Ecology: Food chains and Populations

The loss of the producers in an ecosystem would most likely result in which of the following changes?

• an increase in the primary consumers and the secondary consumers

• a decrease in the primary consumers and the secondary consumers

• a decrease in the primary consumers and an increase in the secondary consumers

• an increase in the primary consumers and a decrease in the secondary consumers

Which of the following conditions is most likely to lead to an increase in a field mouse population?

• the arrival of another herbivorous mammal

• the presence of a greater number of predator snakes

• the disappearance of a bird species that preys on the mouse

• the lack of adequate rainfall for plants in the mouse’s habitat

Wolves can be found in several areas in Texas and Mexico. The size of one of the wolf populations decreased when some individuals from the population moved to another area.

Based on this information, what caused a decrease in the size of this wolf population?

• natural selection

• speciation

• extinction

• emigration

Birds chase beetles, which they catch in their beaks and then eat. What is the ecological relationship between birds and beetles?

• competition

• mutualism

• parasite-host

• predator-prey

The maximum number of individuals a population can support is

• climax community

• immigration rate

• abiotic rate

• carrying capacity

Species that are introduced into an environment and out compete native plants and animals are called

• pioneer species

• primary consumers

• invasive species

• carnivores

What should replace the question mark (?)

Biotic- pine trees, squirrels, bacteria

Abiotic- light, water

• soil

• ferns

• worms

• cacti

Which list shows a possible order in which energy moves through an ecosystem?

• herbivore, carnivore, Sun, producer

• Sun, producer, herbivore, carnivore

• Sun, producer, predator, consumer

• producer, Sun, carnivore, herbivore, decomposer

The __________ is defined as where an animal lives.

• biome

• habitat

• niche

• ecosystem

Select an example of a decomposer.

• bumblebee

• fly

• bear

• mushroom