Rhizosphaera needle cast is a fungal disease that affects spruce trees. Which of the following biomes would be most severely affected by an outbreak of this disease?

Question

A.  tundra
B.  temperate deciduous forest
C.  prairie
D.  taiga
E.  tropical rain forest

Clarify Question
· What is the key concept addressed by the question?
· What type of thinking is required?

Gather Content
· What do you already know about biomes?

Choose Answer
· Given what you now know, what information and/or problem solving approach is most likely to produce the correct answer?

Reflect on Process
· Did your problem-solving process lead you to the correct answer? If not, where did the process break down or lead you astray? How can you revise your approach to produce a more desirable result?

Answer 1

D.  taiga

Clarify Question
· What is the key concept addressed by the question?
        o This question addresses biomes.
· What type of thinking is required?
        o This question is asking you to take what you already know and apply it to this unfamiliar situation.
 
Gather Content
· What do you already know about biomes?
        o Temperature and moisture often determine biomes.Average annual temperature and rainfall, as well as the range of seasonal variation, determine different biomes. Eight major types of biomes are recognized:
        o Tropical rainforests are highly productive equatorial systems.
        o Savannas are tropical grasslands with seasonal rainfall.
        o Deserts are regions with little rainfall.
        o Temperate grasslands have rich soils.
        o Temperate deciduous forests are adapted to seasonal change.
        o Temperate evergreen forests are coastal.
        o Taiga is the northern forest where winters are harsh.
        o Tundra is a largely frozen treeless area with a short growing season.
  Choose Answer
· Given what you now know, what information and/or problem solving approach is most likely to produce the correct answer?
        o Would the tundra have a large number of spruce trees? No, the tundra is too cold for trees.
        o Would the prairie have a large number of spruce trees? No, the prairie is dominated by grass.
        o Would the tropical rain forest have a large number of spruce trees? No, spruce are poorly adapted to the warm, humid rain forest.
        o Would the temperate deciduous forest have a large number of spruce trees? It may have some, but not as many as colder areas.
        o Would the taiga have a large number of spruce trees? Yes! Spruce trees and other conifers are well-adapted to the cold.
 
Reflect on Process
· Did your problem-solving process lead you to the correct answer? If not, where did the process break down or lead you astray? How can you revise your approach to produce a more desirable result?
        o The question required you to take what you already know and apply it to this unfamiliar situation.         
        o Did you recognize that spruce trees are well-adapted to the cold weather of the taiga?