Ecoregions and WED

The map shows the various ecoregions of Texas. Which ecoregion is most vulnerable to wind erosion from hurricanes originating in the Gulf of Mexico?

• Post Oak Savannah
• Blackland Prairies
• Edwards Plateau
• Gulf Prairies and Marshes

Sand dunes are large piles of sand that can be found in the 
desert. What causes these sand dunes to form?

• Water
• Wind
• Ice
• Volcanoes

From the distinct shapes of sand dunes and their features in a desert, a geologist could most likely determine which of the following?

• Direction of the prevailing wind
• Daily high and low temperatures
• Amount of water nearby
• Age of the formations

The Gulf Prairies and Marshes ecoregion experiences significant soil erosion. One would expect the climate in this region to be –

• dry and hot.
• cold and snowy.
• wet and rainy.
• warm and humid.

The tall rock formations with smooth surfaces in Big Bend
National Park were formed over time by -

• rock deposition.
• water erosion.
• local vegetation.
• wind weathering.

The Brazos River is the longest river in Texas, emptying into the Gulf of Mexico. What type of land formation would you expect to find where the river deposits sediments as it
reaches the Gulf?

• A cave
• A mountain
• A delta
• A valley

In the Edwards Plateau, the limestone rocks are highly
vulnerable to chemical and physical weathering. Which of the following land formations would be expected in this area?

• Canyons
• Lakes
• Rivers
• Caves

High rains cause the flow in a river to increase. The increase in the river’s flow will most likely have which of the following effects on the environment?

• The banks of the river will experience increased erosion.
• The river will deposit less material onto its delta.
• The path of the river will become more crooked.
• The river will dry out completely in a few days.

Weathering of Earth’s surface can have which of the following 
effects?

• Movement of sediment
• Depositing of sediment in a new place
• Breaking down of rocks
• Building of mountains

Canyons are formed by -

• earthquakes breaking rock layers apart.
• wind smoothing out rock formations.
• lava flowing from nearby volcanoes.
• rivers carrying sediments that weather and erode land.