Chapter 7 Climate and Biodiversity

Name the major greenhouse gases

-H2O Water Vapor -CO2 Carbon Dioxide -CH4 Methane -N20 Nitrous Oxide

Scientists predict that human-enhanced global warming will have several effects. What are they?

-altered precipitation patterns -shifts in areas where crops are grown -rise in average sea level -shifts in areas where plants and animals can be found

What is true of oceans and ocean currents?

-caused by prevailing winds and earths rotation -retribution of heat from the sun -surface currents/deep currents -absorb heat in tropical area -flow in circular pattern -differences in density, set up warm/cold current

What would be true of tropical rainforest?

-high biodiversity -high humidity -little ground vegetation -low levels of ground sunlight

What is true about mountains?

-majority of the worlds forest -habitats for endemic species -sanctuaries for species driven from low land -major store house of water

Desert ecosystems are fragile for what reasons?

-slow plant growth -low species diversity

The term greenhouse gas describes ______

-traps heat energy in the atmosphere -gasses keep earth habitable

What major factors that influences global air circulation?

-uneven heating of the earths surface by sun -rotation of the earth on its axis -properties of air, water, and land

Tropical rain forests cover about _____ of earths surface, but contains at least ____ of the known terrestrial plant and animal species.

2% 50%

How much of the worlds population depends on mountain systems for all or some of their water?

56%

Approximately ____% of the worlds major terrestrial ecosystem are being degraded or used unsustainably.

60%

Large regions characterized by a certain climate and dominant plant life are called ________

Biomes

Moose, Lynx, and burrowing rodent species are most likely found in what biome?

Boreal Forest

The forest that grows in regions that receive little precipitation, and have short summers with cool to warm temperatures is the _______

Boreal Forest

What term describes the large-scale weather phenomenon that occurs when prevailing winds in the Pacific Ocean Weaken, resulting in above average warming?

El Nino (ENSO) Southern Oscillation

The rain shadow effect is responsible for the formation of which of the following?

Mojave Desert

Over the last 10,000 years, what has taken place in eastern North America?

a cool temperate deciduous forest has moved into the Great Lakes region.

Thick, spongy mats of low-growing plants, primarily grasses, mosses, lichens, are typical of the _______

arctic tundra

Treeless, bitterly cold most of the year, winters are long and dark, low-growing plants, and permafrost are the characteristics of which of the following?

arctic tundra

What is true about temperate deciduous forests?

average temperature change significantly with seasons

Trees of tropical rainforest are characterized by leaves that are ______

broad leaf and evergreen

The most important factor in determining which biome is found in a particular area is _____________

climate

In the northern hemisphere, the earths major oceans currents tend to circulate __________.

clockwise

Where does the largest input of solar energy occur?

equator

Major human impacts on terrestrial ecosystems are least likely to include ____.

increased global diversity

Why do tropical regions normally receive more precipitation than other areas of the globe?

increased heating causes increased evaporation which falls as rain

Woody plants that are vines supported by trees are called ______.

lianas

In a tropical rain forest, dropped leaves, fallen trees, and dead animals decompose __________

quickly due to the abundance of decomposers

An increase of moisture on windward side of mountain ranges.......

rain shadow effect

The biome that has warm temperatures year round and widely spaced clumps of tree is the _________

savanna

The large grazing animals such as wildebeests and gazelles are best associated with which biome?

savanna

Tropical rain forests are not good for clearing to grow crops or animals, primarily because they are low in what?

soil nutrients

What is an effective strategy adopted by desert plants for survival?

store water in expandable tissue

What does alpine tundra receive in larger amounts than arctic tundra?

sunlight

Oak, hickory, maple, aspen, and birch are best associated with the _______

temperate deciduous forest

What biome has been most disturbed by human activities?

temperate deciduous forest

Which type of desert would have high daytime temperatures in summer, low temperatures in winter, and moderate precipitation?

temperate desert

What biome has bitterly cold winters, hot dry summers, and receives sparse precipitation?

temperate grassland

Redwoods are associated with what type of forest?

temperate rainforest

What biome would be described as having ample rainfall or moisture from fog, with large conifers such as sitka spruce and douglas fir?

temperate rainforest

The deserts of Death Valley formed as a result of ____.

the rain shadow effect

What is an example of a major human impact o mountain ecosystem?

timber and mineral extraction

Which of the following does not belong with the others? Taiga, cold forests, boreal forests, evergreen coniferous forests, tropical rain forests

tropical rain forests

The biome with the highest diversity is the ______

tropical rainforest

The forest that grows in regions that receive continuous warm temperatures and seasonal rainfall is the ______

tropical rainforest

Which term describes the temperature, precipitation, and humidity of an area over hours or days?

weather