Ecosystems

What are the non-living parts of an ecosystem called?

• abiotic factors

• biotic factors

• oxygen

• soil

All of the different populations that live in a specific area.

• ecosystem

• habitat

• ecology

• community

The study of the interaction of living and nonliving things in the environment.

• biology
• ecology
• zoology
• psychology

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The living parts of an ecosystem are called:

• biotic factors

• biology

• abiotic factors

• animals

An abiotic part of an ecosystem; made of small pieces of rock, water and decaying matter.

• sunlight
• oxygen
• water
• soil

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Which population would be most affected if there is a decrease in the population of aquatic insects?

• elk
• frog
• moose
• squirrel

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Which species are best able to occupy the same space?

• those that eat the same foods
• those that compete for the same resources
• those that have a predator/prey relationship
• those whose needs differ significantly from each other

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Below is an example of a simple food chain.

Acorn → Squirrel → Fox → Mountain Lion 

What will most likely happen if squirrels are removed from the food chain?

• The fox will eat acorns
• The fox population will decrease
• The trees will produce fewer acorns.
• The mountain lion population will increase

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A rainforest area is experiencing a severe drought. As a consequence, the insect population has decreased. What will the insect-eating birds most likely do as a result of the drought?

• stop searching for food until it begins to rain
• begin reproducing to increase population
• move to a new area to find food
• start the process of hibernation

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In a forest ecosystem, a food chain might look like this:
green plants → rabbit → fox → panther

If the green plants are destroyed in a forest fire, which short-term effect will this have on the organisms in this food chain?

• There would be fewer rabbits for the foxes to eat. 
• The panthers would have to begin to eat green plants.
• There would be an increase in the fox population
• There would be more green plants for the rabbits to eat

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