Factors Affecting Populations

Members of the same species found in an ecosystem are called

• Family

• Niche

• Community

• Population

A population of elk existed for centuries in a hilly region of Tennesee. The landowners decided to introduce cows into the same area. Elk and cows eat some of the same kinds of plants. After the cowsp were introduced, the Elk population began to decline. How could the decline in the Elk population be explained? 

• Cows are at a higher trophic level than the Elk

• The food web became too complex

• The cows competed with the elk.

• The elk were bigger than the cows.

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The graph shows the number of squirrels in an ecosystem over a two-month period. Based on the graph, what inference can be made about the mealworm population? 

• Some squirrels are older than other squirrels

• Squirrels hibernated during May

• The squirrel population reached its carrying capacity in Decemeber

• The population has carnivorous members

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Squirrels eat a variety of plant material, including acorns from oak trees. During certain years, oak trees produce much greater numbers of acorns than usual. These highly productive years (Many acorns are produced) are called mast years. Which of the following is the most direct effect of a mast year on the squirrel population in an area?

• The squirrel population increases

• The squirrel population has fewer predators

• The squirrel population decreases

• The squirrel population expands its territory into new habitats.

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Excess nitrogen fertilizers sometimes drain into waterways that flow into the Ohio. This nitrogen may cause algal blooms, which reduce dissolved oxygen in the water. How does nitrogen negatively affect the Ohio River?

• Fish birth increase because of the extra dissolved oxygen

• Fish population decrease because of of the lack of dissolved oxygen

• Sediment on the bottom of the bay decreases

• Runoff into the river increases

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The graph shows how a groundhog recovered over a ten-year period after a population crash. Coyote in the same area feed primarily on groundhog. Which graph shows the most likely change in the coyote population for the same ten-year period?

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A population of frogs that live in a river requires clear, fresh water to survive. A flood causes tons of sediment to be suspended in the river. Which of these most likely will happen to the frog population? 

• The frogs will adapt to life on land. 

• The frogs will move to another river

• The frogs will adapt to living in muddy water

• The frogs will decrease in number due to the water quality

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Sea Lions swim across large expanses of the ocean while hunting for herring, their main source of food. The sea lions use sea ice as resting spots during their long swims. However, sea ice is rapidly melting as a result of global warming. Which statement describes what most likely will happen if global warming continues at its present rate?

• Both sea lion and herring populations will increase

• Sea lion population will increase, herring population will decrease

• Sea lion population will decrease and herring population will increase

• Sea lion populations will decrease and herring populations will stay the same

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Brine shrimp have been living in the Great Salt Lake for 10,000 years. Over time, the lake has been slowly getting smaller. Which of the following is most likely to happen as a result of the lake shrinking? 

• There will be more brine shrimp because there will be more food for them.

• There will be fewer brine shrimp because there will not be enough space

• The lake will become saltier because of more brine shrimp

• The lake will become less salty because less brine shrimp will grow

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A disease causes the rabbit population to decline drastically. How would this decline in the rabbit population impact the community? 

• The fox population would decrease

• The mouse population would decrease

• The grasshopper population would decrease

• the snake population would decrease

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