Question 1

Which of the following is a concern regarding early corn ethanol projects?

Accepted Answer

A)  Corn production requires energy inputs like fertilizers and pesticides. 
B)  Considerable water is required to produce ethanol from corn. 
C)  The projects used as much (or almost as much) energy as they produced. 
D)  A, B, and C are concerns 
E)  None of these answers are concerns. 
A)  Corn production requires energy inputs like fertilizers and pesticides. 
B)  Considerable water is required to produce ethanol from corn. 
C)  The projects used as much (or almost as much) energy as they produced. 
D)  A, B, and C are concerns 
E)  None of these answers are concerns.

Question 2

Table 32.1
-List and describe at least three advantages and three disadvantages of biofuels.

Accepted Answer

Refer to Table 32.1, "Biofuel

Question 3

Describe some benefits of making cellulosic ethanol from switchgrass.

Accepted Answer

Cellulosic ethanol has the potential to

Question 4

How would the production of cellulosic ethanol circumvent the "food versus fuel" controversy?

Accepted Answer

Cellulosic ethanol can be produced from

Question 5

Which of the following is TRUE regarding the "food versus fuel" debate?

Accepted Answer

A)  Global biofuel supply and demand is expected to grow more than sixfold, from 12 billion to 83 billion gallons, over the next two decades. 
B)  Some commodities like corn or vegetable oil can be used as food or to make biofuels. 
C)  In the United States a larger percentage of the corn harvest is now made into ethanol than was the case a decade ago. 
D)  Nonfood crops can also be used to produce biofuel. 
E)  All of these answer are true. 
A)  Global biofuel supply and demand is expected to grow more than sixfold, from 12 billion to 83 billion gallons, over the next two decades. 
B)  Some commodities like corn or vegetable oil can be used as food or to make biofuels. 
C)  In the United States a larger percentage of the corn harvest is now made into ethanol than was the case a decade ago. 
D)  Nonfood crops can also be used to produce biofuel. 
E)  All of these answer are true.

Question 6

Because of a process called carbon sequestration, switchgrass harvested for biofuel is actually carbon negative.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 7

Which of the following is an annual plant?

Accepted Answer

A)  corn 
B)  switchgrass 
C)  goldenrod 
D)  wheatgrass 
E)  none of these answers 
A)  corn 
B)  switchgrass 
C)  goldenrod 
D)  wheatgrass 
E)  none of these answers

Question 8

Which of the following is FALSE regarding biodiesel?

Accepted Answer

A)  It is the only biofuel to be certified by the EPA. 
B)  It comprises only a small portion of the biofuels produced today. 
C)  It can be produced from soybeans as well as from animal fats. 
D)  It can be used in both diesel and gasoline engines. 
E)  None of these answers is false. 
A)  It is the only biofuel to be certified by the EPA. 
B)  It comprises only a small portion of the biofuels produced today. 
C)  It can be produced from soybeans as well as from animal fats. 
D)  It can be used in both diesel and gasoline engines. 
E)  None of these answers is false.

Question 9

Which of the following is NOT observed when switchgrass is grown in a high-diversity mix of plant species instead of as a monoculture?

Accepted Answer

A)  the potential for less irrigation 
B)  the potential for less management 
C)  more fertilizer because plants are competing with each other 
D)  a lot more biomass being produced 
E)  more biofuel for fewer inputs 
A)  the potential for less irrigation 
B)  the potential for less management 
C)  more fertilizer because plants are competing with each other 
D)  a lot more biomass being produced 
E)  more biofuel for fewer inputs

Question 10

Which of the following is a way to improve energy efficiency of vehicles?

Accepted Answer

A)  construction with lighter materials 
B)  more aerodynamic shapes 
C)  incorporation of hybrid technologies 
D)  more energy-efficient engines 
E)  all of these answers 
A)  construction with lighter materials 
B)  more aerodynamic shapes 
C)  incorporation of hybrid technologies 
D)  more energy-efficient engines 
E)  all of these answers

Question 11

Most biofuels today are made from crops grown specifically for energy use. What are the main crops used to produce ethanol and biodiesel? What are the environmental downsides to using these crops in biofuel production?

Accepted Answer

Biodiesel is typically produced from cro

Question 12

What unintended consequence(s) could arise from government subsidies, tax breaks, or mandates that support biofuel production?

Accepted Answer

Government policies that support biofuel

Question 13

Which of the following is a waste that can be used to produce biofuel?

Accepted Answer

A)  used fryer oil from restaurants 
B)  manure 
C)  crop residues 
D)  animal fats 
E)  all of these answers 
A)  used fryer oil from restaurants 
B)  manure 
C)  crop residues 
D)  animal fats 
E)  all of these answers

Question 14

List and describe at least five habits drivers can employ to maximize mileage and conserve energy.

Accepted Answer

Drivers can do the following to maximize

Question 15

Which of the following is a benefit of growing diverse grasses for biofuel production?

Accepted Answer

A)  can be grown in marginal soil 
B)  can be grown on neglected agricultural land? 
C)  does not displace food production 
D)  is not destructive to habitats 
E)  all of these answers 
A)  can be grown in marginal soil 
B)  can be grown on neglected agricultural land? 
C)  does not displace food production 
D)  is not destructive to habitats 
E)  all of these answers

Question 16

Switchgrass grown with other plants produces less biomass that can be used for biofuel when compared with switchgrass grown in a monoculture.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 17

Which of the following choices is FALSE regarding biodiesel production?

Accepted Answer

A)  Biodiesel is mixed with water to capture impurities. 
B)  It is formed directly from its feedstock. 
C)  Feedstocks include vegetable oils, animal fats, or recycled greases. 
D)  It can be produced on small or large scales. 
E)  It is a multistep process. 
A)  Biodiesel is mixed with water to capture impurities. 
B)  It is formed directly from its feedstock. 
C)  Feedstocks include vegetable oils, animal fats, or recycled greases. 
D)  It can be produced on small or large scales. 
E)  It is a multistep process.

Question 18

Which of the following is NOT a driving habit that maximizes mileage?

Accepted Answer

A)  using cruise control 
B)  keeping tires properly inflated 
C)  avoiding carrying excess weight in the vehicle 
D)  keeping the car idling when parked briefly and avoiding turning the car on and off 
E)  combining trips and planning your route to avoid backtracking 
A)  using cruise control 
B)  keeping tires properly inflated 
C)  avoiding carrying excess weight in the vehicle 
D)  keeping the car idling when parked briefly and avoiding turning the car on and off 
E)  combining trips and planning your route to avoid backtracking

Question 19

__________ are defined as solids, liquids, or gases that produce energy from biological material.

Accepted Answer

A)  Biosources 
B)  Biomaterials 
C)  Biofuels 
D)  Biopowers 
E)  None of these answers 
A)  Biosources 
B)  Biomaterials 
C)  Biofuels 
D)  Biopowers 
E)  None of these answers

Question 20

Explain why there is a critical need for development of biofuels.

Accepted Answer

Globally, we rely primarily on fossil fu

Exam 32: Restoring the Range: the Key to Recovering the Worlds Grasslands May Be a Surprising One

Which of the following is a concern regarding early corn ethanol projects?

Table 32.1 -List and describe at least three advantages and three disadvantages of biofuels.

Describe some benefits of making cellulosic ethanol from switchgrass.

How would the production of cellulosic ethanol circumvent the "food versus fuel" controversy?

Which of the following is TRUE regarding the "food versus fuel" debate?

Because of a process called carbon sequestration, switchgrass harvested for biofuel is actually carbon negative.

Which of the following is an annual plant?

Which of the following is FALSE regarding biodiesel?

Which of the following is NOT observed when switchgrass is grown in a high-diversity mix of plant species instead of as a monoculture?

Which of the following is a way to improve energy efficiency of vehicles?

Most biofuels today are made from crops grown specifically for energy use. What are the main crops used to produce ethanol and biodiesel? What are the environmental downsides to using these crops in biofuel production?

What unintended consequence(s) could arise from government subsidies, tax breaks, or mandates that support biofuel production?

Which of the following is a waste that can be used to produce biofuel?

List and describe at least five habits drivers can employ to maximize mileage and conserve energy.

Which of the following is a benefit of growing diverse grasses for biofuel production?

Switchgrass grown with other plants produces less biomass that can be used for biofuel when compared with switchgrass grown in a monoculture.

Which of the following choices is FALSE regarding biodiesel production?

Which of the following is NOT a driving habit that maximizes mileage?

__________ are defined as solids, liquids, or gases that produce energy from biological material.

Explain why there is a critical need for development of biofuels.

Environmental Literacy and the Goal of Sustainability - on the Road to Collapse: What Lessons Can We Learn From a Vanished Viking Society

Science Literacy and the Process of Science- Science and the Sky: Solving the Mystery of the Disappearing Ozone

Information Literacy:toxic Bottles on the Trail of Chemicals in Our Everyday Lives- Human Populations and Environmental Health

Human Populations- One Child China Grows Up: a Country Faces the Outcomes of Radical Population Control

Environmental Health- Eradicating a Parasitic Nightmare: Human Health Is Intricately Linked to the Environment- Consumption and the Environmental Footprint

Ecological Economics and Consumption- Wall to Wall, Cradle to Cradle: a Leading Carpet Company Takes a Chance on Going Green

Managing Solid Waste- a Plastic Surf: Are the Oceans Teeming With Trash- Ecology

Ecosystems and Nutrient Cycling- Engineering Earth: an Ambitious Attempt to Replicate Earths Life Support Systems Goes Awry

Population Ecology- the Wolf Watchers: Endangered Gray Wolves Return to the American West

Community Ecology- What the Stork Says: a Bird Species in the Everglades Reveals the Intricacies of a Threatened Ecosystem- Biodiversity and Evolution

Evolution- a Tropical Murder Mystery: Finding the Missing Birds of Guam

Biodiversity- Palm Planet: Production of a Common Household Ingredient Is Wreaking Havoc on Wildlife Across the Globe

Reserving Biodiversity- a Forest Without Elephants: Can We Save One of Earths Iconic Species- Water Resources

Freshwater Resources- Toilet to Tap: a California County Is Employing a Controversial Method to - Supply Drinking Water

Water Pollution- Into the Gulf: the Makings of a Dead Zone, Far Upstream- Food Resources

Feeding the World - a Gene Revolution: Can Genetically Engineered Food Help End Hunger

Agriculture- Farming Like an Ecosystem: Creative Solutions to Feeding the World- Conventional Energy: Fossil Fuels

Coal- Bringing Down the Mountain: in the Rubble, the True Costs of Coal

Oil and Natural Gas- the Bakken Oil Boom: Is Our Next Big Fuel Source Our Dirtiest- Air Pollution: Consequences of Using Fossil Fuels

Air Pollution- the Youngest Scientists: Kids on the Frontlines of Asthma Research

Climate Change- When the Trees Leave: Scientists Grapple With a Shifting Climate- Alternatives to Fossil Fuels

Nuclear Power - the Future of Fukushima: Can Nuclear Energy Overcome Its Bad Rep

Sustainable Energy for Stationary Sources- Fueled by the Sun: a Small Island Makes Big Strides in Renewable Energy- Sustainable Living in Community

Urbanization- the Ghetto Goes Green: in the Bronx, Building a Better Backyard

Environmental Policy

Counterfeit Cooling: in the Global Effort to Thwart Climate Change, Some Lessons Are

Learned After the Fact

Optional Chapters Available in Launchpad

Mineral Resources and Mining

Rare Earth Elements: a Bevy of Unfamiliar Minerals Are Crucial for Our Everyday

Technologies-But They Come With a Slew of Problems- Soil and Grassland Resources

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