Chapter 26 - Biomes

Chapter 26
Biomes
 
 

Multiple Choice Questions

 

1.  Terrestrial biotic communities as they occur on a continental or global scale are referred to
as __________.  
A.   environments
B.  communes
C.  ecoregions
D.  biomes
E.  species groups

2.  Biomes are characterized by _______________ adapted to the climate of the region, which
includes temperature, rainfall, elevation, seasonality, etc  
A.  communities of plants and animals
B.  ecosystems
C.  abiotic elements
D.  human dwellings
E.  All of the above

3.  When high winds tear away matted vegetation of tundra, the resulting barren patch is
called a ______________.  
A.  sink
B.  permafrost oasis
C.  blowout
D.  arctic scar
E.  vernal pool

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4. The most fragile of the biomes is the 

A. tundra.
B. taiga.
C. temperate deciduous forest.
D. grassland.
E. mountain forest.

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5. Permafrost, shallow root systems, subzero temperatures and long winters are characteristic
of the: 
A. coniferous forest.
B. taiga.
C. chaparral.
D. tundra.
E. prairie

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6.  Vegetation of the tundra is dominated by _____________________.  

A.  gymnosperms such as spruce, fir and pine
B.  short shrubs, grasses and herbaceous perennial wildflowers
C.  xerophytes adapted to areas with low precipitation
D.  broad-leaved deciduous trees
E.  aquatic plants

7. Conifers are evergreen trees and shrubs except for three deciduous conifers, including
which of the following? 
A. balsam fir
B. ponderosa pine
C. arborvitae
D. larch
E. white spruce

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8.  Another name for the snow forests of the northern coniferous forests is the ___________.  
A.  tundra
B.  taiga
C.  evergreen forest
D.  polar forest
E.  mountain forest

9.  In the continental United States, high mountain peaks support ___________.  
A.  temperate deciduous forest
B.  grasslands
C.  desert vegetation
D.  wetland vegetation
E.  alpine tundra and coniferous forest vegetation

10.  Despite receiving up to several feet of snow each winter, conifers in the northern boreal
forest are adapted to ___________________.  
A.  hot dry conditions
B.  moist soils
C.  reduced water availability
D.  long, mild growing seasons
E.  temperate conditions of moisture and seasonality

11. Which of the following biomes is characterized by the predominance of broad-leaved trees

that are adapted to subfreezing temperatures as long as the cold is accompanied by
precipitation or snow cover? 
A. mountain forest
B. taiga
C. tundra
D. grasslands
E. temperate deciduous forest

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12. Average precipitation of 75-225 cm/year is scattered throughout the year with warm
summers and cool to cold winter. The forest leaf canopy is not intact year round. Identify this
biome. 
A. grasslands
B. temperate deciduous forest
C. coniferous forest
D. savannas
E. both [temperate deciduous forest and coniferous forest] are correct

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13. A low-growing, understory vegetation dominates in the early spring and again in the fall
because of the available light resulting from leaf drop. This is a characteristic of the: 
A. tropical rain forest.
B. temperate deciduous forest.
C. grasslands.
D. savannas.
E. tundra.

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14. Hardwood trees such as oak, maple, walnut, and cherry are vegetational types of: 
A. tropical rain forests.
B. temperate deciduous forests.
C. coniferous forests.
D. taiga.
E. tundra.

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15.  Eastern North America, south of the northern boreal forest, is dominated by temperate
deciduous forests.  Within this biome, gradations of annual low and high temperatures and
precipitation result in species assemblages such as __________________.  
A.  maple-basswood and oak-hickory forest
B.  big bluestem and other grasses
C.  spruce, fir and pine
D.  cactus and chaparral vegetation
E.  broad-leaved evergreen angiosperms

16.  Naturally occurring grasslands are usually found toward the interiors of continental
masses.  They tend to intergrade with ____________ in areas where annual precipitation
drops below 25 cm (10 inches) annually.  
A.  broad-leaved deciduous forests
B.  northern boreal forests
C.  deserts
D.  coastal habitats
E.  alpine tundra

17. The native prairies of North America are part of this biome. 

A. temperate deciduous forest
B. tundra
C. grasslands
D. savannas
E. deserts

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18.  Many of the grasslands of the world have been converted to ______________.  
A.  urban housing
B.  commercial pine production
C.  hardwood production
D.  cropland and agriculture
E.  parks

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19. Savannas are primarily grasslands with: 

A. scattered deciduous trees.
B. scattered evergreen trees.
C. alternating hot and cold seasons.
D. no tree species.
E. numerous tree species.

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20.  The giant saguaro cactus is found in which North American biome?  
A.  desert
B.  coastal region
C.  grassland
D.  temperate deciduous forest
E.  tundra

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21. Succulents and low-growing, small-leaved shrubs are inhabitants of this biome. 

A. deserts
B. savannas
C. deciduous forest
D. coniferous forest
E. taiga

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22. A characteristic vegetational type found in the desert biome is: 

A. succulents
B. chaparral shrubs
C. deciduous trees
D. mosses
E. lianas

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23. Thick waxy cuticle layers and dense hairs on leaves are morphological adaptations to: 
A. heavy rainfall and humid environments
B. dry environments
C. temperate environments
D. fresh water environments
E. wet environments

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24. Which of the following biomes has a significant number of plants that have adapted to
their environment through the evolution of CAM photosynthesis? 
A. tundra
B. desert
C. tropical rain forest
D. temperate deciduous forest
E. grassland

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25.  ______________ forests are found along the Pacific Coast and along the Rocky
Mountain and California mountain ranges.  
A.  Coastal and mountain
B.  Tropical rain forest
C.  Eastern deciduous forest
D.  Taiga
E.  Grassland

26.  Coastal and mountain forests are characterized by plant associations determined primarily
by ___________________.  
A.  short growing seasons
B.  no winter season
C.  long dry growing seasons with hot temperatures
D.  high annual rainfall
E.  altitude and seasonal precipitation patterns

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27. The biome with the greatest diversity of flora and fauna is the 
A. mountain forest.
B. tropical rain forest.
C. eastern deciduous forest.
D. taiga.
E. grassland.

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28. This biome is characterized by having 200-500 cm of precipitation per year and vegetation
dominated by tall, broad leaved evergreen trees. 
A. grasslands
B. temperate deciduous forests
C. savannas
D. tropical rain forests
E. taiga

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29. The tropical rain forest is the oldest vegetation biome because: 

A. their equatorial position has not been effected by the depletion of the ozone layer.
B. of the constant rainfall.
C. their equatorial position has shielded them from the effects of past glaciations.
D. the temperatures do not fluctuate.
E. both [their equatorial position has not been effected by the depletion of the ozone layer and
of the constant rainfall] are correct

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30. Bromeliads and orchids are examples of: 

A. lianas.
B. parasitic flowering plants.
C. shrubs.
D. epiphytes.
E. hydrophytes

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31.  Tropical rain forests are characterized by high annual rainfall and _____________.  
A.  nutrient poor soils
B.  nutrient rich soils
C.  extreme temperature changes
D.  seasonal changes in day length
E.  high altitude

32. Swamps, bogs, marshes, and moors are all types of: 

A. hydrosystems.
B. ecosystems.
C. wetlands.
D. eutrophic lakes.
E. both [hydrosystems and eutrophic lakes] are correct

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True / False Questions

 

33. No flowering plants occur in the true tundra. 

FALSE

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34. Desert animals tend to forage at night. 

TRUE

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35.  Broadleaf deciduous trees are characteristic of the taiga.   

FALSE

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36.  The greatest diversity of species, both flora and fauna, is found in the tropical rain forest. 

TRUE

37.  Climax vegetation always consists of some type of trees.   

FALSE

38.  Douglas firs repeatedly replace themselves after fires.   

TRUE

39.  Due to permafrost in tundra areas soils are wet and marshy even though the region
received limited precipitation.  
TRUE

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