Download Practice Questions – Chapter 1

Practice Questions – Chapter 6
Biogeography, Climates, and Terrestrial Biomes
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Identify the major factors which determine earth’s weather and climate.
Why is the weather so changeable?
How does global air circulation affect regional climates?
Describe the El Nino Southern Oscillation in as much detail as possible.
What is La Nina?
Define “altitude” and “latitude”. How does each one affect climate?
Describe the general effects of the following microclimates.
(a) windward and leeward sides of a mountain (rain shadow effect )
(b) forests (c) cities
Compare the biodiversity and stratification in THREE major types of
forests: (a) tropical (b) deciduous (c) evergreen.
Describe TWO significant anthropogenic impacts on each of the following
biome types; (a) deserts (b) grasslands (c) forests.
Vocabulary Words
Warm Front
Cold Front
Coriolus Effect
Upwellings
Thermocline
Thermal Cap
Heat Island Effect
Microclimates
Rain Shadow Effect
Practice Questions – Chapter 7
Aquatic Ecology: Biodiversity in Aquatic Systems
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What are the TWO major types of aquatic life zones? Give an example of
each.
Name the THREE “vertical zones” of the open sea.
Explain the roles played by “oceans” in terms of :
(a) climate regulators (b) housing provided (c)dispersing and diluting.
Explain why “coastal” zones are the “High NPP” areas ? (address what factors
contribute to this high NPP characteristics)
Describe THREE significant (a) ecological an THREE (b) economic services
provided by coral reefs.
Describe THREE major threats to the world’s coral reefs. How much of this is
anthropogenic impact? ( discuss coral bleaching)
Briefly describe the following lake zones: (a) littoral (b) limnetic
(c)profuundal (d) benthic.
Describe the relative age, nutrient content, and © and primary productivity of
each of the following: (a) oligotrophic (b) mesotrophic (c) eutrophic
Describe “ cultural eutrophication. (include the sequence of events)What are
the TWO major causes?
What is “thermal stratification”? Describe (a) fall turnover an (b) spring
turnover.
What is a “watershed”? Describe the THREE components : (a) source zone
(b) transition zone (c) flood plain zone.
Draw and describe the THREE relative positions of the following : (a)
Epilimnion (b) Thermocline (c) Hypolimnion
Define “estuary”. What factors contribute to the temperature and salinity in
them. How is it different from a wetland ?
Describe TWO (a) economic and TWO (b) ecological services provided by
estuaries. Describe THREE anthropogenic impacts on estuaries.
Why are “freshwater inland wetlands” important? Provide (a) THREE
ecological and (b) THREE economic reasons.
Vocabulary Words
Plankton
Euphotic zone
Abyssal zone
Oligotrophic lake
Run off
Nekton
Barrier Islands
Lentic bodies
Mesotrophic lake
Surface water
Benthos
Bathyal zone
Lotic bodies
Eutrophic lake
Practice Questions – Chapter 8
Community Ecology: Structure, Species Interactions, Succession
1. Define “ecological niche”. Distinguish between “fundamental niche” and
“realized niche”. List the factors that determine “realized niche”.”
2. Distinguish between a “specialist” and a “generalist” species. What conditions
favor each of the two species.
3. Describe and give an example of each of the following species : (a) non-native
species (how can it cause problems in an ecosystem) (b) indicator species (c)
keystone species
4. Describe each of the following species interactions and give one example of
each : (a) interspecific competition (b) intraspecific competition (c) predation
(d) territoriality (e) symbiosis
5. Describe (a) exploitative competition (b) competitive exclusion (c) resource
partitioning. Using specific examples, list TWO strategies species use to
reduce competition.
6. List TWO strategies that predators use to capture their prey. List FIVE
strategies that prey use to defend themselves against predators. Use examples
in your answer.
7. What is the difference between “primary” and “secondary” succession. List
THREE factors that how succession occurs (disturbances).
8. Define the following types of stability and give an example of an ecosystem
which exemplifies each.: (a) inertia (b) constancy (c) resilence. Evaluate the
interaction of stability and diversity.
9. Summarize the Theory of Island Biogeography. Imagine TWO islands of two
different sizes and two different distances from the mainland. Predict and
explain which one would show the greatest species diversity.
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Comment on the phrase, “biodiversity provides insurance against catastrophe”
What is the general message of the “precautionary principle”?
Vocabulary words
Species diversity
Habitat islands
Mutualism
Pioneer species
Tolerance
Species richness
Mimicry
Lichens
Facilitation
Disturbance
Edge effects
Parasitism
Commensalism
Inhibitio
Climax community