Ecology Assessment: Task #1 HONORS

Front

A coastal habitat is washed away during a devastating hurricane. Which of the following statements best explains the likely outcome for this ecosystem?

Back

All land and shoreline-dwelling organisms will be affected negatively, but most will survive and slowly reinhabit the area.

Answer explanation

All land and shoreline-dwelling organisms will be affected negatively, but most will survive and slowly reinhabit the area.

Front

Which organism did not experience a period of population growth from 1999-2001? Options: Black bear, White-tailed deer, Goshawk, Red squirrel

Back

Black bear

Answer explanation

The black bear did not experience a period of population growth from 1999-2001, as indicated by the data provided by the scientist.

Front

How could river-dwelling fish be negatively impacted by a drought?

Back

With less water for migration and spawning, fish would be forced to move to human-populated areas, increasing risk of dying.

Answer explanation

With less water for migration and spawning, fish would be forced to move to human-populated areas, increasing risk of dying.

Front

The grasses that cover the prairies in America are disappearing. The soil is good and there is enough rain. What is MOST LIKELY causing the grass to disappear? Options: Too many hawks are eating snakes, The number of snakes has gone down, Too many grasshoppers are eating the grass, Too many earthworms are breaking down the soil.

Back

Too many grasshoppers are eating the grass.

Answer explanation

The grasses are most likely disappearing because too many grasshoppers are eating the grass, as mentioned in the question.

Front

What was the MOST LIKELY reason for the disappearance of a specific bird species that lived in and around the swamps and lowlands in the Southeastern United States?

Back

The birds’ habitat was destroyed.

Answer explanation

The birds' habitat was destroyed, leading to their disappearance as more people cleared the swamps and lowlands where they lived.

Front

During the Ice Age, ice sheets caused habitat destruction. The animals that lost their habitats MOST LIKELY...

Back

died out because they were not adapted to such cold.

Answer explanation

The correct choice is 'died out because they were not adapted to such cold.' During the Ice Age, animals not adapted to the extreme cold likely perished due to habitat destruction.

Front

What is the MOST LIKELY reason for mass extinctions of many organisms attached to the ocean floor after volcanic eruptions in prehistoric times?

Back

The hot lava from volcanic eruptions changed the temperature of the ocean.

Answer explanation

The hot lava from volcanic eruptions changed the temperature of the ocean.

Front

Which activity would not increase the overall biodiversity in the Bering Sea? Options: Building artificial reefs, Introducing a non-native species of crab, Limiting fishing, Encouraging cleanups.

Back

Introducing a non-native species of crab into the Bering Sea

Answer explanation

Introducing a non-native species of crab into the Bering Sea would disrupt the ecosystem and potentially harm existing species, thus not increasing overall biodiversity.

Front

Organisms constantly interact with their environment. Sometimes, this interaction has a positive effect on the environment, and other times, it has a negative impact. Your class decides to plant native bushes along the coast of a local lake to help prevent erosion. Which statement best describes the impact the bushes will most likely have?

Back

The bushes will have a positive impact by helping to preserve the lake's coast.

Answer explanation

The bushes will have a positive impact by helping to preserve the lake's coast as they are planted to prevent erosion.

Front

Effect of increasing biodiversity in a desert food web?

Back

It would help the ecosystem become more stable.

Answer explanation

Increasing the biodiversity of plant and animal life in the desert food web would help the ecosystem become more stable.