AP Environmental Science : Rangelands

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP Environmental Science

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Example Questions

Example Question #21 :Material Resources

Freerange cattle are both healthier and more delicious. However, cattle can overgraze rangelands, compact the soilT and even eat tree seedlings, hindering the growth of new stands. How can this problem be combatted while also maximizing the amount of freerange cattle that can be raised?

Possible Answers:

Only raise a few cattle on a large parcel of rangeland.

Only raise large herds of cattle on large parcels of rangeland.

Till the rangelands regularly to prevent cattle from compacting and disturbing the soil.

把牛的小包裹rangeland, limiting their detriment to the grassland ecosystem in the big picture.

Subdivide rangeland with fencing, moving the cattle from one location to the next periodically.

Correct answer:

Subdivide rangeland with fencing, moving the cattle from one location to the next periodically.

Explanation:

细分牧场牲畜和旋转of cattle graze allows for grasslands to regenerate naturally and prevents excessive disturbance of the soil while also maximizing the number of cattle that can graze in a certain area.

Example Question #1 :Rangelands

In terms of efficient land management, which of the following ecosystems would be most practical to utilize for grazing?

Possible Answers:

Low-precipitation prairie/grassland

Low-precipitation boreal forest

High-precipitation grassland

High-precipitation temperate forest

Fertile river delta

Correct answer:

Low-precipitation prairie/grassland

Explanation:

In regions of the U.S. that have insufficient rainfall for growing crops (Eastern Colorado, West Texas, etc.), the land is often utilized for grazing livestock. Dry grassland ecosystems are best used for grazing because tilling the soil for cultivation creates a heightened risk for wind-carried soil erosion, as was demonstrated by the Dust Bowl of the 1930s.

Example Question #22 :Material Resources

All of the following are types of rangelands EXCEPT__________.

Possible Answers:

Tallgrass prairies

Chaparral

Desert

Savanna

Tundra

Correct answer:

Desert

Explanation:

A rangeland is an biome categorized by native, grassy plants on which wild and/or domestic animals feed. It can be a desert shrubland, a tundra, a grassland, or another biome, as long as it is not barren.

Example Question #314 :Ap Environmental Sciences

Which of the following rangeland ecosystems is most susceptible to soil erosion by overgrazing?

Possible Answers:

A rangeland atop a mesa, consisting of deep-rooted hardwood shrubs in an area that is prone to regular, strong gusts

每年组成专门的牧场草地es with shallow root systems and strong seasonal gusts

A rangeland consisting of a mixture of annual grasses with short root systems and perennial bunchgrasses with deeper root systems

每年组成专门的牧场草地es with shallow root systems with a narrow, fast-flowing creek running through the area

A rangeland consisting mostly of hardwood shrubs with outwardly-extending root systems in an area with strong seasonal gusts

Correct answer:

每年组成专门的牧场草地es with shallow root systems and strong seasonal gusts

Explanation:

年度不仅与浅草根系provide little structural integrity to the organic and topsoil layers of the soil, but are also very desirable to grazing livestock such as cattle. Cattle generally prefer annual grasses to shrubs and semi-woody bunchgrasses, which—when combined with strong seasonal gusts—can put a rangeland at serious risk of wind erosion and loss of topsoil. Woody shrubs and bunchgrasses typically have deeper or further-extending root systems and provide more structural integrity for the soil, which prevents further erosion.

Example Question #2 :Rangelands

Potentially harmful runoff from grazing on rangelands continues to be a pressing issue in prairie communities.E. coliand excess nitrogen in the watershed can pose a serious risk to public health, and both of these pollutants can be traced back to grazing cattle. Which of the following is the best possible solution for this issue that considers ecosystem health, public health and economic well-being of ranchers?

Possible Answers:

Ban cattle ranching in the rangelands. The grassland ecosystem is better off untouched and we don't really need to eat beef.

Provide water purifiers to the people who live in the nearby community. As long as they get clean water, the grazing of livestock can continue.

Limit the ranchers to graze their herds in areas sufficient distance from any watershed or waterway.

Limit livestock access to rivers and tributaries, create man-made watering holes and establish healthy riparian plant communities along waterways.

Create man-made watering holes for cattle and livestock away from the naturally-occuring rivers and lakes where people get their drinking water from.

Correct answer:

Limit livestock access to rivers and tributaries, create man-made watering holes and establish healthy riparian plant communities along waterways.

Explanation:

Manure from livestock containingE. colican potentially contaminate a local watershed. Limiting access to watersheds by livestock will prevent direct contamination by feces, while establishing man-made watering holes will allow continued access to drinking water for livestock. Maintaining a healthy riparian plant community also abates water contamination, because high-density riparian plant communities can prevent leaching of contaminants into the waterway.

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