Lecture Quiz (Based on Weeks 1 & 2)

Question 1

What is a forest?

Answer 1

A tree-dominated area with a fairly continuous canopy.

Question 2

Define “populations” in the context of a forest.

Answer 2

Multiple individuals of the same species, living in the same area, interbreeding.

Question 3

Define “communities” in the context of a forest.

Answer 3

Multiple populations living together.

Question 4

Define “ecosystems”.

Answer 4

The living (biotic) and non-living (abiotic) things in an area.

Question 5

Define “biomes” and “biosphere”

Answer 5

Biomes: regions with similar climate and biota.
Biosphere: region of Earth where life can exist and grow.

Question 6

Why do we have different ecosystems?

Answer 6

Ecosystems are largely shaped by energy (sunlight), temperature and precipitation, which are all different depending on where on the Earth you are.

Question 7

Why is the equator warmer than the poles?

Answer 7

The sun’s rays are more directly pointing at the equator rather than the poles.

Question 9

Name the 8 terrestrial biomes.

Answer 9

Tundra, taiga, temperate forests, temperate rainforests, shrubland/scrub, prairie, tropical rainforest, desert.

Question 10

What are some key characteristics of the tundra?

Answer 10

• The coldest biome.
• Treeless expanse
• Permafrost.
• Low precipitation.

Question 11

Why can’t trees grow far in the north?

Answer 11

The lack of summer warmth— photosynthesis can only happen if plant tissue is warm enough.

Question 12

What are some key characteristics of the taiga/boreal forest?

Answer 12

• Large expanse of coniferous trees (pines, spruce, etc.)
• Covers huge amount of Earth (~11.5%).
• Low productivity/low diversity of plants and vertebrates.
• Many insectivorous birds migrate to and nest here.
• Extreme climate.
• Acidic soil and low nutrients.

Question 13

How do evergreens keep their needles all year?

Answer 13

Leaves can be damaged by freezing, but they have a special, sticky, thick, resinous sap that doesn’t freeze.

Question 14

What are some reasons that conifers dominate the taiga?

Answer 14

• Short growing season, they photosynthesize whenever weather is warm enough.
• Conical shape, promotes shedding of snow and prevents loss of branches.
• Dark colour, helps foliage absorb maximum heat.
• Narrowness of needles reduce surface area through which water may be lost.

Question 15

What are some key characteristics of the temperate forests?

Answer 15

• Grows throughout temperate latitudes and almost anywhere there is sufficient water during summer to support large trees.
• These places have all 4 seasons.
• 30-60” of rain per year.
• Broadleaf trees (oaks, maples, beeches), shrubs, perennial herbs and mosses.

Question 16

What are some key characteristics of temperate rainforests?

Answer 16

• Known for mild temperatures and abundant precipitation.
• Dominated by evergreen forests.
• Warmer conditions due to nearby warm ocean currents (winds move east).
• Supports low species diversity.
• In NA, these forests are dominated by coastal redwoods.

Question 17

What are some key characteristics of the shrubland/scrubs?

Answer 17

• Found in the Mediterranean, California, Chile, South Africa and Australia.
• Generally located on the western edges of continents between latitude 30° and 40°.
• Western winds cause wet winters, and summer winds from lower latitudes cause dry summers.
• Accounts for 20% of plant diversity but only covers 2% of the Earth.
• Very dense and bushy.

Question 18

What are some key characteristics of the Prairies?

Answer 18

• Hot, dry summers and cold winters.
• Dominated by grasses, non-woody flowering plants and drought-adapted shrubs.
• Not enough precipitation to support trees.
• Tallgrass prairies that occur when rainfall is high, shortgrass prairies that occur when rainfall is low.

Question 19

What are some key characteristics of tropical rainforests?

Answer 19

• Warm and rainy (2000mm+ yearly).
• Multiple layers of lush vegetation.
• Canopy of 30-40m trees with an understory of smaller trees, shrubs, vines, etc.
• Species diversity higher than anywhere in the world.

Question 20

What are some key characteristics of deserts?

Answer 20

• Hot temperatures.
• Scare rainfall and vegetation.
• Long growing season.
• Soils are shallow, devoid of organic material and have neutral pH levels.
• Moisture supports growth of succulents, cacti, shrubs and small trees.
• Very little precipitation (<250mm yearly)
  -Covers 1/3 of the Earth.

Question 21

What are some factors scientists look at when classifying a desert?

Answer 21

• Annual temperature (hot vs. cold deserts).
• Location (coastal vs. high).
• Vegetation (deserts with grasses or shrubs).

Question 22

What are the two most common types of forests in Canada?

Answer 22

Temperate deciduous (very common in Southern Ontario) and boreal forests (cover largest area in Canada).

Question 23

What are the 4 types of services forests provide us?

Answer 23

1. Provisioning services.
2. Regulating services.
3. Habitat and supporting services.
4. Cultural services.

Question 24

Describe and give some examples of the provisioning services forests give us.

Answer 24

• A provisioning service is any type of benefit to people that can be extracted from nature.
• Examples: food, water, raw materials, medicine and other resources.

Question 25

Describe and give some examples of the regulating services forests give us.

Answer 25

• A regulating service is a ecosystem process that maintain environmental conditions favourable to life.
• Examples: regulating the air quality and soil, providing flood and disease control (forests control temperatures, increase humidity and improve air quality, trees act as barrier to slow/stop avalanches, the roots of trees and other plants stabilize soil and reduce erosion).

Question 26

Describe and give some examples of the habitat and supporting services forests give us.

Answer 26

• A habitat and supporting service provides habitats for organisms and allow allow the Earth to sustain basic life forms and different ecosystems.
• Examples: photosynthesis, nutrient cycling, the creation of soils, providing living spaces for plants/animals, maintaining diversity.

Question 27

Describe and give some examples of the cultural services forests give us.

Answer 27

• Cultural services are non-material benefits people obtain from ecosystems.
• Examples: art, recreation, tourism, spiritual enrichment.

Question 28

What are some ecosystem services the forests provide us?

Answer 28

Wood, carbon sequestration, soil protection/formation, biodiversity, water regulation, recreation, disturbance regulation, cultural (spiritual, education, recreational, art).