Unit 4: Biosphere Quiz Topic: Ecosystems (A) Name · 1. In the tropical savanna (grassland) only scattered trees can be seen in the endless expanse of grassland. Give 2 reasons why

Topic: Ecosystems (A) Name ______________________

1. The building of dams on the Nile River were designed to supply electricity and conserve flood waters for irrigation purposes. State 2 harmful effects that the building of these dams had on the Nile Valley ecosystem.- ____________________________________________________________________________

- ____________________________________________________________________________

2. Living components of ecosystems are referred to as _________________Non-living components are referred to as __________________

3. Give an example of a micro ecosystem. ____________________________Give an example of a macro ecosystem. _____________________________

4. Plants take in __________________ and release ___________________

5. The diagram below shows a simple ___________________ .In nature countless numbers of these can be intertwined to create a ______________________ .

Unit 4: Biosphere Quiz

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Topic: Ecosystems (B) Name ____________________

1. Some components of ecosystems are referred to as being abiotic.Define abiotic and give 2 examples of abiotic components in an ecosystem._______________________________________________________________________________

Example 1 ________________________ Example 2 ___________________________

2. Some components of ecosystems are referred to as being biotic.Define biotic and give 2 examples of biotic components in an ecosystem._______________________________________________________________________________Example 1 ________________________ Example 2 ___________________________

3. The process by which plants convert air, water, and sunlight into stored plant food in the form of carbohydrates is known as ____________________.

4. The tropical rain forests of the world are frequently referred to as carbon sinks. Define the term ‘carbon sink’. _______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

5. The diagram on the right shows a simple ________________________ .In nature countless numbers of these can be intertwined to create a ______________________.


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Topic: Ecosystems (A) Name: Answer Key

1. The building of dams on the Nile River were designed to supply electricity and conserve flood waters for irrigation purposes. State 2 harmful effects that the building of these dams had on the Nile Valley ecosystem.- The dams block fertile silt from reaching river delta.- Before the dams seasonal flood waters flushed the soil of excess of excess salt.- Sediment no longer reaches the river delta and the delta is eroding resulting in the loss of valuable farmland.- The river water now lacks the nutrients that were so important for the fishing industry. Fish caught are smaller and the numbers have greatly declined.

2. Living components of ecosystems are referred to as biotic.Non-living components are referred to as abiotic.

3. Give an example of a micro ecosystem. backyard vegetable garden.Give an example of a macro ecosystem. Tropical rain forest.

4. Plants take in carbon dioxide and release oxygen.

5. The diagram below shows a simple food chain.In nature countless numbers of these can be intertwined to create a food web.


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Topic: Ecosystems (B) Name: Answer Key

1. Some components of ecosystems are referred to as being abiotic.Define abiotic and give 2 examples of abiotic components in an ecosystem.Abiotic are non-living components of ecosystems.Example 1 & Example 2 - soil, air, water, soil, chemicals, rocks, sunlight, etc.

2. Some components of ecosystems are referred to as being biotic.Define biotic and give 2 examples of biotic components in an ecosystem.Biotic are living components of ecosystems.Example 1 & Example 2 - Producers (plants), Consumers (herbivores or carnivores), or Decomposers (bacteria)

3. The process by which plants convert air, water, and sunlight into stored plant food in the form of carbohydrates is known as photosynthesis.

4. The tropical rain forests of the world are frequently referred to as carbon sinks. Define the term ‘carbon sink’. These immense forests absorb an amazing amount of carbon dioxide and give off oxygen. The amount of CO2 absorbed by the tropical rain forests of the world is equivalent to 3/4 of all the carbon dioxide produced by all the cars on earth.

5. The diagram on the right shows a simple food chain.In nature countless numbers of these can be intertwined to create a food web.


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Topic: Biomes (A) Name ____________________

1. Drought loving plants of the desert are referred to as _______________________.

2. Looking at the dense growth in the tropical rain forest one would assume that the soil is extremely fertile, but it is not. Explain how the rain forest plants can grow to such enormous size in soil that quickly drops in fertility when the plants are removed. ________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

3. List three ways that plants have adapted to the climate conditions in the following biome.

Desert

a. ____________________________________

b. ____________________________________

c. ____________________________________

4. What are the 2 key climatic factors controlling vegetation growth in a biome?____________________________ ____________________________


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Topic: Biomes (A) Name: Answer Key

1. Drought loving plants of the desert are referred to as Xerophyte.

2. Looking at the dense growth in the tropical rain forest one would assume that the soil is extremely fertile, but it is not. Explain how the rain forest plants can grow to such enormous size in soil that quickly drops in fertility when the plants are removed. The tropical plants create their own nutrient cycle. Leaf litter falls on the ground year round and decays quickly adding nutrients to the soil. A matting of shallow roots captures the nutrients before they can be leached deep into the soil.

3. List three ways that plants have adapted to the climate conditions in the following biome.

Desert

a. Thick, fleshy leaves & stems store water.b. Shallow root systems capture water after a rainstorm.c. Deep tap root brings water from far in the ground.d. Waxy leaves inhibit transpiration.

4. What are the 2 key climatic factors controlling vegetation growth in a biome?Precipitation and temperature


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Topic: Biomes (B) Name ___________________

1. In the tropical savanna (grassland) only scattered trees can be seen in the endless expanse of grassland. Give 2 reasons why small seedlings have a difficult time surviving in this grassland biome.

_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

2. List 3 ways that plants have adapted to the climate conditions in the tropical rain forest biome shown on the right.a. ___________________________________________________

b. ___________________________________________________

c. ___________________________________________________

3. Name biome 1 in the diagram on the left.

_________________________________

List 2 ways that the plants in this biome have adapted to the climatic conditions.

a._____________________________________

b._____________________________________


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Topic: Biomes (B) Name: Answer Key

1. In the tropical savanna (grassland) only scattered trees can be seen in the endless expanse of grassland. Give 2 reasons why small seedlings have a difficult time surviving in this grassland biome.•Long dry season during which temperatures are very hot. Small seedlings have a difficult time surviving.•Fires rage out of control drying the dry season in the savanna.

2. List 3 ways that plants have adapted to the climate conditions in the tropical rain forest biome shown on the right • Trees grow tall to capture sunlight.• Shallow root system to capture nutrients.• Buttress roots give trees more support.• Trees grow close together to give each other support.

3. Name biome 1 in the diagram on the left.Coniferous forest, taiga, boreal forest

List 2 ways that the plants in this biome have

adapted to the climatic conditions.• Cone shaped to shed winter snows.• Cones protect seeds from the cold.• Trees have adapted to living in very acidic soil, their shallow root system picks up nutrients before they are leached in lower layers of the soil.• Flexible branches can bend under heavy snow or in heavy wind without breaking.• Waxy needles minimize water loss through transpiration.


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Topic: Humans - a damaging influence (A) Name ____________________

1. Define extirpation.________________________________________________________________________________

2. Why is it important for soil to have a healthy humus layer?________________________________________________________________________________

3. What advantage is there to leaving fields in fallow.________________________________________________________________________________

4. Give 3 reasons why wetlands are important.a. ________________________________________________________

b. ________________________________________________________

c. ________________________________________________________

5. One of the problems with pesticide use in farming is that pesticides are non-selective. Explain what is meant by non-selective. ________________________________________________________________________________

Why are non-selective pesticides a bad thing?________________________________________________________________________________


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Topic: Humans - a damaging influence (A) Name: Answer Key

1. Define extirpation.Becoming locally extinct.

2. Why is it important for soil to have a healthy humus layer?Soils with a healthy humus layer hold in moisture and nutrients. Humus also binds soil particles together helping minimize erosion by wind and water.

3. What advantage is there to leaving fields in fallow?The natural vegetation adds nutrients to the soil. After several years the organic content and nutrient level of the will have recovered naturally.

4. Give 3 reasons why wetlands are important.a. Wetlands absorb water and minimize flooding.b. They filter toxins from water that passes through them.c. Wetlands release water into streams and lakes in the dry season.d. Wetlands are important wildlife habitats.

5. One of the problems with pesticide use in farming is that pesticides are non-selective. Explain what is meant by non-selective. Pesticides kill not only the unwanted pests but their natural enemies are also killed.

Why is it a bad thing?With the natural enemies eliminated, the farmer becomes dependent on chemical pesticides and more chemicals are required. The chemicals remain in the food chain, many for a long period of time. Animals at and near the top of the food chain will eventually be poisoned.


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Topic: Humans - a damaging influence (B) Name ___________________

1. In some areas as much as 90% of wetland habitat has disappeared. List 3 reasons why wetlands are diminishing.a. _____________________________________________________________

b. _____________________________________________________________

c. _____________________________________________________________

2. What single factor today has accelerated species extinction more than any other?_______________________________________________________________

3. Define the term wetland.________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

4. Define organic farming.________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

5. Why are farmers using ever increasing amounts of artificial fertilizers?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

6. The burrowing owl been designated as an endangered species in BC. What human actions have led to the endangerment of this species?________________________________________________________________________________


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Topic: Humans - a damaging influence (B) Name: Answer Key

1. In some areas as much as 90% of wetland habitat has disappeared. List 3 reasons why wetlands are diminishing.a. Drained for housing developments and industryb. Have been used as landfill sites.c. Drained for farming.

2. What single factor today has accelerated species extinction more than any other?Habitat destruction.

3. Define the term wetland.Wetlands are areas such as bogs, marshes, ponds, and sloughs that contain water for at least part of the year.

4. Define organic farming.Farmers introduce natural enemies of unwanted pests and use animal manure instead of artificial fertilizers to improve soil fertility.

5. Why are farmers using ever increasing amounts of artificial fertilizers?Soils are being over-worked and to maintain high yields farmers are forced to use ever increasing amounts of chemicals.

6. The burrowing owl been designated as an endangered species in BC. What human actions have led to the endangerment of this species?Much of its habitat has been destroyed, taken over by farms, urban development, and vineyards.


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Topic: Forests of the world (A) Name ______________________

In paragraph form, discuss the importance of forests in the ecosystem.

____________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________


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Topic: Forests of the world (A) Name: Answer Key

In paragraph form, discuss the importance of forests in the ecosystem.

• Trees are an important part of the nutrient cycle. Falling leaves add nutrients to the soil annually.• Trees supply organic matter to the soil which binds soil particles together and helps fight soil erosion.• Tree roots stabilize soils.• Trees shade streams and keep the water temperature cool.• Tree roots stabilize the banks of streams and reduce silt runoff into the stream.• Branches and leaves catch heavy rainfall and allow it to drip to the ground gently.• Transpiration adds moisture to the atmosphere.• Trees reduce the force of the wind.• Absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen.


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Topic: Forests of the world (B) Name ____________________

1. Define silviculture._____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

2. Tropical rain forests such as the Amazon rain forest in South America are disappearing at an alarming rate. List 3 reasons why tropical rain forests are diminishing in size.a. ___________________________________________________________________________

b. ___________________________________________________________________________

c. ___________________________________________________________________________

3. One consequence of deforestation in the Amazon is the steady decline of carbon sinks. Trees take in carbon dioxide and in the process help slow global warming. List 2 other consequences of deforestation.a. ___________________________________________________________________________

b. ___________________________________________________________________________

4. The tropical rain forest is thought of as the most important forest biome in the world. Name the other very important forest biome which stretches across the continents of North America and Asia. _____________________________________________________________________________

5. Selective logging removes only certain trees leaving much of the forest untouched. Why is selective logging seldom practiced in the tropical rain forest?_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________


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Topic: Forests of the world (B) Name: Answer Key

1. Define silviculture.The practice of caring for our forest lands. It involves replanting after logging, thinning areas that are too dense, and removing diseased trees.

2. Tropical rain forests such as the Amazon rain forest in South America are disappearing at an alarming rate. List 3 reasons why tropical rain forests are diminishing in size.• Poor landless peasants from urban areas are being offered free land in the rain forest by the government of Brazil. • Cattle ranchers clear huge areas of rain forest.• High demand for rain forest hardwoods.• Many countries with rain forests are poor countries and exploitation of the forests is seen as a way to improve standard of living.

3. One consequence of deforestation in the Amazon is the steady decline of carbon sinks. Trees take in carbon dioxide and in the process help slow global warming. List 2 other consequences of deforestation.• Trees stabilize soils. • Tree leaves add fertile organic matter to the soil.• Trees shade the ground from intense sunlight which would quickly dry the soil. This can lead to desertification. • Twenty-five percent of prescription drugs come from the rain forest.• Loss of animal habitat.

4. The tropical rain forest is thought of as the most important forest biome in the world. Name the other very important forest biome which stretches across the continents of North America and Asia. Coniferous forest, taiga, or boreal forest.

5. Selective logging removes only certain trees leaving much of the forest untouched. Why is selective logging seldom practiced in the tropical rain forest?Many of the trees in the tropical rain forest are huge and grow very tall in search of light. The trees grow close together to give each other support. For this reason selective logging is not practiced, as it is impossible to remove a few select trees without doing damage to the rest of the forest.


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Topic: Forests of the world (C) Name __________________

1. Define transpiration._____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

2. List 3 reasons why forests play an important part in the ecosystem.a. ___________________________________________________________________________

b. ___________________________________________________________________________

c. ___________________________________________________________________________

3. How has the developed world contributed to the destruction of tropical forests?_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

4. Explain why soils in the tropical regions quickly deteriorate after deforestation?_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

5. Give 2 reasons why many equatorial countries are guilty of rapid deforestation._____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________


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Topic: Forests of the world (C) Name: Answer Key

1. Define transpiration.The evaporation of water from the leaves and stems of trees.

2. List 3 reasons why forests play an important part in the ecosystem.• Add nutrients to soil. • Add moisture to atmosphere. • Stabilize soil. • Protect soil from heavy rainfall. • Help slow damaging winds. • Are an important habitat for animals.

3. How has the developed world contributed to the destruction of tropical forests?Lumber and products made from hardwood trees of the rain forest such as mahogany and teak are highly sought after by developed countries.

4. Explain why soils in the tropical regions quickly deteriorate after deforestation?The heavy rain leaches the nutrients deep into the soil. The trees that supplied nutrients are now gone and the soil is quickly exhausted.

5. Give 2 reasons why many equatorial countries are guilty of rapid deforestation.Most are poor countries and the sale of rain forest lumber is seen as a way to improve the standard of living and pay down foreign debt.


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Topic: Soils (A) Name:_____________________

1. Define leaching._____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

2. Name the soil found throughout the coniferous forest area of North America._____________________

3. The laterite soils of the rain forest are among the most infertile soils in the world, yet they support

the most luxuriant vegetation on the planet. Why does this soil quickly become infertile when the

natural vegetation is removed and grass is planted by cattle ranchers?

_______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

4. At which location on the diagram below would one find the humus layer? (circle the right answer)

A B C D

5. Define humus.________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

6. In which area of the soil in the diagram on the right do nutrients accumulate in if a soil is subjected to capillary action?

A B C D

7. Name one soil which is affected by capillary action._________________________________________

8. Why do tundra soils have such poor soil profiles?________________________________________________

________________________________________________

________________________________________________


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A

B

C

D

Topic: Soils (B) Name ____________________

1. Define capillary action._____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

2. Name one soil which is affected by capillary action.___________________________

3. Name the soil type shown by the profile on the right.___________________________

4. Why do desert soils have such poorly defined profiles?______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

5. The chernozem soil profile below has a thick dark humus layer on top.

Give 1 reason why this upper layer in chernozem soil is so thick._______________________________________________

_______________________________________________

6. Define humus. _______________________________________________

_______________________________________________

_______________________________________________

7. Define leaching.____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

8. Which of the following has the greatest effect on the soil forming process of laterite soil ? a. capillary action b. leaching


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Black, dark brownhumus-filled loam

Yellowish brownsubsoilGray yellow silt loam

BedrockParent material

Lime carbonate

Raw humus

Gray and ashysand

Brown subsoil


Topic: Soils (A) Name: Answer Key

1. Define leaching.Water soluble minerals are carried deep into lower soil layers by infiltrating rain water.

2. Name the soil found throughout the coniferous forest area of North America.Podzol

3. The laterite soils of the rain forest are among the most infertile soils in the world, yet they support the most luxuriant vegetation on the planet. Why does this soil quickly become infertile when the natural vegetation is removed and grass is planted by cattle ranchers.The vegetation is the source of nutrients. Remove the vegetation and the nutrient cycle is broken. Heavy rains wash remaining nutrients deep into the soil where they cannot be reached by plant roots.

4. At which location on the map would one find the humus layer? (circle the right answer)

B C D

5. Define humus.Decomposing organic matter in the top layer of soil.

6. In which area do nutrients accumulate in if a soil is subjected to capillary action?

B C D

7. Name one soil which is affected by capillary action.Sierozem, Chernozem

8. Why do tundra soils have such poor soil profiles?Permafrost does not allow water to seep through the soil therefore soil layers are poorly defined.


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A

B

C

D

A

A

Topic: Soils (B) Name: Answer Key

1. Define capillary action.Soluble minerals are brought to top layers of the soil by capillary action. In regions with very little rainfall, water is pulled toward the surface in a process similar to water moving up a tree and evaporating from the leaves.

2. Name one soil which is affected by capillary action.Sierozem, chernozem

3. Name the soil type shown by the profile on the right.Podzol

4. Why do desert soils have such poorly defined profiles?Lack of water in deserts does not allow the sorting of materials in the soil.

5. The chernozem soil profile below has a thick dark humus layer on top.

Give 1 reason why this upper layer in chernozem soil is so thick.Natural grassland vegetation dies and is added to the top layer of soil. Burrowing animals mix the upper layer of soil.

6. Define humus. Decomposing organic matter in the upper layer of soil. Humus is sticky and binds soil particles together.

7. Define leaching.Soluble minerals, including nutrients, are moved deep into the soil by water.

8. Which of the following has the greatest effect on the soil forming process of laterite soil ? a. capillary action b. leaching


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Raw humus

Gray and ashysand

Brown subsoil


Black, dark brownhumus-filled loam

Yellowish brownsubsoilGray yellow silt loam


Lime carbonate

Topic: Biosphere Terminology (A) Name_________________________

Place the number from the definition on the right in the correct space on the left

_______ Sierozems 1. The animals living within a given area .

_______ Flora 2. Living components of ecosystems.

_______ Podzols 3. Rain water carries nutrients from A horizon to deeper layers.

_______ Xerophyte 4. Soil found in Mediterranean climate.

_______ Biotic 5. Temperate grasslands of North America.

_______ Chaparral 6. Flat grasslands of tropical latitudes.

_______ Leaching 7. Desert soils. Because of lack of water these soils have very poor profiles.

_______ Chernozems 8. Very acidic soil found in coniferous forest region.

_______ Capillary action9. The red soils of the tropical rain forest.

_______ Laterites 10. Prairie grassland soil. High in humus content,

and very fertile.

_______ Prairie 11. Small thickets of thorny bushes found in Mediterranean type climate.

_______ Terra Rosa soil 12. In dry region water and nutrients are brought to the surface.

_______ Abiotic 13. The plants living within a given area. _______ Savanna 14. Non-living components of ecosystems.

_______ Fauna 15. Drought loving plants (desert)


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Topic: Biosphere Terminology (B) Name _____________________

Place the number from the definition on the right in the correct space on the left

_______ Pampas 1. Decomposing organic matter.

_______ Shelter belts 2. Becoming locally extinct.

_______ Taiga 3. Rain water carries nutrients from A horizon to deeper layers.

_______ Extirpation 4. Combats water erosion on slopes.

_______ Humus 5. Temperate grasslands of South America.

_______ Chaparral 6. Flat grasslands of tropical latitudes.

_______ Leaching 7. The science of caring for our forest lands.

_______ Podzols 8. Very acidic soil found in coniferous forest region.

_______ Extinction 9. The red soils of the tropical rain forest.

_______ Savanna 10. Coniferous forest.

_______ Silviculture 11. Small thickets of thorny bushes found in Mediterranean type climate.

_______ Xerophytes 12. Their purpose is to slow winds.

_______ Capillary action 13. Death of all members of a species. _______ Laterites 14. Nutrients are brought to the surface layer.

_______ Contour ploughing 15. Drought loving plants (desert).


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Topic: Soil degradation and erosional hotspots (A) Name ____________________

1. Poor irrigation practises is one human action that can accelerate soil degradation. List 2 other human actions that can cause severe soil degradation._____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

2. The Canadian Prairies and the Great Plains of the U.S. suffer from both wind and water erosion. List 1 reason why these areas are so susceptible to wind and water erosion. _____________________________________________________________________________

3. List 2 popular ways to combat wind erosion. ___________________________ ___________________________

4. List 1 method used to combat water erosion._______________________________________________________________________________

5. Explain why the Himalayan foothills rank as one of the major erosional hotspots in the world._____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

6. Explain how poor irrigation can severely damage soil._____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________


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Topic: Soil degradation and erosional hotspots (A) Name: Answer Key

1. Poor irrigation practises is one human action that can accelerate soil degradation. List 2 other human actions that can cause severe soil degradation.Over-cultivation year after year decreases the humus layer in the soil.Over-grazing leaves lands bare and exposed to wind and water erosion.

2. The Canadian Prairies and the Great Plains of the U.S. suffer from both wind and water erosion. List 1 reason why these areas are so susceptible to wind and water erosion. •Because of lack of rainfall very few trees grow in this region. This allows wind to blow and there is nothing to slow it down.•Summer months bring severe thunderstorms and without a good vegetation cover on the ground rains can easily wash the soil away.

3. List 2 popular ways to combat wind erosion. •Shelter belts.•Stubble mulching. •Planting different crops that mature at different times.•Never ploughing in the direction of the wind.

4. List 1 method used to combat water erosion.•Terracing. •Contour ploughing. •Planting grass between rows of crops to stabilize the soil when farming on slopes.

5. Explain why the Himalayan foothills rank as one of the major erosional hotspots in the world.Excessive deforestation has left the slopes of the Himalayas bare and heavy rains wash the soil away.

6. Explain how poor irrigation can severely damage soil.As water evaporates salts stay behind. Salt builds up in the soil creating an unfriendly, often toxic environment for vegetation.


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Topic: Soil degradation and erosional hotspots (B) Name ______________________

1. Give 1 reason why the prairie region of Canada is so prone to wind and water erosion. _____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

2. Explain how terracing combats water erosion._____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

3. Human actions have greatly accelerated the soil degradation problems in the Sahel, the southern fringes of the Sahara Desert. List 3 human actions which have contributed to the soil degradation problems in this region._____________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

4. If you were a farmer in the Great Plains region of North America, how would you slow the wind in order to minimize damage to your crops? List 2 ways._____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

5. Organic matter in soil plays a key role in combating wind and water erosion. Explain why._____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________


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Topic: Soil degradation and erosional hotspots (B) Name: Answer Key

1. Give 1 reason why the prairie region of Canada is so prone to wind and water erosion. •Because of lack of rainfall very few trees grow in this region. This allows wind to blow and there is nothing to slow it down.•Summer months bring severe thunderstorms and without a good vegetation cover on the ground rains can easily wash the soil away.

2. Explain how terracing combats water erosion.Terracing creates a flat surface on slopes. This stops the water from running down the slopes.

3. Human actions have greatly accelerated the soil degradation problems in the Sahel, the southern fringes of the Sahara Desert. List 3 human actions which have contributed to the soil degradation problems in this region.•Over-cultivation to try and feed a growing population.•Over-grazing due to more goats, sheep and cattle.•The sparse vegetation of trees and shrubs are cut down and used for heating and cooking purposes.

4. If you were a farmer in the Great Plains region of North America, how would you slow the wind in order to minimize damage to your crops? List 2 ways.•Shelter belts of tall trees effectively slows the wind.•Stubble mulching protects the soil and slows the wind.•Planting crops that mature at different times of the year will ensure that the entire fields are never bare at the same time.

5. Organic matter in soil plays a key role in combating wind and water erosion. Explain why.Organic matter in the soil binds the soil particles together forming larger particles which effectively combats wind and water erosion.


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Unit 4: Biosphere Quiz Topic: Ecosystems (A) Name · 1. In the tropical savanna (grassland) only scattered trees can be seen in the endless expanse of grassland. Give 2 reasons why

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