Biomes- Environmental

An ecologist observes a grassland ecosystem. She does research about the early characteristics of this ecosystem, and finds the information shown in the table below. She hypothesizes that the ecosystem is currently in a mature stage. Which observations would support her hypothesis?

• A. little soil and high amounts of nutrients

• B. harsh conditions and relatively stable populations

• C. low species diversity and high amounts of nutrients

• D. high species diversity and relatively stable populations.

The diagram below shows a river system in which water flows from a mountain to an estuary. A fish in the river lives mainly on larvae and is adapted to cold, fast-moving, highly oxygenated water. In which section of the river system would you most likely find the fish?

• Section A

• Section B

• Section C

• Section D

An ecologist decides to focus his studies on comparing adaptations in organisms that live in transitional aquatic ecosystems. Which adaptation would distinguish an estuary species from a wetlands species?

• A. ability to photosynthesize

• B. ability to tolerate salty conditions

• C. ability to thrive in humid conditions

• D. ability to withstand changing water levels

The biome known for trees with broad leaves that fall off the trees in the winter.

• Coniferous Forests
• Deciduous Forests
• Deserts
• Tropical Rain Forests

One characteristic feature of the tundra is that only the surface thaws in the summer and refreezes in the winter, leaving a permanently frozen subsoil. This characteristic is known as 

• Hoarfrost
• Glaciation
• Permafrost
• Crystallization 

The kangaroo rat is able to get all of the water it needs through it's food and therefore, never needs to drink liquid. This animal has adapted to survive in which biome that rains less than 2 inches a year?

• Forest
• Tundra
• Desert
• Grassland

Which biome, because of its climate, has the largest number of species of plants and animals?

• Tundra
• Tropical Rainforest
• Desert
• Pineforest

The taiga:

• 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.

Name the biome that has cold winters, warm summers, moderate seasonal precipitation, fertile soils and occasional wildfires.

• Tropical Dry Forest
• Tropical Grassland
• Temperate Grassland
• Temperate Woodland/Shrubland

What are the key features of the Tundra?

• cold winter, thin acidic soil, evergreen trees
• treeless, permafrost, cold dark winters
• ong cool summers, short dark winters, migrating animals
• many evergreen trees, short moist summers, long snowy winters