Question 1

How much of the Earth's land surface is covered by deserts?

Accepted Answer

About 30% of the Earth's land surface is covered by deserts. This includes both cold deserts like Antarctica and hot deserts like the Sahara.

Question 2

In which biome would a small burrow-dwelling animal with thick fur live?

Accepted Answer

A small burrow-dwelling animal with thick fur is likely adapted for living in cold temperatures. The Arctic tundra is a biome characterized by its freezing temperatures, with long winters and short summers, making it the most suitable habitat for this type of animal.

Question 3

In which biome would permafrost be a typical characteristic?

Accepted Answer

Permafrost is a layer of soil or rock that is frozen year-round and is characteristic of the Arctic tundra biome.

Question 4

Which part of a tropical rain forest receives the strongest direct sunlight?

Accepted Answer

The emergent layer of a rainforest is the highest level, reaching up to 200 feet, and receives the strongest direct sunlight as it is exposed to the most direct sunlight since it is above the canopy layer. The canopy, understory, and forest floor receive less direct sunlight due to the layers above them blocking it out.

Question 5

What is NOT characteristic of the tropical desert?

Accepted Answer

The tropical desert is known for its arid conditions and low precipitation, not humid conditions.

Question 6

What is an indicator of the desert ecosystem's fragility?

Accepted Answer

The fact that damaged and destroyed desert vegetation requires a long time to regenerate is an indicator that the ecosystem is fragile. This means that even small disturbances to the desert ecosystem can cause long-term damage and potentially irreversible changes.

Question 7

In which biome would thick,spongy mats of low-growing plants be a typical characteristic?

Accepted Answer

Thick, spongy mats of low-growing plants are a typical characteristic of the arctic tundra biome. This is because the tundra has a short growing season and limited nutrients, so the plants that grow there are adapted to grow low to the ground and create insulating mats to protect themselves from the cold and wind.

Question 8

Where would a natural grassland most likely be found?

Accepted Answer

Grasslands are typically found in areas where there is not enough rainfall to support a forest but too much rainfall to support a desert. This makes the area between a forest and a desert (known as a biome transition zone) a prime location for grasslands. Option A can be ruled out as it mentions an annual precipitation of over 115 cm, which is not typical for grasslands. Option C is incorrect as grasslands are not suitable for forests due to the lack of trees and shade. Option D is also incorrect as drought and fire are actually common occurrences in grasslands.

Question 9

What can lead to grasslands being converted to desert?

Accepted Answer

Overgrazing by livestock can lead to grasslands being degraded and eventually turning into desert. Livestock consume too much vegetation, leading to soil erosion and loss of nutrients, making the land unfit for plant growth. As a result, the grass cover declines, leading to desertification. A short drought or barbed-wire fencing may have an impact, but it is not a primary cause of grasslands being converted to deserts. Urban sprawl, on the other hand, leads to the conversion of natural ecosystems into built environments and is not typically associated with grassland degradation into desert.

Question 10

What are deserts used for?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What are deserts used for? 
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Question 11

What would NOT be considered a type of temperate grassland?

Accepted Answer

The taiga, also known as boreal forest, is a biome characterized by coniferous forests and cold temperatures, and it is not considered a type of grassland. The other choices are all types of temperate grasslands.

Question 12

In which biome are large herds of grazing herbivores found?

Accepted Answer

Large herds of grazing herbivores, such as bison and wildebeest, are typically found in grassland biomes. These biomes provide open spaces with abundant grasses for grazing animals. Tropical forests are dense and have limited grazing areas, while the arctic tundra and deciduous forests have fewer large herbivores.

Question 13

Of the biomes listed below,in which would all the following species be found: beetles,spiders,grasshoppers,many insects and invertebrates,earthworms,prairie dogs,rabbits,squirrels,meadowlarks,coyotes,foxes,and hawks?

Accepted Answer

All the listed species are typically found in temperate grasslands, which include prairies, savannas, and steppes. These biomes are characterized by grasses, few trees, and a mixture of cold and warm seasons. The other listed biomes (tropical grasslands, desert, and arctic tundra) have different environmental conditions and would not necessarily support all of the listed species.

Question 14

Which biome is characterized by thorn trees and shrubs that are adapted to long dry spells followed by brief,sometimes heavy rains?

Accepted Answer

Semidesert biomes are characterized by thorn trees and shrubs adapted to long dry periods followed by brief, heavy rains, distinguishing them from the more extreme conditions of true deserts and the more moderate conditions of grasslands.

Question 15

What is the foliage of most trees in a tropical rain forest like?

Accepted Answer

Most trees in a tropical rainforest have broadleaf foliage that remains evergreen throughout the year, allowing them to photosynthesize and produce energy continuously.

Question 16

What poses the least threat to desert ecosystems?

Accepted Answer

A nomadic lifestyle poses the least threat to desert ecosystems since it involves moving from one place to another to minimize resource depletion and overuse in a particular area. This also helps to avoid overgrazing and disturbance of natural habitats. Groundwater depletion, irrigation, and salinization are major threats to desert ecosystems, which can result in soil degradation, desertification, and loss of biodiversity.

Question 17

What species would you least expect to find if you were exploring a desert ecosystem?

Accepted Answer

Maple trees are not adapted to survive in desert conditions and are typically found in temperate or boreal forests.

Question 18

What conditions are plants of the arctic tundra adapted to?

Accepted Answer

Arctic tundra plants are adapted to freezing temperatures, lack of sunlight, and constant high winds. The soil in the arctic tundra is often frozen (permafrost) and therefore water availability is limited. The lack of sunlight is due to the long period of darkness during the winter months, and high winds are common in the arctic tundra environment. These conditions have led to the evolution of plant species that are able to survive and even thrive in these harsh conditions.

Question 19

What is the primary limiting factor of the rain forest?

Accepted Answer

Soil nutrients are the primary limiting factor in rain forests because the heavy rainfall washes away nutrients, making the soil less fertile for plant growth.

Question 20

What has led to the disappearance of many of the world's natural temperate grasslands?

Accepted Answer

The increased conversion of grasslands into agricultural land by humans is the primary reason for the disappearance of natural temperate grasslands.

Quiz 6: Climate and Terrestrial Biodiversity