Review of Ecosystem Quiz

A team of ecologists observed feeding patterns of several populations in the desert. The energy pyramid shown below depicts the feeding patterns the ecologists observed. Which of the following best explains the difference in the amount of available energy in the trophic levels of the desert ecosystem?

• There is less energy available in the producers because their tissues are less dense than those at higher trophic levels.

• There is more energy available in the second trophic level because less energy is needed for hunting compared to the higher trophic levels.

• There is more available energy in the birds of prey because they have greater muscle mass for storing energy than organisms in lower trophic levels have.

• There is less available energy in the fourth trophic level because of the loss of energy through metabolism in each of the lower trophic levels.

Use the energy pyramid to answer the question that follows. When one organism consumes (eats) another one, the molecules in the food are converted while energy is transferred. The different positions that identify an organism's place in an ecosystem as shown above are

• trophic levels

• food chains

• niche sites

• energy sources

Look at the oval below. Which of the following is the BEST label or title for the oval?

• Parts of a Food Web

• Levels of a Food Chain

• Parts of an Ecosystem

• Levels of an Energy Pyramid

In an energy pyramid, the total energy available for consumption from one trophic level to the next one above it is

• reduced.

• conserved.

• multiplied.

• evenly distributed.

An energy pyramid is shown.

• provide energy for consumers.

• have less mass than consumers.

• have fewer species than consumers.

• depend on consumers.

Producers are found at the bottom of the pyramid because producers

• provide energy for consumers.

• have less mass than consumers.

• have fewer species than consumers.

• depend on consumers.

Which statement BEST explains why photosynthesis is the foundation of most food webs?

• Sunlight is the source of energy for nearly all ecosystems.

• Most ecosystems are found on land instead of in water.

• Carbon dioxide is more available than other gases.

• The producers in all ecosystems are plants.

Food webs are used to identify the feeding relationships between organisms. Which statement can be logically concluded about the food web shown?

• Organism 1 is most likely a type of bacteria.

• Organism 2 is definitely an omnivore.

• Organism 5 is most likely a plant eater.

• Organism 8 is definitely a carnivore.

Energy flows in an ecosystem through food webs. Which form of energy is the LEAST available for reuse in a food web?

• heat energy

• sunlight energy

• energy from producers

• energy from consumers

In the food web above, the hawk would be considered a:

• Producer

• 1st level Consumer(Primary Consumer)

• 2nd level Consumer(Secondary Consumer)

• Detritivore