Midterm 1

Question 1

What is the Malthusian trap?

Answer 1

Concept that population growth is exponential, while food supply is linear

Question 2

What type of rock makes up the majority of the Canadian Shield?

Answer 2

Precambrian igneous and metamorphic rock

Question 3

What is suspected as being a key part of transitioning out of ice ages by decreasing albedo?

Answer 3

Dust

Question 4

What short-term effect do volcanic eruptions have on the planet’s heating?

Answer 4

Short-term cooling

Question 5

In the Hetch-Hetchy Valley debate, which sides did Muir and Pinchot argue respectively?

Answer 5

Muir - Preservation
Pinchot - ‘Greatest good’ (utilitarian conservation)

Question 6

What is decoupling?

Answer 6

Term representing microclimatic temperatures behaving independently of macroclimates

Question 7

When did the Quaternary Period begin?

Answer 7

2.5 million years ago

Question 8

What period did the rock substrate that dominates the plains of Alberta come from?

Answer 8

Cretaceous Period

Question 9

Who developed a method to convert atmospheric nitrogen to ammonia?

Answer 9

Haber

Question 10

During the last glacial maximum, how much lower were sea levels than today

Answer 10

120 m

Question 11

Who coined the term ‘falsification’ of a hypothesis?

Answer 11

Popper

Question 12

What term relates to a layer of water where there is a rapid decline in temperature over a narrow change in depth?

Answer 12

Thermocline

Question 13

What was Younger Dryas?

Answer 13

Time of extremely rapid climate change, 11700 years

Question 14

What method divides the planet into different climate zones related to temperature and precipitation thresholds?

Answer 14

Koppen Climate Classification

Question 15

What region of Alaska, Siberia, and Yukon remained unglaciated over the past few glaciation cycles?

Answer 15

Beringia