biodiversity, pollution,
environmental policy, and emerging sustainability technologies. Students
completing this exam demonstrate proficiency in environmental impact
assessment, sustainable resource management, and evidence-based decision-
making. This test is designed to reflect the full range of difficulty found in upper-
level environmental science coursework.
1. Which of the following best describes an ecosystem?
A. A group of individuals of the same species in an area
B. All living organisms in an area
C. The interaction of living organisms with their physical environment
D. A community that excludes abiotic factors
Answer: C
Rationale: Ecosystems include both biotic and abiotic components interacting as a
functional unit.
,2|Page
2. The term "carrying capacity" refers to:
A. The maximum number of ecosystems an environment can support
B. The maximum population size an environment can sustainably support
C. The population size where birth rates equal migration rates
D. The lowest sustainable population of a species
Answer: B
Rationale: Carrying capacity is the upper limit of population growth constrained
by environmental resources.
3. Which greenhouse gas has the highest global warming potential (GWP)?
A. CO₂
B. Methane (CH₄)
C. Nitrous oxide (N₂O)
D. Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)
Answer: D
Rationale: CFCs have very high GWP values and long atmospheric lifetimes.
4. Soil horizons are arranged primarily by:
A. Temperature
B. Depth and composition
C. Water content only
D. Age of the parent rock
Answer: B
Rationale: Soil horizons are layered vertically based on physical and chemical
composition.
5. The majority of Earth’s freshwater is stored in:
A. Lakes
B. Rivers
C. Glaciers and ice caps
D. Groundwater
,3|Page
Answer: C
Rationale: Approximately 68% of freshwater is locked in ice and glaciers.
6. Which biome is characterized by permafrost?
A. Temperate forest
B. Savanna
C. Tundra
D. Tropical rainforest
Answer: C
Rationale: Tundras have permanently frozen soil layers near the surface.
7. Eutrophication is primarily caused by:
A. Sedimentation
B. Nutrient runoff
C. Acid precipitation
D. Increased salinity
Answer: B
Rationale: Excess nitrogen and phosphorus lead to algal blooms and oxygen
depletion.
8. The Clean Air Act mainly regulates:
A. Greenhouse gas emissions only
B. Waterway pollutants
C. Air pollutants harmful to human health and environment
D. Pesticide use
Answer: C
Rationale: The Act sets standards for pollutants like ozone, sulfur dioxide, and
particulates.
, 4|Page
9. Which agricultural practice reduces soil erosion most effectively?
A. Monocropping
B. Contour plowing
C. Increased irrigation
D. Synthetic fertilizers
Answer: B
Rationale: Contour plowing follows natural terrain to reduce runoff.
10. Biodiversity is highest in which biome?
A. Tundra
B. Desert
C. Tropical rainforest
D. Grassland
Answer: C
Rationale: Rainforests contain dense vegetation and diverse species.
11. The main cause of ocean acidification is:
A. Water pollution
B. CO₂ absorption
C. Increased salinity
D. Nitrogen fixation
Answer: B
Rationale: Dissolved CO₂ forms carbonic acid, lowering ocean pH.
12. Which of the following best defines sustainable development?
A. Unlimited economic growth
B. Meeting present needs without compromising future generations
C. Reducing all industrial activity
D. Maintaining biodiversity only
Answer: B
Rationale: Sustainability balances environmental, economic, and social needs.
