Unit 08: Factors Affecting Earth Systems

Which catastrophic event would most likely result in trees being knocked over and the disappearance of most of the plants and animals along a narrow path in a forest ecosystem?

• A Volcanic Eruption

• An Earthquake

• A Tornado

• A Flash Flood

A forest fire can have which of the following positive effects?

• Provides heat mammals need in colder seasons

• Increases annual rainfall by forming more clouds

• Clears underbrush to allow new plants to grow

• Drives away predators that eat smaller animals

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If a tornado uproots most of the trees in an ecosystem, it could be expected that, due to the loss of the trees, there will be a reduction in -

• oxygen

• precipitation

• sunlight

• soil

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Tornadoes are catastrophic events that create change in ecosystems in which of the following ways?

• Saltwater kills many ground-dwelling animals.

• Wildfires started by lightning reduce carbon dioxide

• Heavy flooding increases areas where trees can grow.

• High winds damage areas of important plant life.

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Tornadoes can negatively affect an ecosystem when -

• the saltwater they bring kills off burrowing insects.

• their strong winds uproot many of the important plants.

• the rise in water level they produce introduces harmful salt.

• they bring higher temperatures favored by birds.

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A flood will have a greater effect on a habitat than a heavy rainfall event because a flood -

• is followed by strong winds that greatly affect a habitat.

• brings salt and other substances that harm plants.

• strikes more quickly, not allowing organisms to migrate.

• happens more often and lasts much longer.

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Weathering of Earth's surface can have which of the following effects?

• Breaking down rocks.

• Creating hurricanes.

• Building mountains

• Causing lava flow

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Canyons are formed by -

• earthquakes breaking rock layers apart.

• wind smoothing out rock formations.

• lava flowing from nearby volcanoes.

• rivers carrying sediments that erode land.

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Sand dunes are large piles of sand that can be found in the desert. What causes these sand dunes to form?

• Wind

• Water

• Earthquakes

• Volcanoes

The Rolling Plains region of Texas has a number of deep canyons. One would expect this region to have -

• moving glaciers

• deep lakes

• flowing rivers

• high winds