Ecology 1 Common Assessment Essay Options
1- When fossil fuels are burned, chemicals can be produced that affect ecosystems. One of
these effects is acid rain. Describe the natural acidity of rain and how it can become more
acidic. In your answer:
Write a well- developed response that discuss the following
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describe how chemicals from burning fossil fuels can increase the acidity of rain
the effects that acid rain can have on living and non-living things
changes that can be made to reduce acid rain
2- Choose one ecological problem from the list below
Global warming
Destruction of the ozone shield
Loss of biodiversity
Biomagnification
Write a well- developed response that discuss the ecological problem you chose. In your
answer be sure to state:
• the problem you selected and one human action
caused the problem
• A scientific explanation that discusses how human action
caused the problem
• one way in which the problem may negatively affect organism
• one positive action that could be taken to reduce the problem
3- Population dispersion patterns are based on several factors related to the dynamics of that
organism’s population. Write a well-developed response that discusses dispersion patterns. In
your answer be sure to:
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provide the definition of population dispersion
describe the three types of dispersion patterns and reasons why a population may be
dispersed in that particular manner.