Ecology Chapter Three

Refer to the climate diagram. Suppose that growing a plant requires at least 60 mm of precipitation and mean monthly temperatures between 5°C and 30°C. Based on the climate diagram above, and assuming that the weather conforms to the long-term average, the plant should be able to grow during _______ months of the year. A) 6 B) 4 C) 10 D) 12

A) 6

Which statement about corals and coral reefs is false? A) Coral reefs can grow fairly rapidly, up to a meter per day. B) For many corals, calcium carbonate is an important component of the skeleton-like structure. C) Corals are closely related to jellyfish. D) A large number of economically important fish species rely on coral reefs for habitat.

A) Coral reefs can grow fairly rapidly, up to a meter per day.

Which statement about estuaries is false? A) Estuary is another name for salt marsh. B) They usually have high levels of nutrients. C) Their salinity often varies according to the tides. D) Many commercially important fish species inhabit estuaries during their juvenile stages.

A) Estuary is another name for salt marsh.

Refer to the climate diagram. According to the climate diagram, the highest temperatures are in _______ and the most precipitation falls in _______. A) January; January B) January; July C) April; January D) July; July

A) January; January

Which statement about hot deserts is true? A) Low water availability is an important constraint on the abundance of desert plants. B) They are usually located within 10° of the equator. C) Succulent stems are not common in hot deserts. D) Both a and c

A) Low water availability is an important constraint on the abundance of desert plants.

Which statement about livestock grazing in hot deserts is false? A) The practice developed only in the twentieth century. B) The practice can lead to loss of plant cover. C) The practice can lead to soil erosion. D) The practice often requires irrigation.

A) The practice developed only in the twentieth century.

Which statement about tropical seasonal forests and savannas is true? A) Their seasonality is due largely to movements of the Intertropical Convergence Zone. B) Despite human activity, more than 80% of this biome remains intact. C) Deciduousness is very rare in this biome. D) Both a and b

A) Their seasonality is due largely to movements of the Intertropical Convergence Zone.

Refer to the figures, showing (A) the biome locations across the world and (B) the alteration of terrestrial biomes by human activities (i.e., the "human footprint"), with green representing the least human impact and purple-red representing the most. Which biome is overall least altered by human activity world-wide? A) Tundra B) Tropical Rainforests C) Deserts D) Tropical seasonal forest

A) Tundra

Trees that routinely drop their leaves during cold or dry periods are referred to as A) deciduous. B) succulent. C) sclerophyllous D) ruderal.

A) deciduous.

Though it contains only 11% of Earth's terrestrial vegetation cover, the _______ biome is home to about half of Earth's species. A) tropical rainforest B) tropical seasonal forest C) temperate deciduous forest D) temperate grassland

A) tropical rainforest

The climate of a certain region is warm to hot, with little seasonal variation in temperature, but with a pronounced dry season. The vegetation is mostly grasses, but there are some shrubs and trees. This region is most likely a A) tropical savanna. B) tropical dry forest. C) desert D) temperate grassland.

A) tropical savanna.

Refer to the climate diagram. Based on the climate diagram, this location is likely in the _______ biome. A) tropical seasonal forest B) temperate grassland C) temperate deciduous forest D) tropical rainforest

A) tropical seasonal forest

Refer to the diagram. Suppose that in order to grow, a plant requires at least 40 mm of average monthly precipitation and an average monthly temperature above 5°C. Based on this climate diagram, and assuming that the weather conforms to the long-term climatic average, this plant should be able to grow during _______ months of the year. A) 12 B) 7 C) 5 D) 9

B) 7

Refer to the climate diagram. Suppose that growing a plant requires at least 3 mm of precipitation for every 1°C that the average monthly temperature is above freezing. Based on the climate diagram above, and assuming that the weather conforms to the long-term average, this plant should be able to grow for about _______ months of the year. A) 4 B) 8 C) 2 D) 6

B) 8

Which factor most likely prevented the grasslands at the eastern edge of the Great Plains from becoming forest? A) Insufficient precipitation B) Frequent fires C) Too low temperatures D) All of the above

B) Frequent fires

Refer to the climate diagram. Based on the climate diagram, precipitation is usually the highest in A) January and February. B) May and June. C) November and December. D) March and April.

B) May and June.

Which statement about the extinctions that occurred in North America approximately 12,000 years ago is true? A) Advancing glaciers hastened the extinction period. B) Nearly all of the species that went extinct were large mammals. C) A likely cause of the extinction was an asteroid that hit what is now British Columbia. D) The climate was relatively stable during the extinction period.

B) Nearly all of the species that went extinct were large mammals.

Which plant has the ability to grow from the base of its leaves, thereby keeping its reproductive buds under the surface and permitting high tolerance of climatic fluctuations? A) Trees B) Perennial grasses C) Deciduous plants D) Sclerophyllous shrubs

B) Perennial grasses

Which statement about terrestrial biomes is true? A) Biomes are determined only by average temperatures in the area. B) The same biome can be found on different continents. C) Biomes are characterized more by the animals that are found there than by the plants. D) Biomes are determined according to the taxonomic similarities among organisms found there.

B) The same biome can be found on different continents.

Refer to the figure, showing how biomes vary with temperature and precipitation. If the average temperature on Earth increased, what effect would this have on the distribution of boreal forests in the Northern Hemisphere? A) The total global area covered by tundra would increase. B) The southern edge of the boreal forests would move northward. C) Boreal forests would be able to grow further south than their present range. D) The distribution of boreal forests would not change.

B) The southern edge of the boreal forests would move northward.

As compared with terrestrial ecosystems, freshwater ecosystems A) show more variability in temperature. B) are more likely to be characterized by the animals they contain as well as the plants. C) have been less affected by human impact. D) occupy more area.

B) are more likely to be characterized by the animals they contain as well as the plants.

Midges of the genus Axarus, which live in the bottom of rivers and lakes, are examples of a(n) _______ species. A) lentic B) benthic C) estuarine D) photic

B) benthic

The coldest part of a large lake is usually in the _______ zone. A) littoral B) benthic C) pelagic D) photic

B) benthic

Kelp are A) green algae. B) brown algae. C) fungi D) ciliates

B) brown algae.

Flowing streams and rivers are called _______ systems. A) lentic B) lotic C) hyporheic D) photic

B) lotic

As compared to shallow lakes, deep lakes tend to have _______ surface area-to-volume ratios and to be _______ nutrient-rich. A) lower; more B) lower; less C) higher; more D) about the same; less

B) lower; less

The primary difference between tundra and boreal forest is that A) the tundra generally lacks permafrost. B) trees are the dominant vegetation in boreal forests but not in tundra. C) nearly all tundra areas are very dry, whereas boreal forests are wet. D) Both a and c

B) trees are the dominant vegetation in boreal forests but not in tundra.

Suppose a plant requires a minimum of 50 mm of precipitation per month to grow. Its water requirements increase with increasing temperature, such that for every 1°C that the average monthly temperature is above freezing, it requires an additional 1 mm of precipitation. Based on the climate diagram above, and assuming that the weather reflects long-term climatic averages, this plant should be able to grow during _______ months of the year. A) 6 B) 11 C) 12 D) 9

C) 12

Which organisms are found only in the photic zone? A) Larger animals, like fish B) Zooplankton C) Phytoplankton D) Fungi

C) Phytoplankton

Which feature is characteristic of a Mediterranean-type climate? A) Precipitation mainly in the summer B) Very hot temperatures and little precipitation C) Regular fire disturbances D)Vegetation dominated by plants with deciduous leaves

C) Regular fire disturbances

High ocean temperatures can result in the loss of the coral's _______ partner, a condition that is called _______. A) algal; variegation B) bacterial; variegation C) algal; bleaching D) fungal; bleaching

C) algal; bleaching

A certain biome is one of the largest in the world in terms of geographic area. Spruces, pines, and other conifers are abundant across the landscape. Although it does not receive much precipitation, its soils are usually very moist because of pervasive permafrost. This biome is most likely A) temperate evergreen forest. B) tundra. C) boreal forest. D) temperate deciduous forest.

C) boreal forest.

Corals are animals that are related to _______ and form close relationships with _______ in their colonies. A) jellyfish; fungi B) flatworms; fungi C) jellyfish; algae D) starfish; algae

C) jellyfish; algae

If climate change causes a tropical rainforest to receive somewhat less rainfall, it will most likely become A) temperate deciduous forest. B) boreal forest. C) savanna D) temperate evergreen forest.

C) savanna

In general, biomes in the _______ zone have been changed the most by human activity. A) tropical B) subtropical C) temperate D) arctic

C) temperate

If climate change causes a boreal forest to be a little warmer and a little wetter, it will most likely become A) temperate evergreen forest. B) savanna. C) temperate deciduous forest. D) tundra

C) temperate deciduous forest.

Refer to the figure, showing how biomes vary with temperature and precipitation. If the precipitation in Florida (largely temperate evergreen forest) increased to an average of 275 cm per year and the temperature warmed to an average of 19°C, how would that change the landscape? A) Florida would be covered in tropical seasonal forest with a small area of tropical rainforest. B) All of Florida would be covered in evergreen forests. C) Part of Florida would transition to a mix of grasslands and shrublands. D) All of Florida would be covered in tropical rainforest.

D) All of Florida would be covered in tropical rainforest.

Which result does not support the overkill hypothesis as the cause of the extinction of megafauna in North America? A) The selectivity of the extinctions B) The findings of butchering sites containing remains of animals C) The findings of increased extinctions soon after the arrival of humans on oceanic islands D) All of the above support the overkill hypothesis.

D) All of the above support the overkill hypothesis.

Which quality is characteristic of temperate deciduous forests? A) Extended periods (3-6 months) of subfreezing temperature B) Moderate to high precipitation C) Low soil fertility D) Both a and b

D) Both a and b

Which statement about temperate grasslands is true? A) In nearly all cases, the major factor preventing grasslands from becoming forest is insufficient precipitation. B) The soils of grasslands typically accumulate rich organic materials. C) Grasslands are one of the most human-influenced biomes on Earth. D) Both b and c

D) Both b and c

Which statement about biomes is false? A) Biomes are determined according to similarities in the morphological responses of organisms to the physical environment. B) Biomes are characterized more by the plants that are found there than by the animals. C) The same biome can be found on different continents. D) Determination of biomes incorporates taxonomic similarities among organisms.

D) Determination of biomes incorporates taxonomic similarities among organisms.

Which condition is more likely to occur in tundra than in tropical alpine locales? A) Very high wind speeds B) High solar radiation C) Extremely hot temperatures D) High partial pressures of carbon dioxide

D) High partial pressures of carbon dioxide

Which statement about stem and leaf succulence is false? A) It is found in plants in the deserts of both the Eastern and Western Hemispheres. B) It helps plants survive drought. C) It enables plants to store water. D) It is an adaptation for living in areas with high water availability.

D) It is an adaptation for living in areas with high water availability.

Which statement about the boreal forest biome is false? A) In comparison to other forest biomes, boreal forests have been little altered by human activities. B) Pines and other conifers are commonly found there because they are better equipped than angiosperms to withstand the cold. C) In terms of geographic area, it is one of the largest biomes in the world. D) Its soils are usually dry due to the permafrost.

D) Its soils are usually dry due to the permafrost.

Refer to the climate diagram. Based on the climate diagram, when would trees in this biome most likely drop their leaves? A) April B) December C) February D) June

D) June

The seagrasses in seagrass beds are A) Flowering plants B) Green Algae C) Brown Algae D) Red Algae

D) Red Algae

Assuming that the concept of a river continuum is correct, how would a second-, third-, and fourth-order river be ranked, in terms of the importance of terrestrial vegetation as a food source for the organisms within it? A) Third order > second order > fourth order B) Fourth order > third order > second order C) Second order > fourth order > third order D) Second order > third order > fourth order

D) Second order > third order > fourth order

Refer to the figures, showing (A) the biome locations across the world and (B) the alteration of terrestrial biomes by human activities (i.e., the "human footprint"), with green representing the least human impact and purple-red representing the most. To which biome does New Zealand belong? A) Temperate deciduous forest B) Tropical rainforest C) Boreal forest D) Temperate evergreen forest

D) Temperate evergreen forest

Which statement about livestock grazing in hot deserts is false? A) The practice often requires irrigation. B) The practice can lead to loss of plant cover. C) The practice can lead to soil erosion. D) The practice developed only in the twentieth century.

D) The practice developed only in the twentieth century.

As one moves from the alpine to the subalpine to the montane zone of a mountain, the mean temperature A) basically stays the same. B) consistently goes down. C) first goes up and then goes down. D) consistently goes up.

D) consistently goes up.

Lake Merritt, near Oakland, California, is home to the first official wildlife refuge in the United States. Because it is a place where fresh water and the ocean meet, Lake Merritt is not actually a lake, but rather a(n) A) photic zone. B) pelagic zone. C) littoral zone. D) estuary.

D) estuary.

Temperate evergreen forests differ from temperate deciduous forests in that the evergreen forests typically A) have permafrost. B) depend less on fire for their persistence. C) have less precipitation. D) have nutrient-poor soils.

D) have nutrient-poor soils.

Compared with the zone below it, temperatures in the marine photic zone are generally _______ and water pressure is _______. A) lower; higher B) higher; higher C) higher; about the same D) higher; lower

D) higher; lower

Suppose that a researcher finds that the physical environment at a certain location alternates between marine and terrestrial with the rise and fall of the tides. A stable substratum provides an anchor against the pounding tides for a diverse array of organisms. Organisms that live there, especially those that are sessile, usually have high tolerance for changes in salinity and temperature as well as desiccation. This area is most likely a(n) A) estuary. B) sandy shore. C) pelagic zone. D) rocky intertidal zone.

D) rocky intertidal zone.

If climate change causes a tropical rainforest to receive somewhat less rainfall, it will most likely become A) temperate evergreen forest. B) temperate deciduous forest. C) boreal forest. D) savanna

D) savanna

Refer to the climate diagram. Based on the climate diagram, the location is most likely in a _______ at around _______ latitude. A) tropical rainforest; 5°N B) tropical seasonal forest; 20°N C) tropical rainforest; 20°S D) tropical seasonal forest; 20°S

D) tropical seasonal forest; 20°S

Refer to the figures, showing (A) the biome locations across the world and (B) the alteration of terrestrial biomes by human activities (i.e., the "human footprint"), with green representing the least human impact and purple-red representing the most. Rank the following countries with respect to how much human activity has altered their native biomes (from most to least impact): India, United States, and Russia. A) United States, India, Russia B) Russia, United States, India C) India, Russia, United States D) United States, Russia, India E) India, United States, Russia

E) India, United States, Russia