Here are the solutions to the questions: 17) Which of the following is a benefit of proper waste management? Proper waste management aims to reduce the negative impacts of waste on the environment and human health. D) Reduced pollution and conservation of resources* 18) Which soil characteristic affects its ability to retain water? Soil texture (the proportion of sand, silt, and clay particles) directly influences the size and number of pore spaces, which in turn determines how much water the soil can hold. Organic matter content also significantly improves water retention. C) Texture* 19) Which of the following is an example of energy flow in an ecosystem? A food chain illustrates how energy is transferred from one organism to another through