Wildfires and Ecology Quiz 2023
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Questions and Answers

Compared to 2022, by approximately what percentage did the area of forest burned by wildfires increase in Canada during the 2023 season?

  • 270%
  • 70%
  • 170% (correct)
  • 48%

Which of the following best describes how 'zombie' wildfires initially start?

  • They are ignited by lightning strikes during thunderstorms.
  • They ignite from surface vegetation during hot weather.
  • They smolder under the surface from previous fires in organic materials. (correct)
  • They spread rapidly through dry grass and shrubs.

What was the estimated duration Rakus spent directly engaging with the medicinal plant in total?

  • 7 minutes
  • 20 minutes (correct)
  • 27 minutes
  • 13 minutes

According to the findings, what was unique about Rakus's behavior with the plant?

<p>The orangutan is the first recorded case of an animal using a natural medicine. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

A peat fire is characterized by which of the following?

<p>Smoldering beneath the ground with extensive carbon release. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary reason for the Sumatran orangutan's critically endangered status?

<p>Their slow reproductive rate and continuous hunting. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a mechanism through which a 'zombie' fire can reignite after a period of dormancy?

<p>When vegetation starts to grow again. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Based on the information, what is a key distinction between forest fires and peat fires?

<p>Forest fires primarily burn surface vegetation, while peat fires burn underground. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How long was the orangutan initially observed applying the plant juice to the wound?

<p>7 minutes (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the time frame from treatment to the wound being completely healed?

<p>5 days (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary cause of a tornado's formation?

<p>The collision of cold, dry polar air with warm, moist tropical air, leading to severe rotating storms. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the immediate effect of a low-pressure area within a tornado's funnel?

<p>It sucks in more air and objects from the surroundings. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why is the 'Tornado Alley' region in the US particularly vulnerable to tornadoes?

<p>The interaction of dry air from the Rocky Mountains, moist air from the Gulf of Mexico, and cold Arctic air creates strong rotating storms. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a key distinction between a normal thunderstorm and a supercell in the context of tornado formation?

<p>Supercells are a type of thunderstorm that rotates and can potentially form tornadoes, and generally last much longer than regular thunderstorms. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Based on the provided content, how can we describe the overall tornado activity in May 2024?

<p>It was above the average number of tornadoes but less than the record set in 2011. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary behavior observed by researchers after Rakus sustained an injury?

<p>Rakus applied chewed plant matter to his wound. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The use of liana by Rakus provides evidence of which behavior?

<p>A learned behavior of self-medication using available natural resources. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which factor was NOT directly identified as a key component in the observation of Rakus's behavior?

<p>The previous health history of Rakus. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Based on the provided information, during which time frame is tornado activity typically at its highest?

<p>March to July (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the most accurate inference based on the text about the plant used by Rakus?

<p>The plant’s healing properties are known to local populations. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of these states was not explicitly mentioned as having experienced at least 13 tornadoes between April 25-28, 2024?

<p>South Dakota (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the best description of the liana plant’s role in the observed event?

<p>It was used as a tool for self-treatment of an injury. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Approximately how many tornadoes, in total, were reported in Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma and Texas between April 25-28, 2024?

<p>114 (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the EF-scale category and approximate wind speed range of the tornado that struck Marietta, Oklahoma?

<p>EF-4, with winds between 166 mph and 200 mph (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

If more than 300 structures were damaged in Minden, what percentage of the town's population of approximately 600 was directly affected by the tornado?

<p>50% (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary factor contributing to the persistence of zombie fires during winter months?

<p>Exceptionally dry fuels in deep duff layers and large logs, allowing fires to smolder underground (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why is it particularly difficult for firefighters to detect and extinguish zombie fires?

<p>They largely occur in remote areas, are flameless, and are concealed by frozen, snow-covered ground. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does the amount of snowfall in recent years relate to the increased occurrence of zombie fires in Canada?

<p>The lack of snowfall for three years has meant that there has not been enough moisture to extinguish smoldering fires. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Besides Canada, which other regions around the world are prone to similar types of zombie fires?

<p>Areas with boreal forests such as Alaska, Northern Europe, and Siberia. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What has been a key statistic regarding the recent surge in zombie fires in Canada?

<p>93 fires raging in British Columbia and over 55 in Alberta are currently active. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Tornado Alley

A region in the central United States with a high frequency of tornadoes.

Tornado

A storm with powerful rotating winds that can cause significant damage.

EF-4 Tornado

The highest wind speed that a tornado can reach.

Tornado Season

The peak season for tornadoes in the United States runs from March to July.

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April Tornado Activity

The most active month for tornadoes, with an average of over 180 tornadoes.

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Zombie fires

Fires that smolder below the surface and then re-ignite when conditions are favorable.

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Peat fire

A type of fire that burns underground in layers of partially decayed plant material.

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Forest fire

Fires that burn on the surface of the forest, primarily affecting vegetation.

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Wildfire season

The time period when wildfires are more common due to dry conditions and hot weather.

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Controlled burns

The process of burning controlled areas to prevent larger wildfires.

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What is a tornado?

A powerful rotating column of air that extends from a thunderstorm cloud to the ground.

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How do tornadoes form?

Tornadoes form when cold, dry air meets warm, moist air, creating a rotating storm called a supercell.

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Where do most tornadoes occur?

The United States experiences the most tornadoes globally, averaging around 1,200 per year.

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What is 'Tornado Alley'?

A region in the US known for its frequent tornadoes, caused by a unique combination of air masses.

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What are the consequences of tornadoes?

Tornadoes can cause significant damage, including downed trees, power outages, and structural damage to buildings.

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Surge in Zombie Fires

A significant increase in zombie fires is occurring in Canada, primarily in British Columbia and Alberta, due to an extended drought that has led to less snow cover and warmer winter temperatures allowing underground fires to persist.

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Why are Zombie Fires Difficult to Detect?

Zombie fires can be challenging to detect due to their location in remote areas, flameless nature, and the ability to spread undetected under the snow-covered ground. Firefighters face difficulties in accessing and extinguishing these underground blazes.

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Are Zombie Fires Unique to Canada?

Zombie fires are not unique to Canada; they can occur in other regions with similar climates and vegetation, such as Alaska, Northern Europe, and Siberia.

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Drought's Impact on Zombie Fires

The prolonged drought in British Columbia and Alberta has significantly reduced the amount of snow cover, allowing zombie fires to persist and spread throughout the winter.

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Rakus's Wound Treatment

A behavior observed in a Sumatran orangutan named Rakus where he actively used a specific plant to treat a wound.

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Mystery Plant

The specific plant used by Rakus for wound healing, the name and properties of which are currently unknown.

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Self-medication

This refers to the process of using a natural substance, typically found in the environment, for medicinal purposes.

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Orangutan Diet

Orangutans are primarily frugivores, meaning their diet consists mostly of fruits.

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Sumatran Orangutan Conservation

Sumatran orangutans are facing a critical threat due to habitat loss and illegal hunting.

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Sumatran Orangutan

A specific type of orangutan that lives in Sumatra, Indonesia.

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Gunung Leuser National Park

A large protected rainforest in northern Sumatra, Indonesia. Home to a diverse range of wildlife, including orangutans.

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Liana

A tropical vine with known medicinal properties used by local communities.

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Tool Use

The ability of an animal to use tools or objects to solve problems or improve their surroundings.

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Using Medicinal Plants

The act of using medicinal plants to treat illnesses or injuries.

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Study Notes

2024 US Tornado Season

  • Tornado activity is robust in May, with most occurring in Tornado Alley
  • Tornado Alley includes parts of Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota, Indiana, Missouri, Iowa, and Ohio
  • Over 300 tornadoes were reported within just three days in April 2024
  • The worst tornado outbreak in 2024 occurred in Oklahoma on April 27th, damaging several buildings and downing trees and utility poles.
  • The town of Marietta, Oklahoma, with about 2,900 residents, was hit by an EF-4 twister with winds between 166 and 200 mph
  • The tornado in Minden, Iowa, destroyed 48 homes and damaged more than 300 structures on April 26, 2024.

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Description

Test your knowledge on wildfires, their impact on ecosystems, and the unique behaviors of species such as the Sumatran orangutan. This quiz covers recent statistics and specific plant interactions in the context of fire dynamics. Challenge yourself with questions on fire behavior, conservation status, and ecological relationships.

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