Deck 5: Biomes: Global Patterns of Life

Question 1

A biome is described by:

A) A specified bioregion
B) Broadly similar environmental conditions
C) A watershed divide, generally
D) Geographic location
E) Large landforms in the area

Answer 1

Broadly similar environmental conditions

Question 2

Temperate grasslands are

A) characterized by very rich soils.
B) often converted to farmland.
C) generally a mixture of grasses and forbs.
D) characterized by very rich soils and often converted to farmland.
E) characterized by very rich soils, often converted to farmland, and generally a mixture of grasses and forbs.

Answer 2

characterized by very rich soils, often converted to farmland, and generally a mixture of grasses and forbs.

Question 3

The boreal forest is

A) dominated by coniferous trees.
B) located where soils are typically dry.
C) found in warm but not hot areas.
D) characterized by tolerating a wide variety of temperatures and precipitation.

Answer 3

dominated by coniferous trees.

Question 4

Biomes exhibit __________ patterns in habitat characteristics.

A) latitudinal
B) longitudinal
C) seasonal

Question 5

Estuaries are characterized as being

A) low in productivity.
B) completely freshwater.
C) important nurseries for many fish and other animal species.
D) no longer important for fisheries.

Question 6

Vertical zonation refers to

A) the height of the forest canopy.
B) the longitude of a given biome.
C) vegetation zones defined by elevation.
D) the latitude of a given biome.

Question 7

Conifers are associated with all but

A) boreal forest.
B) temperate rain forest.
C) taiga.
D) tundra.

Question 8

Ecologically, barrier islands are not good places for development.

Question 9

Rainforests

A) are only found in the tropical latitudes.
B) can be either temperate or tropical.

Question 10

Chaparral is

A) a type of drought-adapted shrub-land.
B) found only in the tropics.
C) characterized by moderate rain and snow.
D) characterized by a dry season that corresponds with cool temperatures.

Question 11

Unlike terrestrial communities, aquatic communities are rarely determined by the physical characteristics of the environment (other than the water itself).

Question 12

Location of specific biomes can be predicted based on:

A) The coriolis effect
B) The second law of thermodynamics
C) Precipitation and temperature
D) Seasonal variations in sunspots
E) Large landforms in the area

Question 13

The most important factor in determining the type of biome to develop in a given area of those listed is

A) soil type.
B) amount of sunlight.
C) precipitation.
D) glaciation patterns.

Question 14

The temperate broad-leaved forest has become the most supportive of human occupation of any major biome.

Question 15

The sharp boundary between a lake's warmer epilimnion and cooler hypolimnion is called the benthos.

Question 16

Wetlands are important to conservation efforts because

A) they support rich biodiversity.
B) they retain storm water.
C) they are essential to bird diversity.
D) they support rich biodiversity and retain storm water.
E) they support rich biodiversity, retain storm water, and are essential to bird diversity.

Question 17

Grasslands typically lack trees because seedlings have difficulty surviving the

A) frequent occurrence of fire.
B) high temperatures.
C) changing soils.
D) temperate environment.

Question 18

The deciduous forest with the highest present-day deforestation rate is located in

A) eastern Siberia.
B) the northern United States.
C) western Europe.
D) southern China.

Question 19

Soils in tropical rainforests are

A) thin.
B) nutrient poor.
C) nutrient rich.
D) thin and nutrient poor.
E) thin and nutrient rich.

Question 20

The category of wetland that always contains trees is the

A) marsh.
B) bog.
C) swamp.
D) fen.

Question 21

In the graph of precipitation and temperature, the area marked D has a rev: 02_25_2015_QC_CS-7355

A) Wide precipitation range and narrow temperature range
B) Narrow precipitation and temperature range
C) Wide precipitation and temperature range
D) Wide temperature range and narrow precipitation range
E) None of the choices is correct

Question 22

Deserts are characterized by

A) An absence of vegetation
B) Sand dunes, which cause plants to grow only with difficulty
C) Low levels of measurable precipitation
D) Their location at 30 $\degree$ latitude
E) Sand or gravel

Question 23

A biome absent from Europe is the:

A) Temperate deciduous forest
B) Alpine tundra
C) Desert
D) Tropical rainforest
E) Temperate rainforest

Question 24

Deciduous forests

A) Are adapted to extremely cold climates
B) Have trees that bear seeds in cones
C) Have trees that shed their leaves seasonally
D) Are not useful commercially

Question 25

In contrast with the ______________, the soil of the ______________ is more nutrient-rich and this type of biome has fewer insects, parasites, and fungal diseases. Therefore, in many places, these areas are highly endangered.

A) Temperate grasslands; tropical seasonal forest
B) Tropical rainforest; tropical seasonal forest
C) Grasslands; boreal forests
D) Tropical seasonal forest; tropical rainforest
E) Boreal forests; tundra

Question 26

In the graph of precipitation and temperature, desert biomes would fall in the area marked by the letter:

A) A
B) B
C) C
D) D
E) E

Question 27

Neo finds himself sweating in a moist forest but there aren't many streams or wetlands. He is amazed by the tremendous amount of biodiversity including an abundance of biting mosquitoes. Has he inadvertently gotten closer to his goal of finding a boreal forest?

A) Yes
B) No, the description is that of a tropical seasonal forest
C) No, the description is that of a temperate deciduous forest
D) No, the description is that of a tropical rainforest
E) No, the description is that of a temperate rainforest

Question 28

You are in an area that is relatively hot. You bend down and notice that there are tracks in the soil that are very old. Since you know that this area is easily destroyed by human activity and the harsh climate slows recovery from human damage, you conclude that this biome is

A) A tropical dry forest
B) A desert
C) Tundra
D) A grassland
E) A wetland

Question 29

Humid tropical forests have extraordinary biological diversity

A) Because of the very fertile tropical soils
B) Because rainfall dissolves soil nutrients and makes them available to plants
C) Despite a complete absence of nutrients in the environment
D) Despite the poor, weathered soils

Question 30

Having needle-shaped leaves benefits plants because needles

A) Reduce water loss and endure cold winters
B) Are more efficient at photosynthesis because they are dark green
C) Help evaporate water more efficiently
D) Do not rot in the excessive rainfall that characterizes coniferous forests
E) Are less resistant to strong winds

Question 31

Many people in the United States take trips in the spring to see annual flowers that grow and flower before they are shaded by canopy. Where are these people going?

A) Deserts after winter rain showers
B) Prairies or grasslands
C) Tropical rainforests
D) Temperate deciduous forests
E) Boreal forests

Question 32

In the graph of precipitation and temperature, the area marked A has a: rev: 02_17_2015_QC_CS-7355

A) Wide precipitation range and narrow temperature range
B) Narrow precipitation and temperature range
C) Wide precipitation and temperature range
D) Wide temperature range and narrow precipitation range
E) Varying temperature and narrow precipitation range

Question 33

In the graph of precipitation and temperature, temperate forest biomes would fall in the area marked by the letter:

A) A
B) B
C) C
D) D
E) E

Question 34

Neo and Trinity are in a biome that has relatively stable temperatures and abundant rainfall. They have a graph of precipitation and temperature similar to the one shown. Which letter marks the biome they are located in?

A) A
B) B
C) C
D) D
E) E

Question 35

Tropical seasonal forests are specially adapted to tolerate

A) Annual cycles of extreme heat and extreme cold
B) Years of drought followed by years of rain
C) Annual cycles of severe drought and heavy rain
D) Extreme drought and cold at the same time
E) Extreme heat

Question 36

Which of the following is an example of a specialization that plants in the desert may have?

A) Storing water in stems or roots
B) Reducing water loss with thick epidermal layers
C) Salt tolerance
D) All of these are adaptations of plants living in desert conditions

Question 37

What is unique about the Mediterranean climate area biome?

A) It is a highly desirable place to live
B) It is only found in the Mediterranean area
C) It has very poor soil but supports an extremely diverse array of species
D) It has a large total area
E) It contains a high number of unique species

Question 38

The word "conifer" distinguishes plants that are

A) Needle-bearing
B) Cone-bearing
C) Evergreen
D) Cone-shaped
E) Found in northern latitudes

Question 39

Morpheus, Trinity, and Neo are on the wet western coast of North America and as they look around, they see lots of mosses, lichens, and ferns covering the tree branches. Condensation from fog on the leaves is a major form of precipitation. Where are they?

A) Temperate rainforest
B) Boreal forest
C) Tropical rainforest
D) Southern pine forest
E) Tropical savannah

Question 40

Cloud forests are found in the ________ areas in tropical regions.

A) Hot coastal
B) Cool mountainous
C) Cool plains
D) Low elevation
E) Valley

Question 41

Mangrove trees are found along ________________ shorelines.

A) Tropical freshwater
B) Tropical saltwater
C) Temperate freshwater
D) Temperate saltwater
E) Tropical and temperate saltwater

Question 42

_________ is the basis of marine food webs.

A) Coral
B) Minnows
C) Sea grass
D) Phytoplankton

Question 43

Coral reefs form in

A) Deep, warm tropical seas
B) Cold polar seas
C) Warm, clear tropical seas
D) Deep, cold oceans off continental shelves
E) Nutrient-rich coastal areas

Question 44

_____________ is where fresh water mixes with ocean water.

A) An estuary
B) A swamp
C) A mangrove forest
D) A delta

Question 45

Freshwater ecosystems

A) Lack oxygen
B) Lack carbon dioxide
C) Include lakes, marshes, bogs, and fens
D) Do not contain thermoclines
E) Are not affected by nutrient availability

Question 46

Trinity and Neo are in an area that has many lakes and bogs. The majority of the trees are coniferous. As they look around, they also see deciduous trees, including birches, aspens, and maples. What type of forest are they in?

A) Temperate rainforest
B) Boreal forest
C) Tropical rainforest
D) Southern pine forest
E) Coastal forest

Question 47

Why are the North Atlantic, North Pacific, and Antarctic waters the most productive?

A) Phytoplankton grow there because they do not like direct sunlight.
B) Cold water holds the most dissolved oxygen and can therefore support greater numbers of phytoplankton.
C) The melt waters of the nearby ice have nutrients that are released in high quantities, fertilizing the phytoplankton.
D) Those waters are the most violently mixed, bringing up nutrients from the depths of the ocean.

Question 48

If an organism is described as 'benthic," where does it reside?

A) In a cave
B) At the bottom of the ocean or a lake
C) At the bottom of a lake only
D) At the bottom of the ocean only

Question 49

The biome type that has a short growing season and is summer feeding and breeding grounds for caribou and musk-ox is the

A) Temperate grassland
B) Bog or fen
C) Boreal forest
D) Arctic tundra
E) Arctic desert

Question 50

What environmental factor does not change between "b" and "e" in the diagram?

A) Light penetration
B) Temperature
C) Nutrient availability
D) Oxygen content
E) All of these change between "b" and "e."

Question 51

Tundra biomes occur

A) At high latitudes, where temperatures are low
B) Where rainfall is too great for tree growth
C) Only at high latitudes
D) Almost exclusively on Antarctica
E) At high latitudes and altitudes, where the growing season is short

Question 52

Tree growth in the taiga is limited by

A) The increased soil salt content from ocean tides
B) Intense heat and dryness
C) Competition from fast-growing grasses
D) The lack of large predators
E) Extreme cold and short summers

Question 53

In what continent would you find a polar desert?

A) Antarctica
B) Africa
C) South America
D) Australia

Question 54

Which of the following protects mainland shores from the force of waves?

A) Wetlands
B) Barrier islands
C) Coral islands
D) Estuaries
E) Volcanic islands

Question 55

Barrier islands are formed of

A) Wind- and wave-deposited sand
B) Volcanic debris
C) Silt and mud left by estuaries
D) Coral deposits
E) Coral reef formations

Question 56

Vertical zonation shows that not only do different biomes occur at different latitudes, but also at different ______________.

A) altitudes
B) seasons
C) right ascensions and declinations
D) longitudes

Question 57

Morpheus has been led into a wilderness environment and left to fend for himself for the summer. Luckily, he has a good coat because it looks like there may be a frost during the night and the mosquitoes are everywhere. As he looks around, he is relieved because he recognizes some of the plants. There are some mosses, lichens, small shrubs, sedges, and grasses. Which biome is he in?

A) Tropical rainforest
B) Wetland
C) Temperate rainforest
D) Tundra
E) Coastal area

Question 58

Boreal forests are generally

A) Cold and dry, with extensive barren areas
B) Warm and humid, with large rivers
C) Dry because water is frozen most of the year
D) Slow-growing because of the cold temperatures
E) Soggy in the summer because of permafrost

Question 59

Coral bleaching occurs when ___________.

A) when ocean temperatures are too cool.
B) during low tide when coral is exposed to the air.
C) ocean temperatures are too warm.
D) when too much sunlight is shining on the coral.

Question 60

What marine ecosystem is most similar to a tropical rainforest in terms of diversity?

A) Estuary
B) Littoral zone
C) Pelagic zone
D) Coral reef

Question 61

Wetlands perform a major ecosystem service of trapping and filtering water as it passes through the wetland area.

Question 62

Which type of wetland is noted for producing peat?

A) Swamps
B) Marshes
C) Bogs and fens
D) Estuaries
E) Coastal areas

Question 63

An ecologist from your school who specializes in temperate forest ecology is touring the rainforests of Peru. You are giving her the first tour of the primary forest and she comments on the differences she notices between this ecosystem and the temperate ecosystem she is familiar with. Relate three of the differences she noted and explain what factors in each ecosystem lead to the differences.

Question 64

Beginning in an equitorial tropical rainforest, you travel north to the arctic tundra. Name and desribe all of the terrestrial biomes you pass through on your journey.

Question 65

Estuaries are noted by biologists because they have few, but highly specialized biological niches.

Question 66

Arctic deserts and tundras are the least disturbed by humans since they are usually unattractive places for humans to live.

Question 67

What aquatic ecosystem phenomenon is illustrated in the diagram?

A) Nutrient inputs from upstream and uphill
B) Vertical stratification
C) Nutrient cycling
D) Internal convective currents
E) Horizontal stratification

Question 68

The difference between a wetland and a swamp is that ________.

A) Wetlands only occur at coastal areas.
B) Wetlands are covered in water according to the tide.
C) Swamps are always covered in water and wetlands have seasonally high water levels.
D) A swamp has trees and a wetland does not.

Question 69

Wetlands are biomes that

A) Are wet all year round
B) Are wet at least some of the year
C) Have fresh, not salty, water
D) Receive more rainfall than other ecosystems
E) Have salty, not fresh, water

Question 70

The thermocline is the layer in a lake at which

A) Pollutants are trapped and held
B) Seasonal lake mixing occurs
C) The warm upper zone meets the cold lower zone
D) Nutrient levels are the lowest
E) Light no longer penetrates enough for photosynthesis to occur

Question 71

Oxygen levels are lowest in what section in the diagram?

A) A
B) B
C) C
D) D
E) E

Question 72

The coral reef is among the most endangered biological communities.

Question 73

The deepest layers of the ocean are relatively devoid of life.

Question 74

The biome type that has lost the greatest percentage of its original area due to human activities is the

A) Temperate conifer forest
B) Tropical rainforest
C) Temperate deciduous forest
D) Temperate grassland
E) Tropical grassland

Question 75

What percentage of all wetlands has been lost to human disturbance?

A) 25%
B) 90%
C) 50%
D) 75%

Question 76

Which of the following is NOT a region in a lake ecosystem?

A) Epilimnion
B) Hypolimnion zone
C) Pelagic zone
D) Littoral zone