Reference no: EM132692155

Assignment - Energy and Matter in the Biosphere

Biogeographic Processes

1. Ecosystems are characterized by:
a) Groups of organisms interacting with their environment.
b) Inputs of matter and energy that plants and animals use to maintain life.
c) Exports of matter and energy.
d) A set of balances of the various processes and activities that occur within it.
e) All of the above.
2. Which biome requires fire as a natural disturbance regime to keep trees from encroaching, and holds most of its biomass underground?
a) Forest
b) Desert
c) Grassland
d) Savanna
3. Vegetation types in the same geographic region tend to vary greatly due to changes in which of the following variables?
a) Soil
b) Slope and/or aspect
c) Altitude
d) Water mineral content

4. The most important factor influencing the geographic distribution of vegetation is:
a) Geology.
b) Human behaviour.
c) Climate.
d) Pollution.
e) Elevation.
5. The complex of living communities maintained by the climate of a region and characterized by a distinctive type of vegetation is a(n):
a) Biomass.
b) Biome.
c) Humus.
d) Phytoplankton.
e) Ecotone.
6. A community of plants, animals, and microorganisms that are linked by energy and nutrient flows is best called a(n):
a) Biomass.
b) Riparian zone.
c) Xerophyte.
d) Ecotone.
e) Ecosystem.
7. The climate best associated with midlatitude coniferous forest is:
a) Marine west coast, humid continental mild-summer, and highland.
b) Humid continental hot-summer and Mediterranean dry-summer.
c) Humid continental hot-summer and highland.
d) Cold midlatitude steppe and humid continental hot-summer.
e) Subarctic and humid continental mild-summer.
8. The biome with the least diverse assemblage of plants is:
a) Tundra.
b) Tropical savanna.
c) Boreal forest.
d) Hot and dry desert.
e) Semi-arid and cold desert.
9. The biome shaded in purple on the following map is:

Assignment Figure 5.1: Biomes. (Arbogast, 2006)
a) Semi-arid and cold desert.
b) Midlatitude grassland.
c) Boreal forest.
d) Tundra.
e) Arctic and alpine ice.
10. The dark green biome marked on the following map is:

Assignment Figure 5.2: Biomes. (Arbogast, 2006)
a) Semi-arid and cold desert.
b) Midlatitude grassland.
c) Boreal forest.
d) Tundra.
e) Arctic and alpine ice.

True/False Questions:
11. Saying that climate is an influence on the geographic distribution of vegetation is recognizing the impact of multiple variables.
True or False
12. The most visible part of the biome is the vegetation; therefore, it is the most important to mapping.
True or False
13. Storage pools are sometimes called labile pools.
True or False
14. Primary biomass in the oceans is extremely low, again because plankton are not retained in the euphotic zone.
True or False
15. Wildfires are essential to some vegetation, because they clear the land and germinate seeds.
True or False
16. Tundra is a grassland biome.
True or False
17. At high latitudes, tundra vegetation can grow well because of the long periods of daylight.
True or False
18. Vertical zonation impacts both climate and vegetation.
True or False
19. Phytoplankton are the life form called Autotrophs.
True or False
20. An open system has boundaries which allows exchanges of energy but not matter.
True or False

PART 2: Review of Units 7 and 8
Answer any two of the following questions:

21. In a short essay of no more that 250 words (no more than one page), discuss how ecological processes and concepts contribute to the science of geography (see Unit 7).

22. Define the following concepts and discuss the interrelationships between them:
a) Tolerance range
b) Ecological optimum
c) Physiological optimum
• As part of your discussion, indicate to what extent the ecological amplitude of a species is an accurate indicator of that species' range.

23. Discuss how local and regional factors, including slope, aspect, vertical zonation, successional dynamics, and riparian environments, influence vegetation.

24. Outline the major elements involved in biogeochemical cycles. In your essay, you should:
• Indicate the importance of at least FIVE of these elements to living organisms.
• Give summaries of TWO specific biogeochemical cycles.

Attachment:- Energy and Matter in the Biosphere.rar