Ecology Pre-Assessment

Meerkats are small desert mammals that get most of their water from fruits and vegetables they eat. A group of scientists studied the water intake of a particular meerkat population over several months. The graph provided shows the data they collected. A non-native species had moved into the area four months after the scientist began studying the meerkats. What conclusion is best supported by the data in the graph?

• The meerkat began consuming more water in order to drive out the non-native species.

• The meerkat began interbreeding with the non-native species, creating a hybrid.

• The non-native species is unable to obtain its water from the foods that it eats.

• The non-native species competes for the same fruits and vegetables as the meerkats.

The peppered moth is a night-flying insect that avoids predators by blending in with the light colored bark of the trees in its habitat. It feeds on leaves and spends the winter underground. If soot darkens the trees in its, habitat, what change in traits would be expected in the population of the peppered moth?

• more dark colored moths will survive.

• Moths will find other food sources.

• Moths will spend more time underground.

• Daytime feeding will increase in these moths.

A study of the populations of a certain of plants indicates that the amount of phosphorous in the soil decreases, the number of plants of this species that survive to reproduce also decreases. From this information it can be concluded that it is likely these plants -

• use phosphorus to produce toxins as protection.

• Compete for the resources of phosphorous in soil.

• Are unable to breakdown and use phosphorus.

• Grow taller in soil that has increased phosphorus.

Competition within a population of similar animals would decrease if which of the following changes occurs in their habitat?

• The number of animals in this population increases.

• The population of plants these animals eat decreases.

• A new species of animals with similar needs is introduced.

• The area the animals are able to survive in increases.

All of the following are examples of organisms depending on other organisms to meet their needs except -

• deer drinking water from a river.

• rain-forest parrots eating fruit.

• squirrels nesting in oak trees.

• fish feeding on insect larvae.

What information is most useful to determine if two species would compete in an ecosystem where they both lived?

• Cellular structure of each species

• Basic needs of each species.

• Evolutionary history of each species.

• Ages of individuals of each species.

In the 1850's, Thomas Austin released approximately twenty-four rabbits from Europe into the Australian countryside. By 1900, tens of millions of rabbits were found all over the Australian continent. The warm Australian climate, abundant farmland, and crops provided the perfect habitat for the rabbits. The rabbits caused extensive damage to all vegetation, and the lack of plants increased soil erosion. Which of the following statements best describes why the rabbits where so successful?

• The rabbits competed with local herbivore for rood.

• The rabbits did not have natural predators.

• Erosion of soil benefited the rabbits.

• Diseases helped decrease rabbit populations.

In the 1850's, Thomas Austin released approximately twenty-four rabbits from Europe into the Australian countryside. By 1900, tens of millions of rabbits were found all over the Australian continent. The warm Australian climate, abundant farmland, and crops provided the perfect habitat for the rabbits. The rabbits caused extensive damage to all vegetation, and the lack of plants increased soil erosion. What biotic factor caused the Australian environment to change?

• climate

• erosion

• producers

• rabits

Which of the following is a biotic factor that limits the size of a population?

• Water

• Soil nutrients

• Predators

• Space

All of the following are considered abiotic factors except -

• water

• disease

• space

• temperature