25/26 Biodiversity Notes

Multiple Choice

Which level of organization includes multiple populations interacting in an area?

• Community

• Biome

• Ecosystem

• Species

Multiple Choice

What is an organism?

• A group of ecosystems

• An individual living thing

• A community of species

• A type of habitat

Multiple Choice

What is the smallest level of organization that ecologists study?

• Ecosystem

• Species

• Biome

• Biosphere

Multiple Choice

What is a community in ecological terms?

• A single species in a location

• An interacting group of various species in a shared location

• A group of non-living factors in an environment

• A single organism in its habitat

Multiple Choice

What is a population?

• A group of individuals from different species living in the same area

• A group of individuals that belong to the same species and live in the same area

• A single individual living in an area

• A group of individuals that belong to different species and live in different areas

Match

Match the following

• Biodiversity

• Niche

• Keystone Species

• Habitat

• Population

The variety of organisms in a given area

The role an organism plays in its environment

Species that are very important to the functioning of an ecosystem.

The location where an organism lives

A group of individuals of the same species living in a particular place.

• The variety of organisms in a given area

• The role an organism plays in its environment

• Species that are very important to the functioning of an ecosystem.

• The location where an organism lives

• A group of individuals of the same species living in a particular place.

Multiple Choice

What is an example of a population?

• A single bison in a field

• A herd of bison in a field

• A forest with many types of animals

• A lake with fish and birds

Multiple Choice

Which image best represents a population?

• A single ant on a leaf

• A group of ants on a tree stump

• A tree with various insects

• A garden with flowers and bees

Fill in the Blank

A species includes only what kind of factors?

Multiple Choice

What is an ecosystem?

• A group of similar species living together

• All the living and nonliving things in an area that interact with each other

• Only the living organisms in a specific area

• A large body of water

Multiple Choice

What level of organization is characterized by a large area with similar climate and ecosystems?

• Biome

• Species

• Population

• Community

Multiple Choice

What is a biome?

• A single ecosystem with diverse climates

• A group of ecosystems with the same climate and dominant communities

• A large body of water

• A type of plant species

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of a biome?

• Same climate

• Dominant communities

• Different ecosystems

• Large bodies of water

Multiple Choice

What do biomes need to support larger and more complex food webs?

• Fewer producers

• More producers

• Less water

• More sunlight

Multiple Choice

What can decrease biodiversity if present in too much or too little quantity?

• Space

• Producers

• Sunlight and water

• Food webs

Multiple Choice

What do warmer climates generally support more of, leading to increased biodiversity?

• More animal life

• More plant life

• Less plant life

• Less animal life

Multiple Choice

Which factors, besides temperature, play a role in climate?

• Wind and sunlight

• Dryness, humidity, and precipitation

• Soil and rocks

• Altitude and latitude

Multiple Choice

What does a drier climate generally support, according to the text?

• More organisms

• Fewer organisms

• More biodiversity

• More complex food webs

Multiple Choice

What is a niche in an ecosystem?

• An organism's role or way of life, including habitat, food, predators, and competition

• A specific type of habitat

• The number of species in an ecosystem

• The climate of a region

Multiple Choice

What does having more niches in an ecosystem lead to?

• Decreases biodiversity

• Increases biodiversity

• No change in biodiversity

• Reduces species coexistence

Multiple Choice

What does the term "niche" refer to in ecology?

• The physical space an organism occupies

• The status of an organism within its environment and community

• The genetic makeup of an organism

• The food chain position of an organism

Multiple Choice

What is the effect of fewer niches on species competition?

• Reduces competition

• Increases competition

• Eliminates competition

• Has no effect on competition

Multiple Choice

What happens to biodiversity when there are fewer niches?

• Biodiversity increases

• Biodiversity decreases

• Biodiversity remains the same

• Biodiversity fluctuates

Multiple Choice

What is one benefit of increased biodiversity in an ecosystem?

• Increased competition

• Easier survival for more species

• Less adaptation to changes

• Decreased resilience

Ecosystems around the world are under threats caused by humans:

• Climate change

• Human Population growth

• Invasisve species

• Air, Water, Soil Pollution & Toxins

• Development

Impacts on Ecosystems

• Competition for resources

• Deforestation/ Habitat loss

• Habitat Fragmentation

• Acidification of Freshwater

• Ozone Depletion

• Bioaccumulation/ Biomagnification

• Ecosystem degradation- oil spills

Ecosystems have amazing natural resources that are limited

• Huge pressure on limited resources

• Humans can outcompete for their own ends

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What Are Invasive Species?

• An invasive species is a living thing that is introduced to a new environment and typically causes damage to their new ecosystem.

• They can eat the food supply of native species and cause a decline in the native species population!

• They usually have no natural predators, so their populations keep increasing.

• Image credit: "Aquatic Invasive Species: Mussel fouled propeller from Lake Mead, Arizona" by Government of Alberta is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0T

Where Do Invasive Species Come From?

• Invasive species come from all over the globe.

• There may be a species of animal or plant that is native to your area, but if you brought it somewhere else, it would be considered invasive!

• The Burmese python, pictured on the right, is native to southeast Asia, but it is now invading Florida, because people let their pets escape!

• "Pilot Python Elimination Program" by SFWMD is licensed under CC BY-ND 2.0

How Do They Get There?

• Invasive species can travel from one location to another in many different ways.

• Aquatic invasive species such as mollusks, often travel via boat, latching themselves onto the hull and traveling for thousands of miles.

• Plants often travel via human. The kudzu plant was brought to America on purpose for decoration. 

• The government and trade with other countries can also introduce invasive species to new territory, not knowing the harm they will cause.

Why Are Invasive Species a Big Problem?

• Invasive species can have many negative effects on the ecosystem in which they invade.

• They consume the native species and food of native species, so the native species die out quicker.

• They don’t have any natural predators, so they reproduce very quickly and nothing eats them so their populations grow very quickly!

• by The Sands Kenya is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0

Example of an Invasive Species

• In Florida, alligators eat fish and other small mammals. The Burmese Python also eats fish and other small mammals. When they Burmese python is introduced to the same ecosystem as the alligator, they eat all of the food that the alligators eat, so the alligators don’t get as much food. Because they have less food, the alligators begin to die, while the python takes over its new environment. 

• "Florida Alligator in Canal from Shark Valley Everglades Wetlands" by Captain Kimo is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

How Can We Fix the Problem?

• There are some universal ways to help “stop” invasive species from harming the ecosystem they invade:

• If you encounter an invasive species in the wild, remove it.

• Check to make sure you’re not taking any native plant, animal, or bug with you when you travel.

• Do not transport plants from other places, even as decoration.

• Be careful with pets, and try not to let them into the wild.

Multiple Choice

What is the primary factor impacting biodiversity the most according to the text?

• Climate change

• Natural disasters

• Humans

• Predators

Multiple Choice

How do humans negatively impact biodiversity?

• By conserving resources

• By using lots of resources

• By planting more trees

• By reducing pollution

Multiple Choice

How does a more biodiverse food web respond to changes?

• It becomes less stable

• It better adapts to changes

• It decreases in complexity

• It becomes more competitive