Environmental Science 14th Edition Miller Test Bank 1

Environmental Science 14th Edition Miller
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CHAPTER 7—CLIMATE AND BIODIVERSITY
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. The primary influence on variation in climate is

a. slope angle
b. elevation and slope angle
c. temperature and slope angle
d. average annual precipitation and temperature
e. humidity and elevation
ANS: D PTS: 1 DIF: Moderate TOP: CORE CASE STUDY
2. Which terrestrial ecosystem has been disturbed by human activity more than any other?
a. desert
b. tropical rainforest
c. temperate deciduous forest
d. coniferous forest
e. shortgrass prairie
ANS: C PTS: 1 DIF: Easy TOP: CARE CASE STUDY
3. Temperate forests typically have

a. warm summers, warm winters and abundant precipitation
b. warm summers, cold winters and abundant precipitation
c. cool summers, rainy winters
d. cool summers, cold winters, low precipitation
e. warm summers, cold winters, low precipitation
ANS: B PTS: 1 DIF: Moderate TOP: CORE CASE STUDY
4. Climate
a. describes weather conditions over long periods of time.
b. describes weather conditions over short periods of time.
c. describes average patterns of weather.
d. both describes weather conditions over long periods of time, and describes average
patterns of weather
e. both describes weather conditions over short periods of time, and describes average
patterns of weather
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ANS: D PTS: 1 DIF: Easy
TOP: 7-1 WHAT FACTORS INFLUENCE CLIMATE?
5. All of the following affect the climate of the earth except:

a. solar radiation
b. the earth's rotation
c. the earth's gravity
d. gases in the atmosphere
e. the earth's surface features
ANS: C PTS: 1 DIF: Easy
6. Weather is a combination of
a. temperature and precipitation
b. atmospheric conditions over years
c. wind speed and precipitation over decades
d. temperature, humidity, wind speed, cloud cover and other factors over hours or days
e. temperature, humidity, wind speed, cloud cover and other factors over at least decades
ANS: D PTS: 1 DIF: Moderate
7. Vertical ocean currents are generated by

a. cold and dense ocean water sinking and warm and less-dense water rising
b. warm and dense ocean water sinking and cold and less-dense water rising
c. cold and dense ocean water rising and warm and less-dense water sinking
d. less dense water rising and cold but dense water sinking
e. None of these answers are correct because there are no vertical ocean currents.
ANS: A PTS: 1 DIF: Difficult
8. Surface-level ocean currents are caused by

a. dense ocean water sinking
b. cool ocean water rising
c. warm ocean water exchanging with cool ocean water
d. prevailing winds blowing over the ocean surface
e. strong winds coming from warm coastal areas and traveling across the ocean surface
9. Heated air masses above the equator move north and south to cooler areas because:
a. The equator spins faster than the polar regions as Earth rotates.
b. Cooler areas of air are less dense.
c. Rotational gravity pulls the air north and south.
d. The moon exerts a gravitational pull on the air.
e. The sun exerts a gravitational pull on the air.
10. There are ____ separate belts of moving air, or prevailing winds.
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a. two
b. four
c. six
d. eight
e. ten
ANS: C PTS: 1 DIF: Moderate
11. An explanation for why polar regions are colder than equatorial regions is that:
a. The sun never reaches these areas because of the tilt of Earth on its axis.
b. Sunlight strikes the polar regions at an angle and spreads out over a much larger area.
c. Sunlight is more intense at the poles.
d. Earth is spinning slower at the poles.
e. The earth is spinning slower and the precipitation is more intense at the poles.
ANS: B PTS: 1 DIF: Easy
12. The term greenhouse effect describes

a. occupational diseases of florists
b. the trapping of heat energy in the troposphere by certain gaseous molecules
c. the trapping of heat energy in the stratosphere by nitrogen
d. efforts by the White House to support environmental legislation
e. the trapping of heat energy in the troposphere by nitrogen
ANS: B PTS: 1 DIF: Moderate
13. All of the following are greenhouse gases except

a. carbon dioxide
b. water vapor
c. methane
d. nitrogen
e. nitrous oxide
14. Land and sea breezes occur because

a. water evaporates from the ocean.
b. of varying speeds of the earth’s rotation.
c. of different water temperatures in the ocean.
d. heat absorption in water is faster than on land.
e. heat is absorbed and released more slowly by water than by land.
ANS: E PTS: 1 DIF: Moderate
15. The rain shadow effect refers to

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a. more light on the windward side of mountain ranges
b. more light on the leeward side of mountain ranges
c. drier conditions on the windward side of mountain ranges
d. drier conditions on the leeward side of mountain ranges
e. wetter conditions on the windward side of mountain ranges
16. Microclimates can be produced by

a. mountains
b. bodies of water
c. cities
d. mountains, bodies of water and cities
e. only mountains and bodies of water
17. A rain shadow is most likely to be produced by a

a. forest
b. ocean
c. lake
d. sand dune
e. mountain
ANS: E PTS: 1 DIF: Easy
18. Which of the following microclimate effects is incorrectly described?

a. The leeward sides of high mountains tend to show relatively dry conditions.
b. Oceans and lakes modify temperature extremes.
c. Mountains interrupt the flow of prevailing winds.
d. Cities tend to have lower temperatures and higher wind speeds than the surrounding
countryside.
e. The windward sides of high mountains tend to show relatively wet conditions.
ANS: D PTS: 1 DIF: Difficult
19. Large terrestrial regions with similar climate, soil, plants, and animals are called
a. ecosystems
b. communities
c. populations
d. biomes
e. niches
TOP: 7-2 HOW DOES CLIMATE AFFECT THE NATURE AND LOCATION OF BIOMES?
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20. The distribution of the desert, grassland, and forest biomes is determined principally by
a. average annual temperature only
b. average annual precipitation and temperature
c. latitude
d. sunlight
e. wind
21. Climate and vegetation vary with

a. latitude only
b. elevation only
c. latitude and elevation
d. latitude and longitude
e. elevation and longitude
22. Tropical, temperate, and cold are categories that apply to which of the following?
a. deserts
b. grasslands
c. forests
d. forest and grassland
e. desserts, forests, and grassland
23. Which of the following is not characteristic of desert plants?

a. widespread, shallow root systems
b. deep root systems
c. large leaves that droop in the bright sunlight
d. succulent leaves or stems
e. becoming dormant during dry periods
24. Which of the following terms does not belong with the others?
a. taiga
b. tundra
c. boreal forest
d. evergreen forest
e. cold forest
25. In tropical rainforests, vegetation layers are structured according to

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a. how deep the rainfall penetrates into the forest
b. the plant’s needs for sunlight
c. how well each plant handles predation by herbivores
d. nutrient availability and uptake by plant roots
e. tropical rainforests are not layered
26. In the western United States, an area called the Great Basin contains many freestanding mountain
ranges that are separated from each other by high desert. These mountain ranges could be called
a. taiga reserves
b. islands of biodiversity
c. broadleaf deciduous reserves
d. grazing animal reserves
e. island reserves
27. In reality, biomes

a. are not uniform but consist of a mosaic of patches each with somewhat different biological
communities
b. are not uniform but consist of a mosaic of patches, each with the same biological
communities
c. are very uniform, but can have normal variations in temperatures from one region to
another
d. are very uniform in order to resist environmental disruptions
e. are very diverse in order to resist environmental disruptions to the sameness of all
communities in the biome
28. The loss of permafrost secondary to global warming in parts of Canada, Russia, China, Mongolia, and
Alaska is causing
a. the release of CO2 from the soil into the atmosphere
b. the release of CH4 from the soil into the atmosphere
c. the release of hydrogen gas from the soil into the atmosphere
d. the release of nitrogen gas from the soil into the atmosphere
e. the release of CO2 and CH4 from the soil into the atmosphere
ANS: E PTS: 1 DIF: Difficult
29. The fragility of the desert ecosystem is indicated by

a. the high growth rate of plants
b. moderate species diversity
c. abundant groundwater
d. long recovery time from disturbance
e. all of these except the high growth rate of plants
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30. Succulent plants are most likely to be found in

a. aquatic habitats
b. cold ecosystems
c. high elevations
d. deserts
e. coastal ecosystems
31. Animals in desert biomes may eat plants for their water content as a survival adaptation. Plants, in
turn, may have ____ as a defense against being eaten by animals.
a. poisonous leaves
b. camouflaged leaves
c. a lack of leaves
d. spines
e. both camouflaged leaves and spines
32. A tropical grassland with widely scattered clumps of trees would be called a
a. veldt
b. steppes
c. savanna
d. pampas
e. taiga
33. Much of this biome has disappeared from Earth because it has been converted to grazing lands for
cattle and croplands.
a. temperate grassland
b. temperate forest
c. tropical grassland
d. cold grassland
e. cold desert
ANS: A PTS: 1 DIF: Easy
34. Many species of hoofed animals can live together in the African tropical savannas because they have
____ eating habits that ____ competition for resources.
a. specialized, maximize
b. specialized, minimize
c. generalized, maximize
d. generalized, minimize
e. similar, facilitate
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35. Permafrost is characteristic of the ____ biome.

a. tropical savanna
b. Arctic tundra
c. taiga
d. thorn woodland
e. deciduous forest
36. Through your binoculars you observe a pack of wolves stalking a caribou separated from its herd.
Geese take to the air, departing the boggy scene. You are most likely in
a. desert
b. topical grassland
c. temperate grassland
d. Arctic tundra
e. savanna
37. What is the function of the thick outer coverings of rattlesnakes and insects in desert biomes?
a. to prevent sunburn
b. to reduce water loss through evaporation
c. to prevent drowning during typical desert flash floods
d. to prevent sunburn and reduce water loss
e. for protection during competitive action during mating seasons
38. A forest that is known for its year-round uniformly warm temperature is the:
a. temperate deciduous forest
b. taiga
c. tropical rainforest
d. boreal forest
e. subalpine forest
39. At least half of the known species of terrestrial plants and animals are found in:
a. Temperate and tropical rainforests combined.
b. Temperate rainforests only.
c. Tropical rainforests only.
d. Deciduous forests.
e. They are evenly distributed amongst the biomes of Earth.
40. Which of the following is not appropriate to use in describing a tropical rain forest?
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a. moist conditions
b. high nutrient content of soil
c. layered
d. diversity
e. rainfall
41. Oak, hickory, maple, poplar, and beech are typical tree species in the
a. boreal forest
b. tropical rainforest
c. temperate rainforest
d. temperate deciduous forest
e. coastal coniferous forest
42. Which of the following does not belong with the others?
a. taiga
b. savanna
c. boreal forest
d. evergreen coniferous forest
e. coastal coniferous forest
ANS: B PTS: 1 DIF: Difficult
43. Trees of wet tropical rain forests tend to be

a. succulent plants
b. broadleaf evergreen plants
c. broadleaf deciduous plants
d. coniferous evergreen plants
e. coniferous deciduous plants
44. Cone-bearing trees are characteristic of the

a. taiga
b. tropical rain forest
c. temperate deciduous forest
d. savanna
e. desert
45. Which of the following is least descriptive of coniferous forests?

a. carpet of needles on forest floor
b. long, cold, dry winter
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c. short summer
d. high species diversity
e. south of the Arctic tundra
46. The majority of the world's forests are located:

a. at the equator
b. in the temperate zones
c. in mountains
d. adjacent to deserts
e. by large bodies of water such as oceans, lakes and bays
47. Mountain biomes

a. have deep, rich soils
b. recover quickly from vegetation loss
c. do not affect climate
d. have little biodiversity
e. may act as sanctuaries for animal species driven from lowland areas
48. Humans have affected grasslands by

a. the introduction of livestock
b. plowing and conversion to croplands
c. oil exploration
d. introduction of livestock and plowing and conversion to croplands
e. introduction of livestock, oil exploration and plowing and conversion to croplands
TOP: 7-3 HOW HAVE HUMANS AFFECTED THE WORLD'S TERRESTRIAL ECOSYSTEMS?
49. Humans affect mountain biomes by

a. plowing and conversion of pristine land to cropland
b. depletion of groundwater
c. increased air pollution from urban areas
d. hydroelectric dams and reservoirs
e. establishment of tree plantations
TOP: 7-3 HOW HAVE HUMANS AFFECTED THE WORLD'S TERRESTRIAL ECOSYSTEMS?
50. In your explorations in your new job as a marine biologist, you find a new species of algae floating on
the surface of a coastal zone body of water. You would most likely classify this species as
a. zooplankton or phytoplankton
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b. nekton
c. benthic
d. coral
e. a fungus
ANS: A PTS: 1 DIF: Moderate
TOP: 7-4 WHAT ARE THE MAJOR TYPES OF AQUATIC SYSTEMS?
51. Saltwater in the ocean covers

a. 97% of the earth’s surface
b. 98% of the earth’s surface
c. 50% of the earth’s surface
d. 71% of the earth’s surface
e. 97% of the biosphere
52. Saltwater or marine life zones include

a. oceans
b. estuaries
c. coral reefs
d. oceans and estuaries
e. oceans, estuaries and coral reefs
53. Worldwide, coral reefs provide habitat for about 25% of all marine organisms. However, coral reefs
occupy about _____ of the ocean floor.
a. 25%
b. 10%
c. 15%
d. 5%
e. 0.2%
TOP: 7-5 WHY ARE THE WORLD'S OCEANS IMPORTANT AND HOW HAVE HUMAN
ACTIVITIES WE AFFECTED THEM?
54. Which of the following is not an economic service provided by marine ecosystems?
a. source of animal and pet feed
b. nutrient cycling
c. provides harbors and transportation routes
d. provides employment
e. source of minerals, oil, and natural gas
ANS: B PTS: 1 DIF: Difficult
ACTIVITIES AFFECTED THEM?
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55. Marine snow refers to
a. appearance of the water during freezing weather
b. animal and plant plankton that die and drift downward
c. white sand beaches
d. algal blooms
e. weather over the Arctic that contributes to the ice pack
56. Oceans
a. have three major life zones
b. occupy most of the earth's surface
c. are thoroughly understood by humans
d. have three major life zones and are thoroughly understood by humans
e. have three major life zones and occupy most of the earth's surface
57. Examples of economic services that oceans provide are

a. employment
b. waste treatment
c. climate moderation
d. employment and climate moderation
e. employment, food and pharmaceuticals
58. The coastal zone has ____ of all marine species and ____ of its surface area.
a. 95%, 5%
b. 90%, 10%
c. 90%, 25%
d. 80%, 25%
e. 80%, 10%
59. Water temperature drops rapidly between the euphotic zone and the abyssal zone of the ocean. This
phenomenon is called the
a. thermocline
b. thermosphere
c. temperature flattening
d. continental shelf decline
e. hydrocline
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60. Most photosynthesis in the open sea occurs in the

a. euphotic zone
b. abyssal zone
c. bathyal zone
d. coastal zone
e. benthic zone
61. The darkest zone of the sea is the

a. euphotic zone
b. abyssal zone
c. bathyal zone
d. coastal zone
e. benthic zone
62. The zone of the ocean with a very high net primary productivity (NPP) is the
a. euphotic zone
b. abyssal zone
c. bathyal zone
d. coastal zone
e. benthic zone
63. Which of the following trees is characteristic of tropical coastal wetlands?

a. cypress
b. coconut
c. mangrove
d. palm
e. live oak
64. Estuaries and coastal wetlands are important for all of the following reasons except
a. nursery grounds for a variety of marine species
b. filtering out waterborne pollutants
c. reduction of storm damage
d. providing coral for limestone production and the tourist trade
e. high productivity
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65. When the algae in coral reefs die off due to environmental stresses, the coral subsequently dies
because of lack of food. This process is referred to as
a. coral acidification
b. algal blooming
c. erosion
d. coral bleaching
e. parasitism
TOP: 7-5 WHY ARE THE WORLD'S OCEANS IMPORTANT AND HOW HAVEHUMAN
66. In lakes, the nutrient-rich water near the shore is part of the
a. limnetic zone
b. benthic zone
c. littoral zone
d. profundal zone
e. abyssal zone
TOP: 7-6 WHAT ARE THE MAJOR TYPES OF FRESHWATER SYSTEMS AND HOW HAVE
HUMAN ACTIVITIES AFFECTED THEM?
67. Fish adapted to cool, dark water are most likely found in the zone of lakes called the
a. limnetic zone
b. benthic zone
c. littoral zone
d. profundal zone
e. abyssal zone
68. A lake that is described as oligotrophic is typically

a. low in primary productivity
b. low in plant nutrients
c. high in plant nutrients
d. both low in primary productivity and low in plant nutrients
e. both low in primary productivity and high in plant nutrients
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69. The majority of photosynthesis in a lake takes place in the
a. profundal zone
b. limnetic zone
c. phototropic zone
d. littoral zone
e. benthic zone
70. Inland wetlands include all of the following except

a. prairie potholds
b. wet Arctic tundra
c. marshes
d. swamps
e. estuaries
71. In typical, fairly deep, temperate zone lakes, the vast majority of animals are found in the
a. benthic zone
b. profundal and benthic zones
c. limnetic zone only
d. limnetic and littoral zones
e. littoral zone only
72. Lakes that fall between the two extremes of nutrient enrichment are called
a. oligotrophic
b. mesotrophic
c. eutrophic
d. trophic
e. metatrophic
73. Which of the following terms does not belong with the others?
a. floodplains
b. marshes
c. swamps
d. streams
e. prairie potholes
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74. The land area around a stream that delivers runoff, sediment, and dissolved substances into the water
is called the
a. watershed
b. drainage basin
c. floodplain zone
d. transition zone
e. watershed and drainage basin
ANS: E PTS: 1 DIF: Difficult
75. Crater Lake in Oregon is an example of a lake depression caused by

a. displacement of the Earth’s crust
b. glaciation
c. intentional digging by man to create a reservoir
d. volcanic activity
e. a meteor strike millions of years ago
TRUE/FALSE
1. Deserts are primarily located in the hot, tropical regions.
ANS: F PTS: 1 DIF: Easy
2. Some desert animals are able to exist without drinking any water.
ANS: T PTS: 1 DIF: Easy
3. Deciduous forests are typically located at higher altitudes than coniferous forests.
ANS: F PTS: 1 DIF: Moderate
4. The euphotic zone is that region of the ocean just below the limit of light absorption.
5. The global circulation of air is determined by the properties of air only.
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6. In terms of diversity, coral reefs are the marine equivalents to tropical rainforests.
7. Terrestrial ecosystems are referred to as biomes, but water-based ecosystems are not.
8. Ocean currents in the southern hemisphere move in a clockwise fashion.
9. At the equator, warm air rises and then moves north and south, toward the poles.
10. The tropical rainforest terrestrial ecosystem has been disturbed by human activity more than any other.
11. A connected loop of deep and shallow ocean currents transports warm and cool water to various parts
of the earth.
12. The general effects of elevation and latitude are the same on climate and biomes.
ANS: T PTS: 1 DIF: Moderate
13. Warm, dry air rises and hot, wet air sinks.
14. Overgrazing is most severe in grassland ecosystems.
15. Economic services and ecological services are always the same.
16. Most large commercial marine fisheries are located in estuaries.
17. The profundal zone is the deepest zone in an ocean ecosystem.
COMPLETION
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1. Climate and vegetation vary with changes in latitude and with changes in ____________________.
ANS: elevation
PTS: 1 DIF: Easy
2. The vertical zones of the open sea (euphotic, bathyal, and abyssal) are based primarily on
____________________.
ANS: available light
PTS: 1 DIF: Easy
3. The earth would be a cold and mostly lifeless planet without the natural _____________
________________.
ANS: greenhouse effect
PTS: 1 DIF: Moderate
4. The three types of deserts are _____________, _______________, and ___________.
ANS: tropical, temperate, cold
5. Some desert plants reduce evaporation by closing their pores during the day and opening them at night
to take up___________ ____________.
ANS: carbon dioxide
6. Biomes are large terrestrial regions characterized by certain types of ____________________ and
____________________.
ANS:
climate, plant life
plant life, climate
7. Tropical savannas in East Africa are home to ____________________ and ____________________

animals.
ANS:
grazing, browsing
browsing, grazing
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8. Tropical rainforests are dominated by ____________________plants.
ANS: broadleaf evergreen
9. A biome found in the tropics that is known to have very low nutrient content in its soil is the
____________________.
ANS: tropical rainforest
10. The biome that has been disturbed by human activity more than any other, on a global basis, is the
____________________.
ANS: temperate deciduous forest
11. The continental shelf contains about 90% of all ______________ ______________.
ANS: marine species
12. About 15% of the world’s coastlines are protected from erosion by____________________.
ANS: coral reefs
13. As surface water travels from land and merges with water in a stream, it
becomes____________________.
ANS: runoff
PTS: 1 DIF: Easy
14. A lake with a small supply of nutrients would be called ____________________.
ANS: oligotrophic
PTS: 1 DIF: Easy
15. We tend to associate the term “pothold” with problems in roadways that are not paved properly.
However, an important type of inland wetland is the ____________pothole.
ANS: prairie
PTS: 1 DIF: Easy
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MATCHING
Match the items listed below with the appropriate choice
1. On the ocean life zones figure, choose the zone in which most organisms get their food from marine
snow.
2. On the ocean life zones figure, choose the zone that contains the majority of all marine species.
3. On the ocean life zones figure, choose the zone that receives enough sunlight for photosynthesis.
4. On the ocean life zones figure, choose the zone that is dimly lit and contains zooplankton.
5. On the ocean life zones figure, choose the zone where coral reefs would be located.
1. ANS: E PTS: 1 DIF: Easy OBJ: Labeling

2. ANS: A PTS: 1 DIF: Easy OBJ: Labeling
3. ANS: C PTS: 1 DIF: Easy OBJ: Labeling
4. ANS: D PTS: 1 DIF: Easy OBJ: Labeling
5. ANS: B PTS: 1 DIF: Easy OBJ: Labeling
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6. On the temperate-zone lake figure, choose the zone close to shore in which light reaches all the way to
the bottom.
7. On the temperate-zone lake figure, choose the zone primarily inhabited by invertebrates, such as
decomposers, which can live in the low oxygen.
8. On the temperate-zone lake figure, choose the zone of open water where photosynthesis can occur.
9. On the temperate-zone lake figure, choose the zone that is usually cold and barely penetrated by
sunlight.
6. ANS: D PTS: 1 DIF: Moderate OBJ: Labeling

7. ANS: C PTS: 1 DIF: Moderate OBJ: Labeling
8. ANS: A PTS: 1 DIF: Moderate OBJ: Labeling
9. ANS: B PTS: 1 DIF: Moderate OBJ: Labeling
Match the biome or aquatic system listed below with the description that best characterizes it.
a. euphotic zone d. tropical grassland
b. coral reef e. cold forest
c. lake f. temperate desert
10. a few species of coniferous trees
11. upper layer where large, fast-swimming predatory fishes are found
12. supports large grazing and browsing animals in East Africa
13. created by polyps and zooxanthellae
14. contains widely spaced, drought-resistant plants
15. phytoplankton carry out about 40% of the world’s photosynthesis here
16. benthic zone is closest to the bottom
17. daytime temperatures are very high in summer, but low in winter
18. scattered clumps of trees may have thorns to discourage herbivores
19. small, needle-shaped leaves on trees can withstand cold winters
10. ANS: E PTS: 1 DIF: Moderate

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11. ANS: A PTS: 1 DIF: Moderate
12. ANS: D PTS: 1 DIF: Moderate
13. ANS: B PTS: 1 DIF: Moderate
14. ANS: F PTS: 1 DIF: Moderate
15. ANS: A PTS: 1 DIF: Moderate
16. ANS: C PTS: 1 DIF: Moderate
17. ANS: F PTS: 1 DIF: Moderate
18. ANS: D PTS: 1 DIF: Moderate
19. ANS: E PTS: 1 DIF: Moderate
Match the time of year in a temperate deciduous forest with the correct event or situation described
below.
a. summer and spring
b. winter
c. fall
d. all year
20. trees are bare of leaves, dormant
21. warm weather
22. wolves and bears are present
23. leaves turn colors
24. leaves are present, and are green
25. robins, warblers and other birds are present
26. cold weather and snow
27. precipitation is abundant
28. birds migrate to warmer regions
20. ANS: B PTS: 1 DIF: Easy

21. ANS: A PTS: 1 DIF: Easy
22. ANS: D PTS: 1 DIF: Easy
23. ANS: C PTS: 1 DIF: Easy
26. ANS: B PTS: 1 DIF: Easy
27. ANS: D PTS: 1 DIF: Easy
28. ANS: C PTS: 1 DIF: Easy
SHORT ANSWER
1. Explain why conservation measures to maintain a healthy mountain range would be simpler to
establish than conservation measures to maintain the health of one of the four major oceans in the
world.
ANS:
Establishing conservation measures for any of the four major oceans would require cooperation
amongst many nations, which is difficult to achieve. Establishing conservation measures for a given
mountain range could possibly be accomplished within the borders of one nation, or even one state or
province.
PTS: 2 DIF: Easy OBJ: Critical Thinking

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2. Explain briefly how global warming negatively impacts coral reefs.
ANS:
Global warming can raise the water temperature above the narrow range of tolerance for coral reefs.
Additionally, increasing levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere can increase the acidity of the
oceans, making it difficult for the polyps in coral reefs to create calcium carbonate.
PTS: 3 DIF: Moderate OBJ: Critical Thinking
3. A small rodent called the desert kangaroo rat lives in the deserts of the southwestern United States.
This animal is somewhat unique among mammals in that it does not drink water, but gets all of its
liquid needs met from the water in the seeds it eats. What benefit would this physiological feature have
to an animal that lives in a hot, dry climate where water is sparse?
ANS:
Not having to drink water is an excellent adaptation for this type of climate. Searching for sparse water
supplies in a desert would require a lot of time and effort in extreme heat. The kangaroo rat is
completely free from this onerous task.
(Answers will vary somewhat, but this is the main idea.)
PTS: 4 DIF: Difficult OBJ: Critical Thinking
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4. Referring to the above graph from a temperate desert observe that the months of March and April are
not the warmest, coldest or wettest months in this biome. However, the bloom of desert wildflowers
will typically occur in these two months. Explain why this is.
ANS:
The majority of rainfall occurs, usually, in January and February. This large input of moisture enables
the seeds of plants to sprout, and the blossoms to emerge. This event will typically happen within a
few weeks after the wettest period, but before the hot and dry summer. The extreme heat of the
summer would make it difficult for the plants to produce blossoms, as they are struggling to survive
the extreme conditions at that time of year.
5. Observe the second graph which is from a cold desert. What month of the year would you expect to
see flowers bloom in the cold desert?
ANS:
In the cold desert, one would expect flowers to bloom in about October or November, right after the
highest precipitation, and when temperatures have begun to fall.
144
6. Briefly describe how mountains can offset global warming.
ANS:
Mountaintops are covered with glacial snow and ice that reflect some solar radiation back into space,
which helps to cool the earth and offset global warming.
PTS: 2 DIF: Easy
ESSAY
1. Assume you are a biologist and you have taken a job as a watershed manager. You are studying the
characteristics of a particular stream as it leaves its source. The stream forms at the base of a mountain,
from melting snow. It then travels through a transition zone and eventually drains into a river in a
floodplain area.
Describe how you will explain that the nutrient content of this stream is variable as it travels from its
source to its drainage point.
ANS:
Streams receive many of their nutrients from the areas that border them as they travel through the
landscape. Such nutrients from falling leaves, animal feces, insects, and other forms of biomass wash
into this stream during rainstorms or from melting snow. Thus, the nutrient content of this stream
varies as it passes through areas that contain different plants, animals, and insects on its banks.
2. Which one of the three major principles of sustainability is a driving force behind climate and
biodiversity? Include in your answer an explanation of why this is true.
ANS:
Solar energy is a major driving force behind differences in biodiversity in different areas on the planet.
The heating of the Earth’s surface varies, according to the way the sun’s rays strike Earth. Air is much
warmer at the equator, since the sun’s rays strike directly. In temperate and polar regions, the sun’s
rays are spread out at an angle, over much larger areas.
This physical fact explains why tropical regions near the equator are so hot, why polar regions are so
cold, and temperate regions have intermediate temperatures between the two extremes. In tropical
areas with very hot average annual temperatures, the precipitation is also much greater since the
evaporation is greater. The high temperatures and precipitation are the driving factors in high species
diversity in these areas.
PTS: 5 DIF: Difficult
145
3. Explain what the difference is between major climate zones and major biomes, and how the two
interact.
ANS:
Climate zones are distinctive areas of the planet that have generalized atmospheric conditions that are
the same for long periods of time. They are categorized as polar, subarctic, cool temperate, highland,
warm temperate, dry, tropical, and major upwelling (for oceans).
The major biomes are large terrestrial (only) regions that are each characterized by certain types of
climate and dominant plant life. The climate zones effectively drive the conditions that create the
biomes.
PTS: 4 DIF: Difficult
4. Assume for the sake of discussion that you had been considering the purchase of an off-road vehicle
for recreational use. Now that you have studied this chapter and are familiar with some of the issues
of human disturbance of ecosystems, will this change your thinking? If so, how. If not, also explain
why.
ANS:
Answers will vary. Some possible points are:
- off-road vehicles are a major factor in damage to almost all terrestrial biomes
- the use of ORV’s is contradictory to the idea of sustainable lifestyles
- owners of ORV’s think they can be careful enough to avoid ecosystem damage
- many people believe in multiple-use of all public lands, regardless of the outcomes
- many people believe the only way they can see places too far to walk because of health/condition
issues is to use an ORV
146

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CHAPTER 7—CLIMATE AND BIODIVERSITY

1. The primary influence on variation in climate is

3. Temperate forests typically have

5. All of the following affect the climate of the earth except:

7. Vertical ocean currents are generated by

8. Surface-level ocean currents are caused by

12. The term greenhouse effect describes

13. All of the following are greenhouse gases except

14. Land and sea breezes occur because

15. The rain shadow effect refers to

16. Microclimates can be produced by

17. A rain shadow is most likely to be produced by a

18. Which of the following microclimate effects is incorrectly described?

21. Climate and vegetation vary with

23. Which of the following is not characteristic of desert plants?

25. In tropical rainforests, vegetation layers are structured according to

27. In reality, biomes

29. The fragility of the desert ecosystem is indicated by

30. Succulent plants are most likely to be found in

35. Permafrost is characteristic of the ____ biome.

43. Trees of wet tropical rain forests tend to be

44. Cone-bearing trees are characteristic of the

45. Which of the following is least descriptive of coniferous forests?

46. The majority of the world's forests are located:

47. Mountain biomes

48. Humans have affected grasslands by

49. Humans affect mountain biomes by

51. Saltwater in the ocean covers

52. Saltwater or marine life zones include

57. Examples of economic services that oceans provide are

60. Most photosynthesis in the open sea occurs in the

61. The darkest zone of the sea is the

63. Which of the following trees is characteristic of tropical coastal wetlands?

68. A lake that is described as oligotrophic is typically

70. Inland wetlands include all of the following except

75. Crater Lake in Oregon is an example of a lake depression caused by

1. Deserts are primarily located in the hot, tropical regions.

ANS: F PTS: 1 DIF: Easy

ANS: T PTS: 1 DIF: Easy

ANS: F PTS: 1 DIF: Moderate

ANS: F PTS: 1 DIF: Moderate

5. The global circulation of air is determined by the properties of air only.

ANS: T PTS: 1 DIF: Easy

ANS: T PTS: 1 DIF: Easy

8. Ocean currents in the southern hemisphere move in a clockwise fashion.

ANS: F PTS: 1 DIF: Easy

ANS: T PTS: 1 DIF: Easy

ANS: F PTS: 1 DIF: Moderate

ANS: T PTS: 1 DIF: Easy

ANS: T PTS: 1 DIF: Moderate

ANS: F PTS: 1 DIF: Moderate

14. Overgrazing is most severe in grassland ecosystems.

ANS: T PTS: 1 DIF: Easy

ANS: F PTS: 1 DIF: Moderate

16. Most large commercial marine fisheries are located in estuaries.

ANS: F PTS: 1 DIF: Moderate

17. The profundal zone is the deepest zone in an ocean ecosystem.

4. The three types of deserts are _____, _, and _____.

7. Tropical savannas in East Africa are home to and