Deck 17: Biogeographic Divisions

Question 1

Which of the following is TRUE about the distribution of Earthʹs biodiversity?

A)The distribution of Earthʹs biodiversity is driven solely by climate.
B)In general,there tends to be greater biodiversity at higher latitudes than lower latitudes.
C)There is a universally accepted manner to delineate Earthʹs biodiversity.
D)Earthʹs biodiversity is spread unevenly across the planet.

Answer 1

D

Question 2

Which of the following regarding biomes is NOT true?

A)Biomes often reflect potential mature vegetation,rather than actual vegetation of an area.
B)The boundaries between most biomes are sharp and easily delineated.
C)Biomes are defined by native species to a region.
D)Most biomes have been greatly altered by human intervention.

Answer 2

B

Question 3

Large,stable communities of plants and animals whose boundaries are closely linked to climate and soils are called

A)biomes.
B)biogeographic realms.
C)biozones.
D)ecospheres.

Answer 3

A

Question 4

Rainforests occupy approximately of the worldʹs land area,but represent about of Earthʹs species.

A)7%; 50%
B)2%; 12%
C)10%; 35%
D)12%; 65%

Question 5

Though New Zealand is relatively close to Australia,itʹs faunal assemblages are quite different.For instance,there are no native marsupials in New Zealand.Which of the following best accounts for these differences?

A)New Zealand was isolated from Australia during critical evolutionary times.
B)New Zealand experienced a major extinction that wiped out its marsupials and other Australian fauna.
C)The environments of Australia and New Zealand are completely different,despite their close proximity.
D)New Zealand is an island,whereas Australia is a continent.As such,one wouldnʹt expect them to have the same faunal assemblages.

Question 6

Which of the following is a topic of research in conservation biogeography?

A)Conservation planning and the establishment of protected areas
B)The effects of climate change on biodiversity
C)The distribution and effects of invasive species
D)Invasive species,climate change,and conservation planning are all topics of research in conservation biology.

Question 7

According to MacArthur and Wilsonʹs theory of island biogeography,which of the following is CORRECT?

A)The number of species increases with island isolation.
B)The number of species decreases with island isolation.
C)There is no relationship between species number and island isolation.

Question 8

The naturalist and father of zoogeography Alfred Russel Wallace noted a distinct difference in the fauna between several islands in the Malay Archipelago (present -day Indonesia).He used these differences to delineate the boundary between the Australian and Oriental biogeographic realms.Which of the following best describes the reason for these differences?

A)A deep ocean barrier inhibited dispersal between the two realms.
B)Aboriginal tribes in Australia have greatly altered the fauna of Australia relative to the Oriental realm.
C)The environments of Australia and Asia are completely different,despite their relative close proximity.
D)Asia and European traders interacted for centuries prior to Wallaceʹs discovery.Among the results of this interaction was an exchange of European (Palearctic)fauna and Oriental fauna.

Question 9

This biome has a well-developed vertical structure with three distinct layers: an overstory,a middle canopy,and understory.

A)Desert
B)Mediterranean shrubland
C)Midlatitude broadleaf and mixed forest
D)Tropical rain forest

Question 10

The flora and fauna of this biome is characterized by high biodiversity,including many lianas,epiphytes,and arboreal animal species,such as sloths,monkeys,lemurs,and snakes.

A)Tropical rain forest
B)Mediterranean shrubland
C)Temperate rain forest
D)Boreal and montane forest

Question 11

Trees and shrubs that seasonally loose their leaves are called

A)bryophytes.
B)evergreens.
C)annual herbs.
D)deciduous.

Question 12

Despite the high-level of biodiversity,this biome has infertile soils,principally Oxisols,to which the vegetation has roots systems that capture nutrients from litter decay.

A)Midlatitude grasslands
B)Tropical rain forest
C)Boreal and montane forest
D)Temperate rain forest

Question 13

The subdiscipline of biogeography that utilizes biogeographic principles,theories,and analyses to solve problems in biodiversity management is known as

A)conservation biogeography.
B)historical biogeography.
C)phylogenetic biogeography.
D)island biogeography.

Question 14

According to MacArthur and Wilsonʹs theory of island biogeography,which of the following is CORRECT?

A)The number of species decreases with island area.
B)The number of species increases with island area.
C)There is no relationship between species number and island area.

Question 15

The boundary zone between adjacent biomes in which traits from both biomes may be found is called the

A)boundary layer.
B)transitional matrix.
C)ecotone.
D)edge effect.

Question 16

In which of the following regions would one likely NOT find a tropical rain forest?

A)Southeast Asia
B)Equatorial Africa
C)The Pacific Northwest in the United States
D)The Amazon region in South America

Question 17

Distinct regions of broadly similar flora and fauna are called

A)biogeographic realms.
B)biozones.
C)ecospheres.
D)biomes.

Question 18

Which of the following is NOT one of the major groups of terrestrial vegetation biogeographers designate?

A)Forest
B)Desert
C)Phytoplankton
D)Grassland

Question 19

Large woody vines that are rooted in the soil and found in tropical forests are called

A)bryophytes.
B)lianas.
C)understory.
D)epiphytes.

Question 20

Which of the following best describes an invasive species?

A)Approximately 90% of all introduced non-native species become invasive species.
B)Non-native species become invasive when they become established in a new area,taking over niches that were already occupied by native species.
C)Dispersal,even if anthropogenic,is a normal biogeographic process and,therefore,no cause of alarm.
D)An invasive species is any non-native introduced species,whether it becomes established or not.

Question 21

This biome occupies large portions of the eastern United States,central Europe,and Asia.

A)Tropical savanna
B)Temperate rain forest
C)Midlatitude broadleaf and mixed forest
D)Boreal and montane forest

Question 22

This extensive biome is dominated by evergreen needleleaf forests.

A)Tropical seasonal forest and scrub
B)Midlatitude broadleaf and mixed forest
C)Temperate rain forest
D)Boreal and montane forest

Question 23

Which of the following climate types is associated with the midlatitude broadleaf and mixed forest biome?

A)Mediterranean
B)Humid subtropical (warm summer)
C)Marine west coast
D)Humid continental (cool summer)

Question 24

This biome,with some deciduous trees and an open parkland vegetation type,are transitional between tropical rain forest and grassland.

A)Tropical seasonal forest and scrub
B)Mediterranean shrubland
C)Temperate rain forest
D)Broadleaf and mixed forest

Question 25

Which of the following best describes the vegetation of the tropical rain forest biome?

A)Perennial herbaceous
B)Sclerophyllous
C)Broadleaf evergreen
D)Seasonal deciduous

Question 26

Local names of this biome include the Chaco,Caatinga,brigalow,and dornveld.

A)Arctic and alpine tundra
B)Tropical rain forest
C)Tropical seasonal forest and scrub
D)Mediterranean shrubland

Question 27

Trumpet trees (Tabebuia caraiba),a dry-season deciduous tree,would likely be found in which of the following biomes?

A)Tropical seasonal forest and scrub
B)Desert
C)Midlatitude grassland
D)Tropical rain forest

Question 28

Shrub vegetation refers to

A)low shrubs and grasses with some adaptations to semiarid conditions.
B)drought resistant.
C)a plant that survives seasonally unfavorable conditions underground.
D)woody plants with small,leathery evergreen leaves.

Question 29

This extensive biome stretches from the east coast of Canada to the Canadian Rockies,as well as across the entire extent of Russia to the European Plain and at high elevations at lower latitudes.

A)Arctic and alpine tundra
B)Midlatitude broadleaf and mixed forest
C)Boreal and montane forest
D)Desert

Question 30

The largest area of tropical savanna is found in

A)Africa.
B)Australia.
C)North America.
D)Asia.

Question 31

Which of the following best describes the vegetation of the tropical seasonal forest and scrub biome?

A)Broadleaf evergreen
B)Xerophytic
C)Sclerophyllous
D)Semideciduous

Question 32

Moist continental climates support several distinct communities of woody vegetation in this biome in North America,Europe,and Asia.

A)Midlatitude grassland
B)Midlatitude broadleaf and mixed forest
C)Tropical rain forest
D)Tropical savanna

Question 33

The climate of the tropical rain forest biome is best described as

A)mild winter with a very hot summer.
B)consistently warm and wet.
C)having a distinct cold and warm season.
D)consistently warm,but seasonally dry.

Question 34

This biome occurs in equatorial regions with erratic rainfall and typically occur on the margins of tropic rainforests.

A)Mediterranean shrubland
B)Tropical savanna
C)Temperate rain forest
D)Tropical seasonal forest and scrub

Question 35

Characteristic fauna of this biome include large ungulates (hooved mammals),such as giraffe,zebra,buffalo,gazelle,wildebeest,antelope,and rhinoceros.

A)Midlatitude broadleaf and mixed forest
B)Midlatitude grassland
C)Tropical savanna
D)Tropical rain forest

Question 36

Acacias and elephants in southern Africa are indicative of which biome?

A)Tropical savanna
B)Midlatitude grassland
C)Arctic and alpine tundra
D)Desert

Question 37

Which of the following best describes the climate characteristics of the tropical seasonal forest and scrub?

A)Low precipitation and exceptionally hot
B)Consistently warm and wet
C)Monsoonal rains and always warm
D)Moderate due to maritime effects

Question 38

This biome consists of large expanses of xerophytic grassland,scattered trees and shrubs adapted to drought,grazing by large herbivores,and fire.

A)Tropical savanna
B)Desert
C)Mediterranean shrubland
D)Tropical rain forest

Question 39

The soils of the boreal forest acidic and leached of humus and clays,belonging to the soil order.

A)Entisols
B)Oxisols
C)Spodosols
D)Andisols

Question 40

Representative animals in this biome include red fox,white-tailed deer,southern flying squirrel,opossum,bear,and a great variety of birds.

A)Tropical savanna
B)Arctic and alpine tundra
C)Midlatitude broadleaf and mixed forest
D)Desert

Question 41

Which of the following is NOT a regional name for the Mediterranean shrubland biome?

A)Maquis
B)Chaparral
C)Taiga
D)Mattoral

Question 42

Which of the following is NOT an anthropogenic biome?

A)Populated forest
B)Boreal and montane forest
C)Residential rangelands
D)Pastoral village

Question 43

Of all the natural biomes,this one is most modified by human activity.

A)Midlatitude grassland
B)Midlatitude broadleaf and mixed forest
C)Tropical rainforest
D)Tropical savanna

Question 44

Distinctive oceanic regions identified on the basis of organisms,ocean floor topography,currents,areas of nutrient-rich upwelling circulation,or areas of significant predation are called

A)mari regions.
B)the littoral zone.
C)the ocean biome.
D)large marine ecosystems (LMEs).
TRUE/FALSE.Write ʹTʹ if the statement is true and ʹFʹ if the statement is false.

Question 45

The most powerful biotic agent on Earth,influencing all ecosystems on a planetary scale is

A)detritivores.
B)the sun.
C)humans.
D)tertiary consumers.

Question 46

Home to the endangered Northern Spotted Owl,this biome is now characterized by anthropogenic disturbance and mostly secondary-growth forest.

A)Arctic and alpine tundra
B)Midlatitude grassland
C)Desert
D)Temperate rain forest

Question 47

Which of the following best describes the vegetation of the Mediterranean shrubland biome?

A)Semideciduous
B)Needleleaf evergreen
C)Sclerophyllous
D)Broadleaf deciduous

Question 48

In which of the following biomes would one likely find wolf,elk,moose,bear,lynx,beaver,wolverine,and a number of migratory birds?

A)Tropical rain forest
B)Boreal and montane forest
C)Desert
D)Tropical savanna

Question 49

The 98th meridian marks an important biophysical mark in North America for this biome where increasing aridity produces vegetation of a distinctly different height.

A)Midlatitude grassland
B)Mediterranean shrubland
C)Desert
D)Midlatitude broadleaf and mixed forest

Question 50

This biome occupies more than one-third of Earthʹs land area and is characterized by xerophytic vegetation,low precipitation,and high potential evapotranspiration.

A)Mediterranean shrubland
B)Midlatitude grasslands
C)Tropical savanna
D)Deserts

Question 51

The near annihilation of the American bison (Bison bison)has restricted its occurrence to a few protected remnants and preserves in this biome.

A)Midlatitude broadleaf and mixed forest
B)Tropical savanna
C)Midlatitude grassland
D)Boreal and montane forest

Question 52

Which of the following would one likely NOT find in the Arctic and alpine tundra biome?

A)Low growing shrubs
B)Broadleaf deciduous trees
C)Grasses
D)Sedges and mosses

Question 53

Which biome occurs at high elevations above the treeline,even at lower latitudes?

A)Temperate rain forest
B)Boreal and montane forest
C)Alpine tundra
D)Midlatitude broadleaf and mixed forest

Question 54

Earthʹs tallest trees are the

A)giant ash (Eucalyptus regnans).
B)sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis).
C)coast douglas fir (Pseudotsunga menziessii).
D)coast redwoods (Sequoia sempervirens).

Question 55

This biome is typically found in areas with marine west coast climates,characterized by high precipitation,moderate air temperatures,summer fog,and an overall maritime influence.

A)Midlatitude grassland
B)Temperate rain forest
C)Tropical savanna
D)Boreal and montane forest

Question 56

Which of the following is NOT an issue in biodiversity conservation in the 21st century?

A)Threats to endangered species
B)Human population growth
C)The ill effects of climate change
D)Biodiversity conservation in the 21st century requires addressing threats to endangered species,the ill effects of climate change,and human population pressures.

Question 57

This biome is generally located north of the 10°C (50°F)isotherm for the warmest month,such as the extreme northern areas of North America and Russia.

A)Boreal and montane forest
B)Midlatitude broadleaf and mixed forest
C)Temperate rain forest
D)Arctic tundra

Question 58

The most extensive anthropogenic biome is

A)forested lands.
B)rangelands.
C)cropland.
D)settlements.

Question 59

Which of the following soil types is most associated with the tallgrass prairie (midlatitude grassland)?

A)Andisols
B)Spodosols
C)Oxisols
D)Mollisols

Question 60

Dry summers and winter precipitation maxima characterize this small biome is located in 5 disparate locations,typically on the west coast of continents between 30° and 40° latitude.

A)Mediterranean shrubland
B)Midlatitude grassland
C)Tropical savanna
D)Midlatitude broadleaf and mixed forest

Question 61

Due to the dense tropical rain forest canopy,only about 1% of the sunlight arriving at the canopy reaches the forest floor.

Question 62

Biogeographic regions (realms)are delineated based on species assemblages and their evolutionary history.

Question 63

New Zealand and Australiaʹs remarkably similar fauna suggests that they were connected,either as a single land mass or by a land bridge,during critical evolutionary times.

Question 64

Alfred Russel Wallaceʹs zoogeographic realms roughly correspond to continental plate boundaries.

Question 65

The boundaries between biomes are usually abrupt and related to rapid environmental changes,such as those caused by climate or topography.

Question 66

Most non-native species introduced to a new community become established there.

Question 67

A biome is a large,stable community of plants and animals whose boundaries are closely linked to climate.

Question 68

ʺWallaceʹs line,ʺ which serves as a dividing line between different biogeographic realms and separates several present-day Indonesian islands from one another,is so named to show the arbitrary nature of such delineations.

Question 69

MacArthur and Wilsonʹs theory of island geography posits that the number of species on an island is a dynamic equilibrium between the rates of immigration and extinction.

Question 70

Biomes are based on potential mature vegetation rather than the actual vegetation.

Question 71

The range of environmental conditions in ecotones make them areas of high biodiversity.

Question 72

The biome concept has been applied equally to marine and aquatic systems as it has to terrestrial systems.

Question 73

Invasive species can alter community dynamics and may lead to declines in native species.

Question 74

In part,the high diversity of the tropical rain forest is due to the extremely fertile soils found in the biome.

Question 75

Despite widespread tropical deforestation,tropical rain forests are able to quickly regenerate owing to the extremely fertile conditions in the biome.

Question 76

Earthʹs biodiversity is evenly spread across the planet.

Question 77

Biomass in a rain forest is concentrated in the dense mass of overhead leaves of the overstory and canopy.

Question 78

Each year,an area of tropical rain forest approximately the size of Wisconsin is cleared.

Question 79

Though occupying only 7% of the worldʹs total land area,tropical rain forests account for approximately 50% of Earthʹs species and about half of its remaining forests.

Question 80

The boundaries of biogeographic regions are usually quite arbitrary,usually following political boundaries rather than being based on biophysical criteria.