Question 1

A rain shadow is

Accepted Answer

A) the leeward side of the mountain that receives dry air. 
B) the windward side of the mountain that receives much of rain. 
C) the region close to shore sheltered by the mountains. 
D) the windward side of the mountain that receives little rain. 
E) regions near 30 degrees N and 30 degrees S latitude that have dry air.

Question 2

In temperate lakes,the surface water is replenished with nutrients during turnovers that occur in the

Accepted Answer

A) autumn and spring. 
B) autumn and winter. 
C) spring and summer. 
D) summer and winter. 
E) summer and autumn.

Question 3

The diagram shows a generalized cross section of the marine environment with various zones labelled with letters.Choose the letter that best answers the question.Letters may be used once,more than once,or not at all.
 
-Which zone has the lowest biomass per unit of area?

Accepted Answer

A) A 
B) B 
C) C 
D) D 
E) E

Question 4

The success with which plants extend their range northward following glacial retreat is best determined by

Accepted Answer

A) whether there is simultaneous migration of herbivores. 
B) their tolerance to shade. 
C) their seed dispersal rate. 
D) their size. 
E) their growth rate.

Question 5

In which community would organisms most likely have adaptations enabling them to respond to different photoperiods?

Accepted Answer

A) tropical forest 
B) coral reef 
C) savanna 
D) temperate forest 
E) abyssal

Question 6

Which of the following best substantiates why location 3 is an equatorial (tropical)climate?

Accepted Answer

A) It has a monsoon season during the winter months. 
B) It has consistent monthly averages for rainfall. 
C) The temperature is high for each monthly average. 
D) The temperatures reach 38°C during some months. 
E) The temperatures are lower in June, July, and August.

Question 7

Why is the climate drier on the leeward side of mountain ranges that are subjected to prevailing winds?

Accepted Answer

A) Deserts usually are found on the leeward side of mountain ranges. 
B) The sun illuminates the leeward side of mountain ranges at a more direct angle, converting to heat energy, which evaporates most of the water present. 
C) Pushed by the prevailing winds on the windward side, air is forced to rise, cool, condense, and drop its precipitation, leaving only dry air to descend the leeward side. 
D) Air masses pushed by the prevailing winds are stopped by mountain ranges and the moisture is used up in the stagnant air masses on the leeward side. 
E) More organisms live on the sheltered, leeward side of mountain ranges where their utilization of water lowers the amount available when compared to the windward side.

Question 8

A certain species of pine tree survives only in scattered locations at elevations above 2800 m in the western United States.To understand why this tree grows only in these specific places,an ecologist should

Accepted Answer

A) conclude that lower elevations are limiting to the survival of this species. 
B) study the anatomy and physiology of this species. 
C) investigate the various biotic and abiotic factors that are unique to high altitude. 
D) analyze the soils found in the vicinity of these trees, looking for unique chemicals that may support their growth. 
E) collect data on temperature, wind, and precipitation at several of these locations for a year.

Question 9

Use this description to answer the following question.
Experts in white-tailed deer ecology generally agree that population sizes of deer that live in temperate climates are limited by winter snow.The deer congregate in "yarding" areas under evergreen trees because venturing out to feed in winter is energetically too expensive when snowfall depths accumulate to above 40 cm.Deer often stay yarded until the spring thaw.Snow depth over 40 inches for more than 60 days results in high mortality due to starvation.
-This observation best illustrates which of the following principles about factors that limit distribution of organisms?

Accepted Answer

A) Abiotic factors, such as weather extremes, ultimately limit distribution. 
B) Organisms will face extinction unless they adapt to conditions or evolve new mechanisms for survival. 
C) Environmental factors are limiting not only in amount but also in longevity. 
D) Daily accumulations in snow depth gradually add up to cause increased deer mortality. 
E) Temporary extremes in weather conditions usually result in high mortality in the deer population.

Question 10

Use this description to answer the following question.
In areas of permafrost,stands of black spruce are frequently observed in the landscape,while other tree species are noticeably absent.Often these stands are referred to as "drunken forests" because many of the black spruce are displaced from their normal vertical alignment.
-Which of the following is characteristic of most terrestrial biomes?

Accepted Answer

A) annual average rainfall in excess of 250 cm 
B) a distribution predicted almost entirely by rock and soil patterns 
C) clear boundaries between adjacent biomes 
D) vegetation demonstrating vertical layering 
E) cold winter months

Exam 52: An Introduction to Ecology and the Biosphere