Question 1

In which of the following terrestrial biome pairs are both biomes dependent upon periodic burning?
A)tundra and coniferous forest
B)chaparral and savanna
C)desert and savanna
D)tropical and broadleaf forest
E)grassland and tundra

Accepted Answer

Both chaparral and savanna biomes are dependent upon periodic burning. In chaparral, fires are essential for maintaining the ecosystem, as many plants require fire to germinate and new growth occurs after a fire. Similarly, savannas have a natural fire regime, which prevents woody plants from encroaching on grasslands and promotes growth of new grasses.

Question 2

Which of the following levels of ecological organization is arranged in the correct sequence from most to least inclusive?
A)community,ecosystem,individual,population
B)ecosystem,community,population,individual
C)population,ecosystem,individual,community
D)individual,population,community,ecosystem
E)individual,community,population,ecosystem

Accepted Answer

The correct sequence from most to least inclusive is ecosystem (includes all living and nonliving components of an environment), community (all populations of different species in the same area), population (all individuals of the same species in a given area), and individual (one organism).

Question 3

Deserts typically occur in a band around 30 degrees north and 30 degrees south latitude because
A)descending air masses originating from the tropical areas tend to be dry.
B)ascending air masses absorb moisture and create an arid,desert climate.
C)moisture-laden air is heavier than dry air and is not carried to these latitudes.
D)these locations get the most intense solar radiation of any location on Earth.

Accepted Answer

Descending air masses originating from the tropical areas tend to be dry, leading to arid conditions and the formation of deserts. This is why deserts are typically found in a band around 30 degrees north and 30 degrees south latitude.

Question 4

A cosmic catastrophic event occurred that caused the tilt of the Earth's axis relative to its plane of orbit to increase from 23.5 degrees to 90 degrees.The most obvious effect of this change would be
A)the elimination of trade winds.
B)an increase in the length of night.
C)an increase in the length of a year.
D)the elimination of seasonal variation.

Accepted Answer

A tilt of 90 degrees would cause the Earth to be perpendicular to its plane of orbit, resulting in sunlight being distributed evenly across the planet throughout the year. This would eliminate seasonal variations, as each hemisphere would receive the same amount of sunlight all year round.

Question 5

Which of the following choices causes all of the others in creating global terrestrial climates?
A)differential heating of Earth's surface
B)Pacific and Atlantic ocean currents
C)seasonal changes in wind patterns
D)evaporation of water from the oceans

Accepted Answer

Differential heating of Earth's surface drives the circulation of air and water and ultimately determines global terrestrial climates. Ocean currents (B) are influenced by differential heating, wind patterns (C) are a result of differential heating and evaporation (D) is influenced by temperature and wind patterns.

Question 6

Which of the following statements best describes the effect of climate on biome distribution?
A)Average annual temperature and precipitation are sufficient to predict which biome will be found in a certain area.
B)Seasonal climate variation is not a limiting factor in biome distribution in areas with the same annual climate patterns.
C)Both average climate and the pattern of climatic variation are important in determining the nature of an area biome.
D)Temperate forests and grasslands are not the same biomes solely because of the variances in sunlight received.
E)Correlation of climate with biome distribution is sufficient to determine the cause of terrestrial biome patterns.

Accepted Answer

Both average climate and the pattern of climatic variation are important in determining the nature of an area biome. This means that it is not just the average annual temperature and precipitation that determines the biome distribution, but also the seasonal variation of climate, such as the amount of rainfall, temperature fluctuations, or severity of droughts or floods. Therefore, the nature of a biome is a result of complex and interacting factors, including climate, geology, soil, vegetation, and human activities, making it difficult to predict or explain biome distribution based on a single factor alone.

Question 7

The tilt of the Earth's axis relative to its plane of orbit is 23.5 degrees.Which of the following events might you predict to occur if the angle of tilt increased to 33 1/2 degrees?
A)Summers in the United States would likely become warmer.
B)Winters and summers in Australia would become indiscrete.
C)Seasonal variation at the equator might decrease significantly.
D)The North and South poles would experience massive ice melts.

Accepted Answer

An increase in the angle of tilt would lead to more direct sunlight hitting the Earth's surface in the Northern Hemisphere during summer months, leading to warmer temperatures. This would especially be noticeable in the United States, which is located in the Northern Hemisphere. The other options are not necessarily true or likely to occur with an increase in the tilt of the Earth's axis.

Question 8

In mountainous areas of western North America,which type of plant life would you expect to find on a southern-slope of a mountain?
A)drought-tolerant plants
B)coniferous pine trees
C)broadleaf woody trees
D)cone-bearing trees

Accepted Answer

Southern slopes in mountainous areas of western North America receive more direct sunlight, leading to drier conditions. Drought-tolerant plants are better adapted to these conditions.

Question 9

Palm trees and subtropical plants are commonplace in Land's End,England,whose latitude is the equivalent of Labrador in coastal Canada,where the local flora is subarctic.Which of the following contributes the most to the differences between these two biomes?
A)differences in latitude
B)direction of ocean currents
C)variances in annual rainfall
D)intensity of solar radiation

Accepted Answer

The primary factor contributing to the differences between the biomes of Land's End, England, and Labrador, Canada, despite their similar latitudes, is the direction of ocean currents. The warm North Atlantic Drift, a continuation of the Gulf Stream, moderates the climate of Land's End, allowing for the growth of palm trees and subtropical plants. In contrast, Labrador does not benefit from such warm currents, resulting in a subarctic biome.

Question 10

Generalized global air circulation and precipitation patterns are dependent on the intensity of solar radiation near the equator.Which of the following correctly states an event that contributes to the creation of these global patterns?
A)rising,warm,moist air masses at 30 degrees north and south
B)rising air masses that expand and cool in the tropical regions
C)rising cool,moist air masses at 90 degrees north and south
D)rising air masses that expand and warm in temperate regions

Accepted Answer

As the sun's rays are most intense near the equator, they heat the air and cause rising air masses to expand and cool in the tropical regions. This creates low-pressure zones that lead to the formation of zones of circulating air that drive the global air circulation and precipitation patterns. Therefore, choice B is the correct answer, as it describes the event that contributes to the creation of these patterns. Choices A, C, and D do not describe events that contribute to the creation of global air circulation and precipitation patterns.

Question 11

A particular mountain range is subjected to prevailing winds.Which of the following contributes the most to a drier climate on the leeward side of the mountain range?
A)air expanding and heating on the windward side of the range
B)air expanding and cooling on the windward side of the range
C)air expanding and heating on the leeward side of the range
D)air expanding and cooling on the leeward side of the range

Accepted Answer

As air rises up the windward side of the mountain range, it expands and cools, causing moisture to condense and fall as rain or snow. This process, known as orographic lift, results in a drier climate on the leeward side of the mountain range.

Question 12

With respect to the sun,Earth normally rotates once in a 24-hour period.What would be the effect on climate in the temperate latitudes if the rotation increased to 48-hours?
A)Seasons would be longer and more distinct;for example,colder winters and hotter summers.
B)Smaller ranges between nighttime low and daytime high temperatures would be common.
C)Large-scale weather events such as hurricanes would no longer be a part of regional climates.
D)In the Northern and Southern hemispheres,winter precipitation would increase in frequency.
E)Larger ranges between daytime high and nighttime low temperatures would occur frequently.

Accepted Answer

With a 48-hour rotation period, each day and night would be twice as long as they are now, leading to more extreme temperatures: hotter days and colder nights. This is because the surface would have more time to heat up under the sun during the day and more time to cool down during the extended nights.

Question 13

Air masses formed over the Pacific Ocean eventually encounter extensive north-south mountain ranges as they move from west to east.Which statement best describes a component of an outcome of this encounter between a mountain range and an air mass?
A)The cool,moist Pacific air heats up as it rises,releasing its precipitation as it passes the tops of the mountains.
B)The warm,moist Pacific air rises and cools,releasing precipitation as it moves up the windward side of the range.
C)The cool,dry Pacific air heats up and picks up moisture from evaporation of the snowcapped peaks of the mountain range.
D)The warm,moist Pacific air is blocked by the mountains,resulting in the heavy annual rainfall on the windward side.
E)These air masses remain essentially unchanged in moisture content and temperature as they pass over the ranges.

Accepted Answer

As the air mass encounters the mountain range, it is forced to rise up the windward side. As it rises, it cools and releases its moisture as precipitation. This results in a wet climate on the windward side of the range and a dry climate on the leeward side. This process is known as orographic lifting.

Question 14

Fire suppression by humans
A)will always result in an increase in species diversity in a given biome.
B)can change the species composition within biological communities.
C)will result in more small non-woody plants and fewer trees in savannas.
D)is necessary to maintain species composition in grassland and chaparral.

Accepted Answer

Fire suppression by humans can lead to changes in the species composition within biological communities. For example, in areas where fires were previously common, tree species may become more dominant if fires are suppressed, leading to a decrease in plant species diversity. Similarly, in areas where fires are important for maintaining grassland or savanna ecosystems, fire suppression can result in a shift towards more woody vegetation and a decrease in plant diversity. However, it is important to note that the effects of fire suppression can be complex and may vary depending on the specific biome and local ecological conditions.

Question 15

The main reason that polar regions are cooler than the equator is that
A)there is more ice/glaciers at polar regions.
B)sunlight strikes the poles at a lower angle.
C)the polar regions are farther from the sun.
D)the polar regions' atmosphere is thinner.
E)the poles are always tilted away from the sun.

Accepted Answer

Sunlight strikes the poles at a lower angle, which means the same amount of energy is spread over a larger area, resulting in cooler temperatures. The other options do not fully explain why the polar regions are cooler than the equator.

Question 16

What is the limiting factor for the growth of trees in the tundra?
A)low precipitation
B)lack of sunlight
C)insufficient minerals in bedrock
D)pH of soils
E)permafrost

Accepted Answer

The primary limiting factor for tree growth in the tundra is permafrost, which prevents tree roots from penetrating deep into the soil for nutrients and water, and also keeps the soil temperature very cold, limiting growth.

Question 17

Trees are rare in the savanna biome because of
A)tropical storms.
B)acidic topsoils.
C)frequent fires.
D)limited rainfall.

Accepted Answer

Savannas have a long dry season and a short wet season, which makes the grasses dry and flammable. Frequent fires are therefore an integral part of the ecosystem, reducing competition from woody plants and keeping the savanna open. As a result, few trees grow in the savanna.

Question 18

Coral reefs can be found on the southeast coast of the United States but not at similar latitudes on the southwest coast.Differences in which of the following most likely account for this?
A)sunlight intensity
B)ocean salinity
C)day length
D)ocean currents
E)precipitation

Accepted Answer

Ocean currents play a significant role in the distribution of coral reefs. The southeast coast of the United States is influenced by the Gulf Stream, a warm ocean current that brings tropical water towards the coast. The southwest coast, on the other hand, is influenced by the California Current, a cold current that brings nutrient-rich water towards the coast. Coral reefs thrive in warm water with low nutrient levels, making the conditions on the southeast coast more favorable for their growth compared to the southwest coast.

Question 19

Areas where terrestrial biomes grade into neighboring biomes way be wide or narrow.Which of the following terms best describes this intergradation?
A)latitude
B)ecotone
C)longitude
D)ecosystem

Accepted Answer

An ecotone refers to an area where two or more different ecosystems (or biomes) meet and intergrade. This zone of transition may be wide or narrow, and the species in the area may be a mixture of those from adjacent biomes.

Question 20

The growing season would generally be shortest in which of the following biomes?
A)an African savanna
B)a broadleaf forest
C)a temperate grassland
D)a tropical rain forest
E)a Northern pine forest

Accepted Answer

The growing season in a Northern pine forest would generally be the shortest among the options given due to its colder climate and shorter summers.

Quiz 40: Population Ecology and the Distribution of Organisms

In which of the following terrestrial biome pairs are both biomes dependent upon periodic burning?

Which of the following levels of ecological organization is arranged in the correct sequence from most to least inclusive?

Deserts typically occur in a band around 30 degrees north and 30 degrees south latitude because

A cosmic catastrophic event occurred that caused the tilt of the Earth's axis relative to its plane of orbit to increase from 23.5 degrees to 90 degrees.The most obvious effect of this change would be

Which of the following choices causes all of the others in creating global terrestrial climates?

Which of the following statements best describes the effect of climate on biome distribution?

The tilt of the Earth's axis relative to its plane of orbit is 23.5 degrees.Which of the following events might you predict to occur if the angle of tilt increased to 33 1/2 degrees?

In mountainous areas of western North America,which type of plant life would you expect to find on a southern-slope of a mountain?

Palm trees and subtropical plants are commonplace in Land's End,England,whose latitude is the equivalent of Labrador in coastal Canada,where the local flora is subarctic.Which of the following contributes the most to the differences between these two biomes?

Generalized global air circulation and precipitation patterns are dependent on the intensity of solar radiation near the equator.Which of the following correctly states an event that contributes to the creation of these global patterns?

A particular mountain range is subjected to prevailing winds.Which of the following contributes the most to a drier climate on the leeward side of the mountain range?

With respect to the sun,Earth normally rotates once in a 24-hour period.What would be the effect on climate in the temperate latitudes if the rotation increased to 48-hours?

Air masses formed over the Pacific Ocean eventually encounter extensive north-south mountain ranges as they move from west to east.Which statement best describes a component of an outcome of this encounter between a mountain range and an air mass?

Fire suppression by humans

The main reason that polar regions are cooler than the equator is that

What is the limiting factor for the growth of trees in the tundra?

Trees are rare in the savanna biome because of

Coral reefs can be found on the southeast coast of the United States but not at similar latitudes on the southwest coast.Differences in which of the following most likely account for this?

Areas where terrestrial biomes grade into neighboring biomes way be wide or narrow.Which of the following terms best describes this intergradation?

The growing season would generally be shortest in which of the following biomes?