Why do distantly related species of plants in different parts of the world often assume similar
growth forms when they experience similar climates?
-Plant growth forms are plastic and can change with environmental conditions.
-Similar selection pressures cause convergent evolution of species in separate lineages.
-Long-distance dispersal allows plant species to interbreed and acquire similar traits.
-Plants that have similar traits descend from the same recent common ancestor. - Answers -
Similar selection pressures cause convergent evolution of species in separate lineages.
The climate diagram represents average annual temperature and precipitation patterns of a
biome. What does the information suggest about growing conditions for plants in the biome it
represents?
-Low temperatures are the limiting factor of plant growth for most of the year.
-Plants probably have adaptations to survive long periods of cold, snowy weather.
-Plants only grow during the time of year when precipitation is highest.
-Summer temperatures are probably too high to support much plant growth. - Answers -Low
temperatures are the limiting factor of plant growth for most of the year.
-Plants probably have adaptations to survive long periods of cold, snowy weather.
Why can temperate deciduous forests retain more of their soil fertility than tropical rainforests
after they are logged?
-In temperate deciduous forests, nutrients do not leach out of the upper layers of soils.
-Most nutrients in tropical rainforests are stored in vegetation that is carried away or burned.
-Temperate deciduous forests are more productive and replenish nutrients quickly.
-Thick layers of clay and humus in tropical rainforests prevent soil nutrients from being
replenished. - Answers -Most nutrients in tropical rainforests are stored in vegetation that is
carried away or burned.
For each description of vegetation, identify the temperate biome:
, The first temperate biome supports drought-resistant and fire-adapted vegetation. Most plants
are deeply rooted and have sclerophyllous, or small, durable leaves. Dense growths of evergreen
shrubs and grasses are present. - Answers Woodland or shrubland
For each description of vegetation, identify the temperate biome:
The second temperate biome has a dominant canopy of deciduous trees but also supports
some evergreen trees. There are smaller, understory tree species, shrubs, and herbaceous
plants. These deciduous forests have the most diverse communities of spring-flowering
herbaceous plants. - Answers Temperate seasonal forest
For each description of vegetation, identify the temperate biome:
The third temperate biome is predominantly fire-adapted grasses and other nonwoody flowering
plants. It supports some shrubs, but few trees. - Answers Temperate grassland or cold desert
For each description of vegetation, identify the temperate biome:
The fourth temperate biome has a low diversity of species. It is dominated by robust, evergreen
trees that can grow to over 100m tall. - Answers Temperate rainforest
Categorize each climatic condition into its temperate biome:
Year-round mild temperatures allow photosynthesis throughout the year. - Answers Temperate
rainforest
Categorize each climatic condition into its temperate biome:
Abundant precipitation promotes plant growth in warm temperatures. - Answers Temperate
rainforest
Categorize each climatic condition into its temperate biome:
Frequent fluctuation in air temperature causes fluctuations in humidity and precipitation. -