Question
Hydroelectric power plants require constructing dams. How can the construction of a dam affect the surrounding landscape and ecosystems? Choose all correct answers.
A. prevents the normal flow of a river
B. improves water quality
C. alters landscapes
D. impacts organisms living in and around the river
E. ecosystem are disrupted, then return to normal
A. prevents the normal flow of a river
B. improves water quality
C. alters landscapes
D. impacts organisms living in and around the river
E. ecosystem are disrupted, then return to normal
Answers
GPT-4o mini
The correct answers regarding how the construction of a dam can affect the surrounding landscape and ecosystems are:
A. prevents the normal flow of a river
C. alters landscapes
D. impacts organisms living in and around the river
E. ecosystems are disrupted, then return to normal
**Explanation:**
- **A** is correct because dams block the river's flow, creating a reservoir and changing the dynamics of water movement.
- **C** is correct as dam construction alters the physical landscape, including the valley flooded by the reservoir.
- **D** is correct since the change in water flow and habitat can negatively affect aquatic and terrestrial organisms.
- **E** is somewhat correct because while some ecosystems may adapt or recover after initial disruption, this is not guaranteed and can vary greatly depending on the ecosystem and the extent of changes made.
**B** (improves water quality) is generally not correct, as dam construction often leads to water quality issues, such as sediment build-up and changes in temperature and dissolved oxygen levels.
A. prevents the normal flow of a river
C. alters landscapes
D. impacts organisms living in and around the river
E. ecosystems are disrupted, then return to normal
**Explanation:**
- **A** is correct because dams block the river's flow, creating a reservoir and changing the dynamics of water movement.
- **C** is correct as dam construction alters the physical landscape, including the valley flooded by the reservoir.
- **D** is correct since the change in water flow and habitat can negatively affect aquatic and terrestrial organisms.
- **E** is somewhat correct because while some ecosystems may adapt or recover after initial disruption, this is not guaranteed and can vary greatly depending on the ecosystem and the extent of changes made.
**B** (improves water quality) is generally not correct, as dam construction often leads to water quality issues, such as sediment build-up and changes in temperature and dissolved oxygen levels.