Unit 4: Lesson 2 How Do Organisms Change Their Ecosystems?

Carrotwood is a fast-growing landscape tree. Today, this tree is found in a variety of habitats, including dunes, coastal areas, freshwater marshes, and riverbanks. It crowds out native plants and competes for light and other resources.

Which term describes the carrotwood species?

• native

• migrant

• predatory

• invasive

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Which animal is most likely to be harmed when a beaver builds a dam?

• a fish that swims in ponds

• a plant that grows in water

• a bird that builds nests in trees

• an insect that lays eggs in flowers

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The diagram shows a mole community.

In which way does the mole change the ecosystem the most?

• It sleeps underground.

• It eats worms and plant roots.

• It has multiple babies each year.

• It digs tunnels in the soil and moves dirt to new locations.

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Which is one example of a way that living things can change an ecosystem?

• A fire sweeps through a forest.

• Deer trails on steep slopes increase erosion.

• A flood takes place when the water in a river rises.

• Too much dry weather causes a shortage of water.

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The kudzu vine was introduced to this country in the late 1800s. Today it can be found in many southern states. Kudzu eventually kills other plants it covers because it blocks out sunlight. Kudzu has been reported to grow roughly 1 foot per day.

What can you conclude from this information?

• Kudzu is a predator in a community.

• Kudzu is an organism that can change an ecosystem.

• Kudzu is an example of a pollutant that is destroying forest ecosystems.

• Kudzu is an example of a cyclic change where the forest land will eventually be restored.

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Newly introduced plants compete with native plants for resources.

Which statement describes what is likely to happen to native plants that compete with fast-growing newly introduced plants?

• Their numbers will decrease.

• Their numbers will stay the same.

• Their numbers will increase slightly.

• Their numbers will increase greatly.

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The Florida panther used to live all over the southeastern United States. Today only about 100 panthers still live in the wild. The panthers live in about 5 percent of the area they used to. At the same time, the human population of Florida has greatly increased.

Which statement explains the changes in the panther ecosystem?

• Panthers adapted to live in the same habitat as the humans.

• The ecosystem no longer contains what the panthers need for survival.

• People built houses and brought food to the panthers, which has helped the panthers to survive.

• Panthers are a newly introduced species to Florida, and because they have no natural predators they are damaging the ecosystem.

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The Burmese python typically lives in Southeast Asia. Scientists are now finding populations in south Florida. The python eats small mammals and birds. It has no natural predators in Florida.

Which term best describes the Burmese python in Florida?

• endangered

• invasive

• native

• prey