/*! This file is auto-generated */ .wp-block-button__link{color:#fff;background-color:#32373c;border-radius:9999px;box-shadow:none;text-decoration:none;padding:calc(.667em + 2px) calc(1.333em + 2px);font-size:1.125em}.wp-block-file__button{background:#32373c;color:#fff;text-decoration:none} Problem 10 An ecologist hiking up a mountai... [FREE SOLUTION] | 91影视

91影视

Log out

Learning Materials

Features

Discover

Chapter 35: Problem 10

An ecologist hiking up a mountain may notice different biomes along the way due to changes in all of the following except ____. a. elevation b. rainfall c. latitude d. temperature

Short Answer

Expert verified
Latitude

Step by step solution

01

- Identify Key Variables

Understand that the question is asking which environmental factor does not affect the changes in biomes when hiking up a mountain. The factors given are elevation, rainfall, latitude, and temperature.
02

- Consider Elevation

Elevation changes as you hike up a mountain, which generally leads to changes in temperature and can influence which types of biomes are present.
03

- Examine Rainfall

Rainfall can vary at different altitudes on a mountain, impacting the type and distribution of biomes.
04

- Assess Latitude

Latitude is related to the geographic position north or south of the equator. A hiker stays at the same latitude while ascending a mountain, meaning latitude does not change with elevation.
05

- Evaluate Temperature

Temperature generally decreases with increasing elevation, thereby affecting the biomes.
06

- Conclusion

After evaluating all factors, it is evident that latitude is the factor which does not change as one hikes up a mountain and hence is not responsible for biome change.

Unlock Step-by-Step Solutions & Ace Your Exams!

  • Full Textbook Solutions

    Get detailed explanations and key concepts

  • Unlimited Al creation

    Al flashcards, explanations, exams and more...

  • Ads-free access

    To over 500 millions flashcards

  • Money-back guarantee

    We refund you if you fail your exam.

Over 30 million students worldwide already upgrade their learning with 91影视!

Key Concepts

These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.

elevation
Elevation refers to the height above sea level. As you hike up a mountain, the elevation increases. This change in elevation has a significant impact on the environment.

Increased elevation typically results in cooler temperatures. This cooling effect can lead to different types of vegetation and animal life at various heights. The air is thinner and cooler at higher elevations, supporting different biomes than those found at lower elevations.

For example, a mountain base may support a dense forest, while higher up, you might find alpine meadows or even barren rock faces. Elevation also affects rainfall patterns, with higher elevations receiving more precipitation in the form of snow.
  • Changes in elevation = different temperatures.
  • Different elevation levels = distinct biomes.
  • Higher elevation = thinner, cooler air.
rainfall
Rainfall is another critical factor influencing biomes. Depending on the altitude, mountains can receive varying amounts of rainfall.

On the windward side of a mountain, moist air is forced to rise, cool, and condense, which results in higher levels of precipitation. This often leads to lush, wet environments such as forests.

Conversely, the leeward side of a mountain (the side sheltered from prevailing winds) often receives significantly less rainfall, leading to drier conditions and even deserts. This phenomenon is known as the rain shadow effect.
  • More rainfall = wet environments (forests).
  • Less rainfall = dry environments (deserts).
  • Windward side = more rainfall.
  • Leeward side = less rainfall (rain shadow effect).
latitude
Latitude refers to a location's distance north or south of the equator. Latitude significantly influences climate and, consequently, biomes, but it remains constant while hiking up a mountain.

As hikers ascend, they stay within the same latitude range, meaning this geographic factor remains unchanged. This is why latitude is not responsible for the shifts in biomes experienced as you go higher up a mountain.
  • Latitude = distance from equator.
  • Influences climate and biomes.
  • Constant while hiking up a mountain.
  • Doesn't affect biome changes on mountain.
temperature
Temperature is a crucial environmental factor that changes with elevation, influencing the types of biomes encountered.

As you move higher up a mountain, the temperature generally drops. This decrease in temperature can impact the type of flora and fauna that can thrive at various heights. Lower temperatures at higher elevations can result in different biomes, such as transitioning from forests to tundra, and ultimately to icy, barren landscapes.

The temperature changes also affect the metabolic rates of organisms and the types of plant species that can survive these conditions.
  • Higher elevation = lower temperature.
  • Different temperatures = different biomes.
  • Impacts flora and fauna.
  • Lower temperatures = higher up biomes (e.g., tundra).

One App. One Place for Learning.

All the tools & learning materials you need for study success - in one app.

Get started for free

Most popular questions from this chapter

Deserts and subtropical deserts experience low precipitation and extremes in temperature. For a plant to survive and reproduce, what adaptations should it have? Why? a. To survive, they need prop roots, reduced foliage and fleshy leaves with sunken stomata to reduce transpiration. Also, they should have seeds that can remain dormant over long periods. b. To survive, they need deep roots, reduced foliage and fleshy leaves with sunken stomata to reduce transpiration. Also, they should have seeds that can remain dormant over long periods. c. To survive, they need deep roots, reduced foliage and fleshy leaves with sunken stomata to reduce transpiration. Also, these plants need to grow in clumps. d. To survive, they need deep roots, increased foliage, and fleshy leaves with sunken stomata to reduce transpiration. Also, the plants need seeds that can remain dormant over long periods.

Which of the following biomes would have maximum net primary production? a. deciduous forests b. deserts c. arctic tundra d. savannas

What are some abiotic factors that affect freshwater biomes? Explain. a. Salinity and sunlight are both abiotic factors that influence life in freshwater biomes. As organisms living in freshwater biomes require high salt density for survival, its depletion would kill the organisms. Many organisms that serve as food for others are photosynthetic and would die if algae blooms obscured the light. Their decomposition as well as the depletion of oxygen by algae would cause organisms that require oxygen to die out as well. b. Salinity and sunlight are both abiotic factors that influence life in freshwater biomes. As organisms living in freshwater biomes cannot tolerate high salt levels, these organisms would not survive if it increased. Many organisms that serve as food for others are photosynthetic would die if algal blooms obscured the light. Their decomposition and the depletion of carbon dioxide by algae would cause organisms that require carbon dioxide to die out as well. c. Salinity and sunlight are both abiotic factors that influence life in freshwater biomes. As organisms living in freshwater biomes cannot tolerate high salt levels, these organisms would not survive if it were to increase significantly. Many organisms that serve as food for others are photosynthetic and would die if algal blooms obscure light. Their decomposition and depletion of oxygen by algae would cause organisms that require oxygen to die out as well. d. Salinity and temperature are both abiotic factors that influence life in freshwater biomes. As organisms living in freshwater biomes cannot tolerate high salt concentrations, those organisms would not survive if salt concentrations increased significantly. Many organisms that serve as food for others are photosynthetic and would die if algal blooms obscured the light. Their decomposition and the depletion of oxygen by algae would cause organisms that require oxygen to die out as well

Why is it essential for organisms to maintain a constant body temperature? Describe adaptations that help the organisms cope with changes in environmental temperature. a. The rate of metabolic processes increases at very high or low temperatures. So, organisms have to maintain a constant body temperature. This can be achieved only by migration to avoid seasonal temperature changes. b. Enzymes that carry out metabolic processes are denatured at very high temperatures. So, organisms have to maintain a constant body temperature. This can be achieved by hibernation, aestivation, or migration. c. The rate of metabolic processes increases at very high or low temperatures. So, organisms have to maintain a constant body temperature. This can be achieved by hibernation, aestivation, or migration. d. Enzymes that carry out metabolic processes are denatured at very high temperatures. So, organisms have to maintain a constant body temperature. This can be achieved only by migration to avoid seasonal temperature changes.

Biogeography is the study of the geographic distribution of living things and the _____ that affect their distribution. a. Abiotic factors b. Biotic factors c. Biomes d. Conspecifics
See all solutions

Recommended explanations on Biology Textbooks

Chemistry of Life

Read Explanation

Energy Transfers

Read Explanation

Bioenergetics

Read Explanation

Cells

Read Explanation

Ecosystems

Read Explanation

Responding to Change

Read Explanation
View all explanations

What do you think about this solution?

We value your feedback to improve our textbook solutions.

Study anywhere. Anytime. Across all devices.