Deck 3: The Geography of Life, Biodiversity Conservation, and Climate Change and Global Warming

Question 1

The landscape along interstate 70 was changed drastically over the last 175 years. What is now seen on the landscape that was not seen in the past?

A) herbs
B) grasslands
C) sagebrush
D) bunchgrasses
E) dense woodlands

Answer 1

dense woodlands

Question 2

Communities of similar organisms found in a particular climate are called________.

A) ecosystems
B) biomes
C) ecological communities
D) pools
E) habitats

Answer 2

biomes

Question 3

Which biome is characterized by little rainfall, low grasses and shrubs, and cold temperatures?

A) grasslands
B) desert
C) savanna
D) tundra
E) deciduous forest

Answer 3

tundra

Question 4

The greatest threat to tropical rain forests is ________.

A) deforestation
B) high nitrogen levels in the soil
C) lack of rainfall
D) pesticide use
E) birds feeding in canopies of many trees

Question 5

Deforestation causes greenhouse gases to increase in the Earth's atmosphere of the release of________

A) carbon dioxide
B) silicon
C) nitrous oxide
D) nitrogen
E) phosphorous

Question 6

The biome that is increasing significantly in size because of negative human activities is the________

A) desert
B) deciduous forest
C) grassland
D) evergreen forest
E) savanna

Question 7

When is the dormant season for most plants in the temperate zone?

A) fall
B) winter
C) late fall
D) summer
E) spring

Question 8

What one thing remains relatively constant through the seasons in tropical biomes?

A) precipitation
B) temperature
C) greenhouse gas levels
D) sunlight
E) moisture

Question 9

Which biome is home to more plant and animal species than any other?

A) savanna
B) grassland
C) deciduous forest
D) tropical rain forest
E) evergreen forest

Question 10

The biome characterized by rapid nutrient cycling, high productivity, and very little organic matter in the soil is the________ .

A) tropical rain forest
B) grassland
C) tundra
D) taiga
E) desert

Question 11

How much of Earth's surface is desert?

A) 40%
B) 25%
C) 45%
D) 30%
E) 35%

Question 12

In which biome are most succulents most likely to grow?

A) boreal forest
B) desert
C) tropical forest
D) chaparral
E) grasslands

Question 13

Where are temperate rain forests most common?

A) mountain regions
B) tropical regions
C) coastal regions
D) desert regions
E) polar region

Question 14

Agriculture and cattle grazing have altered over 90% of this biome.

A) boreal forest
B) deciduous forest
C) chaparral
D) tropical forest
E) temperate grasslands

Question 15

Mountains are a geographical feature found in many biomes. The rain shadow effect is where________ .

A) the wet region is determined by the location of jet stream
B) rainfall fluctuates, arriving in equal amounts on both sides
C) the dry region is on the leeward side of the mountain
D) rainfall fluctuates, but always falls in shadow areas
E) the wet region is on the leeward side of the mountain

Question 16

Along coastlines, sand dunes will most often begin to form and grow when________.

A) perennial grasses become established
B) birds carry tree seeds to the area, which then become established
C) annual plants become established
D) diverse grasses and woody shrubs thrive
E) erosion and subsequent deposition bring in the necessary sand

Question 17

Places on Earth that have similar climates often support plants and animals with similar physical and physiological traits. The best explanation of this phenomenon is ________.

A) speciation
B) migration of species
C) divergent evolution
D) natural selection
E) convergent evolution

Question 18

Where do most human populations live?

A) in the mountainous zone
B) in the tropical zone
C) in the savanna
D) in the temperate zone
E) in the desert

Question 19

Which group of organisms has been most impacted by the loss of both deciduous and tropical forests?

A) spotted owls
B) rabbits
C) flying squirrels
D) insects
E) migratory birds

Question 20

Tropical savanna is being converted to________ biome because of overgrazing, loss of grasses and erosion.

A) taiga
B) paramo
C) tropical rain forest
D) tundra
E) desert

Question 21

Most of the tall grass prairie of North America has been converted to________ .

A) savannas
B) desert
C) farmland
D) tropical rain forest
E) tundra

Question 22

Which biome has been degraded the most by humans?

A) temperate grasslands
B) desert
C) savannas
D) tropical rain forest
E) tundra

Question 23

Natural bodies of fresh water that are flowing are described by scientists as ________.

A) aquifers
B) lotic
C) lentic
D) estuaries
E) tidal basins

Question 24

The difference between the wetland category of marsh and swamp is________.

A) the dominance of shrubs and trees in a swamp
B) water flows in a marsh and not in a swamp
C) water flows in a swamp and not in a marsh
D) the dominance of herbaceous plants in swamps
E) that water is much deeper in a marsh

Question 25

Which of the following best describes a marsh?

A) wetlands that are periodically or continuously flooded and are dominated by herbaceous plants
B) wetland with peat deposits that support a variety of evergreen trees and shrubs
C) wetlands dominated by shrubs or trees that are fed by flowing water
D) wetlands that are fed primarily from lakes and rivers
E) wetlands that are fed primarily by groundwater

Question 26

Abundant light and constant nutrient input make ________ among the most productive ecosystems on Earth.

A) estuaries
B) bogs
C) lakes
D) fens
E) streams

Question 27

Lakes and ponds are bodies of freshwater that are not moving and referred to as ________.

A) open
B) stagnant
C) eutrophic
D) lentic
E) lotic

Question 28

The shallow, sloped area close to the shore of a lake that tends to be dominated by rooted plants is the________.

A) benthic zone
B) halocline
C) aphotic zone
D) thermocline
E) littoral zone

Question 29

The area along seacoasts that are dominated by tidal activity and go through cycles of exposure and submergence are_________.

A) aphotic zone
B) estuaries
C) pelagic zone
D) intertidal zone
E) littoral zone

Question 30

Short grass prairie is being converted to________along 1- 70.

A) savanna
B) desert
C) woodlands
D) tall- grass prairie
E) mixed- grass prairie

Question 31

The United States is in the________zone.

A) polar
B) temperate
C) desert
D) tropical
E) continental

Question 32

Where is it likely that forest and woodland cover will increase?

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

Question 33

Which biome is diagrammed in the accompanying figure?

A) boreal forest
B) chaparral
C) tropical savanna
D) tundra
E) desert

Question 34

Abandonment of croplands has resulted in more forests covering the ________part of the United States.

A) southwest
B) eastern
C) western
D) northern
E) southern

Question 35

Match the forest with the description that best describes the biome.

-Tropical rain forest

A) Annual rainfall is greater than 80 inches; rainfall an warm climate support an enormous diversity of plants and animals.
B) Coniferous forests that grow in a short season with long, dry and bitterly cold winter days
C) Dominated by broad- leaved trees that lose their leaves in the fall and grow a new set in the spring
D) Dominated by trees that keep their leaves throughout the year
E) Lush evergreen forests where heavy rains and year round moisture provide ideal conditions along coastal areas

Question 36

Match the forest with the description that best describes the biome.

-Temperate deciduous forest

A) Annual rainfall is greater than 80 inches; rainfall an warm climate support an enormous diversity of plants and animals.
B) Coniferous forests that grow in a short season with long, dry and bitterly cold winter days
C) Dominated by broad- leaved trees that lose their leaves in the fall and grow a new set in the spring
D) Dominated by trees that keep their leaves throughout the year
E) Lush evergreen forests where heavy rains and year round moisture provide ideal conditions along coastal areas

Question 37

Match the forest with the description that best describes the biome.

-Temperate rain forest

A) Annual rainfall is greater than 80 inches; rainfall an warm climate support an enormous diversity of plants and animals.
B) Coniferous forests that grow in a short season with long, dry and bitterly cold winter days
C) Dominated by broad- leaved trees that lose their leaves in the fall and grow a new set in the spring
D) Dominated by trees that keep their leaves throughout the year
E) Lush evergreen forests where heavy rains and year round moisture provide ideal conditions along coastal areas

Question 38

Match the forest with the description that best describes the biome.

-Boreal forest

A) Annual rainfall is greater than 80 inches; rainfall an warm climate support an enormous diversity of plants and animals.
B) Coniferous forests that grow in a short season with long, dry and bitterly cold winter days
C) Dominated by broad- leaved trees that lose their leaves in the fall and grow a new set in the spring
D) Dominated by trees that keep their leaves throughout the year
E) Lush evergreen forests where heavy rains and year round moisture provide ideal conditions along coastal areas

Question 39

Match the forest with the description that best describes the biome.

-Temperate evergreen forest

A) Annual rainfall is greater than 80 inches; rainfall an warm climate support an enormous diversity of plants and animals.
B) Coniferous forests that grow in a short season with long, dry and bitterly cold winter days
C) Dominated by broad- leaved trees that lose their leaves in the fall and grow a new set in the spring
D) Dominated by trees that keep their leaves throughout the year
E) Lush evergreen forests where heavy rains and year round moisture provide ideal conditions along coastal areas

Question 40

Read the scenario and answer the accompanying questions.
Scientists are currently using data from satellite images and climate simulation models to predict the effects of global warming on the distribution of biomes. Results from this research are being used by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change to predict how global warming will cause biomes to shift. On some continents, these scientists are predicting forests spreading; however, when it comes to deserts and tropical biomes, they are finding predictions much more challenging, as it is uncertain how warmer temperatures will affect rainfall.

-Understanding the basics of global climate change effects, the findings of this research on shifting biomes is most likely to predict________.

A) tundra regions shifting north to polar ice caps
B) boreal forests shifting north to tundra regions
C) temperate deciduous forests moving south
D) boreal forests shifting south
E) deserts shrinking globally

Question 41

Read the scenario and answer the accompanying questions.
Scientists are currently using data from satellite images and climate simulation models to predict the effects of global warming on the distribution of biomes. Results from this research are being used by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change to predict how global warming will cause biomes to shift. On some continents, these scientists are predicting forests spreading; however, when it comes to deserts and tropical biomes, they are finding predictions much more challenging, as it is uncertain how warmer temperatures will affect rainfall.

-The satellite remote sensing involved in this biome project is most likely measuring what specific parameter of Earth's surface?

A) sea- level rise
B) geology
C) extent of continental ice cover
D) El Niño effects
E) leaf cover

Question 42

Discuss three specific environmental consequences of tropical rain forest destruction. Be sure to include why we should be concerned about each of these environmental consequences.

Question 43

In Hawaii, the extinction rate of bird species is one species every 10- 12 years. By comparison, bird species worldwide are being lost at a rate of approximately ________ per year.

A) 1
B) 0.1
C) 1000
D) 10
E) 100

Question 44

The total number of plant and animal species that a field biologist identifies along a mountain trail is an example of________ .

A) species richness
B) species composition
C) genetic diversity
D) species evenness
E) structural diversity

Question 45

How is genetic variation maintained in most populations?

A) through biotechnology
B) through inbreeding
C) through sexual reproduction
D) through cloning
E) through asexual reproduction

Question 46

How can viable genetic diversity be restored when a population becomes very small?

A) through captive breeding programs
B) through asexual reproduction
C) through hybridization with another species
D) through inbreeding
E) through sterile breeding techniques

Question 47

Within populations of individual species, biodiversity is measured as ________.

A) species evenness
B) ecosystem diversity
C) genetic diversity
D) species richness
E) population viability

Question 48

The equilibrium theory of island biogeography has become a fundamental principle in conservation biology. The principles of this theory are being applied to________.

A) determining equilibria for ecosystem management
B) managing island endangered species
C) managing isolated habitat patches
D) island species as a source for captive breeding
E) setting regulations for national parks

Question 49

Most of the 80% of animals that live on land are ________.

A) fish
B) horses
C) cattle
D) birds
E) insects

Question 50

Forest songbirds have been declining for the past century in the United States. Evidence is accumulating and pointing to________as the most likely reason.

A) population viability
B) migration corridor implementation
C) island biogeography
D) endemic species vulnerability
E) habitat fragmentation

Question 51

Air and water pollution are directly responsible for the loss of some species. In their studies of these pollution effects, biologists have determined that ________ are especially sensitive to air pollution, and are now being used as an index of urban air quality.

A) lichens
B) evergreen trees
C) songbirds
D) warblers
E) deciduous trees

Question 52

Habitat fragmentation has been an important factor in the decline of ________species in the United States.

A) shad and salmon
B) manatee
C) eastern hemlock
D) coral reef
E) Kirtland's warbler

Question 53

Of the estimated 7- 15 million eukaryotic species that Earth supports, biologists have described and assigned scientific names to about________of these species.

A) 1 million
B) 500,000
C) 3 million
D) 5 million
E) 1.5 million

Question 54

Non- native invasive species have been found to negatively influence biodiversity. A well- known example would include________ .

A) the monarch butterfly
B) the prairie bison
C) the hemlock adelgid
D) Mexico's jaguar
E) the Jack Pine's Kirtland warbler

Question 55

What percentage of Earth's land surface is legally designated as preserves?

A) 12%
B) 31%
C) 7%
D) 22%
E) 1%

Question 56

What two factors largely determine the diversity of species on an island?

A) migration and replication
B) replication and extinction
C) viability and extinction
D) migration and extinction
E) immigration and replication

Question 57

What percentage of North America's deciduous forests has been logged or cleared for agriculture?

A) 95%
B) 15%
C) 3%
D) 76%
E) 22%

Question 58

Do connections between habitat patches actually increase their diversity? Evidence from current field research involving plants is determining that ________.

A) no, corridors connecting habitat patches have yet to make a difference
B) only if adequate fertilizers and pesticides are applied to the habitats
C) yes, corridors connecting habitat patches do increase species diversity
D) only if migrating animals and birds carry seeds between patches
E) no, corridors connecting habitat patches actually decrease diversity

Question 59

According to the Endangered Species Act, species whose population is reduced to near critical levels but is not on the brink of extinction is said to be________ .

A) replaceable
B) endangered
C) threatened
D) critical
E) extinct

Question 60

Biodiversity is highest at ________levels of disturbance.

A) high
B) intermediate
C) low
D) cyclical
E) fluctuating

Question 61

Overharvesting is a serious threat to________.

A) wheat
B) songbirds
C) deer
D) insect pollinators
E) fisheries

Question 62

Many species have provided medicines and products demonstrating that biodiversity has________ value and should therefore be preserved.

A) aesthetic
B) religious
C) entertainment
D) ethical
E) economic

Question 63

This graph depicting island diversity predicts that ________ .

A) large islands far away from the mainland will have the least species
B) small islands close to the mainland will have the least species
C) size and distance to the mainland do not matter for island species
D) small islands close to the mainland will have the most species
E) large islands close to the mainland will have the most species

Question 64

-This study of Minnesota prairie plots and drought resistance indicates that the highest resistance to drought was experienced when ________.

A) plant diversity exceeded 0.2
B) there were between 10 and 20 species per plot
C) there were over 20 species per plot
D) there were at least 5 species per plot
E) plant diversity attained 0.2

Question 65

After collecting the evidence on these 22 Minnesota prairie plots, one could conclude that________.

A) this data shows no discernable pattern from which to make conclusions
B) species diversity does not really influence drought resistance
C) species diversity and drought resistance are inversely correlated
D) species diversity and drought resistance are positively correlated
E) species diversity is a positive feature; however, it is most likely not related to drought resistance

Question 66

-Experimental studies have demonstrated that there are a high number of herbivores near the largest individual tree species on which that herbivore feeds. According to the data shown, the probability that seeds from that tree species will successfully germinate and grow is________.

A) highest near that tree species
B) dependent on how the local wind and weather affects seed dispersal
C) lowest near adult trees of that species
D) highest near the herbivore's watering hole
E) dependent on how far the herbivore migrates

Question 67

The important general conclusion that can be made from this data on herbivory is that ________.

A) herbivory increases tropical tree diversity
B) more field studies are needed before any conclusion can be made
C) controlled herbivory can be beneficial during field studies
D) herbivory decreases tropical tree diversity
E) herbivory is in equilibrium at distance represented by dotted line

Question 68

Match the terms with the appropriate description

-Landscape Diversity

A) The three- dimensional distribution of species and the biological features that affects community biodiversity
B) The variety of life in all forms and combinations and at all levels of organization
C) The differences in the variety and abundance of species from place to place
D) Species that are found only in specific environments or restricted localities
E) Genetic variation among individuals

Question 69

Match the terms with the appropriate description

-Structural Complexity

A) The three- dimensional distribution of species and the biological features that affects community biodiversity
B) The variety of life in all forms and combinations and at all levels of organization
C) The differences in the variety and abundance of species from place to place
D) Species that are found only in specific environments or restricted localities
E) Genetic variation among individuals

Question 70

Match the terms with the appropriate description

-Endemic

A) The three- dimensional distribution of species and the biological features that affects community biodiversity
B) The variety of life in all forms and combinations and at all levels of organization
C) The differences in the variety and abundance of species from place to place
D) Species that are found only in specific environments or restricted localities
E) Genetic variation among individuals

Question 71

Match the terms with the appropriate description

-Genetic Diversity

A) The three- dimensional distribution of species and the biological features that affects community biodiversity
B) The variety of life in all forms and combinations and at all levels of organization
C) The differences in the variety and abundance of species from place to place
D) Species that are found only in specific environments or restricted localities
E) Genetic variation among individuals

Question 72

Read the scenario and answer the accompanying questions.
In the 2001 regular session of the Oregon Legislative Assembly, House Bill 3564 was enacted by the people of the State of Oregon to encourage private landowners to manage their land for the purposes of maintaining the long-term ecological, economic, and social values of the land. The lands will be managed sustainably through tax policy, land use planning, education, and technical and financial incentives. The Act does discourage from imposing additional taxes on property, commodities, or income if the landowner voluntarily foregoes, limits, or postpones economic uses of private land for conservation.

-What might a private landowner do with land that they want to conserve and support the Oregon Act for sustainable land management?

A) convert the land to a prairie or a grassland
B) build an industrial facility on the land site
C) convert the land to a nature preserve for visitors to enjoy
D) turn the site into a landfill
E) use the land for farming

Question 73

Read the scenario and answer the accompanying questions.
In the 2001 regular session of the Oregon Legislative Assembly, House Bill 3564 was enacted by the people of the State of Oregon to encourage private landowners to manage their land for the purposes of maintaining the long-term ecological, economic, and social values of the land. The lands will be managed sustainably through tax policy, land use planning, education, and technical and financial incentives. The Act does discourage from imposing additional taxes on property, commodities, or income if the landowner voluntarily foregoes, limits, or postpones economic uses of private land for conservation.

-What would be a major incentive for a landowner to practice private land conservation?

A) higher taxations on the conserved land
B) tax incentives such as reduced property taxes
C) conservation land certification for their property
D) mandatory land conservation laws
E) pride in knowing they are contributing to land degradation

Question 74

Policies for conserving biodiversity have been set aside in a number of important pieces of specific U.S. legislation. Explain two pieces of legislation that directly address biodiversity preservation issues, making sure to discuss how the legislation attempts to accomplish its goals.

Question 75

Describe three strategies to encourage biodiversity conservation on private lands.

Question 76

Global temperature trends can be inferred from changes in ____and____ .

A) fossils; chemical isotopes found in sediments and glacial ice
B) fossils; hydrogen and oxygen isotopes found in sediments and glacial ice
C) fossils; isotope ratios in glacial ice
D) volcanic eruptions; isotope ratios in glacial ice
E) volcanic eruptions; fossils

Question 77

What is the average annual air temperature near the Earth's surface?

A) 57°F
B) 63°F
C) 82°F
D) 76°F
E) 42°F

Question 78

Compared to the five- year period 1971- 75, approximately how much warmer has the Earth's temperature become during the more recent 2001- 2005 five- year period?

A) 0.92°F
B) 5.2°F
C) 3.0°F
D) 1.5°F
E) 4.0°F

Question 79

A cooling of surface ocean waters in the eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean is known specifically as_______

A) the Little Ice Age
B) Antarctic bottom water
C) the ENSO effect
D) El Niño
E) La Niña

Question 80

Which of the following sources contributes the least to the emission of greenhouse gases?

A) waste disposal
B) transportation
C) agriculture
D) fossil fuel mining
E) power station operation