GES 1000 Exam 3 Review

herbivores

An organism that eats only plants.

sustainable world

In a _______________ societies consume only as many resources as the earth can produce or renew - needs are in line with earth's capacity to produce.

oxygen (O2)

In addition to carbohydrates, a beneficial byproduct of photosynthesis is _____.

B; moisture

In the Koppen climate classification system, 4 of the 5 major climatic zones are defined by temperature, whereas the _____ zone is defined on the basis of _____.

secondary consumers; carnivores

In the same food chain, in which a grasshopper eats grass, a frog eats the grasshopper, a snake eats the frog, and a hawk consumes the snake, the snake and hawk are both _____ or _____.

dendrochronology

Study of past events and past climate through the analysis of tree rings.

permanent ice, including glaciers, ice caps and permafrost.

The 2nd largest (after oceans) storage reservoir of moisture is _____.

C

The ____ climates dominate in the midlatitudes (30o 60o N/S), and have distinct seasons marked by long, hot summers and short, relatively mild winters.

Amazon

The _____ River accounts for 20% of the world s discharge, 3 times the discharge of all U.S. rivers.

Mississippi

The _____ River drains 40% of the 48 contiguous states of the U.S. and accounts for 1/3 the discharge of all U.S. rivers.

steppe

The _____ climate marks the transition between desert and humid climates.

D

The _____ climate type holds the world s coldest temperature records (other than ice caps), including 90oF (below zero) in Siberia.

water table

The _____ marks the top of the saturated zone.

Computing the annual temperature range

The annual temperature range is found by subtracting the lowest monthly mean temperature from the highest monthly mean temperature

photosynthesis

The basic process whereby plants produce stored chemical energy from water and carbon dioxide and which is activated by sunlight.

are gradual, interdigitating transition zones called ecotones.

The boundaries between biomes _____.

equatorial climates

The differences in __________ are often very small.

tundra (Arctic and alpine)

1. essentially a cold desert 2. moisture is so scarce and summers so short, trees unable to survive 3. located along northern edge of the northern hemisphere continents 4. correlates closely to ET climate distribution 5. flora a.considerable mixture of species in dwarf forms b.complete their annual cycles hastily during brief summer 6. fauna dominated by birds and insects in summer 7. Alpine Tundra a.alpine version of tundra in high elevation mountain areas

Mediterranean woodland and scrub

1. found in 6 widely scattered and relatively small areas of midlatitudes 2. pronounced dry summer/wet winter precipitation; correlates with Cs climate 3. flora a.dominated by dense growth of woody shrubs 1)called chaparral in North America 2)many species of sclerophyllous plants b.significant open grassy woodland c. considerable scattering of trees 1)oaks in northern hemisphere 2)trees and shrubs primarily broadleaf evergreens a)small leaves with leathery texture or waxy coating b)deep roots d.summer fires are common so many plants adapted to speedy recovery after fires e.winter floods follow summer fires→abrupt erosive runoff

desert

1. general decrease in precipitation as move away from the equator-matched by gradation in biomes from selva /rainforest to desert 2. close correlation to BWh and BWk climates 3. distribution: subtropics and midlatitudes 4. flora a. surprisingly variable 1)drought-resisting plants with structural modifications 2)drought-evading plants capable of hasty reproduction during brief rainy times b.sparse with considerable bare ground c.scattering of shrubs with sporadic trees 5.fauna a.inconspicuous b.limited variety of large mammals c.nocturnal to avoid heat of day

tropical deciduous forest

1. locational correlation with specific climatic type is irregular and fragmented; many in transition zone between Af and Aw climates 2. comparison with the selva: a. less dense canopy, shorter trees, fewer layers b. many trees shed leaves during dry season c. classic jungle conditions d. faunal assemblage similar to rainforest

boreal forest

1. often called taiga 2. one of most extensive biomes with vast expanse in northern North America and Eurasia 3. very close correlation with subarctic climate (Dfc) type 4. flora a.simplest assemblage of plantsof any biome b.most trees conifer 1)nearly all needleleaf evergreens 2)tamarack or larch exception- drop needles in winter 3)broad homogeneous stands 4)deciduous stand limited variety and often seral situation following a fire: birch, poplar, and aspen c.ground usually covered with mosses and lichens d.bogs and swamps are numerous due to poor drainage in summer 1)permafrost 2)drainage derangement result of glaciation 5. fauna a.limited food supply - limited faunal species diversity b.animal populations can fluctuate enormously c.fur bearing animals and a few species of ungulates d.birds 1)superabundant and diverse in summer 2)migrate to warmer latitudes in winter

tropical rainforest

1. selva 2. distribution of this biome close related to Af and Am climate: consistent rainfall and relatively high temperatures 3. most complex and greatest biodiversity (different species) of all terrestrial ecosystems a.characteristic flora: 1)tall, high-crowned, broadleaf, evergreen trees 2)layered structure with complete canopy 3)sparse undergrowth (due to lack of light) except where there are openings such as along rivers where you find jungles 4)epiphytes, vines and lianas hang from trees b.other ecosystem characteristics: 1)heavy shade, high humidity, windless air, continuous warmth 2)plant litter decomposes quickly 3)infertile soil ; concentration of nutrients in vegetation rather than soil c.characteristic fauna: 1)largely arboreal(tree dwelling) -principal food sources in canopy 2)large animals scarce 3)vast numbers invertebraes

Midlatitude deciduous forest

1. very little of original natural vegetation remains: large portions of this biome cleared for agricultural and other human use 2. flora a.characterized by fairly dense growth of tall deciduous, broadleaf trees that have a complete canopy in summer with some exceptions: 1)eastern Australia: eucalyptus (broadleaf evergreens) 2)southeastern US extensive pines (needleleaf evergreens) 3)Pacific northwest: evergreen coniferous b.forest floor relatively barren of undergrowth 3. fauna a.richest assemblage of fauna in midlatitudes b.animal life less conspicuous and numerous in winter - partly due to migrations and hibernation

Midlatitude grassland

1. wide distribution in midlatitudes of North America and Eurasia 2. in northern hemisphere very close locational coincidence between midlatitude grasslands and steppe climate (BSh and BSk) type 3. southern hemisphere less climatic correlation a.pampa-Argentina b.veldt-South Africa 4.flora a.reason for grasses rather than trees or shrubs: 1)lack of adequate precipitation to support larger plant forms 2)frequency of fires prevent growth of tree or shrub seedlings b.grass types 1)prairie: long grass in wetter areas 2)steppe: short grass in drier areas c.trees mostly limited to riparian areas d.shrubs and bushes on rocky sites 5.fauna a.extensive pasture for grazing animals b.large numbers of relatively few species c.larger migratory herbivores prior to human settlement d.many smaller animals spend all or part of life underground

tropical savanna

1. widespread in the tropics and subtropics in drier portions of the Aw climate and in some areas of BSh climates 2.dominated by low-growing, scraggly trees and tall bushes, some thorny 3. extensive grassy understory 4. less species diversity than the selva and tropical deciduous forest biome

dominant vegetation .

A biome is usually named on the basis of__________.

on the basis of its dominant vegetation, which normally makes up the bulk of its biomass.

A biome refers to any large, recognizable assemblage of plants and animals and is usually named _____.

LEED

A building rating system that sets industry standards for green building design

tundra

A complex mix of very low-growing plants, including grasses, forbs, dwarf shrubs, mosses, and lichens, but no trees. Occurs only in the perennially cold climates of high latitudes or high altitudes.

biome

A large, recognizable assemblage of plants and animals in functional interaction with its environment.

ecological footprint

A measure of human demand on the Earth's ecosystems. It compares human demand with planet Earth's ecological capacity to regenerate.

aquifer

A permeable subsurface rock layer that can store, transmit, and supply water.

hydrologic cycle

A series of storage areas interconnected by carious transfer processes, in which there is a ceaseless interchange of moisture in terms of its geographical location and its physical state.

climax vegetation

A stable plant association of relatively constant composition that develops at the end of a long succession of changes.

aquifer; aquiclude

A(n) _____ is a permeable subsurface rock layer that can store, transmit, and supply water; a(n) _____ is an impermeable rock layer.

artesian

A(n) _____ well is a free flowing well created from pressure in a confined aquifer.

Am Tropical Monsoon

According to the Koppen system, the _____ climate type receives enormous rainfall during high sun season but little precipitation during low sun season when offshore (land to sea) winds dominate. This type receives the largest yearly rainfall, on average 100-200 inches/year - Cherrapunji, India holds the world s record for one year: 1,042 inches in 1860-61.

A

According to the Koppen system, the _____ climate zone covers much of the equatorial region, is generally winterless, and is among the wettest climates in the world.

Af Tropical Wet

According to the Koppen system, the _____climate has the smallest average temperature range of any climate type (the average daily temperature range exceeds the average annual temperature range night is the winter here), experiences much convective precipitation because it lies along the ITCZ, and is characterized by tropical rainforest vegetation.

of the living organisms and non-living components that continually interact

An ecosystem is comprised _____ in the area under consideration.

boreal forest (taiga)

An extensive needleleaf forest in the subarctic regions of North America and Eurasia.

aquiclude

An impermeable rock layer that is so dense as to exclude water.

the fewer people can be fed with the same primary production.

Because each link in the food chain uses some of the energy for its own sustenance and thus a reduced balance passes on to the next link, the higher one eats on the food chain _____.

16,000 feet; 10,000 feet

Because of vertical zonation you might expect to encounter treeline at ____ elevation at the equator but at _____ elevation in Colorado.

photosynthesis

Chlorophyll-containing plants use the energy of sunlight to produce carbohydrates from water and carbon dioxide in a process called _____.

A, C, D and E

Climate zone(s) _____, defined primarily by temperature, have boundaries that are strongly latitudinal, while the distribution of B climates cuts across those of thermally defined zones.

gymnosperms; angiosperms

Conifers or _____ carry their seeds in cones while _____ are flowering plants that encase their seeds in a fruit, nut, or pod.

carnivores

Consumers that only eat animals

non-native or introduced species.

Exotic species are _____.

symbiosis

In _____ a mutually beneficial relationship exists between two dissimilar organisms; an example is when the tickbird eats insects off the backs of African ungulates.

primary consumer; herbivore

In a food chain in which a grasshopper eats grass, a frog eats the grasshopper, a snake eats the frog, and a hawk consumes the snake, the grasshopper is the _____ or _____.

D

Of the main Koppen climate zones, ____ is the only one that does not occur in the southern hemisphere.

climate and soil types.

Often, significant and even predictable relationships exist between the biota of a biome and the associated____________

exotic species

Organisms that are introduced into "new"habitats in which they did not naturally occur.

midlatitude deciduous forest

Originally the _____ biome dominated the eastern half of the United States; however, today large portions of this biome have been altered by human activities here as well as elsewhere throughout the world.

perennials

Plants that can live more than a single year despite seasonal environmental variations.

angiosperms

Plants that have seeds encased in some sort of protective body, such as a fruit, a nut, or a seedpod.

86%; 78%

Precipitation and evaporation/transpiration balance in time but not in place: whereas ____ of moisture is evaporated from oceans, _____ falls back on oceans as precipitation.

all the above are proxy measures scientists use to measure past climates

Scientists have been able to extend the climate record back 70 million years through the use of proxy measures that include the following

gymnosperms

Seed-producing plants that carry their seeds in cones; "naked seeds"

food chain

Sequential predation in which organisms feed upon one another, with organisms at one level providing food for organisms at the next level, and so on. Energy is thus transferred through the ecosystem.

southern hemisphere

Stations in the _________ should have their warmest monthly temperatures in Dec, Jan, and Feb. and their coldest monthly temperatures in Jun, Jul, and Aug.

northern hemisphere

Stations in the ____________should have their warmest monthly temperatures in Jun, Jul, and Aug (during our summer) and their coldest in Dec, Jan, and Feb.

riparian vegetation

Streamside growth, particularly prominent in relatively dry regions, where stream courses may be lined with trees, although no other trees are to be found in the landscape.

riparian vegetation.

Strings of cottonwood trees lining the streams on the drier prairie east of Colorado Springs are an example of _____.

All of the above are IPPC projections

The IPCC Fourth Assessment Report includes which of the following emission scenario projections:

B

The _____ climate type covers 30% of the world s land area (more than any other climate type). Its location in the subtropical latitudes where it is dominated by subsidence from the subtropical high pressure cells explains its lack of precipitation.

Csa Mediterranean

The _____ climate type is the only one, other than the marine west coast climate, which has a winter that is wetter than summer.

E

The _____ climate type receives so little precipitation some consider it desert, but cold temperatures there result in such low evaporation it qualifies as nonarid.

tundra

The _____ vegetation type dominates in the ET climate zone.

Ogallala aquifer

The _____, which underlies the southern and central parts of the Great Plains including portions of eastern Colorado, is the largest aquifer in the U.S. and has been accumulating water for 30,000 years.

ecological footprint

The _________________ measures in acres/person how much land and water a society or individuals require to produce the resources they consume and to absorb their waste.

tropical savanna

The big game of Africa, which includes large ungulates and carnivores, are characteristic of the _____ biome.

sustainability

The concept of using Earth's resources in such a way that they provide for people's needs in the present without diminishing Earth's ability to provide for future generations.

the carbon cycle.

The fossil fuels that we humans are currently burning at unprecedented rates have been produced as part of _____.

artesian well

The free flow that results when a well is drilled from the surface down into the aquifer and the confining pressure is sufficient to force the water to the surface without artificial pumping.

vertical zonation

The horizontal layering of different plant associations on a mountainside or hillside.

BWh

The major deserts of the world, including the Sahara, the Arabian, and the Atacama, are all located in climate zone _____.

D

The most conspicuous result of continentality, which is the keynote in the _____ climate type, is the huge annual temperature range.

plant succession

The process whereby one type of vegetation is replaced naturally by another.

the humid tropics; dry lands and cold lands

The richest faunal assemblages are found in _____; the sparsest representations of both species and individuals are found in _____

water table

The top of the saturated zone within the ground.

ecosystem

The totality of interactions among organisms and the environment in the area of consideration.

it is both too cold and too dry.

The tundra biome, dominated by a considerable mixture of species in dwarf form, is unforested because _____.

Köppen climate system

Uses capital letters to designate categories by latitude that range from A at the equator to E at the poles plus an H for highlands All the major categories are based on temperature except B which is based on precipitation as well .

<1%

What percent of the earth's moisture is available for movement in the hydrologic cycle at any given time?

tropical deciduous forest

Which of the following biomes is what is traditionally referred to as jungle?

All the above factors influence biome patterns.

Which of the following factors does NOT affect global biome patterns?

covers vast expanses of the southern hemisphere -- boreal forest biome

Which of the following is INCORRECTLY matched with the biome?

Latitude is the most important factor in the location of H climates.

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of H climates?

Substitute coal for natural gas to generate electricity

Which of the following is NOT a strategy for reducing GHG emissions?

wet summer/ dry winter

Which of the following is NOT characteristic of the Mediterranean woodland and scrub biome?

geographic distribution limited to vast expanses in northern North America

Which of the following is NOT characteristic of the boreal forest biome?

dominated by trees; grasses limited to riparian areas

Which of the following is NOT characteristic of the midlatitude grassland biome?

dense, heavy undergrowth

Which of the following is NOT characteristic of the tropical rainforest or selva biome?

occurs only in Africa

Which of the following is NOT characteristic of the tropical savanna biome?

positive feedback mechanisms serve to curb greenhouse warming

Which of the following statements about climate change is NOT correct?

Both (a) and (b) above are true.

Which of the following statements about the thermohaline circulation is true?

There is a 90% probability that most increase in global average temperatures since the mid 20th century are due to the increase in anthropogenic greenhouse gas concentration.

Which of the following statements best reflects the findings and projections of the IPCC s Climate Change 2007 report?

selva boreal forest biome

Which of the following terms is NOT correctly matched with its definition?

very large leaves that increase the rain-catching surface area.

Xerophytic adaptations include all the following EXCEPT _____.

The food chain

____ refers to the transfer of energy through the ecosystem by sequential predation.

Climax vegetation; succession

_____ characterizes a stable plant community that develops at the end of plant _____.

Perennial; annual

_____ plants endure seasonal climatic fluctuations from year to year whereas _____ plants perish during times of climatic stress but leave seeds to germinate.

Plants

_____, which trap solar energy through photosynthesis, are the fundamental unit or primary producers in the food chain.

Coastal locations; continental locations

________________generally have a smaller annual temperature range than _______________ at the same latitude.

Developed nations; developing nations

____________tend to have much higher footprints than ___________.

increased atmospheric oxygen

it is both too cold and too dry.

Biomes

large, recognizable assemblage of plants and animals in functional interaction with its environment

savanna

low-latitude grasslands characterized by tall grasses

steppe

mid-latitude grasslands characterized by tall grasses

xerophytes

plants that a re structurally adapted to withstand protracted dry conditions

Deciduous

trees experience an annual period in which all leaves die and usually fall from the tree, due to either a cold season or a dry season.