Biosphere
1. The thickness of the earth’s habitable biosphere is about
a. 1.4 miles
b. 14 miles
c. 41 miles
d. 140 miles
2. The gaseous composition of the earth’s atmosphere is
a. almost completely oxygen
b. about 78% oxygen and 21% nitrogen
c. about 21% oxygen and 78% nitrogen
d. about 21% oxygen and 78% carbon dioxide
3. After accounting for reflection and absorbance in the atmosphere, about what fraction of incoming solar radiation actually reaches the surface of the earth?
a. about ¼
b. about ⅓
c. about ½
d. about ¾
4. Which of the following is not a consequence of the 23.5 tilt from vertical of the earth’s rotational axis?
a. cyclic seasonal changes
b. fluctuating but moderate surface conditions
c. tradewinds and rainfall patterns
d. an average of half daylight hours and half dark hours over the year
5. If we look at the complete hydrologic cycle, where is the greatest “sink” of water?
a. water vapor in the atmosphere
b. polar ice caps
c. ground water under the continents
d. the world’s oceans
6. The factor that determines the nature of the biogeographic realms more than any other single factor is
a. soil
b. climate
c. latitude
d. types of animals
e. altitude
7. Why do the tropics and the windward side of mountains receive more rainfall than areas around 30° latitude or the leeward side of mountains?
a. rising air expands, cools, and drops its moisture
b. descending air condenses and drops its moisture
c. the tropics and the windward side of mountains are closer to the ocean
d. there is more solar radiation in the tropics and on the windward side of mountains
e. the rotation of Earth determines global wind patterns
8. The ample rainfall of the tropics and the arid areas around 30° north and south latitudes are caused by
a. ocean currents that flow clockwise in the northern hemisphere and counterclockwise in the southern hemisphere
b. the global circulation of air initiated by intense solar radiation near the equator producing wet and warm air
c. the tilting of Earth on its axis and the resulting seasonal changes in climate
d. the heavier rain on the windward side of mountain ranges and the drier climate on the leeward side
e. the location of tropical rain forests and deserts
9. Two communities have the same annual mean temperature and rainfall but very different biota and characteristics. The best explanation for this phenomenon is that the two
a. are found at different altitudes
b. are composed of species that have very low dispersal rates
c. are found on different continents
d. receive different amounts of sunlight
e. have different seasonal temperatures and patterns of rainfall throughout the year
True or False:
_____ 10. Water vapor in the earth’s atmosphere helps keep modern climates on earth relatively moderate.
_____ 11. About ½ the light reaching the earth’s surface enters the photosynthetic process.
_____ 12. The deserts found in western North America are among the driest known on earth.
_____ 13. The world’s largest desert is the Sahara.
Fill in the blank:
14. The study of interactions between organisms and all those factors, both living and nonliving, that affect them is termed ______.
15. The part of the earth that supports life is the ______.
16. The earth’s atmosphere acts as a “greenhouse” to trap solar energy; atmospheric _____ and ______are mainly responsible.
17. The east-west movement imparted to moving air masses is a result of the ______, stemming from the earth’s rotation.
Mountains affect local climate. Describe their influence in the following three areas:
a. solar radiation - ______
______
b. temperature - ______
______
c. rainfall - ______
______
List and give examples of four factors that ecologists examine to explain the geographic distribution of a species.
a. ______
b. ______
______
c. ______
______
d. ______
______
List the six areas of ecological study and describe the focus of research at each level.
1. ______
2. ______
3. ______
4. ______
5. ______
6. ______