Question 1

Permafrost, shallow root systems, subzero temperatures and long winters are characteristic of the:
A) coniferous forest.
B) taiga.
C) chaparral.
D) tundra.
E) prairie.

Accepted Answer

The tundra is characterized by permafrost, shallow root systems, subzero temperatures, and long winters, making it distinct from other biomes.

Question 2

The giant saguaro cactus is found in which North American biome?
A) desert
B) coastal region
C) grassland
D) temperate deciduous forest
E) tundra

Accepted Answer

The giant saguaro cactus is native to the Sonoran Desert in North America, which categorizes it within the desert biome. This biome is characterized by low precipitation and high temperatures, conditions under which the saguaro cactus thrives.

Question 3

Average precipitation of 50-165 cm/year is scattered throughout the year with warm summers and cool to cold winter. The forest leaf canopy is not intact year round. Identify this biome.
A) grasslands
B) temperate deciduous forest
C) coniferous forest
D) savannas
E) Both temperate deciduous forest and coniferous forest are correct.

Accepted Answer

Temperate deciduous forests experience a moderate amount of precipitation spread throughout the year, have warm summers and cool to cold winters, and their trees lose leaves in the fall, leading to a canopy that is not intact year-round.

Question 4

Terrestrial biotic communities as they occur on a continental or global scale are referred to as ________.
A) environments
B) communes
C) ecoregions
D) biomes
E) species groups

Accepted Answer

Biomes are large community of plants and animals that occupy a distinct region defined by its climate and dominant vegetation. They represent terrestrial biotic communities on a continental or global scale.

Question 5

In the continental United States, high mountain peaks support ________.
A) temperate deciduous forest
B) grasslands
C) desert vegetation
D) wetland vegetation
E) alpine tundra and coniferous forest vegetation

Accepted Answer

High mountain peaks in the continental United States support alpine tundra and coniferous forest vegetation due to the colder temperatures and specific climatic conditions found at high elevations.

Question 6

Vegetation of the tundra is dominated by ________.
A) gymnosperms such as spruce, fir, and pine
B) short shrubs, grasses, and herbaceous perennial wildflowers
C) xerophytes adapted to areas with low precipitation
D) broad-leaved deciduous trees
E) aquatic plants

Accepted Answer

Tundra vegetation is characterized by short shrubs, grasses, mosses, and lichens, which are adapted to the cold, harsh climate and short growing season of the tundra biome. Trees are generally absent due to the permafrost and cold temperatures.

Question 7

Naturally occurring grasslands are usually found toward the interiors of continental masses. They tend to intergrade with ________ in areas where annual precipitation drops below 25 cm (10 inches) annually.
A) broad-leaved deciduous forests
B) northern boreal forests
C) deserts
D) coastal habitats
E) alpine tundra

Accepted Answer

Grasslands typically transition into deserts in regions where the annual precipitation falls below 25 cm (10 inches), as the decrease in water availability supports more arid-adapted vegetation and ecosystems characteristic of deserts rather than the more water-reliant ecosystems found in grasslands.

Question 8

When high winds tear away matted vegetation of tundra, the resulting barren patch is called a ________.
A) sink
B) permafrost oasis
C) blowout
D) arctic scar
E) vernal pool

Accepted Answer

A blowout refers to a depression or hollow formed by wind erosion, particularly in a sandy or loose soil area, and can occur in tundra environments when high winds remove vegetation, exposing the soil to further erosion.

Question 9

The most fragile of the biomes is the
A) tundra.
B) taiga.
C) temperate deciduous forest.
D) grassland.
E) mountain forest.

Accepted Answer

The tundra is considered the most fragile biome due to its short growing season, extreme cold, and sensitivity to human impacts such as global warming and pollution, which can significantly alter its ecosystem.

Question 10

Biomes are characterized by ________ adapted to the regional climate including temperature, rainfall, elevation, seasonality, etc.
A) communities of plants and animals
B) ecosystems
C) abiotic elements
D) human dwellings
E) All of these answer choices are correct.

Accepted Answer

Biomes are primarily characterized by communities of plants and animals that have adapted to the specific climate conditions of the region, such as temperature and rainfall.

Question 11

Despite receiving up to several feet of snow each winter, conifers in the northern boreal forest are adapted to ________.
A) hot dry conditions
B) moist soils
C) reduced water availability
D) long, mild growing seasons
E) temperate conditions of moisture and seasonality

Accepted Answer

Conifers in the northern boreal forest are adapted to reduced water availability, despite the heavy snowfall, because the cold temperatures can freeze the water, making it inaccessible to the trees. Their needle-like leaves and other adaptations help them conserve water.

Question 12

Savannas are primarily grasslands with:
A) scattered deciduous trees.
B) scattered evergreen trees.
C) alternating hot and cold seasons.
D) no tree species.
E) numerous tree species.

Accepted Answer

Savannas are primarily grasslands characterized by scattered deciduous trees, which lose their leaves seasonally, typically in the dry season, to conserve water.

Question 13

Eastern North America, south of the northern boreal forest, is dominated by temperate deciduous forests. Within this biome, gradations of annual low and high temperatures and precipitation result in species assemblages such as ________.
A) maple-basswood and oak-hickory forest
B) big bluestem and other grasses
C) spruce, fir, and pine
D) cactus and chaparral vegetation
E) broad-leaved evergreen angiosperms

Accepted Answer

Temperate deciduous forests in Eastern North America feature species assemblages like maple-basswood and oak-hickory forest, which are adapted to the region's seasonal temperature variations and precipitation patterns.

Question 14

Many of the grasslands of the world have been converted to ________.
A) urban housing
B) commercial pine production
C) hardwood production
D) cropland and cattle grazing land
E) parks

Accepted Answer

Many of the world's grasslands have been converted to cropland and cattle grazing land due to the demands of agriculture and livestock farming. This transformation allows for the production of food crops and the raising of cattle, which are primary activities in these areas.

Question 15

A low-growing, understory vegetation dominates in the early spring and again in the fall because of the available light resulting from leaf drop. This is a characteristic of the:
A) tropical rain forest.
B) temperate deciduous forest.
C) grasslands.
D) savannas.
E) tundra.

Accepted Answer

Temperate deciduous forests experience seasonal changes where trees lose their leaves in the fall, allowing more light to reach the forest floor. This encourages the growth of understory vegetation in the early spring and again in the fall.

Question 16

Hardwood trees such as oak, maple, walnut, and cherry are vegetational types of:
A) tropical rain forests.
B) temperate deciduous forests.
C) coniferous forests.
D) taiga.
E) tundra.

Accepted Answer

Hardwood trees like oak, maple, walnut, and cherry are characteristic of temperate deciduous forests, which experience four distinct seasons including a winter and a summer, and shed their leaves annually.

Question 17

Succulents and low-growing, small-leaved shrubs are inhabitants of this biome.
A) deserts
B) savannas
C) deciduous forest
D) coniferous forest
E) taiga

Accepted Answer

Succulents and low-growing, small-leaved shrubs are well-adapted to the arid conditions of deserts, where they can conserve water efficiently.

Question 18

Another name for the northern coniferous or boreal forest is the ________.
A) tundra
B) taiga
C) evergreen forest
D) polar forest
E) mountain forest

Accepted Answer

The northern coniferous or boreal forest is commonly referred to as the taiga. It is characterized by its cold climate and evergreen trees, such as spruces and pines, which dominate the landscape.

Question 19

The native prairies of North America are part of this biome.
A) temperate deciduous forest
B) tundra
C) grasslands
D) savannas
E) deserts

Accepted Answer

The native prairies of North America are characterized by vast expanses of grasses, herbs, and flowers, with few trees, which are typical features of the grasslands biome.

Question 20

Which of the following biomes is characterized by the predominance of broad-leaved trees that are adapted to subfreezing temperatures as long as the cold is accompanied by precipitation or snow cover?
A) mountain forest
B) taiga
C) tundra
D) grasslands
E) temperate deciduous forest

Accepted Answer

The temperate deciduous forest biome is characterized by broad-leaved trees that shed their leaves annually and are adapted to survive cold winters with sufficient precipitation or snow cover.

Quiz 26: Biomes

Permafrost, shallow root systems, subzero temperatures and long winters are characteristic of the:

The giant saguaro cactus is found in which North American biome?

Average precipitation of 50-165 cm/year is scattered throughout the year with warm summers and cool to cold winter. The forest leaf canopy is not intact year round. Identify this biome.

Terrestrial biotic communities as they occur on a continental or global scale are referred to as ________.

In the continental United States, high mountain peaks support ________.

Vegetation of the tundra is dominated by ________.

Naturally occurring grasslands are usually found toward the interiors of continental masses. They tend to intergrade with ________ in areas where annual precipitation drops below 25 cm (10 inches) annually.

When high winds tear away matted vegetation of tundra, the resulting barren patch is called a ________.

The most fragile of the biomes is the

Biomes are characterized by ________ adapted to the regional climate including temperature, rainfall, elevation, seasonality, etc.

Despite receiving up to several feet of snow each winter, conifers in the northern boreal forest are adapted to ________.

Savannas are primarily grasslands with:

Eastern North America, south of the northern boreal forest, is dominated by temperate deciduous forests. Within this biome, gradations of annual low and high temperatures and precipitation result in species assemblages such as ________.

Many of the grasslands of the world have been converted to ________.

A low-growing, understory vegetation dominates in the early spring and again in the fall because of the available light resulting from leaf drop. This is a characteristic of the:

Hardwood trees such as oak, maple, walnut, and cherry are vegetational types of:

Succulents and low-growing, small-leaved shrubs are inhabitants of this biome.

Another name for the northern coniferous or boreal forest is the ________.

The native prairies of North America are part of this biome.

Which of the following biomes is characterized by the predominance of broad-leaved trees that are adapted to subfreezing temperatures as long as the cold is accompanied by precipitation or snow cover?