Question 1

In the development of terrestrial biomes, which factor is most dependent on all the others?

Accepted Answer

A)  the species of colonizing animals
B)  prevailing temperature
C)  prevailing rainfall
D)  mineral nutrient availability
E)  soil structure A

Question 2

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 D

Question 3

Use this description to answer the following questions.
A the human population keeps growing, severe human disturbances are altering many biomes. For example, tropical rainforests are being cut down or burned to create large expanses of agricultural land.
-Would you expect to see any microclimate changes as a result of encroaching agriculture into the tropical rainforest biome?

Accepted Answer

A)   No, because tropical forests are so diverse with extensive vertical layers that these forests extend their climate over agricultural land.
B)  No, microclimate changes would only be observed if tropical rainforests were totally removed.
C)  No, as long as you fertilize the soil to enhance crop growth.
D)  Yes, one can potentially expect to see a drier microclimate because without tropical vegetation, agricultural land would be exposed to direct sunlight, soils would dry out more quickly, and the natural water cycle will likely be disrupted.
E)  Yes, some changes might occur but we can't predict what the changes would be.

Question 4

Air masses formed over the Pacific Ocean are moved by prevailing westerlies where they encounter extensive north-south mountain ranges, such as the Sierra Nevada and the Cascades. Which statement best describes the outcome of this encounter between a landform and an air mass?

Accepted Answer

A)  The cool, moist Pacific air heats up as it rises, releasing its precipitation as it passes the tops of the mountains, and this warm, now dry air cools as it descends on the leeward side of the range.
B)  The warm, moist Pacific air rises and cools, releasing precipitation as it moves up the windward side of the range, and this cool, now dry air mass heats up as it descends on the leeward side of the range.
C)  The cool, dry Pacific air heats up and picks up moisture from evaporation of the snowcapped peaks of the mountain range, releasing this moisture as precipitation when the air cools while descending on the leeward side of the range.
D)  These air masses are blocked by the mountain ranges, producing high annual amounts of precipitation on the windward sides of these mountain ranges.
E)  These air masses remain essentially unchanged in moisture content and temperature as they pass over these mountain ranges.

Question 5

In mountainous areas of western North America, north-facing slopes would be expected to

Accepted Answer

A)  receive more sunlight than similar southern exposures.
B)  be warmer and drier than comparable southern exposed slopes.
C)  consistently be steeper than southern exposures.
D)  support biological communities similar to those found at lower elevations on similar south-facing slopes.
E)  support biological communities similar to those found at higher elevations on similar south-facing slopes.

Question 6

Which of the following can be said about light in aquatic environments?

Accepted Answer

A)  Water selectively reflects and absorbs certain wavelengths of light.
B)  Photosynthetic organisms that live in deep water probably use red light.
C)  Longer wavelengths penetrate to greater depths.
D)  Light penetration seldom limits the distribution of photosynthetic species.
E)  Most photosynthetic organisms avoid the surface where the light is too intense.

Question 7

If you are interested in observing a relatively simple community structure in a clear water lake, you would do well to choose diving into

Accepted Answer

A)  an oligotrophic lake.
B)  a eutrophic lake.
C)  a relatively shallow lake.
D)  a nutrient-rich lake.
E)  a lake with consistently warm temperatures.

Question 8

What is the limiting factor for the growth of trees in the tundra?

Accepted Answer

A)  low precipitation
B)  cold temperatures
C)  insufficient minerals in bedrock
D)  pH of soils
E)  permafrost

Question 9

Which of the following examples of an ecological effect leading to an evolutionary effect is most correct?

Accepted Answer

A)  When seeds are not plentiful, trees produce more seeds.
B)  A few organisms of a larger population survive a drought and then these survivors emigrate to less arid environments.
C)  A few individuals with denser fur survive the coldest days of an ice age, and the reproducing survivors of the ice age all have long fur.
D)  Fish that swim the fastest in running water catch the most prey and more easily escape predation.
E)  The insects that spend the most time exposed to sunlight have the most mutations.

Question 10

If global warming continues at its present rate, which biomes will likely take the place of the coniferous forest (taiga) ?

Accepted Answer

A)  tundra and polar ice
B)  temperate broadleaf forest and grassland
C)  desert and chaparral
D)  tropical forest and savanna
E)  chaparral and temperate broadleaf forest

Question 11

Oligotrophic lakes are characterized by

Accepted Answer

A)  high nutrients and high productivity.
B)  high capacity to filter dissolved nutrients and chemical pollutants.
C)  generally, low nutrient levels and high oxygen levels.
D)  amount of decomposable organic matter in bottom sediment is high.
E)  cold water temperature.

Question 12

Which of the following levels of ecological organization is arranged in the correct sequence from most to least inclusive?

Accepted Answer

A)  community, ecosystem, individual, population
B)  ecosystem, community, population, individual
C)  population, ecosystem, individual, community
D)  individual, population, community, ecosystem
E)  individual, community, population, ecosystem

Question 13

Palm trees and subtropical plants are commonplace in Land's End, England, whose latitude is the equivalent of Labrador in coastal Canada where the local flora is subarctic. Which statement best explains why this apparent anomaly exists between North America and Europe?

Accepted Answer

A)  Labrador does not get enough rainfall to support the subtropical flora found in Land's End.
B)  Warm ocean currents interact with England, whereas cold ocean currents interact with Labrador.
C)  Rainfall fluctuates greatly in England; rainfall is consistently high in Labrador.
D)  Labrador is too windy to support tall plants such as palm trees.
E)  Labrador receives sunlight of lower duration and intensity than does Land's End.

Question 14

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 true with respect to oligotrophic lakes and eutrophic lakes?

Accepted Answer

A)  Oligotrophic lakes are more subject to oxygen depletion.
B)  Rates of photosynthesis are lower in eutrophic lakes.
C)  Eutrophic lake water contains lower concentrations of nutrients.
D)  Eutrophic lakes are richer in nutrients.
E)  Sediments in oligotrophic lakes contain larger amounts of decomposable organic matter.

Question 15

Which marine zone would have the lowest rates of primary productivity (photosynthesis) ?

Accepted Answer

A)  pelagic
B)  abyssal
C)  neritic
D)  continental shelf
E)  intertidal

Question 16

Use this description to answer the following questions.
A the human population keeps growing, severe human disturbances are altering many biomes. For example, tropical rainforests are being cut down or burned to create large expanses of agricultural land.
-A variety of abiotic and biotic factors can limit species distribution. Plant biologists discovered a rare flowering plant in a small plot of undisturbed rainforest that is now surrounded by recently created agricultural land. The plant is growing and looks healthy, but after two years you see no signs of reproduction. What is (are) the most likely biotic factor(s) that could explain why this plant has not successfully reproduced?

Accepted Answer

A)  the absence of the plant's pollinator
B)  the absence of small herbivores
C)  competition with agricultural crops
D)  change in microclimate conditions
E)  an introduced predator A

Question 17

Fire suppression by humans

Accepted Answer

A)  will always result in an increase in species diversity in a given biome.
B)  can change the species composition within biological communities.
C)  will result ultimately in sustainable production of increased amounts of forest products for human use.
D)  is necessary for the protection of threatened and endangered forest species.
E)  is a management goal of conservation biologists to maintain the healthy condition of forest communities.

Question 18

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 areas of study focuses on the exchange of energy, organisms, and materials between ecosystems?

Accepted Answer

A)  population ecology
B)  organismal ecology
C)  landscape ecology
D)  ecosystem ecology
E)  community ecology

Question 19

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 20

Deserts typically occur in a band at 20 degrees north and south latitude because

Accepted Answer

A)  descending air masses tend to be cool and dry.
B)  trade winds have a little moisture.
C)  moisture-laden air is heavier than dry air and is not carried to these latitudes.
D)  ascending air tends to be moist.
E)  these locations get the most intense solar radiation of any location on Earth.

Exam 52: An Introduction to Ecology and the Biosphere

In the development of terrestrial biomes, which factor is most dependent on all the others?

Correct Answer
verified
A

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?

Correct Answer
verified
D

Correct Answer
verified

Air masses formed over the Pacific Ocean are moved by prevailing westerlies where they encounter extensive north-south mountain ranges, such as the Sierra Nevada and the Cascades. Which statement best describes the outcome of this encounter between a landform and an air mass?

Correct Answer
verified

In mountainous areas of western North America, north-facing slopes would be expected to

Correct Answer
verified

Which of the following can be said about light in aquatic environments?

Correct Answer
verified

If you are interested in observing a relatively simple community structure in a clear water lake, you would do well to choose diving into

Correct Answer
verified

What is the limiting factor for the growth of trees in the tundra?

Correct Answer
verified

Which of the following examples of an ecological effect leading to an evolutionary effect is most correct?

Correct Answer
verified

If global warming continues at its present rate, which biomes will likely take the place of the coniferous forest (taiga) ?

Correct Answer
verified

Oligotrophic lakes are characterized by

Correct Answer
verified

Which of the following levels of ecological organization is arranged in the correct sequence from most to least inclusive?

Correct Answer
verified

Palm trees and subtropical plants are commonplace in Land's End, England, whose latitude is the equivalent of Labrador in coastal Canada where the local flora is subarctic. Which statement best explains why this apparent anomaly exists between North America and Europe?

Correct Answer
verified

Correct Answer
verified

Which marine zone would have the lowest rates of primary productivity (photosynthesis) ?

Correct Answer
verified

Correct Answer
verified
A

Fire suppression by humans

Correct Answer
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Correct Answer
verified

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

Correct Answer
verified

Deserts typically occur in a band at 20 degrees north and south latitude because

Correct Answer
verified

Exam 52: An Introduction to Ecology and the Biosphere

In the development of terrestrial biomes, which factor is most dependent on all the others?

Correct AnswerverifiedA

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?

Correct AnswerverifiedD

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Air masses formed over the Pacific Ocean are moved by prevailing westerlies where they encounter extensive north-south mountain ranges, such as the Sierra Nevada and the Cascades. Which statement best describes the outcome of this encounter between a landform and an air mass?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

In mountainous areas of western North America, north-facing slopes would be expected to

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Which of the following can be said about light in aquatic environments?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

If you are interested in observing a relatively simple community structure in a clear water lake, you would do well to choose diving into

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

What is the limiting factor for the growth of trees in the tundra?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Which of the following examples of an ecological effect leading to an evolutionary effect is most correct?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

If global warming continues at its present rate, which biomes will likely take the place of the coniferous forest (taiga) ?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Oligotrophic lakes are characterized by

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Which of the following levels of ecological organization is arranged in the correct sequence from most to least inclusive?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Palm trees and subtropical plants are commonplace in Land's End, England, whose latitude is the equivalent of Labrador in coastal Canada where the local flora is subarctic. Which statement best explains why this apparent anomaly exists between North America and Europe?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Which marine zone would have the lowest rates of primary productivity (photosynthesis) ?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Correct AnswerverifiedA

Fire suppression by humans

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

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

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Deserts typically occur in a band at 20 degrees north and south latitude because

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

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A

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D

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