Dynamic and Resilient Ecosystems Lesson Quiz

The state of Florida purchased farmland from landowners in the Everglades to stop farming activities there. The farmlands were once wetlands that were drained for growing crops. The state also removed structures that had previously disrupted the water's natural flow. What will most likely happen if farming stops and water flows on this land again?

• Populations of native wetland plants will recolonize the land.

• Populations of native wetland animals will emigrate from the land.

• The community of organisms currently living there will remain the same.

• A new community of woodland organisms will develop through primary succession.

Logging involves people cutting down trees to acquire timber for uses such as building homes and making paper. How would logging affect a pine forest ecosystem? Choose all that apply.

• It would remove all the soil from the area.

• It would change the plant populations in the area.

• It would remove all the populations from the sea.

• It would change the animal populations in the area.

A small, rocky island is home to a community of organisms. They include birds, insects, lichen, moss, shrubs, and small plants. Flooding during a storm damages the ecosystem, except for the lichen and moss.

Predict how the ecosystem changes immediately during the flood, after the floodwater drains, and over time.

Sentence starter- I predict... or I think...

Two students observe the changes to the island community during and after the storm. Chinh classifies the changes as primary succession, whereas Brenda classifies them as secondary succession. Which argument is supported by the evidence?

• Chinh is correct because lichen and moss were the first organisms to return to the island.

• Brenda is correct because the lichen and moss were disturbed, but remained on the island.

• Both students are correct because the changes were caused by a natural event rather than by human activity.

• Neither student is correct because the changes were caused by human activity rather than by a natural event.

In Hawaii, new landforms when lava erupts from the Kīlauea volcano and harden. The new land is without any living things. The first organisms to populate the surface of that new land are known as _______________ species. With time, a series of changes called _______________ succession occurs, through which the new land becomes colonized by a variety of organisms. Write the letter of the correct answer on the line at left.

• primary

• secondary

• pioneer

• mature

What is a common characteristic among pioneer species?

• roots that break apart rocks

• long thick roots

• exposed surface roots

• soak up water quickly

Which of the following best describes primary succession?

• Volcano wipes out ecosystem that gradually grows back from ash covered soil

• Volcano creates a new island of rock that must break down to form an ecosystem

• Forest fire burns down forest that must bounce back over time

• Tornado destroys a crop that must slowly grow back over time.

If farmers use a controlled burn to prevent forest fires, what would most likely be the first plants to return?

• trees

• shrubs

• mosses

• grasses

Breaking News! A new island has formed off of Hawaii! What must occur for it to become an ecosystem?

• Secondary Succession

• Aquatic succession

• Primary Succession

• Ferns must grow

Which would result in primary succession?

• volcano destroying habitat leaving only soil and ash

• Tornado destroying a crop leaving very little soil

• Glacier retreating exposing bare rock

• limiting factors