Ecology Pre test

1. Coyotes are opportunistic predators that are found throughout most of North America. They typically feed on small mammals, insects, and fruits and vegetables. They are known for their dietary adaptability. The best description of their role in the food web would be:

• Herbivore

• Carnivore

• Primary producer

• omnivore

A pond ecosystem is shown in the diagram below. Which statement describes an interaction that helps maintain the dynamic equilibrium of this ecosystem?

• The frogs make energy available to this ecosystem through the process of photosynthesis.

• The algae directly provide food for both the rotifers and the catfish.

• The green-backed heron provides energy for the mosquito larvae.

• The catfish population helps control the populations of water boatman and waterfleas.

A team of ecologists observed feeding patterns of several populations in the desert. The energy pyramid shown below depicts the feeding patterns the ecologist observed. Which of the following best explains the difference in the amount of available energy in the trophic levels of the desert ecosystem?

• There is less energy available in the producers because their tissues are less dense than those at higher trophic levels.

• There is more energy available in the second trophic level because less energy is needed for hunting compared to the higher trophic levels.

• There is more available energy in the birds of prey because they have greater muscle mass for storing energy than organisms in lower trophic levels have.

• There is less available energy in the fourth trophic level because of the loss of energy through metabolism in each of the lower trophic levels.

When an environment has reached its carrying capacity for a certain population, which of the following is true?

• Growth and immigration rate is equal to death and emigration rate.

• Growth and immigration rate is greater than death and emigration rate.

• . Growth and immigration rate is less than death and emigration rate.

• Growth rate is exponential.

The common brushtail possum is a marsupial native to Australia. This possum was introduced to New Zealand where it had no natural predators and had an abundant food supply. Which of these likely occurred a few years after the introduction of this possum to New Zealand?

• The possums became extinct.

• The possums developed shorter life spans.

• The possum population grew to a larger size.

• The possum population evolved into a different species.

Mullet are local estuarine fish that move in schools and feed on plankton and plant matter. Natural predators of the mullet include spotted sea trout, sharks, pelicans and dolphins. The graph below shows how the number of mullet in an area has changed over time. Based on the data, one student concludes that a new predator was introduced into the area during this time period. Which of the following is a likely alternate explanation for the change in the mullet population?

• mullet prey increased in the area

• mullet parasites decreased in the area

• the temperature of the area increased

• the amount of aquatic plants in the area decreased

One way that humans could have a positive impact on local environments is to:

• generate waste products as a result of technological advances

• use resources that are renewable

• . increase planting large areas of one crop

• increase the use of pesticides

Some people see the benefit of wind energy as a clean alternative to fossil fuels for energy production. Others believe it is dangerous for migratory birds. These opinions best illustrate that decisions about alternate energy sources:

• will usually favor older methods of energy production over newer methods

• must be made by weighing the risks and costs against the benefits

• must be made by taking into account the present needs of the citizens without looking toward the future

• should be the responsibility of each individual

A builder is proposing a new housing development in an area of western Massachusetts. Construction of the housing development will destroy the wetland habitat in the area. Which of the following would be the most likely consequence of the wetland’s destruction?

• The wetland plant species would disperse to adjacent meadow habitats.

• The populations of wetland animals would be unable to survive in that area

• The wetland animal species would survive by interbreeding with non-wetland species.

• The populations of wetland plants would evolve to disperse seeds by wind rather than water.

Leaves fall from deciduous trees in autumn. The carbon in these leaves is returned to the atmosphere through which of the following processes?

• Decomposition

• Photosynthesis

• Condensation

• Transpiration