Ch. 3 Review

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

• abyssal zone

• photic zone

• aphotic zone

• intertidal zone

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

Which ecosystem has the greatest biodiversity?

• bog

• estuary

• marsh

• swamp

Conifer trees dominate boreal forests rather than tundra because of _______________.

• a lack of permanently frozen soil.

• direct rays of light hitting the biome.

• mild climatic and weather conditions.

• the absence of better adapted trees.

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.

• Few animals are adapted to withstand the high-speed water.

• Frothing water reflects sunlight away from autotrophs.

Which defines a biome as a desert?

• a region of few or no trees

• annual rainfall less than 10 cm/year

• area with no organic matter in soil

• rate of evaporation is higher than precipitation

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

• biome

• organisms

• biological community

• biosphere

Heavy precipitation, high winds, and a temperature of 15⁰C on a mountaintop is an example of ___________________________.

• climate

• weather

The location of the greatest percentage of liquid freshwater is ________________________.

• locked in glaciers

• in lakes and rivers

• underground

Trees cannot take root in tundra biomes because of the existence of ___________________.

• mosquitoes

• permafrost

• herbivores