Which of the following groups is (are) absolutely essential to the functioning of an ecosystem?a. producersb. producers and herbivoresc. producers, herbivores, and carnivoresd. producers and decomposers

Match each description on the left with the correct biome on the right. 2. The most complex and diverse biome 3. Ground permanently frozen 4. Deciduous trees such as ­hickory and birch 5. Limited to small coastal areas 6. Spruce, fir, pine, and hemlock trees 7. Home of ants, antelopes, and lions 8. North American plains a. chaparral b. savanna c. taiga d. temperate broadleaf forest e. temperate grassland f. tropical rain forest g. arctic tundra

Where do rain shadows exist?a. the part of a mountain that receives prevailing winds and heavy rainb. the region beyond a mountain range that receives dry airc. the region along the equator where precipitation is abundantd. the region near 30°N and 30°S latitude that receives dry air

Add labels to the figure that follows, which illustrates how various factors influence local climate.

Which of the following is characteristic of most terrestrial biomes?a. a distribution predicted almost entirely by rock and soil patternsb. clear boundaries between adjacent biomesc. vegetation demonstrating vertical layeringd. cold winter months

What is the main type of vegetation in a tropical wet forest?a. shrubs and bunchgrassesb. herbs, grasses, and vinesc. broad-leaved deciduous treesd. broad-leaved evergreen trees

Areas of low solar irradiation are .a. closer to the equator than to the poles;b. closer to the poles than the equator;c. at high altitudes;d. close to large bodies of water;e. more than one of the above is correct

The oceans affect the biosphere by(A)absorbing a substantial amount of the biosphere's oxygen.(B)regulating the pH of freshwater biomes and terrestrial groundwater.(C)decreasing winter temperatures of coastal terrestrial biomes.(D)removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

The oceans affect the biosphere in all of the following ways excepta. producing a substantial amount of the biosphere's oxygen.b. removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.c. moderating the climate of terrestrial biomes.d. regulating the pH of freshwater biomes and terrestrial groundwater.