Define and give an example from the Hawai'i region of each of the following physical geography concepts: rain shadow, ecosystem, endemic species, and adaptive radiation
What will be an ideal response?
Rain Shadow: Leeward areas below mountain crests that receive low average rainfall. The student could mention the Islands of Kahoolawe, Lanai, and Niihau, which are drier because they are in the rain shadow of their larger neighbors, or a similar example from the text showing that the rain shadow produces drier areas.
Ecosystem: Complex of evolving and interacting plants and animals living within a particular natural environment, usually mutually dependent on each other through energy exchange. Students could write about the Hawaiian coral reefs, or they could talk about the ecosystem of Hawai'i that was disrupted by the arrival of the Polynesians.
Endemic Species: A type of plant or animal native to its current zone of habitation. Students could give an example from any of the native species to Hawai'i, such as the Hawaiian or Nene goose, Honeycreepers, or they could point out that Hawai'i has no endemic land mammals.
Adaptive Radiation: Genetic changes in organisms as they disperse (radiate out) from a central point. Students could mention the Honeycreepers, who are closely related to the North American Finch. Biologists believe that the Finches were blown off course or flew to Hawai'i. Over the years, their descendants adapted to over 22 distinct species, each evolved to feed on particular types of native Hawaiian pants.
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Imagine you are at the beach, building a sandcastle. Dry sand cannot hold a form, so the addition of water is necessary to build the castle. However, too much water will destroy the sandcastle and cause the sand to flow away in a slurry
This is similar to the role pore water has on sediments in a slope. What role does water play to maintain a slope? What role does water play to cause mass wasting of the slope? What will be an ideal response?
Which letter in the figure above corresponds to a "syncline"?
What will be an ideal response?
As a fluid (air or water) moves toward an area of lower pressure in the Northern Hemisphere, the Coriolis effect results in counterclockwise circulation
Indicate whether the statement is true or false
Plates move away from each other by 3.5 cm per year at the mid-Atlantic ridge, for a net growth of 7 cm per year for the width of the Atlantic Ocean. How much wider is the Atlantic Ocean today compared to when Columbus discovered the Americas in 1492?
A. about 40 meters B. about 4 meters C. about 400 meters D. about 4 kilometers (4000 meters)