ECOLOGY PART ONE REVIEW

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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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 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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The graph shows the basic changes in a forest community after a disturbance occurred. The information shown in the graph suggests that the changes in the forest community were caused by —

• tree-leaf replacement after a storm

• repeated habitat destruction

• succession after a fire

• decreased species diversity

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NGSS.MS-LS2-4

The diagram shows the flow of organic molecules through an ecosystem. One process that occurs in this ecosystem is labeled X, and another process that occurs is labeled Y. Which two processes are identified by the labels X and Y?

• X: Respiration

  Y: Predation

• X: Adaptation

  Y: Decomposition

• X: Fermentation

  Y: Nitrogen fixation

• X: Decomposition

  Y: Respiration

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The mimosa plant displays thigmotropism by collapsing its leaves in response to touch. The plant on the left is undisturbed. The upper stem of the plant on the right has been touched. What is the most likely benefit of this mechanism for the plant?

• Protection from a loss of minerals to the environment

• Protection from poor light availability

• Protection from herbivores by becoming less attractive

• Protection from overwatering

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NGSS.MS-LS2-4

As ecosystems move through the stages of succession, the populations of organisms in them change. Which of the following describes the stage of succession likely to have the most species diversity?

• A newly formed volcanic island

• An agricultural field that has not been plowed for one year

• A temperate forest that has never been cleared by logging

• A field that is regularly mowed

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NGSS.MS-LS2-4

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Hydrothermal vents form deep in the ocean when iron-rich magma is released from openings on the seafloor. These vents spew extremely hot water (400°C) mixed with methane and sulfur. Bacteria that thrive in this hostile environment form the base of a food chain that leads to colonization by tube worms, mussels, and many other life-forms. When a hydrothermal vent becomes inactive and cold, the bacterial community that lives in the hot fluid methane and sulfur dies out. Which organisms most likely succeed the original community in this ecosystem?

• Cold-tolerant bacteria that feed on sulfur and iron in the vents

• Giant kelp that use sulfur in photosynthesis

• Fish that do not need oxygen for cellular respiration

• Ocean mammals that tolerate cold and act as top predators in the food chain

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