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Total Categories: 7
Semi-natural grasslands are characterized by a complete lack of human intervention.
Answer: False
This statement is incorrect. Semi-natural grasslands are defined by their maintenance through human activities such as grazing or mowing, rather than a complete absence of human influence.
The assertion that grasslands cover less than 10% of the Earth's land surface is accurate.
Answer: False
This statement is inaccurate. Grasslands represent one of the largest biomes globally, estimated to cover between 31% and 69% of the Earth's land surface.
Which of the following best defines a grassland ecosystem according to the provided information?
Answer: An ecological area where vegetation is predominantly composed of grasses.
The provided information defines a grassland as an ecological area where vegetation is predominantly composed of grasses, often alongside sedges, rushes, and various herbs.
What percentage of the Earth's land surface is estimated to be covered by grasslands?
Answer: Between 31% and 69%
Grasslands are estimated to cover a significant portion of the Earth's land surface, ranging between 31% and 69%.
Which of the following is NOT one of the primary categories of grasslands mentioned in the text?
Answer: Artificial grasslands
The text identifies natural, semi-natural, and agricultural grasslands as primary categories. 'Artificial grasslands' is not explicitly mentioned as a distinct category in the provided source material.
According to one definition provided, grasslands are regions receiving annual precipitation within which range to support grass growth?
Answer: 25-75 cm
One definition provided specifies that grasslands are regions receiving sufficient average annual precipitation, typically between 25 and 75 cm, to support grass growth.
Graminoids, including grasses, became widespread before the Jurassic period.
Answer: False
This statement is inaccurate. Fossil evidence indicates that graminoids, the group encompassing grasses, became widespread towards the end of the Cretaceous period, not before the Jurassic.
The formation of mountains in the western United States contributed to the evolution of grasslands by creating a continental climate.
Answer: True
This statement is accurate. The geological uplift of mountains in the western United States during the Miocene and Pliocene epochs created a continental climate that fostered the evolution and expansion of grasslands.
The 'mammoth steppe' was a cold, arid grassland ecosystem that existed during the Pleistocene ice ages.
Answer: True
This statement is accurate. The mammoth steppe was a vast, cold, and arid grassland ecosystem prevalent across the Northern Hemisphere during the Pleistocene glacial periods.
When did fossil evidence suggest graminoids, the group including grasses, became widespread?
Answer: Towards the end of the Cretaceous period
Fossil evidence, including phytoliths found in dinosaur feces, indicates that graminoids, which include grasses, became widespread towards the conclusion of the Cretaceous period.
What geological event around 25 million years ago is linked to the evolution of grasslands in the western United States?
Answer: The uplift of mountains in the western United States
The uplift of mountains in the western United States approximately 25 million years ago created a continental climate that facilitated the evolution and spread of grasslands.
The assertion that grasslands are exclusively found in temperate regions and are absent from tropical zones is accurate.
Answer: False
This statement is inaccurate. Grasslands are found globally, including tropical and subtropical regions, as well as temperate zones. The source details various biome types across different climatic regions.
Schimper classified grasslands into meadows, steppes, and savannas.
Answer: True
This statement is accurate. Andreas Franz Wilhelm Schimper classified grasslands into three primary types: meadows, steppes, and savannas.
Tropical and subtropical grasslands are characterized by very low annual rainfall, typically under 500 mm.
Answer: False
This statement is inaccurate. Tropical and subtropical grasslands typically receive annual rainfall between 900 and 1500 mm, which is considerably higher than the stated 500 mm.
The Everglades in Florida is an example of a montane grassland ecosystem.
Answer: False
This statement is inaccurate. The Everglades in Florida is an example of a flooded grassland and savanna ecosystem, not a montane grassland.
Desert and xeric grasslands are found in humid environments with abundant rainfall.
Answer: False
This statement is inaccurate. Desert and xeric grasslands are characterized by arid environments with low rainfall and extreme temperatures, necessitating adaptations for water conservation.
Water-meadows are grasslands that are intentionally flooded periodically to boost grass growth.
Answer: True
This statement is accurate. Water-meadows are a type of grassland specifically managed by periodic flooding to enhance grass productivity.
Andreas Franz Wilhelm Schimper classified grasslands into which three main types?
Answer: Meadows, Steppes, Savannas
Andreas Franz Wilhelm Schimper classified grasslands into three main types: meadows, steppes, and savannas.
Which biome type is characterized by grasses and scattered trees, annual rainfall between 900-1500 mm, and large mammals like wildebeest?
Answer: Tropical and subtropical grasslands, savannas, and shrublands
Tropical and subtropical grasslands, savannas, and shrublands are characterized by rainfall between 900-1500 mm, scattered trees, and support large mammals like wildebeest.
The North American prairies and the Pampas of South America are examples of which biome type?
Answer: Temperate grasslands, savannas, and shrublands
The North American prairies and the Pampas of South America are classic examples of temperate grasslands, savannas, and shrublands.
Which of the following is an example of a flooded grassland ecoregion?
Answer: The Everglades in Florida
The Everglades in Florida is cited as a prominent example of a flooded grassland and savanna ecosystem.
Which of the following is a characteristic of temperate grasslands, savannas, and shrublands?
Answer: Found in mid-latitudes and support diverse large herbivores and carnivores.
Temperate grasslands, savannas, and shrublands are typically found in mid-latitudes and are known for supporting a diverse array of large herbivores and carnivores.
A plagioclimax describes a vegetation state determined solely by natural climax conditions, unaffected by disturbances.
Answer: False
This statement is incorrect. A plagioclimax refers to a vegetation state maintained by recurring disturbances, such as human or animal activity (e.g., grazing, cutting, fires), rather than solely by natural climax conditions.
Soil invertebrates and fungi play a negligible role in grassland soil health.
Answer: False
This statement is inaccurate. Soil invertebrates and fungi are crucial for grassland soil health, contributing to root extension, soil aeration, nutrient enrichment, and water retention.
Woody encroachment refers to the expansion of herbaceous plants at the expense of woody species in grasslands.
Answer: False
This statement is incorrect. Woody encroachment is defined as the expansion of woody plants, such as shrubs and trees, into grassland areas, thereby reducing the dominance of herbaceous species.
Fires are detrimental to grassland ecosystems and should always be suppressed.
Answer: False
This statement is inaccurate. Fires are often crucial for maintaining grassland ecosystems, preventing the encroachment of woody species and preserving biodiversity. Suppression can lead to degradation.
The dense root systems of grassland plants are primarily important for nutrient uptake.
Answer: False
This statement is inaccurate. While important for nutrient uptake, the primary significance of dense root systems in grasslands lies in their role in soil stability, preventing erosion, and contributing to the overall structure and health of the ecosystem.
Which factor is identified as a primary driver preventing trees and shrubs from dominating grassland ecosystems?
Answer: Regular disturbances like grazing, cutting, or fires
Regular disturbances, including grazing, periodic cutting, and fires, are primary factors that prevent trees and shrubs from establishing dominance and maintain the grassland ecosystem.
What role do soil invertebrates and fungi play in grassland ecosystems?
Answer: They extend root systems, aerate soil, and enrich it with fertilizers.
Soil invertebrates and fungi play a vital role by extending root systems, aerating the soil, breaking down organic matter, and enriching it with natural fertilizers, thereby promoting plant growth and soil health.
The process where woody plants expand into grasslands is known as:
Answer: Woody encroachment
The expansion of woody plants, such as shrubs and trees, into grassland areas is termed woody encroachment.
Grasslands are minor carbon sinks, holding less than 5% of the world's soil carbon.
Answer: False
This statement is incorrect. Grasslands are significant carbon sinks, storing approximately twenty percent of the world's soil carbon stocks, primarily within their extensive root systems.
Species richness in grasslands is typically highest in areas with very high soil fertility.
Answer: False
This statement is inaccurate. Grassland species richness tends to be highest in areas with low soil fertility, as this condition inhibits the encroachment of trees and shrubs, allowing a greater diversity of herbaceous species to thrive.
Increased atmospheric CO2 levels generally hinder plant growth and water use efficiency in grasslands.
Answer: False
This statement is inaccurate. Increased atmospheric CO2 concentrations generally enhance plant growth and improve water use efficiency in grasslands, although this effect can be modulated by other factors like water availability and nutrient levels.
What makes semi-natural grasslands globally significant in terms of biodiversity?
Answer: They host a high density of wild plant species on a small spatial scale.
Semi-natural grasslands are globally significant for biodiversity because they can host a remarkably high density of wild plant species within small areas.
Approximately what proportion of the world's soil carbon is stored in grassland ecosystems?
Answer: 20%
Grassland ecosystems are significant carbon sinks, storing approximately twenty percent of the world's soil carbon stocks.
Which factor is NOT mentioned in the source as influencing the amount of carbon stored in grassland soils?
Answer: Average daily wind speed
The source lists underground biomass, precipitation, temperature, soil disturbances, and erosion as factors influencing carbon storage in grassland soils. Average daily wind speed is not mentioned.
Why are grasslands in low soil fertility areas often more species-rich?
Answer: Low nutrients prevent the encroachment of trees and shrubs.
Low soil fertility in grasslands often leads to higher species richness because it inhibits the competitive advantage of trees and shrubs, thus preventing woody encroachment and allowing a greater diversity of herbaceous species to flourish.
How does increased atmospheric CO2 concentration generally affect grassland plant growth?
Answer: It enhances growth and improves water use efficiency.
Increased atmospheric CO2 concentration generally enhances plant growth and improves water use efficiency in grasslands, particularly in drier environments.
Human land use, such as agriculture and mining, is considered the most significant threat to global grassland ecosystems.
Answer: True
This statement is accurate. According to the IUCN, human land use activities, particularly agriculture and mining, represent the most significant threat to grassland ecosystems worldwide.
Land use intensification has led to an increase in the area of semi-natural grasslands in Europe.
Answer: False
This statement is inaccurate. Land use intensification has resulted in a significant decrease in the area of semi-natural grasslands in Europe, with substantial losses observed throughout the 20th century.
Preventing traditional practices like fire and grazing can lead to grassland degradation and loss of species diversity.
Answer: True
This statement is accurate. The cessation of traditional practices such as fire regimes and grazing can indeed lead to grassland degradation, often through shrub encroachment and a subsequent reduction in herbaceous species diversity.
Between 1960 and 2015, the percentage of semi-natural grasslands in Europe increased significantly.
Answer: False
This statement is inaccurate. Between 1960 and 2015, Europe experienced a significant decrease in semi-natural grasslands, not an increase, due to land use intensification and conversion to other land types.
Semi-natural grasslands in fertile, easily accessible areas are more likely to persist than those in drought-prone regions.
Answer: False
This statement is inaccurate. Semi-natural grasslands located on fertile, easily accessible terrain are generally more susceptible to intensification (e.g., conversion to agriculture or forests) and thus less likely to persist compared to those in less productive or drought-prone regions.
Afforestation efforts are always beneficial for grassland ecosystems and their services.
Answer: False
This statement is inaccurate. Afforestation efforts can be detrimental to grassland ecosystems if misapplied, potentially leading to habitat loss and a reduction in biodiversity, thereby negatively impacting essential ecosystem services.
Climate change is expected to negatively impact invasive grasses, reducing their prevalence.
Answer: False
This statement is inaccurate. Climate change, particularly warmer and drier conditions, is generally expected to favor the proliferation of non-native and invasive grasses, potentially reducing native biodiversity.
The removal of which keystone species is mentioned as an example of disruption in American West grasslands?
Answer: Bison or prairie dogs
The removal of keystone species such as bison or prairie dogs in the American West is cited as an example of ecological disruption within grassland ecosystems.
What is identified as the most significant threat to grasslands globally by the IUCN?
Answer: Human land use (agriculture, mining)
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) identifies human land use, specifically agriculture and mining, as the most significant threat to global grassland ecosystems.
What percentage of semi-natural grasslands in Europe were lost during the 20th century due to land use intensification?
Answer: About 90%
Land use intensification during the 20th century led to the loss of approximately 90% of semi-natural grasslands in Europe.
What is the consequence of the significant loss of semi-natural grasslands for specialist species?
Answer: Their populations often decline due to habitat loss.
The substantial loss of semi-natural grasslands, primarily due to agricultural intensification, has led to significant habitat loss, negatively impacting the populations of specialist species adapted to these environments.
Overcoming 'seed limitation' is a minor challenge in grassland restoration efforts.
Answer: False
This statement is incorrect. Overcoming 'seed limitation,' which refers to difficulties in establishing diverse native plant communities due to a lack of viable seeds or effective dispersal, is identified as a significant challenge in grassland restoration.
The UN Decade on Restoration aims to halt, not accelerate, the restoration of degraded ecosystems.
Answer: False
This statement is inaccurate. The UN Decade on Restoration (2021-2030) is specifically aimed at accelerating the restoration of degraded ecosystems worldwide, not halting it.
Grazing and cutting are secondary methods for maintaining semi-natural grasslands, with natural processes being primary.
Answer: False
This statement is inaccurate. Grazing and cutting are identified as the primary human activities that maintain semi-natural grasslands, preventing the dominance of woody species and preserving their characteristic structure and diversity.
Which of the following is a key method for grassland restoration mentioned in the source?
Answer: Implementing prescribed fires
Implementing prescribed fires is identified as a key method for grassland restoration, alongside managing grazing, cutting, and controlling invasive species.
What is the primary goal of the UN Decade on Restoration (2021-2030)?
Answer: To accelerate the restoration of degraded ecosystems worldwide.
The UN Decade on Restoration (2021-2030) aims to significantly accelerate the restoration of degraded ecosystems globally.
What is a significant challenge in grassland restoration efforts mentioned in the source?
Answer: Overcoming 'seed limitation'
Overcoming 'seed limitation,' which pertains to the challenges associated with establishing diverse native plant communities due to seed availability and dispersal, is identified as a significant challenge in grassland restoration.
What does 'rangeland management' focus on, according to the source?
Answer: The study of ecosystem services provided by arid and semi-arid grasslands.
Rangeland management is defined as the professional study focused on the ecosystem services provided by arid and semi-arid grasslands globally.