Env Sci Chapter 6 Biomes

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 oprions

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

Biomes

• contain two ecosystems, hence the name "biome".

• are usually described by their vegetation.

• exist in limited regions of the world.

• all of the options

Which of the following is an adaptation of coniferous trees in the taiga?

• They have a shallow root system, due to the acidic soil

• They have leaves that retain water, due to their shape and waxy coating

• They have a unique overall shape in order to accumulate snow, which acts as a heavy insulating layer

• all of the options