Ecology and Ecosystems STAAR

Surtsey is an island located south of Iceland. The island was formed by a volcanic eruption and first appeared in 1963. The table below contains descriptions of changes in the population and diversity of species on Surtsey. Which of these lists the descriptions in the correct order of ecological succession on Surtsey?

• I, II, IV, III

• III, I, II, IV

• IV, III, I, II

• II, IV, I, III

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A native species and a non-native species are competing for resources within the same ecosystem. The non-native species is more likely to survive than the native species in which of the following situations?

• Both the native species and the non-native species thrive on the same food source.

• The native species is immune to certain pathogens in the ecosystem.

• Predators prey on both native and non-native species.

• The non-native species has no natural enemies in the ecosystem.

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The overgrowth of algae poses a major problem for coral reefs. Intensive fishing is one factor that contributes to algae overgrowth because it does which of the following?

• Allows more sunlight to be available to algae

• Inhibits the spread of pathogens in algae colonies

• Reduces the number of organisms that feed on algae

• Increases the competition between different algae species

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Which of the following are missing from the food web shown above?

• Producers

• Decomposers

• Omnivores

• Predators

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The acacia ant nests and feeds in the plant’s hollow thorns. The ant helps protect the bullshorn acacia by attacking insects and grazing animals that come near the plant. The relationship between the acacia ant and the bullshorn acacia is an example of which of the following?

• Commensalism

• Mutualism

• Neutralism

• Parasitism

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NGSS.MS-LS2-2

The carbon cycle includes processes that release carbon into the atmosphere and places that act as carbon reservoirs. The diagram below shows both major processes that release carbon and major carbon reservoirs. Which of these disruptions would cause an excess output in the carbon cycle?

• The destruction of terrestrial biota

• Increases in marine biota

• A reduction in the use of fossil fuels

• A thickening of ocean sediments

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The amount of energy the producers in this energy pyramid provide the primary consumers is 54,000 joules. From this amount, 540 joules are provided to the tertiary consumers. Based on this model, how much of the energy was provided to secondary consumers?

• 53,460 J

• 5,400 J

• 540 J

• 54 J

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The photograph shows monarch butterflies landing on plants where there are thousands of other monarch butterflies. These butterflies feed on milkweed plants as they travel south for the winter, covering distances of 5,000 km or more each year. However, the population of these butterflies has been steadily declining over the last 20 years.What is the most likely reason the population of these butterflies has been declining?

• The number of bird species evolving to prey on butterflies has increased.

• The butterflies are evolving to tolerate cold weather in the northern United States and southern Canada.

• The increase in yearly temperatures has warmed the northern habitats

• The number of milkweed plants along the butterflies’ migratory route has decreased.

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Which of the following is most likely to cause the greatest disruption to an ecosystem?

• Emptying an aquarium containing non-native species into a local waterway

• Cutting down a small cedar tree to make holiday decorations

• Cleaning the windshield of a car with an alcohol-based glass cleaner

• Mowing the lawn in a city park

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 Which statement best describes the differences in species diversity between an ecosystem beginning the process of primary succession and one beginning the process of secondary succession?

• Species diversity is much greater in the ecosystem undergoing primary succession because that ecosystem is experiencing a longer period with a lack of competition for space.

• No differences in species diversity exist because both ecosystems initially lack living organisms.

• Species diversity is much greater in the ecosystem undergoing primary succession because the lack of soil provides a greater area for organisms to claim niches.

• Species diversity is greater in the ecosystem undergoing secondary succession because the soil already contains seeds and spores of various species.

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