Examine the full-page photograph at the beginning of this chapter. The aerial view in eastern Washington shows natural hillslopes and farmland

The yellow areas are growing wheat. The remaining areas are covered in native grasses. Explain how the farming practices visible in the photograph are designed to minimize soil erosion.
What will be an ideal response?


There is no farming in the steep ravines, where disturbance of the soil for planting would enhance erosion. Some of the planting has been done along the contours of the landscape, which slows down potentially erosive water runoff along the surface. Land planted in wheat alternates with strips of land that remain covered in native grasses; this means that there is always some plant cover present year-round to slow down erosion by water and wind.

Environmental & Atmospheric Sciences

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Although highly efficient, ____________________ destroys mangrove forests, produces large amounts of waste, and demands large inputs of land, feed, and water.

Fill in the blank(s) with the appropriate word(s).

Environmental & Atmospheric Sciences

In succession, facilitation refers to ________

A) competition for space by different populations of species B) species creating competition for food and water making it harder for species succession C) species altering the environment around them in ways that make it more habitable for other species D) species sharing space, environment, and resources E) the migration of plant species

Environmental & Atmospheric Sciences

Which two countries account for over 50% of Latin America's population?

a. Brazil and Mexico b. Brazil and Argentina c. Argentina and Chile d. Argentina and Mexico e. Peru and Bolivia

Environmental & Atmospheric Sciences

Imagine that you have a friend moving to a new area on the North American continent where there is a subduction zone offshore

What sorts of volcanoes would be most likely in this setting? Which volcanic hazards should you warn your friend to be alert for? What will be an ideal response?

Environmental & Atmospheric Sciences