Environmental Science: Human Impacts on Land Use Worksheet

Question 1

Define land use in your own words. Then give two examples of land use in a community.

Accepted Answer

Land use means the way people use an area of land. Examples include using land for homes, farms, roads, parks, stores, or factories.

Question 2

A forest is cleared to build a shopping center and parking lot. Describe two possible effects this change could have on local wildlife.

Accepted Answer

Clearing the forest could remove habitat that animals use for food, shelter, and nesting. It could also divide populations, making it harder for animals to find mates or safely move through the area.

Question 3

Explain how building roads can lead to habitat fragmentation.

Accepted Answer

Roads can split a large habitat into smaller pieces. This makes it harder for animals to move, find resources, and maintain healthy populations.

Question 4

A farmer uses fertilizer on a field near a stream. Explain how too much fertilizer can affect the stream ecosystem.

Accepted Answer

Too much fertilizer can wash into the stream during rain. The extra nutrients can cause algae growth, which may reduce oxygen in the water and harm fish and other aquatic organisms.

Question 5

A town grows from 10 square kilometers to 16 square kilometers over 20 years. How many square kilometers of additional land were developed?

Accepted Answer

The town developed 6 additional square kilometers of land because 16 minus 10 equals 6.

Question 6

Look at a land-use map with areas labeled forest, farmland, residential, commercial, and wetland. Which land-use type would likely provide the most natural habitat for native animals, and why?

Accepted Answer

The forest or wetland would likely provide the most natural habitat because these areas usually have more native plants, shelter, food sources, and less pavement than developed areas.

Question 7

Describe one environmental benefit and one possible environmental cost of using land for agriculture.

Accepted Answer

One benefit of agriculture is that it produces food for people. One possible cost is that farming can replace natural habitats, increase soil erosion, or add pesticides and fertilizers to nearby water.

Question 8

A hillside is cleared of trees for new homes. After heavy rain, muddy water flows into a nearby creek. Explain why tree removal can increase erosion.

Accepted Answer

Tree roots help hold soil in place, and leaves slow down falling rain. When trees are removed, soil is more easily washed downhill by rainwater, which increases erosion.

Question 9

Compare urban sprawl and smart growth. Write one difference between them.

Accepted Answer

Urban sprawl spreads development over large areas, often using more land and requiring more roads. Smart growth tries to plan communities more efficiently by using land carefully and protecting open space.

Question 10

A city replaces a grassy field with asphalt parking lots. Explain how this change can affect stormwater runoff.

Accepted Answer

Asphalt does not absorb water well, so more rainwater runs across the surface instead of soaking into the ground. This can increase flooding and carry pollutants into storm drains, rivers, or lakes.

Question 11

A mining company removes soil and rock to reach a mineral deposit. Name two land impacts that mining can cause.

Accepted Answer

Mining can remove vegetation and soil, leaving disturbed land behind. It can also create pits, waste rock piles, habitat loss, erosion, or pollution if materials are not managed carefully.

Question 12

A community wants to build new housing but also protect a wetland. Suggest one solution that balances human needs and ecosystem protection.

Accepted Answer

The community could build housing on land farther from the wetland and create a protected buffer zone of plants around the wetland. This would provide homes while helping filter runoff and protect wildlife habitat.

Question 13

The table shows land cover in a watershed: forest 40 percent, farmland 30 percent, urban land 20 percent, wetland 10 percent. Which land cover takes up the largest area, and how do you know?

Accepted Answer

Forest takes up the largest area because 40 percent is greater than 30 percent, 20 percent, and 10 percent.

Question 14

Explain why replanting native trees after logging can help restore an ecosystem.

Accepted Answer

Replanting native trees can help rebuild habitat, reduce erosion, store carbon, and support the insects, birds, and other animals that depend on local plant species.

Question 15

Choose one land-use decision that people make, such as building a road, starting a farm, protecting a park, or expanding a city. Explain one positive impact and one negative impact of that decision.

Accepted Answer

A strong answer identifies a land-use decision and explains both sides. For example, building a road can help people travel and move goods, but it can also fragment habitats, increase runoff, and disturb wildlife.

Environmental Science: Human Impacts on Land Use

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