Changing Ecosystems Quiz 2

Which of the following best describes a dynamic system?

• A system that remains static over time

• A system that changes constantly

• A system that operates in a fixed manner

• A system that lacks any structure or organization

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What usually happens to an ecosystem after a sudden catastrophic change?

• Rapid recovery and restoration to its original state

• Immediate collapse and irreversible damage

• Slow predictable change – succession

• Complete regeneration within a short period of time

What is a natural cause for sudden catastrophic change to an ecosystem?

• Human intervention

• Pollution

• Volcano, fire

• Deforestation

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Which of the following methods allows scientists to determine the impact of prairie dogs on an ecosystem?

• Conducting surveys to count the number of prairie dogs in the ecosystem.

• Analyzing the diet of predators in the ecosystem.

• Observing the behavior of prairie dogs in their natural habitat.

• By comparing ecosystems where prairie dogs have been lost, and observing changes.

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Why are prairie dogs endangered?

• Overhunting by predators

• Climate change

• Loss of land for farming

• Pollution and habitat destruction

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Which of the following correctly identifies two species that benefit from prairie dogs being absent?

• Coyotes and owls

• Hawks and rabbits

• Antelope and flowering plants

• Snakes and mice

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How do beavers affect nonliving parts of ecosystems?

• 1. Beaver dams cause upstream flooding, creating deep ponds.

• 1. Beavers cut down trees to construct dams, allowing more sunlight to reach the forest floor.

• 1. Beaver dams alter how water flows through an ecosystem.

• 1. all of the above

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How can a beaver change an ecosystem?

• Beavers can change an ecosystem by building underground tunnels and burrows.

• Beavers can change an ecosystem by consuming large quantities of vegetation.

• Beavers can change an ecosystem by building a dam that stops a stream and creates a lake.

• Beavers can change an ecosystem by migrating to different areas and introducing new species.

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Why does it matter if people change the path of a river so that sediments don’t reach the coast in the same area?

• Sediments help regulate the temperature of the coastal waters.

• Sediments provide nutrients for marine life.

• Sediments help build wetlands that protect the coast from flooding. Their absence leaves some areas in danger.

• Sediments contribute to erosion control along the coastline.

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2. Why can digging a channel to divert a river along a new path help protect communities from flooding?

• It prevents erosion along the riverbanks.

• It increases the flow rate of the river.

• It decreases the overall water level in the river.

• The new path changes the path of sediments, too, sometimes in ways that promote new wetland growth.

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