The ________ includes the entire planet and all of its living parts.

• biosphere

• ecosystem

• lithosphere

• community

The picture shown is a food chain found in the Grand Basin desert in Nevada. Suppose a company that makes snakeskin wallets sets up shop in the area and kills all of the Mojave rattlesnakes. What would you LEAST expect to happen next?

• Kangaroo rat populations show an increase.

• Desert sagebrush plant populations grow uncontrollably.

• Prickly pear cacti are grazed more heavily than previously.

• Cougars eat more jackrabbits in their diet than they normally do.

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As levels of carbon dioxide increase in the atmosphere, we could expect oceanic carbon dioxide levels to _____ and oceanic pH to _____ .

• increase; increase

• decrease; increase

• increase; decrease

• increase; not alter

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Which biome would be the MOST hostile for animals displaced from a tropical rainforest?

• tropical seasonal forest

• Tundra

• grassland

• temeprate

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Georgia's salt marshes have been identified as one of the most extensive and productive marshland systems in the United States. It is production almost beyond comprehension, producing nearly twenty tons to the acre; four times more productive than the most carefully cultivated corn. This is so very important for ALL BUT ONE of the reasons listed. That is:

• As the grass die and decompose, they become a source of fuel, similar to peat, that can be used inland.

• Salt marshes act as buffers against offshore storms, absorbing wave and current energy and reducing storm damage.

• The marsh grass serves as a nursery ground for young fish, shellfish, and crustaceans, which in turn support larger fish.

• The plants in Georgia's salt marshes produce more food energy than any estuarine zone on the eastern seaboard providing a rich base for many food chains.

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The Earth's axis is tilted 23.5 degrees from the plane of its orbit around the sun. But this tilt changes. During a cycle that averages about 40,000 years, the tilt of the axis varies between 22.1 and 24.5 degrees. Less tilt means less severe seasons: cooler summers and milder winters. The cool summers are thought to allow snow and ice to last from year-to-year in high latitudes, eventually building up into massive ice sheets. How would this seasonal change influence the overall climate on Earth?

• The occurrence of milder seasons corresponds to the ice ages on Earth.

• Cooler summer and milder winters would result in an overall warming trend on the planet.

• An Earth covered with more snow and ice reflects more solar radiation into space, causing additional cooling.

• With less severe seasons there would be less chance of severe weather and storms. Less precipitation would result in additional warming.

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The EPA presented information concerning atmospheric greenhouse gases. In 2014, they estimated that there were 6,870 Million Metric Tons of CO₂ in Earth's atmosphere. Based on this information, how will previous Antarctic temperature data, as seen in this model, change, if at all?

• The Antarctic temperature should drop below 0C.

• Antarctic's temperature will rise well above 0C.

• The temperature in the Antarctic will slowly rise over time.

• Antarctic's temperature will continue to fluctuate, above and below 0C.

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Compare and contrast primary and secondary succession of an ecosystem. What is the distinction between them?

• Primary succession is the sequence of plants that colonize a new area, while secondary succession is the sequence of animals that move once plant life is established.

• Primary succession is the sequence of species that become established early in a newly colonized area, while secondary succession is the sequence of species that move in much later.

• Primary succession is the establishment of a new community in an existing ecosystem that was disturbed, while secondary succession is the establishment of a community in an area that was altered due to fire.

• Primary succession is the establishment of a community in an area with no soil, while secondary succession is the establishment of a new community in an existing ecosystem that was disturbed by some catastrophic event.

Which is NOT a potential threat or danger to an ecosystem rich in biodiversity?

• deforestation

• plate tectonic activity

• Global Warming/Climate Change

• Genetic diversity among species

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Energy resources are either nonrenewable, such as fossil fuels, or renewable, such as combustion of wood. Take a look at the pie charts. Scientists predict a steady increase in the the use of renewable energy resources, especially of wind energy. It is predicted that by the end of 2014, the use of wind energy will increase to 17% of the renewable energy resources. If that increase occurs and the total amount of BTU's remains constant, what else should also happen?

• All energy use will increase.

• The total amount of energy use will decrease.

• The nonrenewable piece of the pie must decrease.

• The amount of renewable and nonrenewable energy use will increase.

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