First Exam: Feb. 19, 1998 Name _____________________________

DIRECTIONS: answer each question by filling in the blank, writing a short response, etc. Multiple choice are worth 3 pts. each; points possible are stated in the other questions.

Matching: 20 @ 2 pts. each

___ 1. 2 ly/min at edge of atmosphere; 1 ly/min at surface

___ 2. Light reflection off surface; would be quite high in snowfields

___ 3. Elevation on a mountain, above which trees cannot grow

___ 4. Dry air (and arid land) downwind of a mountain range

___ 5. Phenomenon associated with decreasing air temperatures at higher elevations

___ 6. Large land areas with similar climate and patterns of plant/animal distributions

___ 7. Likely limiting factor in plant growth in Iowa, in August

___ 8. Increases if soil is compacted, decreases if soil harbors earthworms (which aerate soil)

___ 9. Increases when partly-decomposed plant tissues accumulate

___ 10. A measure of the relative amounts of sand, silt, and clay

___ 11. Timing of seasonal events such as flowering

___ 12. Environmental cues (like day length) which "set" the "biological clock"

___ 13. Cycles of activity/inactivity, usually synchronized with environment

___ 14. Cycles of activity/inactivity displayed in absence of information/cues from environment

___ 15. Principle of physics, explains why plants can't store all the energy absorbed from sunlight

___ 16. Principle of physics, explains why successive trophic levels have decreasing energy available

___ 17. Populations have different appearance/genetics, being adapted to local conditions

___ 18. Individuals vary gene expression, in response to environment

___ 19. Organism cannot or does not maintain constant body temperature

___ 20. Organisms derive energy from eating dead organisms (or feed on those that do so, etc.)

Possible answers (none are used twice; not all will be used):

a. soil moisture n. adiabatic process

b. soil texture o. rain shadow

c. soil bulk density p. biomes (plant formations, ecoregions)

d. soil organic matter (OM) q. phenology

e. poikilotherm r. circadian rhythms

f. homeotherm s. solar constant

g. phenotype plasticity t. tree line/timber line

h. ecotype u. free-running cycle

i. GPP v. zeitgeber

j. NPP w. detrital food chain

k. 1st law of thermodynamics x. grazing food chain

l. 2nd law of thermodynamics y. pyramid of biomass

m. albedo

21. Describe the environment in the Arctic Circle (e.g., Tromso Norway):

a. summer days with no darkness at night, winter days with no sunlight

b. very little precipitation

c. sun is almost directly overhead during summer

d. a region of grassland

22. Deserts are often found at 30^o N and S latitude. Why?

a. This is the angle of the earth's axis with the sun

b. location of great mountain ranges

c. relates to atmospheric "cells" (circulating air masses) and their rotation

d. coincidence

23. Tropical soils can best be described as…

24. What is photosynthetically active radiation (PAR)?

25. Why do some groups of algae have large amounts of accessory pigments?

a. Gives them various colors, protecting them from some herbivores

b. Evolved before chlorophyll was developed by plants

c. help capture wavelengths of light remaining after extinction in water column

d. various color patterns help pollinators find their flowers

26. which of the following are ecologically important properties of water?

27. Plants pull water from soil and release it to the atmosphere by which process?

28. (4 pts.) Define "ecology," and compare it to environmental science, and environmentalism.

29. (6 pts.) Imagine a trip from Pella, IA to Phoenix, NM. This includes a trip through the Colorado Rockies at high elevations. Give the name, location, and very briefly describe, three biomes you would encounter on the journey.

30. (6 pts.) Describe "photorespiration." Describe mechanisms to meet the challenge of photorespiration.

31. (4 pts) Describe two adaptations of plants have to water scarcity.

32. (4 pts.) Give an example of a plant macronutrient, and a plant micronutrient. For each, briefly describe its significance.

33. (5 pts.) Briefly describe the basics of nutrition in wild animals: what nutritional requirements are present, feeding strategies, and behavioral response to obtaining nutritive requirements.

34. (5 pts.) Briefly describe a "soil profile," and what process causes it.

35. (5 pts.) Describe an actual study of ecosystem structure and function. What methods were used? What were the results and significance?