Exam 33: The Biosphere

An easterly wind blows from the east toward the west.

When a predator is removed or displaced from its ecosystem, numerous additional species of both plants and animals can be affected.

Rivers are not greatly influenced by bordering terrestrial biomes.

Terrestrial biomes are generally named based on the

The rotation of Earth causes winds to _______ as they move across the Earth's surface.

The deep waters of tropical lakes are home to very few life forms. What best explains the low number of organisms in deep water?

Deserts form only near the equator.

Species that are accidentally or intentionally released into new geographic regions are called __________ species.

Cuban tree frogs are a much greater problem in the United States than in Cuba; what hypothesis best suggests why?

A rain shadow effect can develop when

In the northern ocean basins, ocean currents generally flow _______ between continents.

Problems arise during an El Niño event when

The biosphere can be divided into major terrestrial and aquatic life zones called ______.

Climate is defined as the prevailing weather conditions in an area over a time period of thirty years or longer.

One of the primary forces that cause atmospheric circulation is convection, which occurs when

Although the terms climate and weather are often used interchangeably, they are not the same thing; climate differs from weather in that

Chaparral and grasslands are examples of ______ that receive moderate amount of rainfall.

Despite the absence of photosynthesis, the continuous settling of detritus makes the _______ zone of the coastal ocean a stable habitat.

The particular type of terrestrial biome that develops is strongly influenced by

Understanding plate tectonics has helped ecologists make sense of ancient biomes; when land masses move in elevation or to different regions of the globe they experience climatic change. Use the figure above to predict the change for a temperate deciduous forest as it moves south and elevates by 5,000 feet.