Exam 3 (lets do this fucking thing!!!)

Question 1

Xerophytes

Answer 1

plants that have evolved adaptations to survive the xeric (dry) conditions of the desert. The goal is to try and avoid the lack of moisture by storing more water. They have spines that have been modified from leaves so they don’t lose as much water. (cacti and aloe vera have modified leaves for this) It also reduces water loss.

Question 2

Deciduous

Answer 2

to shed refers to the fact that the trees shed their leaves annually in the autumn

Question 3

Describe how biomes are characterized or defined and what environmental factors shape them.

Answer 3

Biomes are the largest terrestrial divisions of the biosphere, climax communities for huge regions of land and are recognized by distinct vegetation and animal life
Climate is the primary determinant of the biological communities in a terrestrial biome

Question 4

Name three desert plant crops, discussed in the reading, and list the variety of commercial products that arise from each.

Answer 4

Guayule (partheniums argentatum)- Guayule Bagasse is used as a biofuel. Latex is an alternative plant source of rubber. Hardy desert plant that requires little care. (latex is in the root)
Jojoba (Simmonsdsia chinensis)- the “botanical whale” because the seed oil was a good alternative to the oils from the endangered sperm whale. Good oil for hair and skin but could replace mineral oil used in engine oils.
The development of jojoba as an oil crop has been encouraged since 1969 when the sperm whale was placed on the endangered species list and the import of sperm whale oil was banned.
Kenaf (hibiscus)- Can make compostable car parts. Recyclable, absorbs toxic elements, absorbs CO2, consumes less energy, equal in strength to wood pulp, and is more sustainable.
may replace trees as a source of pulp for papermaking

Question 5

Explain how grasslands have supported human needs.

Answer 5

Farmland, pasture, hunting
Many of the grass species are sod formers , producing compacted mats of soil, roots, and rhizomes, which were cut into blocks by the pioneers and used to build homes and barns.
Replacing grass with crops can lead to high erosion rates

Question 6

Describe the importance of rhizomes in maintaining grasslands. Know different types of grasslands.

Answer 6

Rhizomes allow rapid regrowth after grass burns. Grasses reproduce by the Rhizomes
Types of grasslands:
tropical grasslands (savanna)
Polar grasslands (tundra)

Question 7

Describe the features of a tundra biome and the effect of global warming on its integrity.

Answer 7

The northernmost biome bordering the ice cap
an icy, rolling plain where grasses, sedges, mosses,
and lichens dominate the landscape
soil is nutrient-poor, inhibiting root growth
Permafrost is the defining characteristic of the Tundra
Global warming is causing permafrost to melt in Alaska- human-caused activity such as the production of greenhouse gasses from burning fossil fuels and deforestation.
Effects: Indigenous peoples who live there are losing the resources that are important to their livelihood, which could disrupt our system of moving fossil fuels around the planet (unstable) (ex: oil spills)

Question 8

Compare and contrast the climates and types of trees dominating these forest biomes: boreal, moist coniferous (temperate rainforest), deciduous, and tropical rainforests. Know which forest biome has the highest diversity.

Answer 8

Boreal- cool, named after boreas- greek god
Mostly gymnosperms (conifers dominate in Boreal)
Resources: lumber, paper pulp, mink, caribou and other meat
Winters are long and cold but less severe than the tundra
Conifers: Tagua, Evergree, resin producing trees
lumber, paper pulp, caribou
Moist Coniferous (temperate rainforest)- found in North America in the Pacific Northwest, the winters are mild and the summers are cool
Dominated by conifers
Temperate Deciduous- found in the eastern half of the United States. Dropping leaves in the fall.
Dominated by deciduous trees
trees: oak, maple, beech, hickory, and other hardwoods
winters cold and summers hot (varying temperatures)
Tropical rainforests- Highest diversity
dominant tree is the broadleaf evergreen
tallest trees

Question 9

Describe a conservation group that protects medicinal plants in our local forests. *

Answer 9

Goldenseal sanctuary- protects goldenseal and other plants whose rhizomes are used for medicine.
Harvest medicinal resources and sell them
Goldenseal (also called yellow root) has disappeared from many of its native habitats because of overharvesting.

Question 10

Poison hemlock *

Answer 10

Poison hemlock- All parts are poisonous; toxicity of leaves increases in the spring because animals are becoming more active.
Paralysis- mind remains clear until death
Has compound leaves
purple/ reddish stems
white flowers

Question 11

American Sycomore

Answer 11

Provisioning- provides wood for furniture, flooring butchers’ blocks, particle board, boxes, crates, and baskets
Regulating- stop soil erosion, Provide shade lowering temperature
Cultural- They are also used for landscaping, along streets, and in yards as a shade tree. Good in cities because they are resistant to pollution
supporting- American Sycamores usually become hollow as they get older. Animals can live inside them

Question 12

Paw Paw Tree

Answer 12

“tropical” tree family.
Perfect flower
provisioning service- fruits. Largest edible fruit native to the U.S.
Native Americans used fiber from the bark to weave nets
Supporting services- oxygen production, nutrient cycling, Flies getting pollen, photosynthesis, fruits
Zebra swallowtail butterfly lays eggs and the larvae are eating the plant material. Pawpaw has a chemical compound to protect itself, but they co-evolve.

Question 13

Spicebush

Answer 13

Imperfect flowers, dioecious plant
Provisioning- Twigs used to make ice cream or flavor milk, medicinal uses (coughs, croup, hives, STDs)
Regulating- soil erosion, water quality improvement
Supporting- habitable, nutrient cycling, provides food for animals
Cultural- enjoying it in an aesthetic way, landscaping

Question 14

Yellow Buckeye

Answer 14

Seeds can be roasted (are poisonous raw)
Provisioning- Lightweight wood for furniture, boxes/crates, pulpwood, artificial limbs
is valued in the production of furniture, crates, boxes, and artificial limbs, and at one time was used
extensively for caskets
supporting- food for wildlife
cultural- shade

Question 15

White Ash

Answer 15

Provisioning- Baseball bats, tool handles, furniture, and firewood
Emerald Ash borer- invasive species identified in OH in 2003. 99% of Ash Trees may be lost. Climate change might increase the species because they die in colder temps

Question 16

Describe how latex from Hevea has been used throughout history and innovations that made it more useful.

Answer 16

Hevea latex- species from which almost all natural rubber is obtained
Used by ancient cultures: Archeological site of the Olmec, where the Aztecs found a bunch of rubber balls.
They believed the substance was the blood of the tree (religious purposes) Because the latex from which the balls were made flowed from “veins” in the trees, the Aztecs considered it to represent blood.
This is what they would use to play ball
it was also burned in religious ceremonies
first shoes- dipping their feet in the sap and then holding it over fire so it would harden
Evidence is art and actual samples of rubber balls: dip paddle into havea latex; put it over the smoke from a fire of palm nuts
Europeans came in and would coat their coats with latex, hold it over the fire, and the fire would hardened it
Valkinization - sulfur bonds that made it less permeable to water and made it more elastic

Question 17

Explain the effect that industrialization and war had on rubber production.

Answer 17

cut off the supply of rubber to the us, began experimentation with other sources of rubber
They are not be able to get to the rubber plantations because of the war
Greater need for rubber because higher production of goods

Question 18

Describe an alternate plant source of rubber.

Answer 18

Guayule shrub- grows out west, used for biofuel
chicle - not a good alternative
Guayule was among the plants studied during World
War II as a source of rubber

Question 19

Compare and contrast the effects of extracting non-timber compared to timber resources from the rainforest.

Answer 19

Non-timber resources are more sustainable because you don’t have to cut the tree down to get fruit, latex, Brazil nuts, Tagua nuts, cacao, vanilla, banana, etc.
We cut down rainforest so we can have pasture for cows. It ruins the soil.

Question 20

Name at least four valuable non-timber rainforest products and the plant part from which they arise, discussed in “Buying Time for the Rain Forest.”

Answer 20

Natural rubber- obtained from multiple plant sources. Rubber is found in latex vessels in the inner bark, close to the vascular cambium
chicle- used in the manufacture of chewing gums. It comes from the bark.
Brazil nuts- from the Brazil nut tree. The large, woody fruits fall to the ground intact with the seeds still encased. The fruits contain 10 to 25 seeds or nuts.
Tagua- Tagua is the very hard, cream-colored endosperm from the seeds of the Phytelephas genus of palms. Tagua palms grow wild in the rainforests of northwestern South America

Question 21

economic plants of the tropics: name the world’s largest herbaceous plant,

Answer 21

bananas

Question 22

economic plants of the tropics: describe nutmeg and mace,

Answer 22

Nutmeg and mace are the only spices that are obtained from the same fruit. Nutmeg is the seed and mace is the red net-like fiber (aril) that surrounds the seed. Nutmeg is native to the Moluccas (Spice Islands).
Mace is the spice from the red covering around the seed, nutmeg is the seed kernel

Question 23

economic plants of the tropics: name the plant family and plant structure from which natural vanilla flavoring is derived,

Answer 23

orchid family

Question 24

economic plants of the tropics: describe how black pepper is derived,

Answer 24

The green, immature fruits of the pepper vine are harvested and dried, turning black upon drying
Aerial roots
Fruits =peppercorns- plant begins producing 2-5 years of age for 40 years. They are picked when they turn red and dried and ground for black pepper

Question 25

economic plants of the tropics: explain the source and purpose of cola in soda pop.

Answer 25

Cola is related to cacao, the plant from which chocolate is made, and is best known as a flavoring in cola soda pops. Cola seeds, called “nuts”, are rich in caffeine.

Question 26

Describe the characteristics that make seagrasses plants.

Answer 26

Won’t grow in Aphotic zones (no light)
Seagrasses are a flowering plant (not seaweed). So they need to root themselves and be in an area with light.
They are angiosperms (seeds enclosed in a fruit), not algae
Both asexual and sexual reproduction- have rhizomes (underground stems), they also have flowers
Some species have male flowers on a separate plant that float on a raft to female flowers. ( diecious )

Question 27

Describe the ecological and commercial importance of seagrass communities (read all articles).

Answer 27

Provisioning- the water itself, fish and organisms we might collect
Most commercial and gamefish spend part of their lifetime in a seagrass
Cultural- enjoying communities/ views, snorkeling, being near water
Regulating- seagrasses keep the water clear. Water slows when it hits the seagrasses leaves. This reduces wave energy and allow sediment to fall out of the water column to the bottom. When sediment is on the bottom, less light is blocked
Carbon sequestration (regulating ecosystem service)
Carbon is sequestered in living tissue. This includes wood in forests, phytoplankton in oceans, peat bogs, and seagrasses (they hold heat)

Question 28

Explain why seagrasses can be used as an indicator species.

Answer 28

Indicator species- living organisms that react quickly to negative changes in the environment
The presence or absence of particular species tells us whether there is an imbalance in the local environment
Seagrass communities are diverse
Loss of some species reflects changes in water quality
Ephemeral- plants that just come out for a brief time (few weeks)
Some seagrasses that are ephemeral and others that are here all the time

Question 29

Explain how activities of humans are damaging seagrasses and marine animals.

Answer 29

Loss of species that rely on seagrasses (manatees and green turtles), boating (boats go in and dig up the rhizomes damaging the grasses with the propeller), climate change, scallop dredging
Excess sediments from runoff carry:
household, auto-chemicals and oils
Agrochemicals (chemicals we use in agricultural systems)
Animal waste
Reduces sunlight

Question 30

Explain how management and protection of lagoons will affect local economies where they exist.

Answer 30

Improve water quality
Enhance commercial and recreational fisheries stocks
Increase tourism and recreational opportunities
Jobs
Increase property values

Question 31

Know the percentage of seagrasses that have disappeared since 1936 and how some groups are attempting to restore seagrass beds.

Answer 31

44% (but the quiz said 36)
Protection of seagrasses:
to assist local governments in controlling and managing stormwater runoff
to purchase, and to the extent possible, restore, fringing wetland areas.
Improve water quality to increase biodiversity

Question 32

Describe what is known about Poseidon’s ribbon weed, including its age, size, and type of reproduction

Answer 32

One of the oldest seagrasses and the world’s largest living organism (77 square miles)
Has 4 sets of chromosomes
Has been cloning itself for 4,500 years, by creating new shoots that branch off from its root system (asexual)
Similar to a spring onion

Question 33

Explain what is meant by biodiversity hotspots.

Answer 33

Endemic- native to an area. For biodiversity conservation, found only in that area
Extirpated- locally extinct
Characterized by: high richness of species endemic to the area, significant loss of habitat

Question 34

Describe how human activities have led to losses of biodiversity and identify the leading contributor.

Answer 34

Climate change is the leading contributor to the loss of biodiversity
Global temperatures rising, Acidity of the ocean
One-third of all plants and animal species will be extinct in 50 years
resource extraction
Agricultural development
farming
ranching
human settlement
conversion of land to agriculture leads to loss of native habitats for animals, deforestation, etc.

Question 35

Distinguish between in situ and ex situ conservation and explain how they are connected. Define reintroduction.

Answer 35

In situ- in place. Keep the plants there and move the people in order to protect the species. Includes protected areas. Conservation within natural habitat. Sometimes efforts include reintroductions of native species
Ex situ- allowing people to stay in the area and move the plants. Not being protected in its native habitat.
Ex: Botanical gardens and arboretums protect living plants but there are space limits- less diversity within the species than in nature
Reintroduction- when a species has been extirpated from their native habitat, reintroduction efforts aim to reestablish new, self sustaining populations in the same place.

Question 36

Explain the benefits of biodiversity.

Answer 36

Ecosystem services provided by plants
More medicines, knowledge in understanding nature, products, tourism, recreational opportunities, and levels of trees help temperature control, water cycle, nutrient cycling, and habitats.
purifies air and water
stabilizes Earth’s climate
controls pests and diseases
shelter and building materials
food, fuel, and fiber
moderates, floods, droughts, wind, and temp extremes
pollinates plants
soil fertility+ cycles nutrients
detoxifies and decomposes waste

Question 37

Know whether conservation efforts are successful.

Answer 37

Endangered Species Act- protecting plants and animals. Passed by Congress in 1973 and signed by Nixon. Defines endangered and threatened species.
Convention on Biological Diversity- international effort (US is not a party)
Conservation does work in protecting biodiversity
12% of land is now protected
Areas under conservation have higher biodiversity

Question 38

Describe the Green Belt Movement and know who initiated this movement.

Answer 38

Created by a woman named Wangari Maathai to empower communities and specifically women to improve livelihood
Planted over 51 million trees in Kenya
Made to respond to streams drying up in Kenya, their food supply was less secure, and they had to walk further and further to get firewood for fuel and fencing
fought against land grabbing and the encroachment of agriculture into the forests

Question 39

Summarize the core principles of Fair Trade.

Answer 39

“Trade, not aid”
Goals: environmental development and consumer awareness
Better prices and wages for growers and laborers
Not regulated with many certifiers
If transnational companies get involved, is this a marketing ploy?
Three core principles: social, environmental, and economic
Social development in producing countries.
Economic development of producing countries.
Environmental protection in areas that are certified.
focuses on the wages and working conditions of labor in developing markets, fights to increase the wage rates of workers and improve working conditions

Question 40

Explain whether third-party certification programs have been shown to be effective

Answer 40

A study explored the impact of certification systems on forest degradation
Shade coffee certification helped prevent forest degradation

Question 41

green infrastructure

Answer 41

a strategy that reduces stormwater management costs and reduces flooding. (anything that reduces the amount of stormwater runoff)

is a network of decentralized stormwater management practices, such as green roofs, trees, rain gardens, and permeable pavement, that can capture and infiltrate rain where it falls, thus reducing stormwater runoff and improving the health of surrounding waterways.

Question 42

greenhouse gas

Answer 42

a gas that contributes to the greenhouse effect by absorbing infrared radiation, e.g., carbon dioxide.
gasses that trap heat in the atmosphere

Question 43

carbon sequestration

Answer 43

the process in which atmospheric carbon dioxide is taken up by trees, grasses, and other plants through photosynthesis and is stored as carbon in biomass

Question 44

Know the three types of green infrastructure that involve plants and how they affect stormwater runoff, greenhouse gas emissions, and air quality.

Answer 44

Green roofs- runoff is reduced and cleaner. Reduces potential for flooding and sewage overflows. Green rooves retain 80% of the rain. Plants reduce temperatures in an area because they retain heat.
Shading and evapotranspiration- water absorbs heat and releases it during evapotranspiration
Tree plantings- provide cooling benefits and improve air quality. Filters airborne pollutants
reduces stormwater runoff, reduces energy uses, improves air quality, reduces Co2, increases groundwater recharge, educational opportunities, habitat
Bioretention and infiltration- e.g. raingardens (dug at the bottom of a slope to collect water), bioswales (within or next to paved areas), wetland
increases water supply, reduces stormwater runoff, improve air quality, reduce co2, habitat, etc

Question 45

Describe a green roof and name at least four benefits they provide to the individual home or business owner.

Answer 45

Cools area
Lowers energy bills through temperature regulation
Reduces emissions of greenhouse gasses if you are using greenhouse gases for heating and cooling
Carbon sequestration (absorbs heat)
Habitat for pollinators
aesthetic/ recreation/ social space
Possible to grow foods in some settings

Question 46

Predict what effect the adoption of green roofs on a large scale would have on communities and the environment. Describe the potential in terms of both current land cover of roof systems in major cities and environmental effects.

Answer 46

Because there is a lack of vegetation in cities and urban areas, green roofs cool the entire city down by a couple of degrees
20-25% of land cover is rooftop surface
1 billion ft^2 in NYC
Would reduce runoff and potential flooding, sewage overflows
temperature reduction

Question 47

Explain the effects of vegetation on a roof and how temperature reduction is achieved.

Answer 47

Helps protect the rooftop from UV radiation damaging paint and concrete. Plants will absorb the UV radiation. Extends the life of the roof
Heat stress can lead to cracks. Green roofs help so there is less heat stress because there is less heating and cooling.
Reduce heat loss from building/ insulation
Filters airborne pollutants

Question 48

Describe the process of evapotranspiration. *

Answer 48

Shading and evapotranspiration- water absorbs heat and releases it during evapotranspiration
Sometimes evaporation from the soil is included in evapotranspiration
Cools the area
Plants absorb water through their roots and emit it through their leaves—this movement of water is called transpiration. Evaporation, the conversion of water from a liquid to a gas, also occurs from the surfaces of vegetation and the surrounding growing medium.
-water moving from Earths surface and into the atmopsphere (includes evaporation from the soil)

Question 49

Compare and contrast intensive and extensive green roofs, including the types of plants and the advantages and challenges of each.

Answer 49

Intensive green roofs- deeper soil, larger plants
Holds more weight - like trees
Extensive green roofs- less soil, smaller plants
Doesn’t hold as much weight
Sedum- hardy, shallow roots, stores water, drought tolerant
Ongoing research to determine which plant species will be most effective
Biodiversity is important

Question 50

Poison sumac

Answer 50

Poison sumac- compound leaves (7-13 leaflets), shrub with red branches and stems when it’s young, deciduous (red leaves fall in autumn), green to white berries
deciduous shrub or small tree, whose leaves turn red in autumn and fall off.

Question 51

Poison ivy

Answer 51

Poison Ivy- compound leaves, grows up trees in hairy vines. Three leaflets. Small white berries that birds eat.
All parts contain urushiol which causes severe skin reactions or lung irritation if smoke is inhaled.
poison ivy’s leaflets are arranged in threes. It can be a ground cover, or shrubby, or a woody vine (called a liana), achieving nearly treelike proportions