SOIL SCI 250 || QUESTIONS WITH COMPLETE
SOLUTIONS!!
True or False. A tree that recovered quickly from a severe drought can have both a high
resistance and high resilience. correct answers True
Often ecosystem boundaries imposed by humans are different from natural boundaries. How can
this be? correct answers Human boundaries are usually administrative and arbitrary, they are not
necessarily accurate scientifically
True or False. A new steady state of an ecosystem could be reached in a positive feedback
situation. correct answers False
What does the net loss of water from a prairie tell you about that system? correct answers
Outputs exceed inputs
Briefly explain why boundaries are important to the definition of an ecosystem. correct answers
Is planet Earth considered a closed or open system relative to matter? Support your answer using
the definition of an open or closed system. correct answers The earth is considered a closed
system because all of the energy on the planet does not leave the earth. In order for a system to
be an open system the earth would have to output some type of material or energy, which it does
not do.
WHEN are tall, large-diameter trees (large volume) indicative of a productive soil? correct
answers
Which of the following is not an example of an abiotic component of an ecosystem?
Water, Minerals, Sunlight, Fungi, Air correct answers Fungi
Why do rate variables tell us more about the functioning of an ecosystem than state variables?
correct answers Rate variables show productivity, or lack thereof, in a system. It shows how well
the system is functioning and it is a better representation of outputs and inputs in a system.
True or False. The net increase in pollutants into an ecosystem means that the adjacent
ecosystem would be experiencing a net decrease in pollutants. correct answers False
The framework of Systems Thinking yields many advantages to understanding nature and
environmental issues. Which of the following is NOT one of those advantages?better
understanding of the effects of disturbance
identifying patterns
understanding interdependencies relative to the whole
quantifying feedbacks
precise prediction of outcomes correct answers Precise prediction of outcomes
, Use a stormwater event (precipitation from a thunderstorm) in an urban system to describe
buffering capacity. correct answers It can cause flooding because the soil is not directly on the
ground for the water to absorb into.
True or False. The exact relationships between components of a complex system are unknown
and possibly unknowable. correct answers True
What is the difference between complex system and complicated systems? correct answers
Which of the following is NOT a rate variable?
growth
grams per meter squared per second
water in a lake
mineralization of nitrogen correct answers water in a lake
How could negative feedback within a system be wrongly interpreted as balance in nature?
correct answers Negative feedbacks can happen naturally and not in an attempt to return to
homeostasis within the system.
As the Earth warms, sea ice is predicted to melt and thin, which in turn reduces the insulation on
the oceans, which in turn allows the ocean to lose heat faster, which in turn increases ice
formation over cooler waters. This effect published in the Proceedings of the National Academy
of Sciences described a _____________ feedback loop. correct answers Negative
T/F: An increase in the resistance of an ecosystem to acid rain would also mean an increase in its
resiliency. correct answers False
The temperature of an organism that has died and is starting to decompose (e.g. a vole on the
forest floor) is at _______________________ with the temperature of the forest floor. correct
answers Equilibrium
What is the difference between equilibrium and steady state correct answers
Is steady state within an ecosystem sustainable? Support your answer. correct answers No,
conditions are constantly changing such as temperature and time so it is really hard for a system
to stay as a steady-state.
T/F: Well-intentioned alterations to an ecosystem can have unexpected consequences. correct
answers True
Why is it more likely for human intervention to solve a problem in a complicated system relative
to complex systems? correct answers A complicated system is predictable so humans will do that
since the outcome is already know, unlike complex systems.
SOLUTIONS!!
True or False. A tree that recovered quickly from a severe drought can have both a high
resistance and high resilience. correct answers True
Often ecosystem boundaries imposed by humans are different from natural boundaries. How can
this be? correct answers Human boundaries are usually administrative and arbitrary, they are not
necessarily accurate scientifically
True or False. A new steady state of an ecosystem could be reached in a positive feedback
situation. correct answers False
What does the net loss of water from a prairie tell you about that system? correct answers
Outputs exceed inputs
Briefly explain why boundaries are important to the definition of an ecosystem. correct answers
Is planet Earth considered a closed or open system relative to matter? Support your answer using
the definition of an open or closed system. correct answers The earth is considered a closed
system because all of the energy on the planet does not leave the earth. In order for a system to
be an open system the earth would have to output some type of material or energy, which it does
not do.
WHEN are tall, large-diameter trees (large volume) indicative of a productive soil? correct
answers
Which of the following is not an example of an abiotic component of an ecosystem?
Water, Minerals, Sunlight, Fungi, Air correct answers Fungi
Why do rate variables tell us more about the functioning of an ecosystem than state variables?
correct answers Rate variables show productivity, or lack thereof, in a system. It shows how well
the system is functioning and it is a better representation of outputs and inputs in a system.
True or False. The net increase in pollutants into an ecosystem means that the adjacent
ecosystem would be experiencing a net decrease in pollutants. correct answers False
The framework of Systems Thinking yields many advantages to understanding nature and
environmental issues. Which of the following is NOT one of those advantages?better
understanding of the effects of disturbance
identifying patterns
understanding interdependencies relative to the whole
quantifying feedbacks
precise prediction of outcomes correct answers Precise prediction of outcomes
, Use a stormwater event (precipitation from a thunderstorm) in an urban system to describe
buffering capacity. correct answers It can cause flooding because the soil is not directly on the
ground for the water to absorb into.
True or False. The exact relationships between components of a complex system are unknown
and possibly unknowable. correct answers True
What is the difference between complex system and complicated systems? correct answers
Which of the following is NOT a rate variable?
growth
grams per meter squared per second
water in a lake
mineralization of nitrogen correct answers water in a lake
How could negative feedback within a system be wrongly interpreted as balance in nature?
correct answers Negative feedbacks can happen naturally and not in an attempt to return to
homeostasis within the system.
As the Earth warms, sea ice is predicted to melt and thin, which in turn reduces the insulation on
the oceans, which in turn allows the ocean to lose heat faster, which in turn increases ice
formation over cooler waters. This effect published in the Proceedings of the National Academy
of Sciences described a _____________ feedback loop. correct answers Negative
T/F: An increase in the resistance of an ecosystem to acid rain would also mean an increase in its
resiliency. correct answers False
The temperature of an organism that has died and is starting to decompose (e.g. a vole on the
forest floor) is at _______________________ with the temperature of the forest floor. correct
answers Equilibrium
What is the difference between equilibrium and steady state correct answers
Is steady state within an ecosystem sustainable? Support your answer. correct answers No,
conditions are constantly changing such as temperature and time so it is really hard for a system
to stay as a steady-state.
T/F: Well-intentioned alterations to an ecosystem can have unexpected consequences. correct
answers True
Why is it more likely for human intervention to solve a problem in a complicated system relative
to complex systems? correct answers A complicated system is predictable so humans will do that
since the outcome is already know, unlike complex systems.
