Deck 22: Ecosystem Ecology

Question 1

Which of these is a part of the ecosystem of Vermont's maple sugar-providing region?

A) maple trees
B) the soil
C) the temperature
D) the air
E) all of these

Answer 1

E

Question 2

Which of these properly states the relationship between global temperature and global CO₂ levels?

A) In the past 500 years,the temperature has increased rapidly,along with increases in carbon dioxide levels.
B) In the past 500 years,the temperature has increased rapidly,along with decreases in carbon dioxide levels.
C) In the past 140 years,the temperature has increased rapidly,along with rises in carbon dioxide levels.
D) In the past 140 years,the temperature has increased rapidly,along with decreases in carbon dioxide levels.
E) In the past 140 years,the temperature has decreased rapidly,along with decreases in carbon dioxide levels.

Answer 2

C

Question 3

Which of these would need to be accounted for in a carbon footprint?

A) fossil fuel use
B) oxygen in the atmosphere
C) nitrogen cycles
D) fossilized phosphorus
E) water use

Answer 3

A

Question 4

Which statements is NOT a characteristic or effect of climate change?

A) Global warming is the only type of climate change.
B) Climate change is beginning to re-draw the map of biomes around the world.
C) The scientific community believes that climate change is being accelerated by human activity.
D) Climate change is any substantial change in climate that lasts for an extended period of time.
E) Climate change will likely exceed the ability of many species to adapt and could cause many species to go extinct.

Question 5

Fossil fuels are most immediately derived from

A) organic molecules.
B) CO₂.
C) methane.
D) melting ice caps.
E) photosynthesis.

Question 6

The flow of carbon in an ecosystem is similar to the flow of energy in an ecosystem.Is this statement true or false?

A) True;carbon and energy both cycle through an ecosystem.
B) True;carbon and energy both flow through an ecosystem in one direction.
C) False;energy flows in one direction through the ecosystem while carbon cycles through the ecosystem.
D) False;carbon flows in a single direction through the ecosystem,and energy cycles through the ecosystem.
E) False;carbon is not used in ecosystems,whereas energy is used in ecosystems.

Question 7

Which greenhouse gas is emitted every time you breathe out?

A) oxygen
B) carbon dioxide
C) methane
D) nitrogen
E) water vapor

Question 8

How do scientists measure changes in the levels of global atmospheric CO₂?

A) They have directly measured CO₂ in the atmosphere since 1758.
B) They measure CO₂ levels in water trapped deep in Earth's crust.
C) They take ice core samples that allow measurement of CO₂ over hundreds of thousands of years.
D) none of these
E) all of these

Question 9

Why are many animals expected to go extinct due to global warming?

A) Animals will begin to prey upon each other more aggressively due to global warming.
B) There are thousands of organisms that live on Arctic sea ice that will drown when the ice melts due to global warming.
C) Organisms will be unable to relocate to suitable habitats when their current habitats are altered due to global warming.
D) all of these
E) none of these

Question 10

Plants like maple trees______________ CO₂ by _______________.

A) emit;photosynthesis
B) take up;photosynthesis
C) emit;cellular respiration
D) take up;cellular respiration
E) store;cellular respiration

Question 11

The carbon cycle is the movement of carbon atoms via natural processes such as _____.

A) deforestation,photosynthesis,and fossil fuels
B) deforestation,photosynthesis,and respiration
C) decomposition,photosynthesis,and fossil fuels
D) decomposition,photosynthesis,and respiration
E) decomposition,deforestation,and fossil fuels

Question 12

Which description is an example of the effects of rising temperatures?

A) Marmots are coming out of hibernation later in the year.
B) Plants are blooming earlier in the year.
C) Animals that were traditionally only found in temperate areas are being found in tropical zones.
D) Maple trees in America are making more syrup than ever before.
E) all of these

Question 13

Which statement is a consequence of Arctic ice melting due to global warming?

A) Arctic animals are losing suitable habitats.
B) Polar bears are in poorer condition and their weight has decreased over the last 30 years.
C) More solar radiation is being absorbed by the ocean.
D) The temperature is increasing in the Arctic at an accelerated rate.
E) all of these

Question 14

In identifying a biome,for which of the 3 characteristics below would it be important to have data?

A) monthly rainfall
B) temperatures throughout the year
C) plant life
D) animal life
E) size of the human population in the area

Question 15

A television show about conspiracy theories is discussing global warming,claiming it is a myth that CO₂ levels have risen over the last 1,000 years.Which evidence would be most useful to use in educating the producers to convince them that global warming is not a myth?

A) ice cores
B) tree rings
C) corals
D) measurements of carbon dioxide from the air
E) all of these

Question 16

Human actions have altered the global carbon cycle by _____.

A) decreasing the number of photosynthetic organisms
B) cutting down large numbers of trees
C) inventing the internal combustion engine and burning fossil fuels
D) developing and using drilling and mining methods that allow access to previously inaccessible fossil fuel deposits
E) all of these

Question 17

The relationship between global warming and greenhouse gases is the _____.

A) more greenhouse gases,the less heat is trapped from Earth's surface
B) two are unrelated
C) more methane,the less heat is trapped from Earth's surface
D) more oxygen,the less heat is trapped from Earth's surface
E) more greenhouse gases,the greater the amount of heat trapped from Earth's surface

Question 18

Slash-and-burn agriculture affects global warming by _____.

A) adding more methane gas to the environment,thereby increasing greenhouse gases
B) removing methane producers from the environment,thereby decreasing greenhouse gases
C) removing photosynthetic organisms from the environment,thereby increasing CO₂ in the environment
D) removing photosynthetic organisms from the environment,thereby decreasing CO₂ in the environment
E) No effect will be seen in global warming or greenhouse gases from this type of agriculture.

Question 19

Prior to 1990,the United States produced ______ of the world's maple syrup;today,Canada produces ______.

A) 80%;80%
B) 20%;80%
C) 20%;20%
D) 90%;80%
E) 60%;40%

Question 20

Temperature is an important physical feature of an ecosystem.Which option shows a correct,direct relationship between temperature and organisms in an environment?

A) Sea ice is melting in the Arctic;maples are making less syrup.
B) Sea ice is melting in the Arctic;flowers in England are blooming sooner than they usually bloom.
C) Sea ice is melting in the Arctic;flowers in England are blooming later than they usually bloom.
D) Arctic temperatures are increasing;the red fox is expanding its habitat to compete with the Arctic fox.
E) Arctic temperatures are increasing;the arctic fox is hibernating for longer periods of time.

Question 21

Why would a plant species go extinct but an animal survive when temperature change alters a habitat?

A) Plants are less tolerant of rapid temperature change.
B) Animals are more tolerant of heat changes.
C) Animals are more mobile than plants.
D) Animals are more adaptable.
E) All of the answers are correct.

Question 22

The greenhouse gases include

A) carbon monoxide,nitrogen,and ozone.
B) carbon dioxide,ozone,and methane.
C) carbon monoxide,methane,and nitrogen.
D) carbon dioxide,methane,and nitrous oxide.
E) methane,sulfur,and carbon dioxide.

Question 23

The maple tree would most likely be found in which biome?

A) tundra
B) temperate deciduous forest
C) boreal forest
D) coniferous forest
E) rainforest

Question 24

The range of the sugar maple tree can be predicted to migrate______ because of global warming.

A) southwest
B) west
C) north
D) south
E) east

Question 25

Vermont production of maple syrup decreased significantly from 1900 to 2000 primarily because of

A) increased competition from Canada.
B) lack of government subsidies.
C) pestilence.
D) a shortening of the maple syrup season.
E) All of the answers are correct.

Question 26

The vegetation in a biome is largely influenced by

A) precipitation.
B) temperature.
C) temperature and precipitation.
D) geographical location.
E) migration patterns.

Question 27

Canadian production of maple syrup is increasing because of

A) marketing.
B) government subsidies.
C) improved technologies.
D) climate change.
E) All of the answers are correct.

Question 28

Which of the following statements is TRUE?

A) The average first-flowering date for spring-blooming plants has been unaffected by warming temperatures.
B) The average first-flowering date for summer-blooming plants is occurring later than it did 50 years ago.
C) Plants that are blossoming earlier are also keeping their blossoms longer.
D) An average monthly temperature increase of as little as 1ºC can cause plants to bloom several days earlier than average.
E) Early blooming is likely only occurring in a few tree species.

Question 29

What would be evidence for lower or decreased temperature effecting plant species in a mountainous region?

A) the presence of non-native plant species
B) thriving plant species
C) migration of plant species to a higher elevation
D) migration of plant species to a lower elevation
E) extinction of plant species

Question 30

Early blooming of flowers correlates with

A) periods of drought.
B) increase in precipitation.
C) increased sunlight.
D) rapid and sudden change in temperature.
E) temperature increase.

Question 31

Scientists monitor seasonal changes in angiosperms by examining

A) period of dormancy.
B) first leaf growth.
C) first flowering date.
D) counting tree rings.
E) counting leaf bud scars.

Question 32

Maple production in New England is being affected significantly by

A) drought.
B) temperature increase.
C) rain.
D) pestilence.
E) woolly adelgid.

Question 33

For maple syrup producers,global temperature increase correlates with

A) a longer season.
B) an earlier season.
C) an earlier and shorter season.
D) a shorter season.
E) a longer and more productive season.

Question 34

As temperatures increase in the northern hemisphere,plant and animal distributions are most likely to migrate

A) north.
B) south.
C) east.
D) west.
E) to lower elevations.

Question 35

What would be evidence for increased temperature affecting plant species in a mountainous region?

A) the presence of non-native plant species
B) thriving plant species
C) migration of plant species to a higher elevation
D) migration of plant species to a lower elevation
E) extinction of plant species

Question 36

What environmental reason is responsible for an observed decrease of maple syrup in the Northeast United States?

A) drought
B) temperature increase
C) rain
D) pestilence
E) woody adelgid

Question 37

All of the following are reasons that Canada is selling more maple syrup than the United States,EXCEPT

A) Canada has planted millions of maple trees.
B) Canada has increased its marketing.
C) Canada has provided government subsidies to their maple syrup industry.
D) Canada has improved its technology for producing maple syrup efficiently.
E) climate change has shortened the maple syrup season in Vermont.

Question 38

Which of the following BEST describes an ecosystem?

A) the animal life in an area
B) the plant life in an area
C) the plant and animal life in an area
D) the plant,animal,and bacterial life in an area
E) the plant,animal,and bacterial life plus the physical and chemical environment in an area

Question 39

Migrating populations of tree ranges are monitored by scientists using

A) flowering dates.
B) GIS and environmental models.
C) sampling and counting of trees in a region.
D) satellites.
E) pollen analysis.

Question 40

Which group of plants shows a correlation between global temperature increase and earlier flowerings?

A) winter-reseeding plants
B) summer-blooming plants
C) fall-flowering plants
D) spring-blooming plants
E) annuals

Question 41

By the year 2050,as many as __________ species could be driven to extinction by global warming.

A) 1000
B) 10,000
C) 100,000
D) 1,000,000
E) 10,000,000

Question 42

What evidence supports an increase in Earth's surface temperature?

A) historical records
B) tree rings
C) ice cores
D) corals
E) All of the answers are correct.

Question 43

Which of the following is a greenhouse gas?

A) carbon dioxide
B) methane
C) nitrous oxide
D) All of the answers are correct.
E) None of the answers are correct.

Question 44

As a consequence of global warming,

A) only plants will be negatively affected.
B) only animals will be negatively affected.
C) all plants and animals will be negatively affected.
D) some plants and animals will be negatively affected,whereas others won't be affected at all.
E) some plants and animals will be negatively affected,whereas others will be positively affected.

Question 45

All of the following are true of the greenhouse effect,EXCEPT

A) it is a natural process that keeps Earth warm.
B) some of the light and heat from the Sun are reflected back into the atmosphere.
C) high oxygen levels are contributing to global warming.
D) greenhouse gases in the atmosphere trap the Sun's heat.
E) the greenhouse effect has increased over the past several years.

Question 46

Which is NOT a naturally occurring greenhouse gas?

A) methane
B) carbon dioxide
C) water vapor
D) nitrous oxide
E) chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)

Question 47

The loss of ice cover in the Arctic will

A) endanger resident species.
B) raise the ocean temperature.
C) raise the air temperature.
D) increase sea levels.
E) All of the answers are correct.

Question 48

The increase in carbon dioxide levels correlates with an increase in

A) volcanic activity.
B) the ozone layer.
C) Earth surface temperature.
D) El Niños.
E) snow-covered areas.

Question 49

Which is NOT true of greenhouse gases?

A) Humans are adding to the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.
B) Carbon dioxide is a result of the burning of fossil fuels.
C) Global temperature is rising due to the greenhouse effect.
D) Greenhouse gases trap infrared radiation close to Earth's surface.
E) Greenhouse gases are relatively new in Earth's atmosphere.

Question 50

When did scientists begin to notice changes in ecosystems as a result of climate change?

A) 250 years ago
B) 100 years ago
C) 50 years ago
D) 20 years ago
E) within the past 5 years

Question 51

Which predator-prey pairing would likely have the most negative impact on a forest ecosystem if the predator is forced to migrate because of increased temperature?

A) birds and blueberry bushes
B) birds and insects
C) rabbits and hawks
D) wolves and rabbits
E) fox and mice

Question 52

Scientists have used all of the following to document global warming,EXCEPT

A) thermometers.
B) tree rings.
C) historical records.
D) seed-coat thickness.
E) ice cores.

Question 53

Which statement is FALSE?

A) Earth would be -18°C without the greenhouse effect.
B) The ozone hole is getting bigger from greenhouse gas emissions.
C) Global temperature is rising because of the greenhouse effect.
D) Carbon dioxide is a major greenhouse gas.
E) The greenhouse effect is normal.

Question 54

Scientists project that the temperature in the Arctic may rise by______ in the next century.

A) 1°C - 2°C
B) 2°C - 4°C
C) 4°C -7°C
D) 8°C - 10°C
E) 10°C - 12°C

Question 55

In the face of rising temperatures,which organism below has the greatest disadvantage?

A) sugar maple tree
B) forest tent caterpillar
C) Acadian flycatcher
D) red fox
E) hawk

Question 56

Carbon dioxide has rapidly increased in

A) the last 50 years.
B) the last 1000 years.
C) the last 20 years.
D) the last 100 years.
E) the last 500 years.

Question 57

Animals have this advantage over plants to combat a change in temperature.

A) They have better fitness.
B) They have increased diversity.
C) They have more offspring per gestation.
D) They can adapt faster.
E) They can expand their range faster.

Question 58

Increases in greenhouse gases

A) increase the heat exiting the atmosphere.
B) releases heat into the atmosphere.
C) prevent the Sun's energy from reaching Earth.
D) reflect heat from the Sun into the upper atmosphere.
E) trap heat in Earth's atmosphere.

Question 59

If climate change eliminates a predator that is a keystone species,how will the ecosystem change?

A) The ecosystem will be slightly damaged.
B) Prey will eventually become extinct.
C) The ecosystem will eventually recover.
D) The ecosystem will be irreversible damaged.
E) The predator will be replaced and the ecosystem balance restored.

Question 60

What has changed over the last century that makes scientists believe the rise in average global temperature is not just a normal temporary fluctuation?

A) The amount of water vapor in the atmosphere has increased.
B) The amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere has increased.
C) The amount of sunlight heating Earth has increased.
D) The amount of heat going back out into space has increased.
E) The amount of forested land has increased.

Question 61

Which human activities contribute to elevated carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere?

A) driving gasoline-powered cars
B) burning of coal
C) burning of oil
D) burning of forests
E) All of the answers are correct.

Question 62

Which will NOT cause an increase in sea water levels?

A) melting icebergs
B) melting sea ice
C) melting glaciers
D) melting polar ice caps
E) ice shelves breaking up

Question 63

What process uses up carbon dioxide in the environment?

A) photosynthesis
B) respiration
C) metabolism
D) deforestation
E) burning of fossil fuels

Question 64

To what extent has the Arctic ice cap changed in the last 30 or so years?

A) It has decreased by 5%.
B) It has increased by 10%.
C) It has decreased by 20%.
D) It has decreased by 30%.
E) It has not decreased.

Question 65

Which period brought a change to the natural carbon cycle of our planet?

A) the ice age
B) the industrial revolution
C) the medieval warm period
D) the Holocene
E) the interglacial warm period

Question 66

Historical records from ice cores reveal fluctuating levels of carbon dioxide in the approximate range of _________.Today,atmospheric carbon dioxide levels approach _________.

A) 10-100 ppmv;200 ppmv
B) 100-200 ppmv;300 ppmv
C) 200-300 ppmv;400 ppmv
D) 200-300 ppmv;200 ppmv
E) 300-600 ppmv;600 ppmv

Question 67

Which areas had higher than global averages of temperature increase?

A) Africa,Arctic,and Antarctica
B) Arctic,North America,and Antarctica
C) Europe,Arctic,and Eurasia
D) Arctic,Antarctica,and Eurasia
E) South America,Africa,and Arctic

Question 68

Which processes regulate the natural carbon cycle on our planet?

A) decomposition,transpiration,and respiration
B) transpiration and decomposition
C) photosynthesis and transpiration
D) photosynthesis,respiration,and decomposition
E) photosynthesis,nitrification,and decomposition

Question 69

Fossil fuels

A) are the remains of once-living organisms.
B) include coal,oil,and natural gas.
C) increase the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere when burned.
D) are significant contributors to global warming.
E) All of the answers are correct.

Question 70

In the next 100 years,Arctic temperatures are predicted to rise by an additional

A) 1°C - 2°C.
B) 2°C - 4°C.
C) 4°C - 7°C.
D) 7°C - 9°C.
E) 10°C - 12°C.

Question 71

On average,which continent has warmed twice as much when compared with others?

A) North America
B) Arctic
C) Europe
D) Africa
E) South America

Question 72

All of the following statements about polar ice are true,EXCEPT

A) sea ice is breaking up in the spring nearly 3 weeks earlier than it did in the 1970s.
B) in the last 30 years,the Arctic has lost more than 1 million acres of sea ice.
C) polar regions are warming faster than other areas of the world.
D) melting sea ice will raise ocean levels,but melting glaciers will not.
E) Arctic temperatures are predicted to rise by 4°C to 7°C over the next 100 years.

Question 73

All of the following are likely to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere,EXCEPT

A) drive electric cars.
B) plant forests.
C) reduce consumption of meat.
D) reduce population growth.
E) All of the answers are correct.

Question 74

What is the evidence for global warming?

A) decreasing arctic sea ice
B) melting glaciers and ice caps
C) rising sea levels
D) historical records of Earth's surface temperature
E) All of the answers are correct.

Question 75

All of the following statements about atmospheric carbon dioxide levels are true,EXCEPT

A) levels are currently measured directly from the air.
B) historic levels are measured by examining air bubbles trapped in ice cores.
C) historic levels of CO₂ reached present-day levels only twice before.
D) CO₂ levels cycle in patterns that correlate with major ice ages.
E) since the late 1800s,atmospheric CO₂ has increased 35%.

Question 76

Which land mass is showing the most dramatic increase in surface temperatures in recent years?

A) North America
B) Arctic
C) Europe
D) Africa
E) South America

Question 77

Scientists examine these to assess levels of carbon dioxide through history.

A) sedimentary cores
B) ice cores
C) peat cores
D) tree rings
E) All of the answers are correct.

Question 78

Why are ice cores useful in tracking carbon dioxide levels?

A) Ratios of isotopes can be compared.
B) They contain sediment from volcanoes.
C) Air bubbles in the ice contain gases that can be measured.
D) Water can be analyzed for carbon dioxide.
E) They are easy to obtain.

Question 79

Which of the following statements about global temperature change is TRUE?

A) Over the last 30 years,Arctic sea ice has shrunk by more than 1 million acres.
B) The equator is warming faster than the poles.
C) The equator is predicted to increase 4°C to 7°C over the next 100 years.
D) Eurasia warmed less than most other areas of the globe.
E) Although temperatures may warm,sea levels will remain stable.

Question 80

Why are increasing temperatures in the Arctic a threat to polar bears?

A) Summer sea ice has melted and is unavailable for hunting seals.
B) Polar bears may invade urban areas on land as ice has melted.
C) Polar bears may drown looking for sea ice.
D) Polar bears are not as reproductively fit due to nutritional loss.
E) All of the answers are correct.