Chapter 6: Biomes and Aquatic Ecosystems

Day-to-day conditions in Earth’s atmosphere, such as “sunny and humid,” describe A. climate. B. climatograph. C. weather. D. biome.

Which biome would have the highest net primary production? A. savanna B. boreal forest C. coral reefs D. desert

In aquatic ecosystems, net primary productivity is related to A. whether the water is fresh water or saltwater. B. the speed at which the water moves. C. available sunlight and nutrients. D. waves and tides.

What percentage of Earth’s surface is covered in water? A. 75 percent B. 90 percent C. 25 percent D. 50 percent

Which of the following describes the aphotic zone in an aquatic ecosystem? A. the very bottom of a body of water B. the zone where no sunlight penetrates and photosynthesis cannot occur C. the shallow, near-shore zone D. the uppermost layer where there is enough sunlight for photosynthesis

Which zone of an aquatic ecosystem tends to have more life—both producers and consumers? A. aphotic zone B. photic zone C. benthic zone D. All have roughly the same amounts of life.

Which ecosystems are considered standing freshwater ecosystems? A. lakes B. wetlands C. ponds D. all of the above

A bog is a wetland that A. is entirely covered with thick, floating mats of vegetation. B. has shallow water and tall, grass-like plants. C. has shallow water and woody shrubs and trees. D. has mostly salt water.

What ocean zone begins at the edge of the continental shelf and then extends outward into deeper water? A. intertidal B. open ocean C. littoral D. neritic

On a biome map, patches representing the same biome tend to occur at similar longitudes. True False

Cold and dry biomes have the highest net primary production. True False

Primary consumers convert solar or chemical energy into energy stored in the bonds of organic sugars. True False

Water moves toward areas of lower salinity. True False

Ecologists tend to divide the photic zone of lakes and ponds based on distance from the bottom. True False

Ecologists use similarities between ecosystems to classify them into broad categories called A. biomes. B. littoral zones. C. estuaries. D. benthic zones.

Which biome would have the lowest net primary production? A. tropical rain forest B. temperate grassland C. coral reef D. desert

Over a given unit of time, the rate at which plants and algae convert solar or chemical energy into energy stored in the bonds of organic sugars is called A. natural selection. B. gross primary production. C. salinity. D. estivation.

Why do shorter trees and plants that make up the understory in tropical rain forests have large, flat leaves? A. to shade themselves from excessive sunlight B. to create habitat for forest insects C. to offer protection from rain D. to allow maximum surface for light absorption

In temperate rain forests, trees such as cedars and spruces, which do not lose their leaves at any time of year, are called A. coniferous. B. succulent. C. chaparral. D. deciduous.

To help them survive in the tundra, caribou have various adaptations, such as A. thin coats of fur to prevent overheating. B. wide hooves for travel on mud and snow. C. a diet that consists mostly of deciduous tree leaves. D. the ability to hibernate.

Criteria such as salinity, depth, and whether the water is flowing or standing are used by scientists to A. classify aquatic ecosystems. B. measure net primary productivity in lakes. C. distinguish aquatic ecosystems from terrestrial ecosystems. D. determine the number of species in a body of water.

Water with a salinity that is greater than fresh water but less than saltwater is classified as A. photic. B. aphotic. C. brackish. D. littoral.

Which zone of an aquatic ecosystem tends to have the highest temperatures? A. photic zone B. aphotic zone C. benthic zone D. All have roughly the same temperatures.

Which statement about the littoral zone in a lake or pond is true? A. There are no rooted aquatic plants. B. It has deep water. C. It is far from the shore. D. It is rich in invertebrates.