U6 interim-ecology

The temperate deciduous forest and temperate grassland biomes have the same maximum temperature. Which of the following is a reason they have different plant and animal species?

• the forest gets more precipitation

• they are at different altitudes

• they are at different latitudes

Biomes include both biotic and abiotic elements. Which set includes both biotic and abiotic elements of an estuary?

• cordgrass, water salinity, great blue herons

• silt, air temperature,tide pattern,

• ospreys, oysters, black needle rush

The African savanna is a tropical grassland that supports grazing animals, such as antelopes and zebra. Predators, such as lions, hunt the grazing animals of the savanna. Small mammals, such as shrews and mice, burrow in soil beneath the grasses. Acacia trees often take root in the savanna. These trees are usually knocked down and eaten by elephants. Which of the following is likely to cause the greatest change in the vegetation of the savanna?

• decrease the elephant population

• an increase in the lion population

Biodiversity can include genetic diversity within a population or variation of populations within an ecosystem. Given this information, which of the following is likely to have the most biodiversity?

• a tropical forest

• residential backyard

• an arctic tundra

• a deciduous forest

Biologists have discovered that the beluga whales of Canada's St. Lawrence River have the highest rates of cancer among animals. What is most likely the reason for this high incidence of cancer in these whales?

• average temperatures increased in the region

• chemical and pollutant runoff into the ocean

• depletion of natural prey from the ecosystem

Coal ash is a byproduct produced when coal is burned for energy. Coal ash contains sand, unburned carbon, and a variety of metals, such as arsenic, cadmium, lead, mercury, and zinc. Some energy companies mix coal ash with water and store this waste in ponds. How could the accidental release of coal ash waste impact ecosystems?

• Unburned carbon could enter waterways and provide food for organisms.

• heavy metals could bioaccumulate in aquatic food chains

• leaking waste

Many birds live in mountainous temperate forest ecosystems. Above the tree line on mountains, however, the ecosystems change. Few birds are found there. Many factors contribute to the lower number of birds seen above a mountain's tree line. Which of these factors is abiotic?

• frequent high winds

• limited food

• no trees for shelter

Which biomes are found in temperate latitudes?

• small plants & flowering plants

• thorned trees and tall grasses

• mixed trees, flowering plants, succulent trees

• thorned trees, tall grasses

The three global biomes in the table are home to different species of fox and members of the deer family. why would you expect for tundra to have the fewest number of animals?

• shortest plants

• It has the coldest temperature.

• least amount of food

Which of these is a threat to the survival of an ecosystem?

• shrinking variety of animal and plants species

• predator-prey population cycles

• less biomass at higher levels of the food web