ACT Science : ACT Science

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for ACT Science

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Example Questions

Example Question #1061 : Act Science

Adapted from "What is Ocean Acidification?" NOAA Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory Carbon Program. NOAA. Web. 22 Apr. 2015. <http://www.pmel.noaa.gov/co2/story/What+is+Ocean+Acidification%3F>.

The Chemistry

When carbon dioxide  is absorbed by seawater, chemical reactions occur that reduce seawater pH, carbonate ion concentration, and saturation states of biologically important calcium carbonate minerals. These chemical reactions are termed "ocean acidification" or "OA" for short. Calcium carbonate minerals are the building blocks for the skeletons and shells of many marine organisms. In areas where most life now congregates in the ocean, the seawater is supersaturated with respect to calcium carbonate minerals. This means there are abundant building blocks for calcifying organisms to build their skeletons and shells. However, continued ocean acidification is causing many parts of the ocean to become undersaturated with these minerals, which is likely to affect the ability of some organisms to produce and maintain their shells.

Since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution, the pH of surface ocean waters has fallen by 0.1 pH units. Since the pH scale, like the Richter scale, is logarithmic, this change represents approximately a 30 percent increase in acidity. Future predictions indicate that the oceans will continue to absorb carbon dioxide and become even more acidic. Estimates of future carbon dioxide levels, based on business as usual emission scenarios, indicate that by the end of this century the surface waters of the ocean could be nearly 150 percent more acidic, resulting in a pH that the oceans haven’t experienced for more than 20 million years.

The Biological Impacts

Ocean acidification is expected to impact ocean species to varying degrees. Photosynthetic algae and seagrasses may benefit from higher  conditions in the ocean, as they require  to live just like plants on land. On the other hand, studies have shown that a more acidic environment has a dramatic effect on some calcifying species, including oysters, clams, sea urchins, shallow water corals, deep sea corals, and calcareous plankton. When shelled organisms are at risk, the entire food web may also be at risk. Today, more than a billion people worldwide rely on food from the ocean as their primary source of protein. Many jobs and economies in the U.S. and around the world depend on the fish and shellfish in our oceans.

Ocean Acidification: An Emerging Global Problem

Ocean acidification is an emerging global problem. Over the last decade, there has been much focus in the ocean science community on studying the potential impacts of ocean acidification. Since sustained efforts to monitor ocean acidification worldwide are only beginning, it is currently impossible to predict exactly how ocean acidification impacts will cascade throughout the marine food chain and affect the overall structure of marine ecosystems. With the pace of ocean acidification accelerating, scientists, resource managers, and policymakers recognize the urgent need to strengthen the science as a basis for sound decision making and action.

According to the passage, why would some species benefit from ocean acidification?

Possible Answers:

The destruction of coral reefs by ocean acidification will concentrate populations so that fish no longer need to migrate to feed.

No species may benefit from ocean acidification

The increased prevalence of carbon dioxide is beneficial to those species

Ocean acidification will weaken prey fish, creating an abundance of food for predators.

Correct answer:

The increased prevalence of carbon dioxide is beneficial to those species

Explanation:

At the beginning of the section titled "The Biological Impacts," the passage mentions photosyntheic organisms that may benefit from the increased levels of carbon dioxide: "Ocean acidification is expected to impact ocean species to varying degrees. Photosynthetic algae and seagrasses may benefit from higher  conditions in the ocean, as they require  to live just like plants on land." This tells readers that some species benefit from ocean acidification because they use carbon dioxide, and increased prevalence of carbon dioxide is thus beneficial to those species.

Example Question #1062 : Act Science

Adapted from "What is Ocean Acidification?" NOAA Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory Carbon Program. NOAA. Web. 22 Apr. 2015. <http://www.pmel.noaa.gov/co2/story/What+is+Ocean+Acidification%3F>.

The Chemistry

When carbon dioxide  is absorbed by seawater, chemical reactions occur that reduce seawater pH, carbonate ion concentration, and saturation states of biologically important calcium carbonate minerals. These chemical reactions are termed "ocean acidification" or "OA" for short. Calcium carbonate minerals are the building blocks for the skeletons and shells of many marine organisms. In areas where most life now congregates in the ocean, the seawater is supersaturated with respect to calcium carbonate minerals. This means there are abundant building blocks for calcifying organisms to build their skeletons and shells. However, continued ocean acidification is causing many parts of the ocean to become undersaturated with these minerals, which is likely to affect the ability of some organisms to produce and maintain their shells.

Since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution, the pH of surface ocean waters has fallen by 0.1 pH units. Since the pH scale, like the Richter scale, is logarithmic, this change represents approximately a 30 percent increase in acidity. Future predictions indicate that the oceans will continue to absorb carbon dioxide and become even more acidic. Estimates of future carbon dioxide levels, based on business as usual emission scenarios, indicate that by the end of this century the surface waters of the ocean could be nearly 150 percent more acidic, resulting in a pH that the oceans haven’t experienced for more than 20 million years.

The Biological Impacts

Ocean acidification is expected to impact ocean species to varying degrees. Photosynthetic algae and seagrasses may benefit from higher  conditions in the ocean, as they require  to live just like plants on land. On the other hand, studies have shown that a more acidic environment has a dramatic effect on some calcifying species, including oysters, clams, sea urchins, shallow water corals, deep sea corals, and calcareous plankton. When shelled organisms are at risk, the entire food web may also be at risk. Today, more than a billion people worldwide rely on food from the ocean as their primary source of protein. Many jobs and economies in the U.S. and around the world depend on the fish and shellfish in our oceans.

Ocean Acidification: An Emerging Global Problem

Ocean acidification is an emerging global problem. Over the last decade, there has been much focus in the ocean science community on studying the potential impacts of ocean acidification. Since sustained efforts to monitor ocean acidification worldwide are only beginning, it is currently impossible to predict exactly how ocean acidification impacts will cascade throughout the marine food chain and affect the overall structure of marine ecosystems. With the pace of ocean acidification accelerating, scientists, resource managers, and policymakers recognize the urgent need to strengthen the science as a basis for sound decision making and action.

Photosynthetic algae differ from shelled organisms with respect to the effect of ocean acidification primarily because __________.

Possible Answers:

photosynthetic algae produce oxygen while shelled organisms produce calcium carbonate

the effects of ocean acification weigh on both species groups equally

photosynthetic algae use carbon dioxide, while shelled organisms use calcium carbonate

photosynthetic algae are unaffected by ocean acidification while shelled organisms are greatly affected

Correct answer:

photosynthetic algae use carbon dioxide, while shelled organisms use calcium carbonate

Explanation:

The section of the passage titled "The Biological Impacts," photosynthetic algae are contrasted with shelled organisms: "Ocean acidification is expected to impact ocean species to varying degrees. Photosynthetic algae and seagrasses may benefit from higher CO2 conditions in the ocean, as they require CO2 to live just like plants on land. On the other hand, studies have shown that a more acidic environment has a dramatic effect on some calcifying species, including oysters, clams, sea urchins, shallow water corals, deep sea corals, and calcareous plankton." Based on this, we know that photosynthetic algae use carbon dioxide, while shelled organisms use calcium carbonate.

Example Question #1063 : Act Science

Adapted from "What is Ocean Acidification?" NOAA Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory Carbon Program. NOAA. Web. 22 Apr. 2015. <http://www.pmel.noaa.gov/co2/story/What+is+Ocean+Acidification%3F>.

The Chemistry

When carbon dioxide  is absorbed by seawater, chemical reactions occur that reduce seawater pH, carbonate ion concentration, and saturation states of biologically important calcium carbonate minerals. These chemical reactions are termed "ocean acidification" or "OA" for short. Calcium carbonate minerals are the building blocks for the skeletons and shells of many marine organisms. In areas where most life now congregates in the ocean, the seawater is supersaturated with respect to calcium carbonate minerals. This means there are abundant building blocks for calcifying organisms to build their skeletons and shells. However, continued ocean acidification is causing many parts of the ocean to become undersaturated with these minerals, which is likely to affect the ability of some organisms to produce and maintain their shells.

Since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution, the pH of surface ocean waters has fallen by 0.1 pH units. Since the pH scale, like the Richter scale, is logarithmic, this change represents approximately a 30 percent increase in acidity. Future predictions indicate that the oceans will continue to absorb carbon dioxide and become even more acidic. Estimates of future carbon dioxide levels, based on business as usual emission scenarios, indicate that by the end of this century the surface waters of the ocean could be nearly 150 percent more acidic, resulting in a pH that the oceans haven’t experienced for more than 20 million years.

The Biological Impacts

Ocean acidification is expected to impact ocean species to varying degrees. Photosynthetic algae and seagrasses may benefit from higher  conditions in the ocean, as they require  to live just like plants on land. On the other hand, studies have shown that a more acidic environment has a dramatic effect on some calcifying species, including oysters, clams, sea urchins, shallow water corals, deep sea corals, and calcareous plankton. When shelled organisms are at risk, the entire food web may also be at risk. Today, more than a billion people worldwide rely on food from the ocean as their primary source of protein. Many jobs and economies in the U.S. and around the world depend on the fish and shellfish in our oceans.

Ocean Acidification: An Emerging Global Problem

Ocean acidification is an emerging global problem. Over the last decade, there has been much focus in the ocean science community on studying the potential impacts of ocean acidification. Since sustained efforts to monitor ocean acidification worldwide are only beginning, it is currently impossible to predict exactly how ocean acidification impacts will cascade throughout the marine food chain and affect the overall structure of marine ecosystems. With the pace of ocean acidification accelerating, scientists, resource managers, and policymakers recognize the urgent need to strengthen the science as a basis for sound decision making and action.

Over time, if ocean acidification continues at the rate projected in the passage, what would you expect to happen to the concentration of calcium carbonate in the ocean?

Possible Answers:

Increasing saturation of calcium carbonate in the ocean

A decrease in the total amount of carbon in the ocean

No change in calcium carbonate, but an increase in carbon dioxide in the ocean

Continued desaturation of calcium carbonate

Correct answer:

Continued desaturation of calcium carbonate

Explanation:

The first paragraph of the passage states, "When carbon dioxide (CO2) is absorbed by seawater, chemical reactions occur that reduce seawater pH, carbonate ion concentration, and saturation states of biologically important calcium carbonate minerals." So, this tells readers that when  is absorbed by seawater, the amount of calcium carbonate minerals in the ocean is reduced, or in other words, desaturated. The second paragraph of the passage states, "Future predictions indicate that the oceans will continue to absorb carbon dioxide and become even more acidic." So, putting these two statements together, we can see that future projections involve the ocean becoming more acidic, and when the ocean becomes acidic, the amount of calcium carbonate in the ocean is reduced. The only answer choice that fits this prediction is "continued desaturation of calcium carbonate."

Example Question #1064 : Act Science

Adapted from "What is Ocean Acidification?" NOAA Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory Carbon Program. NOAA. Web. 22 Apr. 2015. <http://www.pmel.noaa.gov/co2/story/What+is+Ocean+Acidification%3F>.

The Chemistry

When carbon dioxide  is absorbed by seawater, chemical reactions occur that reduce seawater pH, carbonate ion concentration, and saturation states of biologically important calcium carbonate minerals. These chemical reactions are termed "ocean acidification" or "OA" for short. Calcium carbonate minerals are the building blocks for the skeletons and shells of many marine organisms. In areas where most life now congregates in the ocean, the seawater is supersaturated with respect to calcium carbonate minerals. This means there are abundant building blocks for calcifying organisms to build their skeletons and shells. However, continued ocean acidification is causing many parts of the ocean to become undersaturated with these minerals, which is likely to affect the ability of some organisms to produce and maintain their shells.

Since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution, the pH of surface ocean waters has fallen by 0.1 pH units. Since the pH scale, like the Richter scale, is logarithmic, this change represents approximately a 30 percent increase in acidity. Future predictions indicate that the oceans will continue to absorb carbon dioxide and become even more acidic. Estimates of future carbon dioxide levels, based on business as usual emission scenarios, indicate that by the end of this century the surface waters of the ocean could be nearly 150 percent more acidic, resulting in a pH that the oceans haven’t experienced for more than 20 million years.

The Biological Impacts

Ocean acidification is expected to impact ocean species to varying degrees. Photosynthetic algae and seagrasses may benefit from higher  conditions in the ocean, as they require  to live just like plants on land. On the other hand, studies have shown that a more acidic environment has a dramatic effect on some calcifying species, including oysters, clams, sea urchins, shallow water corals, deep sea corals, and calcareous plankton. When shelled organisms are at risk, the entire food web may also be at risk. Today, more than a billion people worldwide rely on food from the ocean as their primary source of protein. Many jobs and economies in the U.S. and around the world depend on the fish and shellfish in our oceans.

Ocean Acidification: An Emerging Global Problem

Ocean acidification is an emerging global problem. Over the last decade, there has been much focus in the ocean science community on studying the potential impacts of ocean acidification. Since sustained efforts to monitor ocean acidification worldwide are only beginning, it is currently impossible to predict exactly how ocean acidification impacts will cascade throughout the marine food chain and affect the overall structure of marine ecosystems. With the pace of ocean acidification accelerating, scientists, resource managers, and policymakers recognize the urgent need to strengthen the science as a basis for sound decision-making and action.

According to the passage, where in the marine food web do shelled organisms sit?

Possible Answers:

Shelled organisms sit at the top of the food web; they are predators that rely on many other species in the ocean for food.

Shelled organisms sit in the middle of the food web; they fulfill a non-unique niche and would not be missed if removed from the ecosystem.

Shelled organisms sit towards the bottom of the food web; they are not primary producers, but they are nonetheless pivotal.

Shelled organisms sit at the very bottom of the food-web; they are primary producers that use photosynthesis to generate their own food.

Correct answer:

Shelled organisms sit towards the bottom of the food web; they are not primary producers, but they are nonetheless pivotal.

Explanation:

One can infer that shelled organisms are not primary producers, yet they impact the food web in many significant ways, as is mentioned in the final paragraph of the passage. Thus they must sit towards the bottom, but not at the very bottom, as they are consumers, not producers.

Example Question #1063 : Act Science

Glaciers move, on average, 1 meter per day, although many are known to move faster or slower depending on their size. Whether they are alpine glaciers, which form high in the mountains, or continental glaciers that cover huge areas of land near the poles, glaciers are responsible for breaking up rock and moving sediment as they move across the land. 

Below is a chart of average speed of movement of an alpine glacier per year, as well the amount of sediment displaced by the glacier. 

Year

Average Glacial Movement

Sediment movement per year (tons)

1995

1.1 m/day

2.2

1996

1.3 m/day

2.6

1997

1.5 m/day

3.0

1998

1.3 m/day

2.2

2000

1.1 m/day

1.8

2005

1.0 m/day

1.6

2010

0.9 m/day

1.5

Two scientists have done research on an alpine lake that lies in the path of the glacier. Each took five samples of sediment from the lake.

Scientist 1 believes that the glacier is beginning to melt as it moves lower in elevation, releasing some of the sediment it has carried into mountain streams and springs, causing the makeup of sediments in the lake to change. He notes that the sediment from the lake bed contains brown chert, a rock that can only be found in elevations higher than that of the lake. Scientist 1 took his sample from the sediments that washed ashore on the beach of the lake.

Scientist 2 believes the glacier is not melting, but displacing rock beds so that the sediment loosens and breaks free of the bedrock and then is carried by wind and other erosive elements to the lake. He notes that the sediment from the lake bed contains only trace amounts of the brown chert, not enough to suggest the glacier is melting. Scientist 2 took his samples from sediment deposits at the bottom of the lake. 

Below is a chart of the sediment collection samples and the percentage of brown chert found in each.

Sample #

Scientist 1: % Brown Chert

Scientist 2: % Brown Chert

1

5.2

0.9

2

7.1

1.2

3

6.3

0.4

4

6.5

0.8

5

5.8

1.0

 

What can you reasonably concluded about the presence of brown chert in the sediments found in the alpine lake?

Possible Answers:

Erosion caused the brown chert to end up in the lake.

Animals cannot consume the lake water because of the brown chert. 

The brown chert would not have been found in the lake if not for the glacier.

Brown chert is native to the alpine area in which the lake and the glacier can be found. 

You cannot reasonably conclude anything about the presence of brown chert. 

Correct answer:

The brown chert would not have been found in the lake if not for the glacier.

Explanation:

According to the experiment, brown chert is only naturally found above the lake, and the only force displacing the sediment is the glacier. You can conclude, therefore, that the glacier is the cause of the presence of brown chert, but you cannot make any further inferences.

Example Question #1064 : Act Science

Glaciers move, on average, 1 meter per day, although many are known to move faster or slower depending on their size. Whether they are alpine glaciers, which form high in the mountains, or continental glaciers that cover huge areas of land near the poles, glaciers are responsible for breaking up rock and moving sediment as they move across the land. 

Below is a chart of average speed of movement of an alpine glacier per year, as well the amount of sediment displaced by the glacier. 

Year

Average Glacial Movement

Sediment movement per year (tons)

1995

1.1 m/day

2.2

1996

1.3 m/day

2.6

1997

1.5 m/day

3.0

1998

1.3 m/day

2.2

2000

1.1 m/day

1.8

2005

1.0 m/day

1.6

2010

0.9 m/day

1.5

Two scientists have done research on an alpine lake that lies in the path of the glacier. Each took five samples of sediment from the lake.

Scientist 1 believes that the glacier is beginning to melt as it moves lower in elevation, releasing some of the sediment it has carried into mountain streams and springs, causing the makeup of sediments in the lake to change. He notes that the sediment from the lake bed contains brown chert, a rock that can only be found in elevations higher than that of the lake. Scientist 1 took his sample from the sediments that washed ashore on the beach of the lake.

Scientist 2 believes the glacier is not melting, but displacing rock beds so that the sediment loosens and breaks free of the bedrock and then is carried by wind and other erosive elements to the lake. He notes that the sediment from the lake bed contains only trace amounts of the brown chert, not enough to suggest the glacier is melting. Scientist 2 took his samples from sediment deposits at the bottom of the lake. 

Below is a chart of the sediment collection samples and the percentage of brown chert found in each.

Sample #

Scientist 1: % Brown Chert

Scientist 2: % Brown Chert

1

5.2

0.9

2

7.1

1.2

3

6.3

0.4

4

6.5

0.8

5

5.8

1.0

 

If, in the year 2020, the percent of brown chert found in the alpine lake increases to 20 percent, what would you conclude about the glacier? 

Possible Answers:

Scientist 2 was the one who took the sample. 

The sediment displaced by the glacier decreased to less than 2 tons/year. 

The movement of the glacier increased to 2m/day.

The glacier is getting closer to the alpine lake, depositing more sediment closer to it. 

The glacier is melting, increasing the sediment contained in the water.

Correct answer:

The glacier is getting closer to the alpine lake, depositing more sediment closer to it. 

Explanation:

The glacier must be moving toward the lake, which lies below it, and that could increase the presence of brown chert in the lake sediment. One cannot conclude further than that without more data. 

Example Question #1065 : Act Science

Glaciers move, on average, 1 meter per day, although many are known to move faster or slower depending on their size. Whether they are alpine glaciers, which form high in the mountains, or continental glaciers that cover huge areas of land near the poles, glaciers are responsible for breaking up rock and moving sediment as they move across the land. 

Below is a chart of average speed of movement of an alpine glacier per year, as well the amount of sediment displaced by the glacier. 

Year

Average Glacial Movement

Sediment movement per year (tons)

1995

1.1 m/day

2.2

1996

1.3 m/day

2.6

1997

1.5 m/day

3.0

1998

1.3 m/day

2.2

2000

1.1 m/day

1.8

2005

1.0 m/day

1.6

2010

0.9 m/day

1.5

Two scientists have done research on an alpine lake that lies in the path of the glacier. Each took five samples of sediment from the lake.

Scientist 1 believes that the glacier is beginning to melt as it moves lower in elevation, releasing some of the sediment it has carried into mountain streams and springs, causing the makeup of sediments in the lake to change. He notes that the sediment from the lake bed contains brown chert, a rock that can only be found in elevations higher than that of the lake. Scientist 1 took his sample from the sediments that washed ashore on the beach of the lake.

Scientist 2 believes the glacier is not melting, but displacing rock beds so that the sediment loosens and breaks free of the bedrock and then is carried by wind and other erosive elements to the lake. He notes that the sediment from the lake bed contains only trace amounts of the brown chert, not enough to suggest the glacier is melting. Scientist 2 took his samples from sediment deposits at the bottom of the lake. 

Below is a chart of the sediment collection samples and the percentage of brown chert found in each.

Sample #

Scientist 1: % Brown Chert

Scientist 2: % Brown Chert

1

5.2

0.9

2

7.1

1.2

3

6.3

0.4

4

6.5

0.8

5

5.8

1.0

 

If Scientist 2 had taken another five samples, this time from the beach instead of the bottom of the lake, how might the percentages change?

Possible Answers:

They would not change.

They would decrease. 

They would increase.

They would more closely resemble those percentages found by Scientist 1.

They would be much larger than those of Scientist 1.

Correct answer:

They would more closely resemble those percentages found by Scientist 1.

Explanation:

One cannot say for sure if the percentage would increase or decrease—that depends on a number of other factors- but if Scientist 2 collects his data in the same manner as Scientist 1, one can reasonably conclude his findings will be similar. 

Example Question #1061 : Act Science

Glaciers move, on average, 1 meter per day, although many are known to move faster or slower depending on their size. Whether they are alpine glaciers, which form high in the mountains, or continental glaciers that cover huge areas of land near the poles, glaciers are responsible for breaking up rock and moving sediment as they move across the land. 

Below is a chart of average speed of movement of an alpine glacier per year, as well the amount of sediment displaced by the glacier. 

Year

Average Glacial Movement

Sediment movement per year (tons)

1995

1.1 m/day

2.2

1996

1.3 m/day

2.6

1997

1.5 m/day

3.0

1998

1.3 m/day

2.2

2000

1.1 m/day

1.8

2005

1.0 m/day

1.6

2010

0.9 m/day

1.5

Two scientists have done research on an alpine lake that lies in the path of the glacier. Each took five samples of sediment from the lake.

Scientist 1 believes that the glacier is beginning to melt as it moves lower in elevation, releasing some of the sediment it has carried into mountain streams and springs, causing the makeup of sediments in the lake to change. He notes that the sediment from the lake bed contains brown chert, a rock that can only be found in elevations higher than that of the lake. Scientist 1 took his sample from the sediments that washed ashore on the beach of the lake.

Scientist 2 believes the glacier is not melting, but displacing rock beds so that the sediment loosens and breaks free of the bedrock and then is carried by wind and other erosive elements to the lake. He notes that the sediment from the lake bed contains only trace amounts of the brown chert, not enough to suggest the glacier is melting. Scientist 2 took his samples from sediment deposits at the bottom of the lake. 

Below is a chart of the sediment collection samples and the percentage of brown chert found in each.

Sample #

Scientist 1: % Brown Chert

Scientist 2: % Brown Chert

1

5.2

0.9

2

7.1

1.2

3

6.3

0.4

4

6.5

0.8

5

5.8

1.0

 

A third scientist hypothesizes that the increase in sediment containing brown chert found in the lake can be explained by the unusually warm weather over the last 2 decades. Which scientist is more likely to agree with this hypothesis?

Possible Answers:

Scientist 2: because warm weather would account for the high percentage of brown chert found on the beach

Scientist 1: because warm weather would explain the melting of the glacier

Neither scientist

Scientist 2: because warm weather would explain high winds and rainfall that could carry sediment

Scientist 1: because the warm weather would explain the small percentage of brown chert in the lake bed

Correct answer:

Scientist 1: because warm weather would explain the melting of the glacier

Explanation:

If the weather is unusually warm, the glacier might experience unusual melting, which could carry the sediment into the lake. 

Example Question #1065 : Act Science

 

Displaying FotorPhoto.jpg

Above is the deer population of Routt County National Forest between 1905 and 2005. The First White-tail deer were introduced to the forest for hunting in 1905. They are not native to the area, though they thrived in the environment.

White tailed deer eat the seeds of coniferous trees, berries, and an assortment of other plants. They tend to roam in small family herds and stick to areas where water is abundant and is unlikely to freeze completely in the winter.

In 1995, an environmental scientist watched a small herd of deer for ten days, recording their movements and taking note of herd size and stopping place. Below is a chart of his results.

 

Day

Travel distance (mi)

Herd size

Stopping place

1

21

13

Bear Creek

2

15

13

Yampa Valley

5

19

13

Bear Creek

8

11

10

Gilpin Lake

10

22

10

Yampa Valley

 

What could have led to the deer thriving in an envrionment to which they are not native?

Possible Answers:

Clean and acessible drinking water.

All of the answers.

Access to a diet they are familiar with. 

Protection from natural predators. 

Correct answer:

All of the answers.

Explanation:

For the deer to thrive they would need food they can eat, water they can drink and to be safe from predators. Only in such good conditions could they multiply so quickly. Safety is paramount for population growth. After acquiring safety, the deer would need an environment that gave them food and water with regularity and without too much effort.

Example Question #23 : How To Find Research Summary In Earth And Space Sciences

 

Displaying FotorPhoto.jpg

Above is the deer population of Routt County National Forest between 1905 and 2005. The First White-tail deer were introduced to the forest for hunting in 1905. They are not native to the area, though they thrived in the environment.

White tailed deer eat the seeds of coniferous trees, berries, and an assortment of other plants. They tend to roam in small family herds and stick to areas where water is abundant and is unlikely to freeze completely in the winter.

In 1995, an environmental scientist watched a small herd of deer for ten days, recording their movements and taking note of herd size and stopping place. Below is a chart of his results.

 

Day

Travel distance (mi)

Herd size

Stopping place

1

21

13

Bear Creek

2

15

13

Yampa Valley

5

19

13

Bear Creek

8

11

10

Gilpin Lake

10

22

10

Yampa Valley

 

According to the data he found about the herd, what statement could the scientist make about deer in general?

Possible Answers:

White-tailed deer are often preyed on by wolves, and must travel far to avoid them. 

White-tailed deer travel great distances but remain in familiar territory.

White-tailed deer like to explore, and travel far to see new places.

White-tailed deer do not stray far from the valleys that make up their home. 

Correct answer:

White-tailed deer travel great distances but remain in familiar territory.

Explanation:

The scientist has noted the deer travel very far each day but frequent the same places. The deer move sever miles in between all of their resting spots, but do not seem to stay from their particular territory to explore a new place. It stands to reason, then, that these deer travel far but do not explore beyond known territory. There is not enough evidence to infer the deer are often preyed upon by wolves.

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