Deck 23: A: Ecosystem Ecology the Heat Is on

Question 1

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

A) the presence of nonnative 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

Answer 1

migration of plant species to a higher elevation

Question 2

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

Answer 2

north

Question 3

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%

Answer 3

80%; 80%

Question 4

Maple production in New England is being affected significantly by

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

Question 5

Describe the effect of global warming on flowering trees.

Question 6

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 7

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 8

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

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

Question 9

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 10

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

A) the presence of nonnative 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 11

How might species change their distributions as global temperatures continue to increase? What do you think will happen to species that live on the tops of mountains?

Question 12

Canadian production of maple syrup is increasing because of

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

Question 13

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 above.

Question 14

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 15

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 above.

Question 16

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 17

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 18

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 19

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 20

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 21

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 22

High elevations are cooler than lower elevations.Knowing this,what are the consequences of global warming for the following species living at the top of a mountain: (1)a mouse,(2)a bird,(3)a plant that relies on mammals to distribute its seeds,and (4)a plant that relies on wind to distribute its seeds? Briefly explain your answers.

Question 23

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 above.

Question 24

The vegetation in a biome is largely influenced by

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

Question 25

Which is NOT a naturally occurring greenhouse gas?

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

Question 26

Methane is 30 times more powerful than carbon dioxide at absorbing heat.Livestock such as cattle account for 28% of global methane emissions.With this in mind,speculate on the effect of the American diet on global warming.

Question 27

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 28

Which of the following is a greenhouse gas?

A) carbon dioxide
B) methane
C) nitrous oxide
D) oxygen
E) A, B, and C

Question 29

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 30

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 31

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 32

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, sulphur, and carbon dioxide.

Question 33

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 34

Match up terrestrial biome to plant inhabitant.
A. Rainforest ____ Pine tree
B. Temperate deciduous forest ____ Cactus
C. Grassland ____ Maple tree
D. Coniferous forest ____ Sunflower
E. Desert ____ Bryophytes
F. Tundra ____ Palm tree

Question 35

Explain how the greenhouse effect warms Earth and list two greenhouse gases.

Question 36

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 37

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 38

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 39

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 40

How would you respond to someone who says that the increase in global temperatures of the last 200 years is just part of normal global temperature fluctuations?

Question 41

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 above.

Question 42

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 43

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 above.

Question 44

Explain how the change in distribution pattern of an insect-eating bird can lead to an increase in the number of forest fires.

Question 45

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 46

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

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

Question 47

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 48

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° 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 49

Explain why the Arctic and Antarctic have warmed twice as much as other regions of the world.

Question 50

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

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

Question 51

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 52

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 53

To what extent has the Arctic ice cap changed in the last 30 years 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 10%.
E) It has not decreased.

Question 54

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 55

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 56

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, while others won't be affected at all.
E) some plants and animals will be negatively affected, while others will be positively affected.

Question 57

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 58

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 59

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 above.

Question 60

Some animals have a very broad,varied diet,while others have very specialized diets.Which type of diet do you think will allow an animal to adapt to climate change the easiest? Explain your answer.

Question 61

Why are scientists more concerned about glaciers and ice caps melting than they are about sea ice melting?

Question 62

Explain how the industrial revolution led to global warming.

Question 63

The Vostok Ice Core provides data from approximately

A) 50,000 years ago.
B) 100,000 years ago.
C) 200,000 years ago.
D) 200,000 years ago.
E) 400,000 years ago.

Question 64

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 65

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

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

Question 66

Do you think polar bears are particularly sensitive to global warming? Speculate on the effects of global warming on polar bears.

Question 67

List three sources of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

Question 68

List at least three ways humans are increasing the levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

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 above.

Question 70

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 above.

Question 71

Explain how carbon cycles between inorganic and organic forms.

Question 72

Explain how planting forests can help reduce global warming.

Question 73

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 74

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 above.

Question 75

The Vostok Ice Core provides data from _______complete glacial cycle(s).

A) one
B) two
C) three
D) four
E) five

Question 76

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 77

What process uses up carbon dioxide in the environment?

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

Question 78

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° to 7°C over the next 100 years.

Question 79

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 above.

Question 80

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.