Question 1

The major cause of tropical deforestation is
A) hurricane destruction of large regions.
B) people clearing forests to open up land for agriculture.
C) governments clearing forests to build cities.
D) natural succession as global warming occurs.

Accepted Answer

The major cause of tropical deforestation is people clearing forests to open up land for agriculture. This includes subsistence farming as well as commercial agriculture, such as large-scale cattle ranching and palm oil plantations.

Question 2

Why is the runoff from fertilized agricultural fields, even if free of pesticides, often harmful to the ecosystems of temperate lakes?
A) Fertilizer compounds create large hydrothermal vent communities that kill lake organisms.
B) The runoff causes heavy growth of algae, which eventually die and decompose, causing oxygen depletion.
C) Runoff water pools at the lake's bottom, where the fertilizer compounds react with materials in the sediment to form toxic substances.
D) The runoff is acid, and acidification kills key lake organisms.

Accepted Answer

The runoff from fertilized agricultural fields contains high levels of nutrients (such as nitrogen and phosphorus) that can lead to eutrophication, which is an overgrowth of algae in the lake. As the algae eventually die and decompose, they consume oxygen from the water, leading to oxygen depletion that harms aquatic organisms.

Question 3

Which biome is characterized by large, grazing mammals?
A) chaparral
B) temperate grassland
C) desert
D) temperate forest

Accepted Answer

Temperate grasslands are characterized by large, grazing mammals such as bison and pronghorn antelope. The other biomes listed do not typically have large grazing mammals as a defining characteristic.

Question 4

Most of the best agricultural soils in the United States are found in areas that were formerly
A) temperate grasslands.
B) taiga forest.
C) tropical rain forest.
D) tundra.

Accepted Answer

Temperate grasslands, also known as prairies, are characterized by deep, nutrient-rich soils that are ideal for agriculture. These areas once covered a significant portion of the central United States, from Texas to Canada. However, much of this land has been converted to agriculture, which has contributed to the loss of native grassland ecosystems and wildlife habitats.

Question 5

Which is a correct pairing of a biome and its characteristics?
A) temperate broadleaf forest-mild winters; scarce rainfall; predominantly dicot vegetation
B) chaparral-mild, rainy winters; long, hot, but wet summers
C) savanna-long, cold winters; vegetation dominated by conifers
D) tundra-very cold winters; only the upper layer of the soil thaws during summer

Accepted Answer

The tundra biome is characterized by very cold winters with the upper layer of the soil thawing during summer. The other options have incorrect descriptions of their respective biomes:
A) The temperate broadleaf forest has mild winters, abundant rainfall, and predominantly dicot vegetation.
B) The chaparral has hot, dry summers and mild, rainy winters.
C) The savanna has long, dry winters and is dominated by grasses, not conifers.

Question 6

Which statement about biomes, the major terrestrial ecosystems covering the Earth, is true?
A) Each of the ten major biomes is restricted to just one or two continents.
B) The major factors affecting the distribution of biomes are wind and sunlight.
C) Most natural biomes are unaffected by human activity.
D) Fire is important in some biomes because it creates openings.

Accepted Answer

Fire is important in some biomes because it creates openings, promotes nutrient cycling, and helps maintain the ecosystem's biodiversity. Option A is incorrect because the ten major biomes are distributed worldwide. Option B is incorrect because factors like temperature, precipitation, and soil type influence the distribution of biomes. Option C is also incorrect because human activity, such as deforestation and climate change, can significantly impact natural biomes.

Question 7

Which statement about tropical forests is true?
A) Tropical forests occur in equatorial regions with very long (16- to 20-hour) days.
B) Tropical forest structure consists of distinct layers that provide many different habitats.
C) Once stripped, tropical rain forests regrow quickly, although with slightly less diversity.
D) The soils of tropical rain forests are typically rich in nutrients.

Accepted Answer

Tropical forests have distinct layers such as the canopy, understory, and forest floor that provide different habitats for a variety of organisms. This is an important feature of tropical forests and distinguishes them from other types of forests.

Answer: D
 Tropical forest soils are often acidic and nutrient-poor due to the high rainfall and rapid decomposition. The nutrients are typically tied up in the vegetation rather than the soil. However, some regions of tropical forests may have nutrient-rich soils due to volcanic activity or other geological factors.

Question 8

Which statement about coniferous forests is true?
A) Coniferous forests are the smallest terrestrial biome.
B) Coniferous forests are characterized by long, mild winters and short, dry summers.
C) Coniferous forests usually have nutrient-rich soils.
D) Coniferous forests experience precipitation that is mainly in the form of snow.

Accepted Answer

Coniferous forests, also known as taiga or boreal forests, experience precipitation that is mainly in the form of snow. This is because these forests are found in cold regions with temperatures below freezing for much of the year. The snowfall contributes to the characteristic thick cover of snow that keeps the soil moist in the spring, providing water for the growth of new vegetation. Option A is incorrect because coniferous forests cover a large area, making them one of the largest terrestrial biomes. Option B is incorrect because coniferous forests are characterized by long, cold winters and short, cool summers. Option C is incorrect because coniferous forests usually have nutrient-poor soils that are acidic and low in organic matter.

Question 9

You are reading the journal of an amateur naturalist who visited the Sonoran Desert in the last century. Which of his descriptions of desert plants would you question?
A) a plant whose seeds will not germinate unless soaked
B) a perennial that flowers only after years of vegetative growth and produces a large number of seeds
C) a late winter hillside covered with wildflowers
D) a common annual that produces one large seed per plant

Accepted Answer

Most desert annuals produce multiple seeds to ensure that at least some of them survive in the harsh desert environment. A common annual producing only one large seed per plant is unusual and not characteristic of desert plant survival strategies, which typically involve producing many seeds to increase the chances of offspring survival.

Question 10

Species in widely separated but similar biomes often appear to display similar characteristics because of
A) convergent evolution.
B) coevolution.
C) mutations.
D) evolutionary drift.

Accepted Answer

Species in widely separated biomes may evolve similar characteristics due to convergent evolution, where similar selective pressures in different environments result in similar adaptations. Coevolution, mutations, and evolutionary drift may also play a role in shaping characteristics, but they are not specific to explaining similarities between species in different biomes.

Question 11

Factors that help to limit growth of woody plants in temperate grasslands include
A) nutrient-poor soil and high insect diversity.
B) fires and grazing by large mammals.
C) large numbers of cacti and small numbers of grazing mammals.
D) mild winters and low annual precipitation.

Accepted Answer

Fires and grazing by large mammals help limit the growth of woody plants in temperate grasslands. Fires prevent the establishment of woody vegetation, and grazing by large mammals such as bison and elk keeps woody plants from becoming dominant. Nutrient-poor soil, high insect diversity, large numbers of cacti, and mild winters with low annual precipitation may also affect plant growth, but they do not specifically limit the growth of woody plants in temperate grasslands.

Question 12

Which statement about temperate broadleaf forests is true?
A) Temperate broadleaf forests have a narrow range of temperatures over the course of a year.
B) Oak, hickory, birch, beech, and maple are common trees in temperate broadleaf forests.
C) Temperate broadleaf forests have very poor soil.
D) Temperate broadleaf forests are less open than tropical rain forests.

Accepted Answer

Oak, hickory, birch, beech, and maple are common trees in temperate broadleaf forests. This is a distinguishing characteristic of temperate broadleaf forests.

Note: A is false because temperate broadleaf forests can have a wide range of temperatures throughout the year. C is false because temperate broadleaf forests typically have nutrient-rich soil. D is subjective and not a universally agreed upon characteristic.

Question 13

Usually, a river ________ at its source compared to farther downstream.
A) has less phytoplankton
B) is warmer
C) is wider
D) flows more slowly

Accepted Answer

Typically, a river has less phytoplankton at its source because the water is colder, clearer, and often moves more swiftly, conditions that are not as conducive to phytoplankton growth compared to the conditions found farther downstream.

Question 14

Which biome is dominated by coniferous trees adapted to surviving long, harsh winters and short, wet summers?
A) coniferous forests
B) tundra
C) temperate broadleaf forest
D) savanna

Accepted Answer

Coniferous forests, also known as taiga or boreal forests, are dominated by coniferous trees such as spruce, fir, and pine that have adapted to surviving long, harsh winters and short, wet summers. The other options, tundra, temperate broadleaf forest, and savanna, do not fit this description.

Question 15

A photograph of a Victorian trophy room shows the heads of 15 species of hoofed mammals, all shot within a day's walk of a single hunting camp in Africa. This camp was probably located in
A) tropical rain forest.
B) chaparral.
C) savanna.
D) desert.

Accepted Answer

The savanna is a biome characterized by grassy plains with scattered trees and is home to a diverse array of hoofed mammals, such as zebras, giraffes, and antelopes. This habitat is conducive to the hunting of multiple species within a day's walk of a single camp. The other biomes listed, such as the tropical rainforest, chaparral, and desert, are less likely to support such a variety of hoofed mammals within close proximity of each other.

Question 16

The dominant herbivores in savannas are
A) gophers.
B) insects.
C) antelope.
D) giraffes.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The dominant herbivores in savannas are
A) gophers.
B)...

Question 17

Which statement about deserts and the organisms that live there is true?
A) Air temperatures in cold deserts, such as those west of the Rocky Mountains, may never fall below 30°C.
B) Growth and reproduction occur year-round in deserts.
C) Desert plants typically produce very few seeds.
D) Many desert animals are nocturnal.

Accepted Answer

This statement is true, as many desert animals have adapted to avoid the extreme heat of the day by becoming active only at night when temperatures are cooler.

Question 18

The kind of vegetation in a tropical rain forest is generally determined by the amount of
A) rainfall.
B) organic material in the soil.
C) minerals in the soil.
D) light.

Accepted Answer

Vegetation in a tropical rain forest is largely influenced by the amount of rainfall. Tropical rain forests receive heavy rainfall throughout the year, which helps to support diverse plant life. The high levels of rainfall also contribute to the nutrient cycle within the forest, as well as the high humidity levels that are necessary for many plant species.

Question 19

Under the conditions known as El Niño, the inorganic nutrient content of the seawater off the coast of Peru declines to very low levels. What effect will this likely have on marine life in the area?
A) The lower the levels of minerals, the less polluted the water; hence, most populations will increase.
B) It will result in toxic red tides, which will reduce the populations of many species.
C) It will reduce the abundance of phytoplankton and, consequently, the abundance of other organisms.
D) It will increase the productivity of phytoplankton and, therefore, the productivity of other organisms by allowing sunlight to penetrate deeper into the ocean.

Accepted Answer

The decline in inorganic nutrient content will reduce the abundance of phytoplankton, which are primary producers, leading to a decrease in the abundance of higher trophic level organisms that rely on phytoplankton for food. This can lead to a decline in overall marine life in the area.

Question 20

Which characteristic belongs to the chaparral biome?
A) sparse grasses
B) cool, wet summers and freezing winter temperatures
C) plants with seeds that will germinate only after exposure to a hot fire
D) animal species limited to lizards and snakes

Accepted Answer

The characteristic that belongs to the chaparral biome is plants with seeds that will germinate only after exposure to a hot fire. This is because wildfires are common in the chaparral biome and many plant species have adapted to survive and even thrive after a fire. The other options do not accurately describe the chaparral biome.

Quiz 34: The Biosphere: an Introduction to Earths Diverse Environments

The major cause of tropical deforestation is

Why is the runoff from fertilized agricultural fields, even if free of pesticides, often harmful to the ecosystems of temperate lakes?

Which biome is characterized by large, grazing mammals?

Most of the best agricultural soils in the United States are found in areas that were formerly

Which is a correct pairing of a biome and its characteristics?

Which statement about biomes, the major terrestrial ecosystems covering the Earth, is true?

Which statement about tropical forests is true?

Which statement about coniferous forests is true?

You are reading the journal of an amateur naturalist who visited the Sonoran Desert in the last century. Which of his descriptions of desert plants would you question?

Species in widely separated but similar biomes often appear to display similar characteristics because of

Factors that help to limit growth of woody plants in temperate grasslands include

Which statement about temperate broadleaf forests is true?

Usually, a river ________ at its source compared to farther downstream.

Which biome is dominated by coniferous trees adapted to surviving long, harsh winters and short, wet summers?

A photograph of a Victorian trophy room shows the heads of 15 species of hoofed mammals, all shot within a day's walk of a single hunting camp in Africa. This camp was probably located in

The dominant herbivores in savannas are

Which statement about deserts and the organisms that live there is true?

The kind of vegetation in a tropical rain forest is generally determined by the amount of

Under the conditions known as El Niño, the inorganic nutrient content of the seawater off the coast of Peru declines to very low levels. What effect will this likely have on marine life in the area?

Which characteristic belongs to the chaparral biome?