test review

If you visited a savanna, you would likely see

• large herds of grazing animals, such as rhinos, gazelles, and giraffes
• a dense forest
• snow and ice
• a coastal ecosystem

 Grasslands, such as the prairies of North America,

• are suitable for corn and wheat, but not suitable for soybeans
• are threatened by soil erosion because native grasses have been damaged or destroyed by plowing and overgrazing.
• support almost no animal life now that the millions of buffalo that once roamed there are gone
• support a rich layer of dense grasses because they receive at least 250 cm (100 in.) of rain per year.
  

Which of the following best describes a tropical rain forest?

• dense, thick soil that supports a dense layer of plants on the forest floor
• species of animals with specialized ways of surviving in order to avoid competition
• very few species of trees, due to poor soil quality
• plants and animals that are very similar due to year-round warmth and moisture
  

Animals that live in the desert

• hibernate in winter.
• are usually nocturnal
• usually have thin skin to absorb water.
• include camels, moose, and various reptiles.
  

Deserts are

• covered with sand and contain no plant life.
• found only in North America
• often formed on the dry side of mountain ranges.
• never located in cooler climates.
  

 The tundra

• has a layer of soil that is permanently frozen beneath the top soil
• is too cold to support insect life.
• is resistant to environmental damage because it is usually frozen.
• All of the above
  

Taiga is

• a cold, treeless, desert-like biome found near the North and South Poles.
• found mostly in Africa.
• a forest biome dominated by coniferous trees, such as pine, fir, and spruce.
• a dry, rocky biome found in the central part of South America.
  

Which of the following statements is not correct?

• Grasslands have rich soil that supports abundant plant life.
• The tundra is a fragile biome because conditions are severe, and the ecosystem is easily disrupted.
• Chaparral fires are beneficial because they destroy trees that compete for light and space.
• Tropical rain forests are resistant to change because the plants contain so many nutrients.
  

Which of the following is not true about temperate deciduous forests?

• Trees grow lush green leaves in the spring, but lose their leaves in late summer.
• The soil is rich, and plants cover much of the forest floor.
• Animals such as squirrels, bears, and deer find food in the form of nuts, berries, and leaves.
• Both (a) and (b)
  

Biomes

• contain two ecosystems, hence the name “biome.”
• are usually described by their vegetation.
• exist in limited regions of the world.
• All of the above