1. Mountains and the Invention of Nature

Question 1

What is the capital of Ecuador?

Answer 1

Quito

Question 2

Where is the region “The Andean Highlands or the Andes” located?

Answer 2

The central part of Ecuador

Question 3

Who was Alexander von Humboldt?

Answer 3

Natural philosopher. Had knowledge in other fields such as geology and botany as well.

Question 4

What is Chimborazo’s summit?

Answer 4

The farthest point on the Earth’s surface from the Earth’s center, given its location on the planet’s equatorial bulge.

Question 5

Why does the Earth have an equatorial bulge?

Answer 5

Because the Earth is not a perfect sphere

Question 6

What is the tallest mountain based on altitude? (From Sea Level)

Answer 6

Mount Everest

Question 7

What is the tallest mountain based on base to summit? (From Sea Bed)

Answer 7

Mauna Kea (shield volcano)

Question 8

What is the tallest mountain based on being closest to the sun? (From Centre of Earth)

Answer 8

Chimborazo (Earth bulges at equator)

Question 9

What did Alexander von Humboldt accomplish?

Answer 9

Revolutionized the Western conception of nature by describing it as an interconnected living web—and in doing so, inspired thinkers from Darwin to Thoreau.

Question 10

What is the Humboldt’sNaturgemälde?

Answer 10

Also known as Chimborazo Map. Depiction of the volcanoes Chimborazo and Cotopaxi in cross-section, with detailed information about plant geography. The illustration was published inThe Geography of Plants, 1807, in a large format.

Question 11

What is Ecuador’s capitol city, Quito’s elevation?

Answer 11

2,850 m

Question 12

Where are the Condor Machay Cascades located?

Answer 12

On the low slopes of Cotopaxi

Question 13

What are the Páramo?

Answer 13

A neo-tropical mountain biome above the treeline, but home to a vegetation comprised mainly of low-to-the-ground plants, shrubs, and grasses

Question 14

What are Chuquiragua?

Answer 14

“Flower of the Andes”

Question 15

Volcanos encountered in the Andes

Answer 15

Pasocho Volcano, Corozon Volcano, Chimborazo

Question 16

What is Speciation?

Answer 16

Occurs when populations genetically diverge to a point that they are no longer able to interbreed

Question 17

What is Allopatric speciation?

Answer 17

Mode of speciation that occurs when biological populations become geographically isolated from each other to an extent that prevents or interferes with gene flow

Question 18

What are iodiversity hotspots?

Answer 18

Biogeographic region with significant levels of biodiversity that is threatened with destruction.

Question 19

__________ hotspots identified globally; __________ are located in mountains.

Answer 19

35, half

Question 20

Hotspots contain __________ of Earth’s land area – but contain __________ the world’s endemic species

Answer 20

2%, half

Question 21

Why does biodiversity matter?

Answer 21

1. Aesthetic values
2. Biodiversity provides insurance – intact systems provide insurance against system failure
3. Plant species diversity ensures and improves sustained soil stability
4. Mountain slopes depend on soil stability
5. Unique species of plants and animals (evolutionary isolation and adaptation)