EXAM EXAMPLE FOR LECTURE 1 EXAM

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1.  On the above map of the world, show where you would expect to find the following:

a. subtropical high pressure systems over the oceans (assume that it is the spring equinox)
b. subsolar point (assume that it is the spring equinox)
c. the northern and southern Pacific Ocean gyres showing direction of rotation
d. the Trade Winds in the Atlantic Ocean (show directionality with arrows)
e. moist subtropical (=warm temperate evergreen) forest in North America
f. temperate rain forest (all locations)
g. desert (south Africa only)
h. Humboldt current

2.  Describe the Tropical Deciduous [= Tropical Dry] biome climate (e.g., around the Panama Canal), and say something about what controls this climate by referring to Hadley Cells, wind patterns, and movement of the subsolar point.

3.  You were invited by Mendota Gridiron Club to lead a world eco-tour for the Badger football team after the Rose Bowl. You start in (A) Pasadena, California and stop for (B) a safari and wild flower jaunt in the Namib Desert in Africa, (C) a floristic survey of the mangrove forest outside Calcutta, India, (D) a canopy walk in the jungles of Sumatra, and (E) a visit to the ginseng farms of the eastern China temperate forests. Given below are climate diagrams - which Barry Alvarez was collecting as souvenirs - representing each of your stops. Unfortunately, he lost one of them. Indicate by letter which climate diagram represents which biome stop.

4.   "The substitution, or the repetition, of similar, almost identical morphological types in different regions separated from each other by oceans or wide areas of land, is a marvelous law of nature" -- Humboldt

Discuss in some detail what is meant by this sentence. For complete credit, bring into the discussion the terms vegetation, flora, convergence, life forms.

5.  Match the life form with the biome type that would most likely contain it (some could be answered with more than one biome, but just give one; not all biome types need be used).

annuals                A. Tropical rainforest

epiphytes              B. Tropical dryforest

conifers               C. Mangrove

subshrubs              D. Desert

cushions               E. Mediterranean

parasites               F. Temperate rainforest

bulbs                  G. Boreal forest

halophytes              H. Tundra

bottle trees

lianas

stilt roots

succulents

6.  Greenhouse tour: of the number of examples that you saw that illustrated convergence, describe the one that you thought was the most convincing.

 

7.  Below is a list of plants that you can use to answer the following questions. Some could have more than one good answer, but just give one. An answer can be used more than once, or not at all.

a.  A characteristic family of the North American grasslands

b.  Common epiphytes of rainforests

c.  Important trees restricted to the Asian tropical rainforests

d.  Important family of Mediterranean biome

e.  A cactus "mimic" in Madagascar

f.  Important group of trees in the Neotropical rainforest

List of plant taxa

1. Ericaceae - blueberry family

2. Asteraceae - composites

3. orchids

4. Acacia

5. Magnoliaceae - magnolia family

6. conifers

7. dipterocarps (Dipterocarpaceae)

8. Didieriaceae

9. Fabaceae - legume family

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