AQUATIC AND TERRESTRIAL BIOMES:
CONDITIONS, BIODIVERSITY, AND
HUMAN IMPACTS. EXAM QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS GRADED A+ 2025/2026
What are the main abiotic conditions that differ between aquatic and terrestrial biomes? -
ANS Depth, light, temperature, velocity (currents), salinity, oxygen, nutrients (nitrates and
phosphates), suspended matter (silt), bottom substrate, annual average precipitation, annual
average temperature, latitude and altitude, soil type, topography, and wind speed.
Which aquatic biomes have the highest primary productivity and biodiversity? - ANS Coral
reefs and estuaries.
What is the role of upwellings in aquatic ecosystems? - ANS Upwellings bring nutrients from
the depths of the ocean to the surface, supporting phytoplankton growth.
What happens to biomass when organisms die in aquatic environments? - ANS The biomass
sinks to the bottom where decomposers utilize the nutrients.
What are the two main pathways for rainwater in a watershed? - ANS It either runs downhill
to join a river or its tributaries or percolates through the soil to join groundwater.
1 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
, What factors influence the flow of rainwater through a watershed? - ANS Area, length, slope,
soil type, vegetation type, and divides with adjoining watersheds.
What are common sources of pollutants in watersheds? - ANS Cities, residential areas,
livestock, cropland, and industrial sites.
How can dams contribute to pollution in rivers? - ANS Dams can inhibit the flow of sediment
along the river, affecting the ecosystem.
What is bycatch in commercial fishing? - ANS Bycatch refers to the unintended capture of
non-target species during fishing.
What is the 'tragedy of the commons' in relation to overfishing? - ANS It describes the
depletion of shared resources, like fish populations, due to unregulated fishing practices.
What are some methods to make fishing more sustainable? - ANS Implementing catch limits
based on maximum sustainable yield, limiting the age/size of fish caught, and modifying
techniques to reduce bycatch.
What are critical ecosystems in the oceans, and what percentage of marine species do they
support? - ANS Critical ecosystems cover less than 1% of ocean area but support 25% of
marine species.
What is coral bleaching and what causes it? - ANS Coral bleaching occurs when corals expel
their symbiotic algae due to high temperatures, leading to loss of food supply and color.
2 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
CONDITIONS, BIODIVERSITY, AND
HUMAN IMPACTS. EXAM QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS GRADED A+ 2025/2026
What are the main abiotic conditions that differ between aquatic and terrestrial biomes? -
ANS Depth, light, temperature, velocity (currents), salinity, oxygen, nutrients (nitrates and
phosphates), suspended matter (silt), bottom substrate, annual average precipitation, annual
average temperature, latitude and altitude, soil type, topography, and wind speed.
Which aquatic biomes have the highest primary productivity and biodiversity? - ANS Coral
reefs and estuaries.
What is the role of upwellings in aquatic ecosystems? - ANS Upwellings bring nutrients from
the depths of the ocean to the surface, supporting phytoplankton growth.
What happens to biomass when organisms die in aquatic environments? - ANS The biomass
sinks to the bottom where decomposers utilize the nutrients.
What are the two main pathways for rainwater in a watershed? - ANS It either runs downhill
to join a river or its tributaries or percolates through the soil to join groundwater.
1 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
, What factors influence the flow of rainwater through a watershed? - ANS Area, length, slope,
soil type, vegetation type, and divides with adjoining watersheds.
What are common sources of pollutants in watersheds? - ANS Cities, residential areas,
livestock, cropland, and industrial sites.
How can dams contribute to pollution in rivers? - ANS Dams can inhibit the flow of sediment
along the river, affecting the ecosystem.
What is bycatch in commercial fishing? - ANS Bycatch refers to the unintended capture of
non-target species during fishing.
What is the 'tragedy of the commons' in relation to overfishing? - ANS It describes the
depletion of shared resources, like fish populations, due to unregulated fishing practices.
What are some methods to make fishing more sustainable? - ANS Implementing catch limits
based on maximum sustainable yield, limiting the age/size of fish caught, and modifying
techniques to reduce bycatch.
What are critical ecosystems in the oceans, and what percentage of marine species do they
support? - ANS Critical ecosystems cover less than 1% of ocean area but support 25% of
marine species.
What is coral bleaching and what causes it? - ANS Coral bleaching occurs when corals expel
their symbiotic algae due to high temperatures, leading to loss of food supply and color.
2 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
