Ecosystem Health

Living features of an ecosystem are called:

• Biotic

• Abiotic

• Consumers

• Omnivores

Non-living features of an ecosystem are called:

• Biotic

• Abiotic

• Consumer

• Omnivores

An organism that gets energy from eating other organisms

• Producer

• Prey

• Consumer

• Omnivore

Which are examples of invasive species?

• Kudzu vines that smothers plants. They were brought to America from southern and eastern Asia to prevent soil erosion.

• Algae that bloom in lakes and deprive waters of oxygen. They can grow because of extra nutrients from human activities.

• Beetles that feed on pine trees. They can live longer and harm trees more because cold seasons are shorter.

• Burmese pythons that compete with the American Alligator for habitat and food. Originally from Southeast Asia, they were released into Florida from pet-owners who no longer wanted them.

Read the statement.

Coral reefs are ecological systems with high biodiversity. Corals are a keystone species in coral reefs. Climate change may give rise to higher temperatures in water, which kills corals.

Which statement BEST describes what will happen to the reef if corals go locally extinct?

• The reef will experience slight change, but then return back to normal.

• Corals are not critical to the survival of reefs. The reef will not be affected.

• Other organisms will move into the niches of corals. The reef will not experience a major change.

• The entire reef is likely to collapse because corals are a keystone species.

Read the statement.

The Amazon rain forest has a complex food web and high species diversity.

What is most likely to happen when a primary consumer goes extinct in the Amazon rain forest?

• Other species will move into the niche. The ecosystem will not experience a major change.

• The niche will remain empty and the ecosystem will experience considerable change.

• Other species will move into the niche. The ecosystem will experience considerable change as this happens.

• Some other organisms that relied on the extinct organism will also go extinct. The ecosystem will experience considerable change.

Which statements BEST describe how human activities are negatively affecting ecosystems and the wildlife that lives there?

• Large habitats get divided into smaller habitats.

• Habitats become larger due to protection of natural parks.

• Habitats become disconnected from each other.

• New habitats form due to agricultural activities.

Which of the following are examples of physical disturbances to an ecosystem?

• Disease

• Wildfire

• Invasive species

• Volcanic eruption

Why do more complex food webs result in more resilient ecosystems?

• In a complex food web, if a local species goes extinct, other species can move in to fill that species' role.

• In a complex food web, the organisms reproduce faster, which results in more resilience.

• In a complex food web, more water and nutrients are available.

• In a complex food web, there are fewer diseases because the ecosystem is more healthy.

Which of the following words would a scientist use to describe an ecosystem that can recover from disturbances in a short period of time?

• Resilient

• Strong

• Fragile

• Diverse