8.11ABC Ecosystems Review

Whitetip reef sharks spend most of the day lying on the ocean floor. While remaining still, these sharks pump water across their gills.

The movement of water across their gills is necessary for —

• staying cool

• accessing food

• obtaining oxygen

• avoiding predators

The strangler fig is a vine that starts out as a seed in the tree canopy of the rain forest. It drops its roots down from the canopy to the forest floor.

By sprouting in the rain-forest canopy, the strangler fig seedling is exposed to more

• sunlight

• soil

• nutrients

• consumers

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The graph below shows the range of water conditions preferred by three species of fish in an Ozark stream.

Water with which of these conditions would cause the most competition for resources among all three species of fish?

• Very cold, very clear, and very fast

• Very warm, very clear, and very slow

• Mild temperatures, some suspended particles, flows very fast

• Mild temperatures, some suspended particles, flows at a medium speed

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After researching the diets of several birds inhabiting a nearby pond, a student goes on a field investigation to observe the feeding habits of the birds. The student records information from research and observations in the table. The student observes a great blue heron catching fish near the edge of the pond. Based on the information the student collected, which bird will compete with the great blue heron for the same hunting spots and similar prey?

• The mallard, because it hunts for fish while wading near the edge of the pond

• The pied-billed grebe, because it dives in open water to get crayfish on the bottom of the pond

• The great egret, because it hunts in water near the edge of the pond for fish and other prey

• None of these

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The Prairies Region and the Cross Timbers are located in north-central Texas. The graph below shows information about eating habits of white-tailed deer in these regions.

A Cross Timbers rancher is concerned about competition between the ranch animals and the deer. Based on the graph, which ranch animals compete for the most food with white-tailed deer?

• Cattle that eat grass and feed

• Goats that eat weeds and shrubs

• Turkeys that eat seeds and fruit

• Hogs that eat fruit, seeds, and feed

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(7.11C) When Charles Darwin visited the Galapagos Island in the 1800s, he observed many types of organisms that were similar but lived on different islands. The four species of mockingbirds found on the Gapapagos Island are shown below. Each species lives on a different island.
These species are very similar, but the Hood mockingbird has a longer beak than the other three species. Which of the following best explains this difference?

• The hood mockingbird needs a longer beak for defense against predators.
• The Hood mockingbird originated from a different type of bird than the other species.
• The Hood mockingbird's longer beak is an adaptation to the food available in the bird's habitat.
• The Hood mockingbird's beak stretched to reach its food, and the longer beak was passed down to its offspring.

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Snowshoe hares are related to rabbits and live in cold regions. In warm weather, they have a brown coat and spend many hours feeding on vegetation. To avoid predators they either remain still and try to blend into their habitat, or use their powerful hind legs to flee. What change brought about by the winter season would help these animals avoid predators in the snowy climate?

• Their bodies slow down and require less food.

• They spend more of the day sleeping.

• Their brown fur changes to white.

• They must search longer to find vegetation.

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DDT is a pesticide that was once widely used to control agricultural pests and mosquitoes. However, this pesticide caused the eggshells of certain birds, including the brown pelican, to become fragile and thin. The adults would then accidentally crush the eggs while trying to incubate them.

What happened to the brown pelican populations as a result of DDT use by humans?

• The populations increased much more slowly

• The populations decreased as fewer eggs survived long enough to hatch.

• The populations remained stable over time.

• The populations increased as pelicans laid more eggs so that more offspring would survive.

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If global climate change leads to the elimination of snow in the habitat of white-tailed ptarmigans, which adaptation is most likely to occur over many generations?

• Birds with white feathers in areas without winter snow will be easier for predators to find. Over time this could lead to white-tailed ptarmigans that have brown feathers throughout the year.

• Birds with brown feathers in areas without winter snow will be easier for predators to find. Over time this could lead to white-tailed ptarmigans that have white feathers throughout the year.

• Birds with white feathers will be easier to see on the ground in the summer. Over time this could lead to white-ptarmigans that have white feathers throughout the year.

• Birds with brown feathers will be easier to see on the ground in the winter. Over time this could lead to white-tailed ptarmigans that have brown feathers throughout the year.

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Scientists are studying the effects of climate change on the Baltic Sea. Some scientists predict that if current trends continue, the Baltic Sea will become less salty, and it will contain less dissolved oxygen. As a result of these changes, the Baltic Sea will have less biodiversity.

Which statement best explains why biodiversity of the Baltic Sea could decrease if these changes occur?

• Fewer types of plants and animals are found in warm water than in cool water.

• Plants and animals adapted for living in saltwater will grow more slowly in water that has less salt.

• Plants and animals adapated for living in saltier conditions will not be able to survive and reproduce.

• Animals adapted for living in warm water will eat all the plants and animals adapted for living in cool water.

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