The Environmental Geology 1340 Exam Practice Test!

An ecosystem consists of various communities of organisms that interact with each other and their environment. Each community is made up of different species that share a common habitat and interact with one another. These interactions can include competition for resources, predation, and symbiotic relationships. Therefore, it is correct to say that an ecosystem is composed of many communities.

Structure A is a breakwater because it is a barrier built offshore to protect a harbor, anchorage, or shoreline from the effects of waves and currents. It is designed to absorb or deflect the energy of the waves, reducing erosion and providing a calm area behind it.

All of the factors listed, including soil type, regional climate, air and soil temperatures, solar insolation, and amount of precipitation, can influence the distribution and biogeography of plant species. Soil type affects the availability of nutrients and water for plants, while regional climate, air and soil temperatures, solar insolation, and amount of precipitation determine the environmental conditions that plants can tolerate and thrive in. Therefore, all of these factors play a role in shaping the distribution and biogeography of plant species.

Surf refers to the wave forms that occur closest to the beach when incoming ocean waves approach a coast. It is the result of the interaction between the waves and the shallow water near the shore. As the waves approach the beach, the bottom of the wave starts to slow down due to the friction with the ocean floor, causing the top of the wave to move faster and eventually topple forward, creating the characteristic surf. Crests are the highest points of a wave, breakers are waves that collapse and break as they reach the shore, and swells are long, rolling waves that travel across the ocean's surface.

Higher sunspot activity increases the solar wind, which in turn warms Earth's upper atmosphere. Sunspots are areas on the Sun's surface that are cooler and darker than the surrounding areas. These sunspots are associated with intense magnetic activity, which leads to the release of solar wind. The solar wind is a stream of charged particles that is emitted by the Sun and reaches Earth. When the solar wind interacts with Earth's upper atmosphere, it heats up the gases present there, causing an increase in temperature. Therefore, higher sunspot activity can affect Earth's climate by warming the upper atmosphere.

Both C & D can affect global climate on a time scale of several decades. Changes in overall sunspot activity can influence the amount of solar radiation reaching the Earth, which can impact global climate. Human activity, such as burning of fossil fuels, can release greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, leading to an increase in global temperatures and changes in climate patterns. Therefore, both factors can contribute to changes in global climate over a period of several decades.

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The statement that global sea level has risen and fallen many times throughout Earth history is true. This is supported by scientific evidence and research that shows sea levels have fluctuated over time due to various factors such as climate change, melting ice sheets, and tectonic activity. These changes in sea level have occurred over long periods of time and have had significant impacts on coastal areas and ecosystems.

The configuration of the Earth-Moon-Sun system that results in a spring tide is when the Sun, Moon, and Earth are aligned in a straight line. During this alignment, the gravitational forces of the Sun and Moon combine, causing a stronger gravitational pull on the Earth's oceans. This leads to higher high tides and lower low tides, creating a greater tidal range. Spring tides occur during the new moon and full moon phases.

The correct answer is A. An outwash plain is a flat area of sediment that is deposited by meltwater streams from a glacier. In the figure, letter A represents a flat area of sediment that is located at the bottom of the glacier, which is characteristic of an outwash plain.

The statement is false because while some areas of sea ice and ice shelves in the Arctic and Antarctica may have increased in area over the past two decades, the overall trend is a significant decrease. This is due to the effects of global warming, which has caused the melting and shrinking of ice in these regions. The increase in area in some places may be a result of natural variability or temporary factors, but the long-term trend is a decline in sea ice and ice shelves.

The photo is most likely that of a needleleaf forest because needleleaf forests, also known as coniferous forests, are characterized by trees with needle-like leaves, such as pine, spruce, and fir trees. These forests are typically found in colder regions, such as northern Europe, Canada, and parts of Russia. The photo may show tall, straight trees with needle-like leaves, which are common features of needleleaf forests.

A bay barrier or baymouth bar is a depositional feature along a coast that forms across the mouth of a bay, partially or completely blocking the entrance. This barrier is typically composed of sand or sediment that is deposited by waves and currents, creating a barrier between the bay and the open ocean. These features can be important for protecting the bay from erosion and wave action, as well as providing habitat for various marine species.

Primary producers (organisms that make their own food from sunlight and/or chemical energy from deep sea vents) are the base of every food chain - these organisms are called autotrophs.
Primary consumers are animals that eat primary producers; they are also called herbivores (plant-eaters).
Secondary consumers eat primary consumers. They are carnivores (meat-eaters) and omnivores (animals that eat both animals and plants).
Tertiary consumers eat secondary consumers.
Quaternary consumers eat tertiary consumers.
Food chains "end" with top predators, animals that have little or no natural enemies.

Tertiary consumers would contain the fewest members within a community's food chain. This is because tertiary consumers are at the highest level of the food chain and typically feed on secondary consumers, which are already fewer in number than primary consumers or producers. As energy is transferred up the food chain, there is a decrease in available energy and biomass, resulting in a smaller number of organisms at each subsequent trophic level.

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The greatest amount of coastal erosion is occurring at the headlands. Headlands are elevated areas of land that extend out into the sea, and they are more exposed to the erosive forces of waves and currents. The constant pounding of waves against the headlands causes the erosion of the coastline, resulting in the greatest amount of erosion in this area compared to the other options provided.

Atoll, barrier, and fringing are all terms used to describe different types of coral reefs. Coral reefs are underwater ecosystems formed by the accumulation of coral skeletons over time. Atolls are circular or horseshoe-shaped reefs that surround a lagoon. Barrier reefs are parallel to the coastline and are separated from the shore by a lagoon. Fringing reefs are directly attached to the shore. Therefore, the correct answer is coral reefs.

A wave-cut platform is a geological feature formed by the erosive action of waves on a rocky coastline, typically found along cliffs or steep shorelines. It is not associated with wetlands because it is a result of wave erosion, whereas wetlands are typically low-lying areas with waterlogged soil and specific vegetation adapted to wet conditions. Wetlands such as bogs, salt marshes, and mangroves are characterized by their water-saturated conditions, which are not present in wave-cut platforms. Therefore, a wave-cut platform is least likely associated with wetlands.

Leaching of cations does not add fertility to a soil because it involves the removal of essential nutrients from the soil through the movement of water. This process can lead to nutrient depletion and decrease the soil's fertility. On the other hand, available water, good porosity, presence of soil colloids, and richness in humus all contribute to soil fertility by providing nutrients, improving water retention, and promoting the growth of beneficial microorganisms.

Loam is soil composed of sand, silt, and clay in relatively even concentration (about 40-40-20% concentration respectively).[1] Loam soils generally contain more nutrients and humus than sandy soils, have better infiltration and drainage than silty soils, and are easier to till than clay soils. Loams are gritty, moist, and retain water easily.

The general term "ice age" or, more precisely, "glacial age" denotes a geological period of long-term reduction in the temperature of the Earth's surface and atmosphere, resulting in an expansion of continental ice sheets, polar ice sheets and alpine glaciers. An ice age is a natural system. Within a long-term ice age, individual pulses of extra cold climate are termed "glacial periods" (or alternatively "glacials" or "glaciations"), and intermittent warm periods are called "interglacials". Glaciologically, ice age implies the presence of extensive ice sheets in the northern and southern hemispheres;[1] by this definition we are still in the ice age that began at the start of the Pleistocene (because the Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets still exist).[2]

The question asks which of the given lines is pointing to an Arete. Since only line A is mentioned as the answer, it can be inferred that line A is the only one pointing to an Arete.

Soil would be best developed in a temperate climate with flat to gently-rolling topography. This is because temperate climates typically have a moderate amount of rainfall and a moderate temperature range, which allows for the breakdown of rocks and the accumulation of organic matter. The flat to gently-rolling topography helps to prevent erosion and allows for the accumulation of soil.

The function or occupation of a life form within a community is called a "niche". A niche refers to the specific role or position that an organism occupies within its habitat, including its interactions with other organisms and its utilization of resources. It involves the organism's behavior, diet, habitat preferences, and other ecological factors. The niche concept helps to understand how different species coexist and interact in an ecosystem.

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Changes in the angle of tilt of Earth's rotational axis occur approximately in 41,000 year cycles. This is known as the Milankovitch cycles, which are long-term variations in the Earth's orbit and axial tilt. The Earth's tilt changes between 22.1 and 24.5 degrees over this cycle, which affects the distribution of sunlight and influences climate patterns. These cycles play a significant role in shaping the Earth's climate over long periods of time.

Calcification is the process in which calcium carbonate accumulates in the soil, forming a hardened layer. This process typically occurs in arid or semi-arid regions where evaporation exceeds precipitation, causing the groundwater to rise and bring dissolved calcium carbonate to the surface. As the water evaporates, the calcium carbonate precipitates and forms a hardened layer known as caliche. Therefore, the most likely result of calcification would be a hardened layer in the B horizon called caliche.

The tundra biome occurs at the highest latitudes and highest altitudes. This is because the tundra is characterized by extremely cold temperatures and a short growing season, which makes it suitable for only certain types of vegetation to survive. The harsh climate and high altitudes limit the growth of trees and support the growth of low-lying plants like mosses, lichens, and shrubs. The tundra biome is found in regions like the Arctic and high mountain ranges where the conditions are too extreme for other biomes to thrive.

In allopatric speciation, a small group of individuals becomes geographically isolated from the larger population. This isolation prevents gene flow between the two groups, allowing for genetic divergence to occur over time. The isolated group may experience different selective pressures and environmental conditions, leading to the accumulation of genetic differences and eventually the formation of a new species.

The higher salinity in subtropical regions compared to the equatorial belt can be explained by the fact that evaporation exceeds precipitation in the subtropical region, while the opposite occurs along the equator. This means that more water is being evaporated in the subtropical regions, leaving behind a higher concentration of salt in the remaining water. In contrast, along the equator, where there is more precipitation, the dilution effect of the rainwater lowers the overall salinity of the ocean water.

Beach drift refers to the movement of sediment along the beach due to the action of waves and currents. Longshore currents, on the other hand, are currents that flow parallel to the shoreline. The given statement correctly states that beach drift and longshore currents transport sediment in the same direction. This means that the sediment is moved along the beach in the same direction as the longshore current.

Tropical rain forests are characterized by three levels of canopy, high insolation (exposure to the sun's rays), high average annual temperature, and contain the most diverse body of life on earth. These forests have a dense and lush vegetation, with a variety of plant and animal species. The three levels of canopy include the emergent layer (the tallest trees), the canopy layer (where most of the vegetation is found), and the understory layer (lower vegetation). The high insolation and temperature in these forests provide optimal conditions for the growth and survival of a wide range of species, resulting in high biodiversity.

alinity is the saltiness or dissolved salt content of a body of water. It is a general term used to describe the levels of different salts such as sodium chloride, magnesium and calcium sulfates, and bicarbonates.

cirque (French for "circus") is an amphitheatre-like valley head, formed at the head of a valley glacier by erosion.

An esker is a long winding ridge of stratified sand and gravel, examples of which occur in glaciated and formerly glaciated regions of Europe and North America. Eskers are frequently several miles long and, because of their peculiar uniform shape, are somewhat like railroad embankments.

The terms blocky, platy, and granular describe the soil's structure. Structure refers to the arrangement of soil particles and the way they are grouped together. Blocky structure refers to soil particles that are arranged in block-like shapes, platy structure refers to soil particles that are arranged in thin, flat layers, and granular structure refers to soil particles that are arranged in small, rounded aggregates. These different structures can affect the soil's ability to hold water, allow roots to penetrate, and support plant growth.

Ice cores recovered in Greenland and Antarctica provide a record of changes in atmospheric temperature and composition dating back to over 100,000 years ago. Based on this data, it is true that atmospheric temperature has been steadily increasing over the last 12 thousand years and we are presently in an interglacial cycle.

Atmospheric nitrogen cannot be directly used by plants, but rather must first be converted into usable compounds by lightning and certain soil bacteria. This process is known as nitrogen fixation. Lightning provides the energy required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into nitrogen oxides, which can then dissolve in rainwater and reach the soil. Certain soil bacteria, such as Rhizobium and Azotobacter, can also convert atmospheric nitrogen into a form that plants can use, through a process called biological nitrogen fixation. Once converted, plants can take up the nitrogen compounds and use them to synthesize proteins and other essential molecules.

When waves approach the beach, they actually slow down due to the decrease in water depth. This causes the wave crests to bunch closer together and increase in height. Additionally, the approaching wave crests align parallel with the coastline in a phenomenon known as wave refraction. Therefore, the statement "Waves speed up when approaching the beach" is false.

Laterization is a soil-forming process that occurs in tropical and subtropical regions with high rainfall and high temperatures. It involves the leaching of minerals and nutrients from the soil due to intense weathering and the formation of a distinct layer of iron and aluminum oxides. This process often leads to the development of a reddish or yellowish soil color and a low fertility level.

Plants with deep roots, spreading root systems, water-holding tissue, and leaves with waxy coatings and fine hair are adaptations that help them survive in arid environments with limited water availability. Deserts are characterized by extremely dry conditions and low precipitation, making it a suitable habitat for plants with these specific adaptations. In deserts, these plants are able to access water deep underground through their deep roots, store water in their tissues, and reduce water loss through their waxy coatings and fine hair on leaves. Therefore, deserts are the most likely location for plants with these characteristics to occur.

The use of fertilizers on crops is not part of the natural carbon cycle. Fertilizers are synthetic substances that are added to soil to provide nutrients to plants. While fertilizers may contain carbon compounds, their use is a human activity and not a natural process in the carbon cycle. The other options listed are all natural processes that involve the movement and transformation of carbon in the Earth's systems.

The answer explains that the Cenozoic climate was warmest 60 million years ago and has gradually cooled since then. This cooling eventually led to the Pleistocene Ice Age, which began 2 million years ago. This explanation suggests a long-term trend of cooling in the global climate over the last 60 million years of the Cenozoic Era.

Lateral moraine is formed by deposition rather than erosion. It is created when rocks and debris accumulate along the sides of a glacier as it moves downhill. As the glacier melts, it leaves behind a ridge of sediment on either side, forming the lateral moraine. This process is a result of the glacier depositing material rather than eroding the landscape.

In the B-horizon, clay, iron, and aluminum accumulate from overlying horizons. This is because the B-horizon is the subsoil layer where minerals and nutrients from the upper layers are leached down by water and gravity. As water percolates through the soil, it carries these particles and deposits them in the B-horizon, resulting in the accumulation of clay, iron, and aluminum.

Laterization is the process by which Oxisols form. It involves the leaching of minerals and nutrients from the soil due to heavy rainfall and high temperatures, resulting in the accumulation of iron and aluminum oxides. This process occurs in tropical and subtropical regions where there is a long period of weathering and intense chemical weathering. As a result, Oxisols are highly weathered, acidic, and nutrient-poor soils that are characteristic of these regions.

The Mediterranean Shrubland Biome is characterized by stunted, woody shrubs and a dry summer climate. It is typically found in regions with a Mediterranean climate, such as Southern California. However, the presence of monsoonal rains is not consistent with this biome. Monsoonal rains are more commonly associated with tropical or subtropical climates, where there is a distinct wet and dry season. Therefore, the statement about monsoonal rains is least consistent with a Mediterranean Shrubland Biome.

During the last ice age, when glaciers reached their maximum extent, plants and animals characteristic of colder climates would have migrated southward to lower latitudes. This is because the colder temperatures and expanding ice sheets would have made their original habitats inhospitable. As a result, these species would have moved to more suitable environments where they could find food and survive. This migration is a common response to changes in climate and is observed in various species throughout history.

Gelisols are the correct answer because they occur in regions of permafrost where cryoturbation is common. Cryoturbation refers to the mixing of soil materials due to freeze-thaw cycles, which is common in areas with permafrost. Gelisols also support tundra-type vegetation, which is characteristic of cold regions.