Population Ecology Quiz

Constance made the table below during a field investigation on ocean life. Based on Constance’s table, which of the following is a valid conclusion?

• Organisms in the intertidal zone must be able to withstand very cold water.

• There are no producers in the benthic zone that rely on photosynthesis.

• Organisms in the benthic zone must be able to tolerate occasional air exposure.

• The warm water and abundant sunlight in the neritic zone limit the plankton population.

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A scientist set up two glass fish tanks. She put 5 L of water, a small fish, and several plants in each tank. She then sealed the tops of both tanks so that no air could leave or enter. Tank A was placed in a bright room. Tank B was placed in a dark room. After 45 hours, the fish in the tank that was kept in darkness died. The fish in the brightly lit tank remained healthy for more than 96 hours. Based on the results of the experiment described above, what conclusion can you draw about the relationship between the aquarium conditions and the organisms that live within the aquarium?

• Fish cannot survive in an overcrowded aquarium.

• Fish cannot survive in an aquarium that does not contain plants.

• Fish cannot survive in a plant-filled aquarium kept in darkness for 45 hours.

• Fish cannot survive in a plant-filled aquarium that has been sealed so that no air can leave or enter.

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After fires destroyed 793,000 acres of aspen and pine forest in Yellowstone National Park in the unusually dry summer of 1988, biologists were able to study the long-term effects on an ecosystem. The biologists found that the soil after the fire was more fertile and soon gave rise to small plants and new pine trees. What ecological process were the biologists observing?

• biodiversity

• equilibrium

• food web energy flow

• secondary succession

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A biologist compares how different ecosystems undergo succession. She divides the series of events that happen during primary succession and secondary succession into three different stages. Which feature might be used to distinguish secondary succession from primary succession?

• the lack of pioneer species in the second stage

• the presence of pioneer species in the final stage

• the presence of trees and large plants in the final stage

• the presence of soil and organic matter in the first stage

Researchers have found that a local squirrel population fluctuates from year to year, increasing one year and decreasing the next. Which of the following factors would cause the squirrel population to grow?

• The birth rate is equal to the death rate

• Emigration is greater than immigration

• The death rate is higher than the birth rate

• The birth rate is greater than the death rate

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Your class has been observing the population growth of a species of Paramecium, a single-celled organism, for 18 days. Your data are shown in the graph below. Food was occasionally added to the test tube in which the paramecia were grown. Look at the graph. What is the carrying capacity of the test-tube environment as long as the food is added?

• about 10 paramecia

• about 25 paramecia

• about 50 paramecia

• about 100 paramecia

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Imagine that a non native bird species appears in an ecosystem. Which of the following will not be a likely change in the ecosystem?

• Native bird species will immediately migrate to another area.

• Bird predator species will temporarily have more available prey.

• Each food chain in the ecosystem will adjust over time to include the new species of bird.

• Birds that share the same niche of the new species will have more competition for food resources.

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All populations fluctuate in size. Which of the following is an environmental factor that might cause a population to be reduced in size?

• decreased predation

• increased competition

• the emergence of disease resistance

• increased availability of a food source

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Which is an example of a biotic factor that would limit the size of a deer herd?

• Population of predators

• Lack of oxygen

• Severe summer drought

• Heavy winter snowfalls

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In a forest ecosystem, the abiotic factors include

• Light, temperature, and plants

• Minerals, oxygen, and fungi

• Animals, water, and soil

• Water, soil, and temperature

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