Question 1

Read the following scenario and answer the question below.
In the early years of the 20th century there were lush stands of tall grasses in the valley on the east side of the Chiricahua Mountains in Arizona, stretching to Mexico on the south and New Mexico on the east. Dramatic summer rainstorms dumped huge amounts of water, very quickly, on the rocky upper slopes. The water ran down the slopes and into the grasslands, where it quickly soaked into the soft, porous soil where prairie dogs were active. Cattle ranching was in full swing, utilizing the rich grasses, but the ranchers did not appreciate the multitudes of prairie dogs that lived in the grasslands. Prairie dogs constantly dig through soil, making new burrows and eating grasses, roots and all. It was commonly believed that cattle would stumble in the prairie dog holes, break legs, and die of starvation. In addition, many ranchers were convinced that the prairie dogs would destroy the grasses because they directly competed with the cattle for food. The ranchers had already done away with most predators that might possibly affect cattle, and now they turned their attention to the prairie dogs. The ranchers became a part of a new federally sponsored movement to poison the grassland prairie dogs. This movement took root and spread through the 1920s and 1930s.
-Experiments done in Canadian lakes and in coastal regions of the Baltic Sea and Long Island Sound have demonstrated that _______________

Accepted Answer

A)  the only micronutrient that is important is carbon
B)  various macronutrients appear to limit growth throughout the world
C)  only one micronutrient, phosphorus (phosphates) , limits growth throughout the world
D)  only one micronutrient, nitrogen (nitrates) , limits growth throughout the world
E)  the same few micronutrients limit growth throughout the world

Question 2

Ecotones are the _______________

Accepted Answer

A)  transitional zones between ecosystems
B)  sounds that animal communities make in ecosystems
C)  areas between territories of organisms
D)  studies of specific biomes by ecologists
E)  interactive behaviors leading to communication

Question 3

The biosphere is best defined as _______________

Accepted Answer

A)  a grouping of plants and animals that interact with one another
B)  all living and nonliving parts, including the flow of energy and matter
C)  all Earth's organisms and their physical and aquatic environment where energy and matter are cycled
D)  all Earth's organisms and the nonliving environment with which they interact
E)  a regional grouping of plants, animals, and abiotic factors

Question 4

Ecological modeling _______________

Accepted Answer

A)  has been rejected because it requires the dismantling and dissecting of a functioning ecosystem
B)  is used by evolutionary biologist to predict future evolutionary events
C)  has so far proven useless in predicting ecological events
D)  involves constructing and testing simplified representations of ecological systems
E)  is a form of ecosystem restoration D

Question 5

Nitrogen fixation is a process that makes nitrogen available to plants and is carried out by  _______________

Accepted Answer

A)  volcanic eruptions
B)  mutualistic and free-living bacteria
C)  nitrogen gas dissolving in fresh water and in the ocean
D)  parasitic bacteria
E)  plants during photosynthesis

Question 6

Compare and contrast positive and negative feedback loops. Give an example of each and how common each is in natural systems.

Accepted Answer

A system's output can serve as input to ...

Question 7

Read the following scenario and answer the question below.
In the early years of the 20th century there were lush stands of tall grasses in the valley on the east side of the Chiricahua Mountains in Arizona, stretching to Mexico on the south and New Mexico on the east. Dramatic summer rainstorms dumped huge amounts of water, very quickly, on the rocky upper slopes. The water ran down the slopes and into the grasslands, where it quickly soaked into the soft, porous soil where prairie dogs were active. Cattle ranching was in full swing, utilizing the rich grasses, but the ranchers did not appreciate the multitudes of prairie dogs that lived in the grasslands. Prairie dogs constantly dig through soil, making new burrows and eating grasses, roots and all. It was commonly believed that cattle would stumble in the prairie dog holes, break legs, and die of starvation. In addition, many ranchers were convinced that the prairie dogs would destroy the grasses because they directly competed with the cattle for food. The ranchers had already done away with most predators that might possibly affect cattle, and now they turned their attention to the prairie dogs. The ranchers became a part of a new federally sponsored movement to poison the grassland prairie dogs. This movement took root and spread through the 1920s and 1930s.
-One of the conclusions that can be drawn from this scenario is that _______________

Accepted Answer

A)  predators were unimportant components of this ecosystem; their removal caused no subsequent problems.
B)  once humans change one thing in an ecosystem, they may find unexpected results occurring elsewhere in the ecosystem.
C)  prairie dogs were unimportant components of this ecosystem; their removal caused no subsequent problems.
D)  prairie dogs were part of a negative feedback loop once they were removed.
E)  cattle improved the soils, contributing to this ecosystem.

Question 8

By damming rivers, we are _______________

Accepted Answer

A)  increasing transpiration while decreasing evaporation
B)  increasing transportation
C)  decreasing evaporation
D)  increasing evaporation
E)  decreasing transpiration

Question 9

Containing elements of both forests and coastal marshes, the swamplands of extreme southern Louisiana would be an example of _______________

Accepted Answer

A)  a superbiome
B)  a closed ecosystem
C)  an abiotic system
D)  a dead zone
E)  an ecotone

Question 10

In some areas, cattle on an open range may compact fragile soils while grazing. This can damage plant roots, leading to fewer, smaller plants, which may in turn cause cattle to graze more and work harder to obtain food. This is an example of a _______________

Accepted Answer

A)  homeostatic system
B)  food web
C)  dynamic equilibrium
D)  positive feedback loop
E)  negative feedback loop

Question 11

Identify the anthropogenic sources of phosphorus, and explain why they are a problem.

Accepted Answer

The major anthropogenic source of phosph...

Question 12

How and why do ecologists use GIS software?

Accepted Answer

GIS (geographic information system)softw...

Question 13

Mutualistic relationships between bacteria and certain root nodules play an important role in the global cycling of _______________

Accepted Answer

A)  nitrogen
B)  phosphorus
C)  carbon
D)  rock
E)  water

Question 14

The eutrophication that has taken place in Chesapeake Bay, the Gulf of Mexico, and other locations appears to be due to _______________

Accepted Answer

A)  pesticide use along the waterways
B)  global warming from human use of fossil fuels
C)  weather alone, because it is only obvious in the summer
D)  heavy metals dumped in the sewage
E)  excess nutrients from fertilizers

Question 15

Upper limit of groundwater in soil or rocks

Accepted Answer

A)  hydrosphere
B)  ecosystem
C)  transpiration
D)  water table
E)  evaporationF) biosphereG) atmosphereH) condensationI) lithosphereJ) aquiferK) biomassL) precipitation

Question 16

Human activity has affected every aspect of the water cycle. Identify three ways that humans have altered the water cycle. What are the major concerns regarding our alteration of the water cycle?

Accepted Answer

Humans have dammed rivers to create reservoirs, resulting in increased evaporation and infiltration of surface water into aquifers. We have also removed vegetation from many areas so infiltration into the soil, transpiration, and return of water to the atmosphere have all slowed, increasing runoff and erosion. Furthermore, our withdrawals of surface water and groundwater for agriculture, industry, and domestic uses deplete rivers, lakes, and streams and lower water tables.
One concern for the future will be shortages of potable water. Shortages in specific areas of many countries are already evident. Groundwater is being removed at high rates due to agriculture and manufacturing in this country. Water tables in previously plentiful aquifers are dropping at rapid rates and may ultimately limit agricultural production and manufacturing, as well as the availability of clean, fresh water supplies for people worldwide.

Question 17

Read the following scenario and answer the question below.
In the early years of the 20th century there were lush stands of tall grasses in the valley on the east side of the Chiricahua Mountains in Arizona, stretching to Mexico on the south and New Mexico on the east. Dramatic summer rainstorms dumped huge amounts of water, very quickly, on the rocky upper slopes. The water ran down the slopes and into the grasslands, where it quickly soaked into the soft, porous soil where prairie dogs were active. Cattle ranching was in full swing, utilizing the rich grasses, but the ranchers did not appreciate the multitudes of prairie dogs that lived in the grasslands. Prairie dogs constantly dig through soil, making new burrows and eating grasses, roots and all. It was commonly believed that cattle would stumble in the prairie dog holes, break legs, and die of starvation. In addition, many ranchers were convinced that the prairie dogs would destroy the grasses because they directly competed with the cattle for food. The ranchers had already done away with most predators that might possibly affect cattle, and now they turned their attention to the prairie dogs. The ranchers became a part of a new federally sponsored movement to poison the grassland prairie dogs. This movement took root and spread through the 1920s and 1930s.
-Once the prairie dogs were poisoned and no longer a part of the ecosystem, which of the following probably occurred?

Accepted Answer

A)  Soils slowly became looser because of the cattle, decreasing infiltration of moisture into the soil.
B)  Soils slowly compacted because of the cattle, decreasing infiltration of moisture into the soil.
C)  Soils slowly compacted because of the cattle, increasing infiltration of moisture into the soil.
D)  Soils slowly became looser because of the cattle, so fewer nutrients were recycled.
E)  Soils slowly became looser because of the cattle, so soil moisture increased.

Question 18

Matter contained in living organisms

Accepted Answer

A)  hydrosphere
B)  ecosystem
C)  transpiration
D)  water table
E)  evaporationF) biosphereG) atmosphereH) condensationI) lithosphereJ) aquiferK) biomassL) precipitation K

Question 19

Describe the hypotheses and the results obtained in the FACE (Free- Air Carbon Dioxide Enrichment)project.

Accepted Answer

This ambitious project was designed to d...

Question 20

Macronutrients _______________

Accepted Answer

A)  can only be taken up by plants from rock cycles
B)  are large molecules necessary for making macromolecules
C)  are what large predators eat
D)  are required in large amounts for organisms to survive
E)  are the only nutrients that can be tracked in nutrient cycles

Exam 5: Environmental Systems and Ecosystem Ecology

Correct Answer
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Ecotones are the _______________

Correct Answer
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The biosphere is best defined as _______________

Correct Answer
verified

Ecological modeling _______________

Correct Answer
verified
D

Nitrogen fixation is a process that makes nitrogen available to plants and is carried out by _______________

Correct Answer
verified

Compare and contrast positive and negative feedback loops. Give an example of each and how common each is in natural systems.

Correct Answer
verified
A system's output can serve as input to ...
View Answer

Correct Answer
verified

By damming rivers, we are _______________

Correct Answer
verified

Containing elements of both forests and coastal marshes, the swamplands of extreme southern Louisiana would be an example of _______________

Correct Answer
verified

In some areas, cattle on an open range may compact fragile soils while grazing. This can damage plant roots, leading to fewer, smaller plants, which may in turn cause cattle to graze more and work harder to obtain food. This is an example of a _______________

Correct Answer
verified

Identify the anthropogenic sources of phosphorus, and explain why they are a problem.

Correct Answer
verified
The major anthropogenic source of phosph...
View Answer

How and why do ecologists use GIS software?

Correct Answer
verified
GIS (geographic information system)softw...
View Answer

Mutualistic relationships between bacteria and certain root nodules play an important role in the global cycling of _______________

Correct Answer
verified

The eutrophication that has taken place in Chesapeake Bay, the Gulf of Mexico, and other locations appears to be due to _______________

Correct Answer
verified

Upper limit of groundwater in soil or rocks

Correct Answer
verified

Human activity has affected every aspect of the water cycle. Identify three ways that humans have altered the water cycle. What are the major concerns regarding our alteration of the water cycle?

Correct Answer
verified

Matter contained in living organisms

Correct Answer
verified
K

Describe the hypotheses and the results obtained in the FACE (Free- Air Carbon Dioxide Enrichment)project.

Correct Answer
verified
This ambitious project was designed to d...
View Answer

Macronutrients _______________

Correct Answer
verified

Exam 5: Environmental Systems and Ecosystem Ecology

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Ecotones are the _______________

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

The biosphere is best defined as _______________

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Ecological modeling _______________

Correct AnswerverifiedD

Nitrogen fixation is a process that makes nitrogen available to plants and is carried out by _______________

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Compare and contrast positive and negative feedback loops. Give an example of each and how common each is in natural systems.

Correct AnswerverifiedA system's output can serve as input to ...View AnswerShow Answer

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

By damming rivers, we are _______________

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Containing elements of both forests and coastal marshes, the swamplands of extreme southern Louisiana would be an example of _______________

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

In some areas, cattle on an open range may compact fragile soils while grazing. This can damage plant roots, leading to fewer, smaller plants, which may in turn cause cattle to graze more and work harder to obtain food. This is an example of a _______________

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Identify the anthropogenic sources of phosphorus, and explain why they are a problem.

Correct AnswerverifiedThe major anthropogenic source of phosph...View AnswerShow Answer

How and why do ecologists use GIS software?

Correct AnswerverifiedGIS (geographic information system)softw...View AnswerShow Answer

Mutualistic relationships between bacteria and certain root nodules play an important role in the global cycling of _______________

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

The eutrophication that has taken place in Chesapeake Bay, the Gulf of Mexico, and other locations appears to be due to _______________

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Upper limit of groundwater in soil or rocks

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Human activity has affected every aspect of the water cycle. Identify three ways that humans have altered the water cycle. What are the major concerns regarding our alteration of the water cycle?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Matter contained in living organisms

Correct AnswerverifiedK

Describe the hypotheses and the results obtained in the FACE (Free- Air Carbon Dioxide Enrichment)project.

Correct AnswerverifiedThis ambitious project was designed to d...View AnswerShow Answer

Macronutrients _______________

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Correct Answer
verified

Correct Answer
verified

Correct Answer
verified

Correct Answer
verified
D

Correct Answer
verified

Correct Answer
verified
A system's output can serve as input to ...
View Answer

Correct Answer
verified

Correct Answer
verified

Correct Answer
verified

Correct Answer
verified

Correct Answer
verified
The major anthropogenic source of phosph...
View Answer

Correct Answer
verified
GIS (geographic information system)softw...
View Answer

Correct Answer
verified

Correct Answer
verified

Correct Answer
verified

Correct Answer
verified

Correct Answer
verified
K

Correct Answer
verified
This ambitious project was designed to d...
View Answer

Correct Answer
verified