Unit 1 APES Review 2025

Multiple Choice

What is a community in an ecosystem?

• All living organisms in an area

• All nonliving things in an area

• 
  A group of individuals of the same species

• 
  The plants and animals found in a given region

Multiple Choice

In (a) _______ interaction, one organism benefits while the other is not impacted.

• Commensalism

• Predation
• Parasitism
• Mutualism

Multiple Choice

What is a biome?

• A biome is a large ecological area characterized by specific climate, plants, and animals.
• A biome is a weather pattern observed in a region.
• A biome is a type of animal species.
• A biome is a small garden with various plants.

Multiple Choice

Which biome is typically found at higher latitudes, above 60°?

• Tundra
• Temperate Forest
• Savanna
• Desert

​Defined by annual temperature and precipitation, which are represented by a climatogram. Temperature and precipitation affect productivity (the number and diversity of primary producers = plants), and therefore all other parts of the food chain… and finally those things impact most aspects of soil formation.

​Terrestrial biomes

Multiple Choice

Which biome is represented by the climatograph?

• Rainforest

• Tundra

• Savanna

• Temperate (Deciduous) Forest

Multiple Choice

How does depth affect aquatic biomes?

• Depth has no effect on aquatic biomes.
• Depth significantly influences light, temperature, pressure, and nutrient availability in aquatic biomes.
• Depth only influences the color of water.
• Depth increases the number of fish species present.

Multiple Choice

What is a key characteristic of rivers that contributes to their high oxygen levels?

• Rivers have low flow rates that reduce oxygen levels.
• Rivers are typically stagnant bodies of water.
• Rivers are isolated from the atmosphere, limiting gas exchange.
• Turbulent flow increases gas exchange with the atmosphere.

Multiple Choice

How do wetlands help in groundwater recharge?

• Wetlands help in groundwater recharge by absorbing rainwater and allowing it to infiltrate into the ground.
• Wetlands release groundwater into rivers and streams, reducing recharge.
• Wetlands only store water on the surface and do not affect groundwater.
• Wetlands prevent groundwater recharge by blocking water flow.

Multiple Choice

What role do mangrove trees play in their environment?

• Mangrove trees mainly serve as a food source for terrestrial animals.
• Mangrove trees are primarily used for timber production.
• Mangrove trees play a vital role in coastal ecosystems by providing habitat, protecting shorelines, filtering water, and sequestering carbon.
• Mangrove trees are known for their ability to grow in freshwater lakes.

Multiple Choice

Why are coral reefs important?

• Coral reefs are important for biodiversity, coastal protection, and supporting marine life.
• Coral reefs are important for freshwater supply.
• Coral reefs are primarily used for fishing equipment.
• Coral reefs are mainly a tourist attraction without ecological value.

Multiple Choice

What is the main difference between and intertidal zone and the open ocean?

• The intertidal zone is deeper than the open ocean, which is shallower.
• The intertidal zone has no tides, whereas the open ocean experiences strong currents.
• The intertidal zone is always submerged, while the open ocean is sometimes exposed.
• The intertidal zone is affected by tides and alternates between being submerged and exposed, while the open ocean remains consistently submerged.

Multiple Choice

What is a carbon sink?

• A carbon sink is a type of fossil fuel.
• A carbon sink is a reservoir that absorbs and stores carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
• A carbon sink is a process that releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
• A carbon sink is a source of carbon emissions.

Match

Match the following processes with their roles in the carbon cycle.

• They increase the net carbon in the atmosphere

• They cycle carbon between the biosphere and atmosphere in a balanced amount

• They only affect the biosphere

• They only affect the atmosphere

Burning fossil fuels

Photosynthesis and cellular respiration

Decomposers

Volcanic eruptions

• Burning fossil fuels

• Photosynthesis and cellular respiration

• Decomposers

• Volcanic eruptions

Multiple Choice

What is the main nitrogen reservoir in the nitrogen cycle?

• Soil (organic matter)
• Water bodies (dissolved nitrogen)
• Plants (nitrogen uptake)
• Atmosphere (nitrogen gas, N2)

Multiple Choice

What is the impact of nitrous oxide (N₂O) on the climate?

• Nitrous oxide is beneficial for the ozone layer.
• Nitrous oxide has no effect on climate change.
• Nitrous oxide is a common air pollutant with no greenhouse gas properties.
• Nitrous oxide (N₂O) significantly contributes to climate change as a potent greenhouse gas and ozone-depleting substance.

Multiple Choice

What is the main reason the phosphorus cycle is considered slow compared to other cycles like carbon or nitrogen?

• Phosphorus lacks a gaseous phase and moves slowly through geological processes.
• Phosphorus is abundant in the atmosphere.
• Phosphorus is primarily found in ocean currents.
• Phosphorus is rapidly recycled through plant growth.

Multiple Choice

What are the major reservoirs of phosphorus?

• Nitrogen gas, carbon dioxide, and sulfuric acid.
• Phosphate rocks, soils, and aquatic systems.
• Iron ore, aluminum, and magnesium minerals.
• Coal, natural gas, and crude oil.

Multiple Choice

What role do bacteria and soil decomposers play in the phosphorus cycle?

• Bacteria and soil decomposers convert phosphorus into nitrogen for plant use.
• Soil decomposers prevent phosphorus from being released into the environment.
• Bacteria and soil decomposers release phosphorus from organic matter, making it available for plant uptake in the phosphorus cycle.
• Bacteria absorb phosphorus from the soil and store it in their cells.

Match

Match the following causes with their effects on eutrophication.

• Excessive sunlight

• Nutrient runoff from fertilizers

• Lack of bacteria

• 
  High oxygen levels

Causes rapid algae growth

Leads to increased nutrient levels in water

Reduces decomposition

Increases aquatic life respiration

• Causes rapid algae growth

• Leads to increased nutrient levels in water

• Reduces decomposition

• Increases aquatic life respiration

Multiple Choice

What drives the water cycle?

• Solar energy drives the water cycle.
• Geothermal energy influences the water cycle.
• Ocean currents are the main driver of the water cycle.
• Wind patterns drive the water cycle.

Multiple Choice

What is the difference between runoff and infiltration?

• Runoff is surface water flow; infiltration is water absorption into soil.
• Runoff is the absorption of water by plants; infiltration is the flow of water in rivers.
• Runoff occurs underground; infiltration happens on the surface.
• Runoff is the process of water evaporating; infiltration is water flowing over land.

Multiple Choice

In a forest ecosystem, the total amount of energy captured by photosynthesis is 6000 kcal/m²/year. If the plants use 2000 kcal/m²/year for their metabolic processes (respiration), calculate the NPP.

• A) 4000 kcal/m²/year

• B) 5000 kcal/m²/year

• C) 6000 kcal/m²/year

• D) 2000 kcal/m²/year

Multiple Choice

Algae in an aquatic food chain convert solar energy into 93,000 kilocalories of plant tissue. Which of the following values best represents the amount of energy available for primary consumers in the food

chain?

• 930 kcalories

• 9,300 kcalories

• 93,000 kcalories

• 930,000 kcalories

Multiple Choice

What is an example of trophic cascade?

• The planting of non-native plants resulting in a decrease of local insect diversity.
• The increase of deer population leading to more bird species in the area.
• The introduction of beavers in a river ecosystem causing fish population decline.
• The removal of wolves in Yellowstone National Park leading to overgrazing by elk.