Which of the following illustrates natural capital degradation?

Question

BlackTom AI · Accepted Answer

The question asks which option illustrates natural capital degradation. 
Option 1: 'use of wind power' — This is a form of renewable energy that generally reduces pressure on natural capital by producing energy without depleting water or fossil fuel resources. It does not illustrate degradation of natural capital. 
Option 2: 'saving endangered species' — This activity is protective of biodiversity, aiming to maintain or restore natural capital rather than degrade it. It reflects conservation rather than degradation. 
Option 3: 'aquifer depletion' — When groundwater is extracted faster than it is replenished, the aquifer loses its stored natural capital. Over time, this reduces the landscape’s long-term productivity and resilience, which is a classic example of natural capital degradation. 
Option 4: 'water runoff' — Runoff itself can lead to erosion, nutrient loss, and downstream pollution, which are environmental issues, but the phrase does not by itself denote degradation of natural capital; it describes a process that can contribute to degradation under certain conditions, yet it’s not as direct a illustration as aquifer depletion. 
Option 5: 'cleaning up pollution' — Cleanup is an restoration or remediation activity, aimed at reversing damage to natural capital rather than degrading it. It indicates recovery rather than degradation. 
In evaluating these, consider whether the scenario reduces the stock or quality of natural capital (the natural resources and ecosystem services a system relies on) over time. The option that most directly represents a net loss or depletion of that stock is aquifer depletion, whereas the others describe actions that either do not degrade natural capital or are actions aimed at protection or restoration rather than degradation.

11:375:101:91 INTRO ENV SCIENCE Quiz #2

Which of the following illustrates natural capital degradation?

View Explanation

Log in for full answers

Similar Questions

Studies by ecologist Jared Diamond have revealed that many ancient societies collapses or disappeared because of loss of essential , needed for the society's persistence.

Using normally renewable resources faster than nature can renew them is called ________.

In a consumer society, many adults channel creativity into buying things

Economic stress and unpredictable times have resulted in a booming industry for self-help products

People born without creativity never can develop it

A product has a selling price of $20, a contribution margin ratio of 40% and fixed cost of $120,000. To make a profit of $30,000. The number of units that must be sold is: Type the number without $ and a comma. Eg: 20000

Which of the following statement regarding cost is correct:

Under the assumptions used in cost-volume-profit analysis, as the activity increases:

More Practical Tools for Students Powered by AI Study Helper

Homework AI Solver

Stylized AI Paper Writer

Plagiarism Checker Assistant

Citation AI Academic Writing Tool

In-Class Translation Assistant

AI Note Generator

AI Quiz Answers

Past Exam Questions from University Test Bank

Smart Practice Assistant

Adaptive Practice

Making Your Study Simpler