Changing Ecosystems Quiz

Ecological succession can begin when seeds are carried to bare areas by birds or the wind.

• True

• False

Ecological succession in new areas of land with little or no soil is secondary succession.

• True

• False

If an existing ecosystem is destroyed,

• Primary succession occurs

• Secondary succession occurs

• A climax community comes into existence

• A different type of biome emerges

As eutrophication occurs, populations of algae grow. How does this speed up succession?

• The algae use so much of the oxygen in the water that fish die, decay and add to the build up of soil.

• The algae become soil.

• The growth of the algae causes pollution to increase.

• The presence of the algae encourages sediment to drop out of streams into the pond.

The end product of aquatic succession is a new

• Lake

• River

• Ocean

• Pond

A pasture gradually returns to a forested state. This is

• An ecosystem

• Succession

• Primary succession

• Secondary succession

What is the difference between primary succession and secondary succession?

• Primary succession occurs after a natural disaster, while secondary succession occurs after human activities.

• Primary succession occurs in new areas with little or no soil, while secondary succession occurs in areas with existing soil.

• Primary succession occurs in aquatic ecosystems, while secondary succession occurs in terrestrial ecosystems.

• Primary succession occurs in tropical regions, while secondary succession occurs in temperate regions.

What do lichens do to help create soil in primary succession?

• Lichens break down rocks and help in the formation of soil.

• Lichens provide shade and prevent soil erosion.

• Lichens attract pollinators and help in the growth of plants.

• Lichens release oxygen and help in the purification of soil.

After lava covers the land,

• Primary succession occurs

• Secondary succession occurs

• A climax community comes into existence

• A different type of biome emerges

You play baseball in a field at the park where the grass is mowed all summer. What type of succession would occur if no one mowed the grass at all?

• Primary succession

• Secondary succession

• Tertiary succession

• No succession