Deck 36: Major Ecosystems of the Biosphere

Question 1

match the description to the biome in the key.
Key:
a. tundra
b. taiga
c. temperate deciduous forests
d. tropical forests
e. shrublands
f. grasslands
g. deserts
Dominated by coniferous trees

Answer 1

(a)Tundra is a typical biome found at the top of very high mountains. The climate of the tundra is cold and dry. During the summer, only the top of the soil melts and the rest of the ground remains frozen. Small plants and mosses are typical tundra plants. Hence, option (a) is incorrect.
(b)Taiga describes a type of coniferous forest that is found in the northern regions of North America and Eurasia. Conifers are cone-bearing trees such as pine and spruce trees. Coniferous forests enjoy a climate that cooler and drier. Hence, option (b) is correct.
(c)Temperate deciduous forests are found in moderate climates that experience defined seasons. These forests are dominated by deciduous trees, which lose their leaves during the winter. Coniferous trees do not lose their leaves during the winter. Hence, option (c) is incorrect.
(d)Tropical rain forests are characterized by a very hot and wet climate. Tropical forests are typically found near the equator and do not experience dramatic seasonal changes. Conifers are not typically found in tropical rain forests. Hence, option (d) is incorrect.
(e)Shrub lands occur in coastal regions, which experience dry summers and wet winters. Small shrubs and other drought resistant plants dominate shrub lands. Conifers are not typically found in shrub lands. Hence, option (e) is incorrect.
(f)Grasslands occur in regions with moderate rainfall. Large trees, such as conifers, are not typically found in grasslands. Hence, option (f) is incorrect.
(g)Deserts are characterized by very dry weather. Rainfall is typically less than 25 cm in these regions. Some deserts do not support the growth of many plants. Conifers are not found in deserts because it is too dry to support large trees. Hence, option (g) is incorrect.
Thus, the correct answer is (b) taiga.

Question 2

match the description to the biome in the key.
Key:
a. tundra
b. taiga
c. temperate deciduous forests
d. tropical forests
e. shrublands
f. grasslands
g. deserts
Chaparral in California

Answer 2

(a)Tundra is a typical biome found at the top of very high mountains. The climate of the tundra is cold and dry. During the summer, only the top of the soil melts and the rest of the ground remains frozen. Small plants and mosses are typical tundra plants. Hence, option (a) is incorrect.
(b)Taiga describes a type of coniferous forest that is found in the northern regions of North America and Eurasia. Conifers are cone-bearing trees such as pine and spruce trees. Coniferous forests enjoy a climate that cooler and drier. Hence, option (b) is incorrect.
(c)Temperate deciduous forests are found in moderate climates that experience defined seasons. These forests are dominated by deciduous trees, which lose their leaves during the winter. Hence, option (c) is incorrect.
(d)Tropical rain forests are characterized by a very hot and wet climate. Tropical forests are typically found near the equator and do not experience dramatic seasonal changes. Large trees and a densely populated understory are characteristic of tropical rain forests. Hence, option (d) is incorrect.
(e)Shrub lands occur in coastal regions, which experience dry summers and wet winters. Small shrubs and other drought resistant plants dominate shrub lands. Chaparral is a type of shrub land in coastal California. Thus, the option (e) is correct answer.
(f)Grasslands occur in regions with moderate rainfall. Grasslands are dominated by grasses and not by large trees or bushes. Hence, option (f) is incorrect.
(g)Deserts are characterized by very dry weather. Rainfall is typically less than 25 cm in these regions. Some deserts do not support the growth of many plants. Cacti are common plants in the desert. Hence, option (g) is incorrect.
Hence, the correct answer is option (e) shrub land.

Question 3

match the description to the biome in the key.
Key:
a. tundra
b. taiga
c. temperate deciduous forests
d. tropical forests
e. shrublands
f. grasslands
g. deserts
Contains permafrost

Answer 3

Taiga describes a type of coniferous forest that is found in the northern regions of North America and Eurasia. Conifers are cone-bearing trees such as pine and spruce trees. Coniferous forests enjoy a climate that cooler and drier. Hence, option (B) is incorrect.
Temperate deciduous forests are found in moderate climates that experience defined seasons. These forests are dominated by deciduous trees, which lose their leaves during the winter. Hence, option (C) is incorrect.
Tropical rain forests are characterized by a very hot and wet climate. Tropical forests are typically found near the equator and do not experience dramatic seasonal changes. Large trees and a densely populated understory are characteristic of tropical rain forests. Hence, option (D) is incorrect.
Shrub lands occur in coastal regions, which experience dry summers and wet winters. Small shrubs and other drought resistant plants dominate shrub lands. Hence, option (E) is incorrect.
Grasslands occur in regions with moderate rainfall. Grasslands are dominated by grasses and not by large trees or bushes. Hence, option (F) is incorrect.
Deserts are characterized by very dry weather. Rainfall is typically less than 25 cm in these regions. Some deserts do not support the growth of many plants. Cacti are common plants in the desert. Hence, option (G) is incorrect.
Tundra is a typical biome found at the top of very high mountains. The climate of the tundra is cold and dry. During the summer, only the top of the soil melts and the rest of the ground remains frozen. Permafrost describes soil that does not thaw. Thus, the correct answer is A, tundra.

Question 4

match the description to the biome in the key.
Key:
a. tundra
b. taiga
c. temperate deciduous forests
d. tropical forests
e. shrublands
f. grasslands
g. deserts
Typically found at latitudes of about 30°

Question 5

match the description to the biome in the key.
Key:
a. tundra
b. taiga
c. temperate deciduous forests
d. tropical forests
e. shrublands
f. grasslands
g. deserts
Has a complex structure, with many levels of life, from the canopy to the floor

Question 6

match the description to the biome in the key.
Key:
a. tundra
b. taiga
c. temperate deciduous forests
d. tropical forests
e. shrublands
f. grasslands
g. deserts
Moderate climate, with relatively high rainfall and well-defined seasons

Question 7

match the description to the biome in the key.
Key:
a. tundra
b. taiga
c. temperate deciduous forests
d. tropical forests
e. shrublands
f. grasslands
g. deserts
Includes savannas

Question 8

Compared to the hypolimnion layer, the epilimnion layer of a lake in late summer is

A) nutrient-rich and oxygen-rich.
B) nutrient-rich and oxygen-poor.
C) nutrient-poor and oxygen-rich.
D) nutrient-poor and oxygen-poor.

Question 9

Indicate the life zone that each lake organism is most likely to inhabit. A question may have more than one answer.
Key:

A) littoral
B) limnetic
C) profundal
D) benthic
Predatory fish

Question 10

Recent research has suggested that global warming is contributing to the increased frequency and severity of El Niño events. This can cause severe drought in India and Africa, as well as greatly reduce fish catch in parts of the Southern Hemisphere. Should the responsibility for decreasing greenhouse gas emissions be greater for moredeveloped countries (MDCs), because they produce a greater amount of greenhouse gases per capita than less-developed countries (LDCs), even though El Niños have more severe consequences for LDCs?

Question 11

Aside from the recent increases in gasoline prices, would you consider buying a more fuel-efficient car or spend more on plane flights to purchase "carbon credits" to do your part in decreasing the emission of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxideWhy or why not?

Question 12

Should farmers and homeowners be required by law to protect freshwater supplies?

Question 13

Would you hire an environmentally friendly builder to construct your new home if he or she charged 20% more than a builder who did not employ environmentally friendly techniques?

Question 14

Choose the best answer for each question.
The Northern Hemisphere is tilted toward the sun during the

A) winter solstice.
B) autumnal equinox.
C) summer solstice.
D) vernal equinox.

Question 15

Choose the best answer for each question.
Which side of a mountain range lies in a rain shadow?

A) windward
B) leeward

Question 16

Choose the best answer for each question.
Whether you are ascending a mountain or traveling from the equator to the North Pole, you would observe terrestrial biomes in which order?

A) coniferous forest, tropical rain forest, temperate deciduous forest, tundra
B) tropical rain forest, coniferous forest, temperate deciduous forest, tundra
C) tropical rain forest, temperate deciduous forest, coniferous forest, tundra
D) tropical rain forest, coniferous forest, tundra, temperate deciduous forest
E) tundra, temperate deciduous forest, tropical rain forest, coniferous forest