North American Prairie Ecosystem Quiz

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Questions and Answers

What type of ecosystem used to exist across much of the United States from the Mississippi River to the Rocky Mountains?

  • Tundra
  • Rainforest
  • Prairie (correct)
  • Desert

Which Act in 1862 gave Euro-Americans an opportunity to own land that was previously the ancestral land of many Native American nations?

  • The Homestead Act (correct)
  • The Agricultural Act
  • The Land Ownership Act
  • The Settlement Act

What did early Euro-American settlers primarily convert the prairie land to for use?

  • Protected wildlife reserves
  • Agricultural use (correct)
  • Residential areas
  • Commercial forests

What is one of the critical roles of the prairie ecosystem mentioned in the text?

<p>Serving as a habitat for diverse organisms (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In addition to fertile soil, what other ecosystem service does the prairie provide according to the text?

<p>Water filtration (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What type of activity did early Euro-Americans engage in across the open expanse of the Great Plains according to the text?

<p>Cattle herding (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What major economic activity is mentioned as providing jobs and food in the prairie ecosystem?

<p>Agriculture (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How many American bison were estimated to be in population around 1800?

<p>60 million (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the bison population graph show regarding their numbers over time?

<p>Steady decline (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In what way were bison identified in the prairie ecosystem by scientists?

<p>As a keystone species (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What were the primary sources of impacts by human activities on the bison population?

<p>Hunting, habitat destruction, and competition (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why is the prairie ecosystem considered significant beyond economic activities?

<p>Due to its high biodiversity (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the main goal of the American Prairie Reserve conservation plan?

<p>To restore the American prairie in Montana (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How might adding additional protected lands contribute to the 30 by 30 Initiative?

<p>By helping achieve the goal of protecting 30% of lands by 2030 (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How do bison potentially impact cattle when they graze on public lands?

<p>By competing with cattle for resources (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What right do ranchers have regarding grazing on public lands?

<p>They have the right to allow their cattle to feed and roam freely on public lands (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why might a higher biodiversity of herbivores be predicted when bison are present?

<p>Bison reduce competition among herbivores, allowing for more species diversity (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In what way does the American Prairie Reserve aim to connect lands?

<p>By purchasing private land to create connections (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What type of relationship exists between the pronghorn population and the coyote population in the model?

<p>Positive (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In the context of bison removal from the prairie ecosystem, what effect would you predict on the system based on the information provided?

<p>Decrease in biodiversity (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference in grass cover between areas with and without bison in the study?

<p>Higher grass cover without bison (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Based on the information provided, what could account for the different levels of forb plants in areas with and without bison?

<p>Bison feeding on forb plants (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How do scientists believe maintaining and increasing biodiversity contributes to conserving ecosystems?

<p>It enhances ecosystem stability (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What do the red lines and blue lines represent in the model of the prairie ecosystem?

<p>Red lines indicate positive relationships, blue lines indicate negative relationships (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How do residents feel about having ranches sold to the reserve?

<p>Angry and opposed, wanting to maintain ownership of the land (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary role of bison for Indigenous people in the area?

<p>Supplying food, shelter, clothing, tools, and cultural teachings (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How do most residents and tourists value the land in the American west?

<p>For recreation and personal enjoyment (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why might ranchers oppose the conservation plan of buying private land and connecting to public land?

<p>They see it as a threat to their businesses and way of life (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What might be a potential trade-off for Native Americans if the conservation plan moves forward?

<p>Loss of traditional lands or territories (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What recommendation might align with the 30 by 30 Initiative regarding connecting private and public land?

<p>Support connecting private and public land for conservation purposes (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

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