Aquatic and Terrestrial Biomes Quiz

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary function of gills in aquatic organisms?

Digestion

Gas exchange (correct)

Nutrient absorption

Waste storage

How do freshwater fish maintain their salt levels?

By urinating frequently (correct)

By restricting water intake

By absorbing salt from the surroundings

By drinking seawater

Which biome is characterized by extremely cold temperatures and very low precipitation?

Coniferous forest

Tundra

Temperate grassland

Polar ice (correct)

What primarily determines the distribution of terrestrial biomes?

Temperature and precipitation Signup and view all the answers

Which terrestrial biome is dominated by cone-bearing evergreen trees?

Coniferous forest Signup and view all the answers

What role does the water cycle play in determining climate?

It regulates precipitation and evaporation. Signup and view all the answers

In which biome would you typically find permafrost?

Tundra Signup and view all the answers

The buoyancy of water affects which aspect of aquatic organisms?

Body size limits Signup and view all the answers

What is a major characteristic of the coniferous forest biome?

High precipitation mostly as snow Signup and view all the answers

Which animals are commonly found in the tundra biome?

Large migratory mammals Signup and view all the answers

What adaptation helps needles minimize seasonal water loss in coniferous forests?

Triangular shape Signup and view all the answers

Which type of forest is characterized by shedding leaves to conserve water for winter?

Temperate broadleaf forest Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant human impact on temperate grasslands?

Intensive agriculture Signup and view all the answers

Which biome is described as having extremely low precipitation, with both the Sahara and Antarctica classified as such?

Desert Signup and view all the answers

What defines the climate of a chaparral biome?

Seasonal rain with hot dry summers Signup and view all the answers

What is a key feature of a savanna biome?

Widely spaced trees Signup and view all the answers

What climatic condition is typical in tropical forests?

Warm year-round with humidity Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following ecosystems is considered one of the most endangered due to human activity?

Temperate grassland Signup and view all the answers

How are high mountain biomes primarily characterized?

Shifts in vegetation types with altitude Signup and view all the answers

What major source is provided by temperate broadleaf forests?

Industrial products Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of ecology?

Scientific quantitative study of organisms and their environment Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is considered an abiotic factor?

Temperature Signup and view all the answers

What role does temperature play in the environment of organisms?

Narrow temperature ranges are critical due to ice crystallization and protein stability. Signup and view all the answers

In what way do organisms adapt to their environments?

By natural selection in response to abiotic and biotic factors. Signup and view all the answers

What are the biotic factors that affect why some species thrive in specific locations?

Species have evolved from local ancestors or dispersed and survived. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following abiotic factors is specifically influenced by the presence of solar energy?

Production of terrestrial and aquatic life. Signup and view all the answers

What impact do mountains have on local climates?

They influence precipitation levels, affecting ecosystems in their vicinity. Signup and view all the answers

Why do organisms require the presence of pollinators?

They provide essential biotic factors for reproduction of certain species. Signup and view all the answers

What does species richness measure?

The number of different species in a given area Signup and view all the answers

How does relative abundance contribute to biodiversity?

It reflects the distribution of individuals among the different species Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant consequence of competition among species?

Elimination of one species due to superior competition Signup and view all the answers

In the context of community ecology, what does ecological niche refer to?

The role an organism plays in its ecosystem Signup and view all the answers

Which type of interspecific interaction is characterized as negative for both parties involved?

Competition Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best illustrates the concept of relative abundance?

Woodlot A: 80% species A, 10% species B, 5% species C, 5% species D Signup and view all the answers

Why are adaptations like camouflage important in predator-prey relationships?

They enhance reproductive success of prey Signup and view all the answers

What do community diversity metrics commonly integrate?

Species evenness and abundance Signup and view all the answers

What role do foundation species play in an ecosystem?

They significantly contribute to creating and maintaining habitats. Signup and view all the answers

Which type of succession occurs in an area that was previously lifeless?

Primary succession Signup and view all the answers

What effect does a high level of disturbance have on community diversity?

It leads to low levels of biodiversity. Signup and view all the answers

What is the key difference between non-native species and invasive species?

Non-native species may coexist without harm, while invasive species negatively impact their new surroundings. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main function of photosynthesis in the carbon cycle?

It converts atmospheric CO2 into organic molecules. Signup and view all the answers

What impact did the introduction of the rootboring weevil have on the ecosystem?

It controlled the invasive purple loosestrife but potentially also damaged conifers. Signup and view all the answers

What occurs during ecological succession after a disturbance that destroys an existing community?

New species occupy the vacated space over time. Signup and view all the answers

What is the major takeaway regarding the carbon cycle?

Chemicals are recycled while energy is not. Signup and view all the answers

What is the average return of salmon in the Fraser as of the most recent data?

Less than 1 million Signup and view all the answers

What conservation status does Fraser River coho salmon currently hold?

Endangered Signup and view all the answers

During which life stage do salmon transition into the ocean as smolts?

Before returning to freshwater Signup and view all the answers

Which process is essential but slow in the restoration of salmon habitats?

Addition of large wood debris Signup and view all the answers

What effect do returning spawning salmon have on freshwater streams?

Increase in air-water gas exchange Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the primary threats to adult salmon survival returning to freshwater?

Rising water temperatures Signup and view all the answers

How do the changes in terrestrial thermal conditions affect salmon?

They may cause increased salmon deaths Signup and view all the answers

What defines the life cycle stage of anadromy in salmon?

Migration from freshwater to saltwater and back for spawning Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Ecology

Ecology is the scientific quantitative study of organisms and their environment.
Abiotic factors are non-living elements like sun, air, and water.
Biotic factors are living organisms like prey and predators.
Organisms are individual living entities.
Populations are groups of organisms of the same species in a particular area.
Communities include all the populations in a given area.
Ecosystems involve biotic and abiotic factors in an area.
Ecological studies consider different levels: organism, population, community, ecosystem, landscape, and global.

Abiotic Factors

Abiotic factors are physical and chemical factors that influence life.
A major energy source is solar energy, (for terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems)
Chemical energy is a source in dark environments, like deep ocean vents.
Temperature ranges typically from 0°C to 45°C for life processes.

Water

Terrestrial organisms must avoid drying out.
Aquatic organisms need to balance solute concentrations (hypotonic in freshwater, hypertonic in saltwater).
Availability of inorganic nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus is crucial.
Other aquatic factors like dissolved oxygen, salinity, and currents are important.
Terrestrial factors like temperature extremes, wind, fire, and ice are influential.
Climate, affected by solar radiation, latitude, and seasonal variations and global air circulation and precipitation patterns.
Local climates are affected by landforms like mountains.

Biotic Factors

Species in a particular place evolved from ancestors in that location or dispersed and survived.
Organisms adapt to abiotic and biotic factors through natural selection.

Ecology Methods

Ecology studies are approached in various ways, including field research, laboratory experiments, and modeling.
Field research involves observing organisms in their natural environment.
Laboratory experiments allow manipulation of specific variables.
Modeling is a valuable tool in simulating ecological dynamics.

Ecology Importance

Biodiversity loss is a major concern.
Studies of changing climates help in understanding declines in species.
Outbreaks of invasive species, pests, pathogens, and predators are often noted.
Impacts like mountain pine beetle killing trees and increased wildfires are documented.

Ecological Biomes

Biomes are large collections of ecosystems covering major habitat types, not necessarily contiguous, as described in details in further section.
Biomes are categorized and characterized based on their average conditions.
Aquatic biomes (freshwater and saltwater) include: lakes, ponds (with seasonal mixing, redistributing oxygen and nutrients), rivers and streams, estuaries (transitional areas between freshwater and ocean), and wetlands.
Aquatic biomes (saltwater) include: features of depth, light penetration, and differences between areas with presence of light or not.
Terrestrial biomes are major land-based ecosystems. Terrestrial biomes include Polar ice, Tundra, Coniferous (boreal/northern) forests, Temperate broadleaf forest, Deserts, Tropical forests and Savannas.
Characteristics of each biome (e.g., temperature, rainfall, dominant plant life) influence the types of life that can thrive in these areas.

Gas Exchange

Passive or external osmosis and diffusion play a key role in gaseous exchange for organisms.
Gills are used for aquatic respiration, while lungs are for aerial respiration.
The role of waste removal is also significant with adaptations for osmotic needs.
Hydrodynamics is important in aquatic environments for movement and dispersal.

Biomes (terrestrial)

Terrestrial biomes include different types, with their differences outlined and their classification dependent on temperature and rainfall (grasslands, forests, etc.) and solar energy as seen in the following sections.
- Polar ice, tundra, coniferous forests, temperate broadleaf forests, deserts, tropical forests.

Behavioural Ecology

Behaviour is how an animal responds to internal and external signals.
Innate behaviours are genetically controlled actions.
Behavioural sequences are fixed action patterns that result from direct action and response to external stimuli.
Learning allows modification of behaviour based on experiences (like habits).

Ocean

Oceans are a major global interconnected water body, divided into four regions (Pacific, Atlantic, Indian, Arctic).
Light availability decreases with depth.
Salinity and depth play influential roles in ocean ecosystems.
Human impacts to oceans include pollution, overexploitation, and introducing foreign species and changing climate.

Population Ecology

Population is a group of individuals of the same species.
Populations grow based on births, deaths, immigration (moving into an area), and emigration (moving out of an area), all factors that contribute to population dynamics.
Dispersion is how individuals are spaced within a population. Types include clumped, uniform, and random.
Population density is the number of individuals per unit area.
Density dependent and independent factors influence population sizes

Community Ecology

Communities include all populations interacting in a particular area.
The community ecology study deals with how populations in an area interact and the effects in terms of carrying capacity.
Biodiversity is a crucial factor in community interactions like competition and predation.
Interspecific interactions (between different species) relate to ecological niches.
Predation involves one species feeding on another.
Competition occurs when niches overlap and resources are limited.

Trophic Levels and Food Webs

Trophic levels describe the feeding interactions within an ecosystem.
Primary producers are the base of food webs (often photosynthetic organisms).
Primary consumers are herbivores, eating the producers.
Consumers at higher trophic levels consume organisms from lower levels.
Energy flows through the trophic levels.

Conservation Biology

Conservation biology focuses on preserving biodiversity and habitats.
It's important to research all species and document their ecological function and role.
Threats to biodiversity include overexploitation, introduced species, pollution, habitat loss, and global change.
Conservation efforts aim to understand these threats and develop sustainable solutions for species and their habitat needs.

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Description

Test your knowledge on the characteristics and functions of aquatic and terrestrial biomes. This quiz covers topics such as gills in fish, biomes like tundra and coniferous forests, and human impacts on ecosystems. Perfect for biology enthusiasts and students alike!