Quiz 20: Biogeographic Divisions

Which of the following is true about the distribution of the Earth's biodiversity? A)There is a universally accepted manner to delineate the Earth's biodiversity. B)In general,there tends to be greater biodiversity at higher latitudes than lower latitudes. C)The Earth's biodiversity is spread unevenly across the planet. D)The distribution of the Earth's biodiversity is driven solely by climate. E)The greatest biodiversity tends to correspond with Earth's subtropical high pressure zones.

Large,stable communities of plants and animals whose boundaries are closely linked to climate and soils are called A)biozones. B)ecospheres. C)biomes. D)biogeographic realms. E)floral provinces.

Distinct regions of broadly similar flora and fauna are called A)biozones. B)ecospheres. C)biomes. D)biogeographic realms. E)life zones.

Biogeographic Realms Boundaries of biogeographic realms usually A)are arbitrary,demarcated by Alfred Wallace in the 19th Century. B)are based on current country delineation. C)follow the boundaries of biomes. D)are climatic and topographic barriers. E)are based on locations of major high and low pressure zones.

Though New Zealand is relatively close to Australia,its faunal assemblages are quite different.For instance,there are no native marsupials in New Zealand.Which of the following best accounts for these differences? A)New Zealand experienced a major extinction that wiped out its marsupials and other Australian fauna. B)New Zealand was isolated from Australia during critical evolutionary times. C)The environments of Australia and New Zealand are completely different,despite their close proximity. D)New Zealand is an island,whereas Australia is a continent.As such,one wouldn't expect them to have the same faunal assemblages. E)New Zealand was once completely glaciated whereas Australia was not.

Though many islands of the Indonesian archipelago are relative close to Australia,the faunal assemblages of these Indonesian islands are quite different from those on Australia.What accounts for the difference? A)These Indonesian islands experienced a major extinction that wiped out its marsupials and other Australian fauna. B)A deep ocean barrier inhibited dispersal between the two realms. C)The environments of Australia and Indonesia are completely different,despite their close proximity. D)Indonesia is an archipelago whereas Australia is a continent.As such,one would not expect them to have the same faunal assemblages. E)Though once connected by a land bridge during the Last Glacial Maximum,rising sea levels with the glacial retreat led to different speciation events in the two realms.

Biomes are determined based on A)evolutionary history and degree of isolation. B)dominant faunal assemblages. C)easily identifiable vegetation characteristics of the dominant plants. D)topographic and climatic variables. E)life zones.

Which of the following regarding biomes is not true? A)Biomes are defined by native species to a region. B)Most biomes have been greatly altered by human intervention. C)The boundaries between most biomes are sharp and easily delineated. D)Biomes often reflect potential mature vegetation,rather than actual vegetation of an area. E)The biome concept has been applied primarily to terrestrial ecosystems.

The boundary zone between adjacent biomes in which traits from both biomes may be found is called the A)ecotone. B)boundary layer. C)edge effect. D)transitional matrix. E)patch dynamic.

Trees and shrubs that seasonally lose their leaves are called A)evergreens. B)annual herbs. C)deciduous. D)bryophytes. E)forbs.

Large woody vines that are rooted in the soil and found in the worlds tropical forests are called A)understory. B)lianas. C)epiphytes. D)bryophytes. E)conifers.

Which of the following is not one of the major groups of terrestrial vegetation biogeographers often designate? A)phytoplankton B)forest C)grassland D)desert E)savanna

The subdiscipline of biogeography that utilizes biogeographic principles,theories,and analyses to solve problems in biodiversity management is known as A)island biogeography. B)phylogenetic biogeography. C)conservation biogeography. D)historical biogeography. E)phytogeography.

Which of the following is not a topic of research in conservation biogeography? A)The distribution and effects of invasive species. B)The effects of climate change on biodiversity. C)Conservation planning. D)The establishment of protected areas. E)The delineation of biogeographic realms.

A(n)species is one that natively lives in only one geographic area on Earth. A)exotic B)invasive C)disjunctive D)cosmopolitan E)endemic

Which of the following best describes an invasive species? A)An invasive species is any non-native introduced species,whether it becomes established or not. B)Non-native species become invasive when they become established in a new area,taking over niches that were already occupied by native species. C)Dispersal,even if anthropogenic,is a normal biogeographic process and,therefore,no cause of alarm. D)Approximately 90% of all introduced non-native species become invasive species. E)Invasive species,though non-native to a region,enrich the area in which they occur,adding to the overall biodiversity.

According to MacArthur and Wilson's theory of island biogeography,which of the following is correct regarding the relationship between island size and number of species? A)The number of species decreases with island area. B)The number of species increases with island area. C)No relationship is recognized between species number and island area. D)Extinction rates are higher on large islands. E)The number of species increases with island isolation.

According to MacArthur and Wilson's theory of island biogeography,which of the following is correct regarding the relationship between island isolation and the number of species? A)The number of species decreases with island isolation. B)The number of species increases with island isolation. C)No relationship is recognized between species number and island isolation. D)The number of species decreases with island area. E)Smaller islands have wider variety of habitat and niches than larger islands.

In which of the following regions would one likely not find a tropical rain forest? A)the Amazon region in South America B)equatorial Africa C)Southeast Asia D)within the Indonesian archipelago E)the Pacific Northwest in the United States

Rainforests occupy approximately of the world's land area,but represent about of Earth's species. A)2%;12% B)7%;50% C)10%;35% D)12%;65% E)25%;32%

This biome is characterized by a well-developed vertical structure with three distinct layers: an overstory,a middle canopy,and understory. A)midlatitude broadleaf and mixed forest B)tropical rain forest C)desert D)Mediterranean shrubland E)tropical savanna

The flora and fauna of this biome is characterized by high biodiversity,including many lianas,epiphytes,and arboreal animal species,such as sloths,monkeys,lemurs,and snakes. A)tropical rain forest B)boreal and montane forest C)temperate rain forest D)Mediterranean shrubland E)tropical savanna

Which of the following best describes the vegetation of the tropical rain forest biome? A)seasonal deciduous B)perennial herbaceous C)broadleaf evergreen D)sclerophyllous E)needleleaf deciduous

The climate of the tropical rain forest biome is best described as A)consistently warm,but seasonally dry. B)having a distinct cold and warm season. C)mild winter with a very hot summer. D)consistently warm and wet. E)large annual temperature ranges.

Which of the following tropical rain forest regions has seen the greatest forest loss? A)Central America B)South America C)Southeast Asia D)Indonesia E)Africa

This biome occurs in equatorial regions with erratic rainfall and typically occur on the margins of tropic rainforests. A)Mediterranean shrubland B)temperate rain forest C)tropical rain forest D)tropical savanna E)tropical seasonal forest and scrub

This biome,with some deciduous trees and an open areas of shrubs and grasses,are transitional between tropical rain forest and grassland. A)temperate rain forest B)tropical seasonal forest and scrub C)Mediterranean shrubland D)broadleaf and mixed forest E)tropical savanna

Which of the following best describes the vegetation of the tropical seasonal forest and scrub biome? A)semideciduous B)xerophytic C)broadleaf evergreen D)sclerophyllous E)needleleaf deciduous

Which of the following best describes the climate characteristics of the tropical seasonal forest and scrub? A)consistently warm and wet B)moderate due to maritime effects C)low precipitation and exceptionally hot D)monsoonal rains and always warm E)high sun dry season;low sun wet season

Shrub vegetation refers to A)drought resistant. B)low shrubs and grasses with some adaptations to semiarid conditions. C)a plant that survives seasonally unfavorable conditions underground. D)woody plants with small,leathery evergreen leaves. E)overstory (emergent layer)trees.

Local names of this biome include the Chaco,the brigalow,and the dornveld. A)tropical rain forest B)tropical seasonal forest and scrub C)Mediterranean shrubland D)Arctic and alpine tundra E)tropical savanna

Trumpet trees (Tabebuia caraiba),a dry-season deciduous tree,would likely be found in which of the following biomes? A)tropical seasonal forest and scrub B)tropical rain forest C)desert D)midlatitude grassland E)Boreal and montane forest

This biome consists of large expanses of xerophytic grassland and scattered trees and shrubs adapted to drought,grazing by large herbivores,and fire. A)tropical rain forest B)desert C)tropical savanna D)Mediterranean shrubland E)tropical seasonal forest and scrub

The largest area of tropical savanna is found in A)Africa. B)North America. C)Asia. D)Australia. E)South America.

Characteristic fauna of this biome include large ungulates (hooved mammals),such as giraffe,zebra,buffalo,gazelle,wildebeest,antelope,and rhinoceros. A)tropical savanna B)midlatitude broadleaf and mixed forest C)tropical rain forest D)midlatitude grassland E)Boreal and montane forest

Acacias and elephants in southern Africa are indicative of which biome? A)Arctic and alpine tundra B)desert C)tropical savanna D)midlatitude grassland E)tropical rain forest

Moist continental climates support several distinct communities of needleleaf,broadleaf,and mixed forests in this biome found in North America,Europe,and Asia. A)tropical savanna B)midlatitude broadleaf and mixed forest C)tropical rain forest D)midlatitude grassland E)boreal and montane forest

Representative animals in this biome include red fox,white-tailed deer,southern flying squirrel,opossum,bear,and a great variety of birds. A)tropical savanna B)desert C)midlatitude broadleaf and mixed forest D)arctic and alpine tundra E)Mediterranean shrubland

This biome occupies large portions of the eastern United States,central Europe,and Asia. A)temperate rain forest B)midlatitude broadleaf and mixed forest C)boreal and montane forest D)tropical savanna E)Mediterranean shrubland

Which of the following climate types is associated with the midlatitude broadleaf and mixed forest biome? A)marine west coast B)humid subtropical (hot summer) C)humid continental (cool summer) D)Mediterranean E)subarctic

This extensive biome stretches from the east coast of Canada to the Canadian Rockies,as well as across the entire extent of Russia to the European Plain and at high elevations at lower latitudes. A)midlatitude broadleaf and mixed forest B)boreal and montane forest C)desert D)arctic and alpine tundra E)midlatitude grasslands

This extensive biome is dominated by evergreen needleleaf forests. A)boreal and montane forest B)midlatitude broadleaf and mixed forest C)tropical seasonal forest and scrub D)temperate rain forest E)tropical rain forest

The northern,less densely forested part of the boreal forest is called the A)Chaco dornveld. B)brigalo. C)dornvel. D)selva. E)taiga.

The soils of the boreal forest acidic and leached of humus and clays,belonging to the soil order. A)Oxisols B)Andisols C)Spodosols D)Entisols E)Aridisols

In which of the following biomes would one likely find wolf,elk,moose,bear,lynx,beaver,wolverine,and a number of migratory birds? A)tropical rain forest B)tropical savanna C)desert D)boreal and montane forest E)temperate rain forest

This biome is typically found in areas with marine west coast climates,characterized by high precipitation,moderate air temperatures,summer fog,and an overall maritime influence. A)boreal and montane forest B)tropical savanna C)temperate rain forest D)midlatitude grassland E)tropical seasonal forest and scrub

Earth's tallest trees are the A)coast Douglas fir (Pseudotsunga menziessii). B)coast redwoods (Sequoia sempervirens). C)giant ash (Eucalyptus regnans). D)Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis). E)ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa).

Home to the endangered Northern Spotted Owl (Strix occidentalis caurina),this biome is now characterized by anthropogenic disturbance and mostly secondary-growth forest. A)midlatitude grassland B)temperate rain forest C)Arctic and alpine tundra D)desert E)tropical seasonal forest and scrub

Dry summers and winter precipitation maxima characterize this small biome is located in 5 disparate locations,typically on the west coast of continents between 30° and 40° latitude. A)midlatitude grassland B)tropical savanna C)Mediterranean shrubland D)midlatitude broadleaf and mixed forest E)temperate rain forest

Which of the following best describes the vegetation of the Mediterranean shrubland biome? A)semideciduous B)broadleaf deciduous C)needleleaf evergreen D)sclerophyllous E)herbaceous

Which of the following is not a regional name for the Mediterranean shrubland biome? A)chaparral B)maquis C)taiga D)mattoral E)mallee scrub

Of all the natural biomes,this one is most modified by human activity. A)midlatitude grassland B)tropical savanna C)tropical rainforest D)midlatitude broadleaf and mixed forest E)Mediterranean shrubland

The near annihilation of the American bison (Bison bison)has restricted its occurrence to a few protected remnants and preserves in which biome? A)midlatitude broadleaf and mixed forest B)Mediterranean shrubland C)tropical savanna D)Boreal and montane forest E)midlatitude grassland

Once numbering in the tens of thousands,this species found in the midlatitude grasslands was down to 18 individuals in the mid-1980s and now numbers around 1,000. A)American bison (Bison bison) B)black-tailed prairie dog (Cynomys ludovicianu) C)pronghorn (Antilocapra americana) D)Texas horned lizard (Phrynosoma cornutum) E)black-footed ferret (Mustela nigripes)

This biome occupies more than one-third of the Earth's land area and is characterized by xerophytic vegetation,low precipitation,and high potential evapotranspiration. A)deserts B)midlatitude grasslands C)tropical savanna D)Mediterranean shrubland E)temperate rain forest

Succulents,such as the saguaro cactus (Carnegiea gigantea)found in southern Arizona,southeastern California,northern Mexico,and the Baja Peninsula,are representative vegetation in which biome? A)tropical savanna B)deserts C)Mediterranean shrubland D)midlatitude grassland E)midlatitude broadleaf and mixed forest

In which biome would one most likely find xerophytic species? A)tropical rain forest B)deserts C)boreal and montane forest D)midlatitude broadleaf and mixed forest E)temperate rain forest

This biome is generally located north of the 10°C (50°F)isotherm for the warmest month,such as the extreme northern areas of North America and Russia. A)temperate rain forest B)Arctic and alpine tundra C)boreal and montane forest D)midlatitude broadleaf and mixed forest E)midlatitude grassland

Which biome occurs at high elevations above the tree line,even at lower latitudes? A)temperate rain forest B)alpine tundra C)boreal and montane forest D)midlatitude broadleaf and mixed forest E)midlatitude grassland

Which of the following would one likely not find in the Arctic and alpine tundra biome? A)sedges and mosses B)broadleaf deciduous trees C)low growing shrubs D)grasses E)lichen

The includes 13 protected marine sanctuaries and two marine national monuments. A)U.S.National Park B)U.S.National Seashores C)U.S.National Landscape Conservation System D)U.S.National Recreation Areas E)U.S.National Marine Sanctuary Systems

The most powerful biotic agent on Earth,influencing all ecosystems on a planetary scale,is A)the Sun. B)humans. C)tertiary consumers. D)detritivores. E)autotrophs.

The most extensive anthropogenic biome is A)cropland. B)rangelands. C)settlements. D)forested lands. E)wildlands.

Which of the following is not an issue in biodiversity conservation in the 21st Century? A)management of species and ecosystems B)mitigating against the possible ill effects of climate change C)reducing human population growth D)global education E)encouraging further expansion of anthropogenic biomes

Which of the following is not an anthropogenic biome? A)residential rangelands B)populated forest C)pastoral village D)dense settlement E)boreal and montane forest

What are the important factors used in defining a biogeographic realm?

Discuss the concept of the biome,including the various factors used to characterize one.

What is conservation biogeography? What are its primary focuses?

Invasive species represent a threat to biodiversity worldwide.Based on either the examples presented in the textbook or outside sources,describe several invasive species of concern.What factors contributed to their spread? Why are these species of concern,both in a broad context,as well as within your area?

Discuss the main concepts of island biogeography.How has it been applied to the formation of biosphere reserves?

Discuss the extent of deforestation in the tropics and why it is such an important environmental issue.

Discuss the vegetation characteristics,characteristic soil orders,temperature patterns,and state of the environment in the biome in which you live.

Describe the concept of an anthropogenic biome.In which anthropogenic biome do you live?