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

Accepted Answer

Broadly similar environmental conditions define a biome.

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.

Accepted Answer

Temperate grasslands are known for their rich soils, which make them highly suitable for agriculture, leading to their frequent conversion into farmland. Additionally, these ecosystems typically feature a diverse mix of grasses and forbs (flowering plants), contributing to their ecological diversity.

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.

Accepted Answer

The boreal forest, also known as taiga, is primarily composed of coniferous trees such as spruces, pines, and firs, which are adapted to the cold temperatures typical of this biome.

Question 4

Biomes exhibit __________ patterns in habitat characteristics.
A) latitudinal
B) longitudinal
C) seasonal

Accepted Answer

Biomes exhibit latitudinal patterns in habitat characteristics because different latitudes receive varying amounts of sunlight and have different climates, which influence the types of ecosystems and biomes found at those latitudes.

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.

Accepted Answer

Estuaries are highly productive ecosystems that serve as important nurseries for many fish and other animal species, providing them with food and shelter.

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.

Accepted Answer

Vertical zonation refers to the distribution of plant communities primarily based on elevation. As elevation increases, different environmental conditions such as temperature, humidity, and sunlight exposure create distinct zones of vegetation.

Question 7

Conifers are associated with all but
A) boreal forest.
B) temperate rain forest.
C) taiga.
D) tundra.

Accepted Answer

Conifers are primarily associated with boreal forests, temperate rain forests, and taiga, all of which are forest ecosystems where conifers thrive. Tundra, however, is characterized by its cold, harsh climate and lack of tall trees, including conifers, making it the correct choice as the ecosystem not associated with conifers.

Question 8

Ecologically, barrier islands are not good places for development.

Accepted Answer

Barrier islands are dynamic ecosystems that are prone to erosion, storm surges, and sea level rise, making development on them ecologically unsustainable and risky for human habitation.

Question 9

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

Accepted Answer

Rainforests can be classified into two main types: tropical rainforests, which are located around the equator, and temperate rainforests, which are found in cooler coastal areas further from the equator.

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.

Accepted Answer

Chaparral is a type of drought-adapted shrubland found in regions with a Mediterranean climate, characterized by hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters, not necessarily only in the tropics or with moderate rain and snow, nor does its dry season correspond 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).

Accepted Answer

Aquatic communities are often significantly influenced by physical characteristics of the environment such as temperature, salinity, flow rate, depth, and the presence of physical structures, which can determine the types of organisms that can live in these habitats.

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

Accepted Answer

Biomes are primarily determined by the climate, which is characterized by precipitation and temperature patterns.

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.

Accepted Answer

Precipitation is the most critical factor in determining the type of biome that develops in a given area because it directly influences the availability of water, which is essential for plant growth. Different levels of precipitation support different types of vegetation and, consequently, various animal species that depend on those plants for food and shelter.

Question 14

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

Accepted Answer

Temperate broad-leaved forests have fertile soils, a moderate climate, and a long growing season, making them ideal for agriculture and human settlement.

Question 15

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

Accepted Answer

The sharp boundary between a lake's warmer epilimnion and cooler hypolimnion is called the thermocline, not the benthos. The benthos refers to the community of organisms living on, in, or near the bottom of a water body.

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.

Accepted Answer

Wetlands are crucial for conservation due to their role in supporting a wide range of biodiversity, including various plant and animal species. They act as natural sponges that absorb and retain stormwater, reducing flood risks and filtering pollutants. Additionally, wetlands are vital habitats for many bird species, serving as breeding, feeding, and stopover sites during migration.

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.

Accepted Answer

Grasslands often experience frequent fires, which can kill tree seedlings before they have a chance to grow into mature trees. This natural occurrence helps maintain the grassy landscape characteristic of grasslands.

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.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The deciduous forest with the highest present-day...

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.

Accepted Answer

Soils in tropical rainforests are often thin and nutrient poor due to heavy rainfall that leaches nutrients away and rapid decomposition that quickly recycles nutrients back into the vegetation, leaving little in the soil.

Question 20

The category of wetland that always contains trees is the
A) marsh.
B) bog.
C) swamp.
D) fen.

Accepted Answer

Swamps are characterized by their ability to support woody plants and trees, distinguishing them from other types of wetlands that might not always contain trees.

Quiz 5: Biomes: Global Patterns of Life

A biome is described by:

Temperate grasslands are

The boreal forest is

Biomes exhibit __________ patterns in habitat characteristics.

Estuaries are characterized as being

Vertical zonation refers to

Conifers are associated with all but

Ecologically, barrier islands are not good places for development.

Rainforests

Chaparral is

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

Location of specific biomes can be predicted based on:

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

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

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

Wetlands are important to conservation efforts because

Grasslands typically lack trees because seedlings have difficulty surviving the

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

Soils in tropical rainforests are

The category of wetland that always contains trees is the