Question

multiple choice: select the best answer for each question below.
a biome is cold, treeless and permanently frozen. which type of biome is it?
a. tundra
b. taiga
c. alpine
d. chaparral
which of the following is an example of climate?
a. there is a cold front coming in this weekend.
b. a snowstorm is forecasted to hit the northeast us this week.
c. it is usually hot in texas in july.
d. it rained 4 inches last week in seattle, wa.
sea otters feed on sea urchins and help maintain their marine ecosystems by preventing sea urchins from overfeeding on kelp. sea otters are an example of a(n)
a. keystone species
b. indicator species
c. pioneer species
d. secondary species
because frogs absorb both oxygen and toxins through their skin, they are very sensitive to air and water quality. this makes them an excellent
a. keystone species
b. indicator species
c. pioneer species
d. primary species
which of the following is not true about mangrove trees?
a. their leaves excrete excess salt from brackish (mixture of salt and fresh) water
b. their large roots cause erosion
c. their roots provide shelter for fish and shark species
d. mangroves trees are threatened by tourism and shrimp farming
which of the following is not an example of secondary succession?
a. vegetation growing after a hurricane has destroyed a patch of land
b. trees regrowing after deforestation
c. the recolonization of an area that has been burned by forest fire
d. the growth of lichens on a newly created volcanic island
which would you expect to be a characteristic of pioneer species?
a. quick reproduction
b. need high levels of nutrients to grow
c. grow tall with deep roots
d. produce large seeds and showy flowers
a small measured area in a forest has 10 individuals present. each of these individuals is a different species. which is true about the biodiversity index of this area?
a. the biodiversity index is 0.1
b. the biodiversity index is low
c. the biodiversity index would be higher if there were fewer species among the individuals
d. the biodiversity index is 1
an organism has been introduced into a thriving ecosystem and it reproduces quickly because a predator does not recognize it as prey. the organism is most likely a(n):
a. transect species
b. invasive species
c. pioneer species
d. primary species

Explanation:

1. A tundra biome is cold, treeless, and has permanently frozen ground (permafrost). Taiga has trees, alpine is at high - altitude with different characteristics, and chaparral is a different type of biome.
2. Climate refers to long - term weather patterns. "It is usually hot in Texas in July" represents a long - term pattern, while the others are short - term weather events.
3. Sea otters are keystone species as they have a large impact on maintaining the structure of their marine ecosystem by controlling sea urchin populations.
4. Frogs are indicator species because they are sensitive to air and water quality due to gas and toxin exchange through their skin.
5. Mangrove tree roots help prevent erosion, not cause it. Their leaves excrete salt, roots provide shelter, and they are threatened by human activities like tourism and shrimp farming.
6. The growth of lichens on a newly created volcanic island is primary succession as it starts on a previously uninhabited area. The others are secondary succession which occurs on an area that had previous vegetation.
7. Pioneer species are characterized by quick reproduction to colonize new areas. They do not need high levels of nutrients, are usually small, and have small seeds.
8. With 10 different species in a small area, the biodiversity index is 1 (since each individual is a different species, indicating high species richness in this small sample).
9. An organism that is introduced into a thriving ecosystem and reproduces quickly because predators do not recognize it as prey is an invasive species.

Answer:

1. a. Tundra
2. c. It is usually hot in Texas in July
3. a. keystone species
4. b. indicator species
5. b. their large roots cause erosion
6. d. The growth of lichens on a newly created volcanic island
7. a. Quick reproduction
8. d. The biodiversity index is 1
9. b. Invasive species