Ecosystems and Biodiversity Quiz

In a garden ecosystem, how do organisms and populations depend on abiotic factors?

• Tadpoles feed on algae growing in the pond.

• Woodpeckers make their homes in dying trees in the garden.

• Earthworms create tunnels in the garden soil.

• Birds build their nests in the cattail plants around the pond.

A company purchased a large forest and cut the trees for lumber. Sunlight which had not reached the forest floor before was now very bright on the bare ground. Holly ferns began to grow rapidly because of increased access to light and moisture. Which population of organisms would be in direct competition with the Holly ferns for the same resources?

• Spotted owls

• Squirrels

• Hawks

• Wildflowers

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The Texas blind salamander lives exclusively in San Marcos, Texas, and has the following characteristics. Characteristics of the Texas Blind Salamander • Blood-rich gills that allow them to breathe in their aquatic environment • No eyes present • Very little skin pigment to protect them from ultraviolet radiation • Able to sense pressure changes in the aquatic environment to detect prey • Adults eat snails and blind shrimp Which abiotic resource is not likely present in the Texas blind salamander's environment?

• Oxygen

• Water

• Plants

• Light

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In Austin, Texas, a well-known salamander inhabits the waters of the spring outflows of Barton Springs. This is the perfect habitat for the Barton Springs salamander since it thrives in fresh and pure continuous flowing water. They may inhabit underground or surface environments. They have been observed in water, under and among rocks and gravel, as well as within plants and algae. They consume small aquatic organisms. What is most likely the way that humans could have a damaging impact on the Barton Springs salamander?

• Polluting the water

• Floating down the river

• Adding new water vegetation

• Adding new crustaceans

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A student drew a diagram of a marine ecosystem. If the zooplankton population dramatically decreases, which population would be impacted the most?

• The spotlight parrot fish population will decrease.

• The coral population will increase.

• The barracuda population will decrease.

• The phytoplankton population will increase.

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In this aquatic food web identify the producer(s) in this food web.

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When offshore oil rigs are finished drilling, the platforms are sunk into the ocean. How does this impact organisms in the area?

• The platform destroys all organisms in the area.

• The platform releases chemicals into the area.

• The platform is used for future oil research.

• The platform provides a habitat for organisms.

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Why is biodiversity important in an ecosystem?

• The number of offspring for a species increases.

• It creates more competition for resources among species.

• The number of organisms in the food pyramid will increase at each trophic level.

• It leads to stability of an ecosystem, which enables it to withstand a disturbance.

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The food webs below model relationships among organisms in two ecosystems. Students were asked to make a claim supported with evidence to answer the question, "Which ecosystem would be most sustainable if all the grasses died from severe drought?" What claim is valid and supported by the evidence?

• The forest ecosystem is most sustainable because there are more top predators.

• The grassland ecosystem is most sustainable because there are fewer organisms that eat grass.

• The forest ecosystem is most sustainable because most of the animals can eat other organisms.

• The grassland ecosystem is most sustainable because there is less competition for food.

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Which statement best describes how organisms and populations depend on abiotic factors in an ecosystem?

• Algae is the main diet of tadpoles.

• Woodpeckers nest in dying trees.

• Worms dig tunnels in soil.

• Birds nest in cattail plants.