Ecology Populations Scenarios Quiz

What is carrying capacity in an ecosystem? Explain with an example.

• The amount of water available in an ecosystem

• The maximum population size of a species that the environment can sustain indefinitely.

• The average temperature in an ecosystem

• The number of predators in an ecosystem

Why is carrying capacity important in understanding population dynamics in an ecosystem?

• It has no impact on population dynamics

• It only applies to certain species in the ecosystem

• It is only important in understanding individual behavior within a population

• It helps in predicting how populations will grow or decline in an ecosystem.

Explain the exponential growth model and logistic growth model in population dynamics.

• The exponential growth model describes a population that grows without limit, while the logistic growth model describes a population that grows rapidly at first, then slows down as it reaches its carrying capacity.

• The exponential growth model describes a population that grows rapidly at first, then slows down as it reaches its carrying capacity.

• The logistic growth model describes a population that grows without limit.

• The exponential growth model describes a population that decreases over time.

What are the key differences between the exponential growth model and the logistic growth model?

• The key differences are the consideration of carrying capacity and limited resources in the logistic growth model.

• The exponential growth model considers carrying capacity while the logistic growth model does not.

• The logistic growth model is used for non-living organisms while the exponential growth model is used for living organisms.

• The logistic growth model considers unlimited resources while the exponential growth model does not.

What are some examples of density-dependent factors that can affect population size in an ecosystem?

• Weather patterns and climate change

• Geographic location and topography

• Availability of sunlight and water

• Competition for resources, predation, parasitism, and disease

How do density-dependent factors regulate population growth in a given ecosystem?

• Density-dependent factors limit population growth by increasing mortality or reducing reproductive success as population density increases.

• Density-dependent factors only increase mortality as population density decreases

• Density-dependent factors have no impact on population growth

• Density-dependent factors only increase reproductive success as population density increases

Provide examples of density-independent factors that can impact population size in an ecosystem.

• Climate change

• Competition for resources

• Predation by other species

• Natural disasters like hurricanes, wildfires, and droughts

Explain how density-independent factors can lead to population fluctuations in an ecosystem.

• Density-independent factors have no effect on population size.

• Density-independent factors only impact population size when the density is high.

• Density-independent factors directly impact population size regardless of density.

• Density-independent factors only impact population size when the density is low.

Describe the predator-prey relationship and provide an example of this relationship in an ecosystem.

• Shark hunting a dolphin in the ocean

• Tiger hunting a deer in the desert

• Lion hunting a zebra in the African savanna

• Eagle hunting a rabbit in the forest

How does the predator-prey relationship contribute to the stability of an ecosystem?

• It helps control the population of both species, preventing overpopulation of prey and starvation of predators.

• It has no impact on the stability of the ecosystem

• It leads to the extinction of both predator and prey

• It causes an imbalance in the ecosystem