Global Systems and Climate Change

Which of these subjects is MOST LIKELY to be studied in ecology?

• a. the method of water transport in a tree
• b. a comparison of muscle cells among birds and reptiles
• c. the circulatory system of earthworms
• d. the interaction between populations of wolves and deer

A heron is affected by many factors in its environment. What distinguishes the biotic factors from the abiotic factors?

• a. location in the water or out of the water
• b. plant or animal
• c. living or nonliving
• d. food or not food

Which data are MOST useful for analyzing the climate of the region?

• a. average time of sunrise and sunset in July
• b. the highest and the lowest daily rainfall in July of this year
• c. the daily high temperature for every day in July of this year
• d. average temperatures for July, measured over 30 years

Dr. Simeon and her team are studying global climate change. They develop a set of mathematical equations that relate climate data gathered over the past 100 years. Then, with the aid of a computer, they use the equations to predict climate change in the future. The team’s use of mathematical equations and computers is an example of which science process?

• a. observation
• b. gathering evidence
• c. experimentation
• d. modeling

Manuel and three other students are studying the effects of various factors on the growth of plants in a garden. Manuel is asked to investigate the effects of abiotic factors that involve the geosphere. The other three students are investigating effects that involve the biosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere. Which factor would be entirely Manuel’s responsibility to investigate?

• a. the volume of rainwater that soaks into the garden soil over one month
• b. the sizes of rocks mixed into the garden soil
• c. the species of insects, worms, and other small animals that live in the garden soil
• d. the rate of decay of dead plant matter in the garden soil

A biome’s climate can be described by a graph of its average monthly temperature and average monthly precipitation. Which of the following best describes the climate information shown in the graph?

• a. seasonal variation in precipitation; hot temperatures all year long
• b. seasonal variation in temperature; rainy all year long
• c. seasonal variations in temperature and precipitation levels
• d. rainy in warm summers, snowy in cold winters

Jeanine is developing a model of global systems. She begins by creating the table shown. Why would adding arrows to connect the four systems be useful for developing the model?

• a. Each system exchanges matter or energy with the other systems.
• b. Each system has temporary parts that may be replaced by another system.
• c. Matter and energy flow in one direction through all four systems.
• d. Living things often move among the four systems.

Which statement is MOST USEFUL for explaining or using this model?

• a. The causes and effects of a specific global change are confined to one Earth system only.
• b. Only one Earth system causes a specific global change, but all Earth systems could be affected.
• c. All Earth systems may interact to cause a specific global change, but only one Earth system is affected.
• d. Both the causes and effects of global change may involve all Earth systems.

Suppose that data show a global increase in severe weather events, such as hurricanes, tornadoes, and thunderstorms. Where in the model should this increase be represented?

• a. In the middle ring: Atmosphere
• b. In the outer ring: Causes of Global Change
• c. In the center: Measurable Changes in the Earth System
• d. In the middle ring: Hydrosphere

Greenhouse gases include carbon dioxide and methane. How do greenhouse gases act to increase air temperatures near Earth’s surface?

• By absorbing heat from the Earth's surface
• By trapping heat from the sun in the Earth's atmosphere
• By reflecting heat away from the Earth's surface
• By creating a cooling effect in the Earth's atmosphere