Chapter 3 Review

Which explains why secondary succession generally occurs more rapidly in an area than does primary succession?

• Average precipitation is higher

• Moderate climatic conditions exist

• Pioneer species are microscopic

• Soil formation has already occurred

Conifer trees dominate boreal forests rather than tundra because of what?

• a lack of permanently frozen soil (permafrost)

• direct rays of light hitting the biome

• mild climatic and weather conditions

• the absence of better adapted trees

Which defines a biome as a desert?

• a region with few or no trees

• annual rainfall less than 10cm/year

• area with no organic matter in the soil

• rate of evaporation is higher than the rate of precipitation

Which explains why few animal species live in a fast-flowing river?

• Cold water lowers dissolved oxygen levels

• Currents prevent accumulation of most organic matter (living things)

• Few animals are adapted to withstand high-speed water

• Frothing water reflects sunlight away from autotrophs

Which ecosystem has the greatest biodiversity?

• bog

• estuary

• marsh

• swamp

Which zone would support the greatest variety of coral reef ecosystems?

• abyssal zone

• aphotic zone

• intertidal zone

• photic zone

All of the living populations living in a pond would be an example of a(n) ...

• Community

• Ecosystem

• Habitat

• Population

Heavy precipitation, high winds, and a temperature of 15°C on a mountaintop is an example of what?

• Temperature

• Weather

• Climate

• A thunderstorm

Trees cannot take root in tundra biomes because of the existence of what?

• Permafrost

• Moss

• Lichen

• Snow

Temperate forest plant life is dominated by what?

• Deciduous Trees

• Evergreen Trees

• Grasses

• Squirrels