Populations 'Stations-Yellowstone

What is a trophic cascade?

• A series of secondary extinctions triggered by the primary extinction of a key species in an ecosystem

• A process that starts at the top of the food chain and goes down to the bottom

• A natural disaster that affects the food chain

• A management strategy for controlling wildlife populations

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What does the term "keystone species" mean?

• A species that is the most abundant in an ecosystem

• A species that has no impact on the structure of an ecosystem

• A species on which other species in an ecosystem largely depend, such that if it were removed the ecosystem would change drastically

• A species that is introduced to an ecosystem by human activity

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Based on the wolves of Yellowstone, what can be inferred about the role of keystone species in population science?

• Keystone species have no significant impact on population science

• Keystone species can provide insights into the complex interdependencies within ecosystems

• Keystone species are only important for their symbolic value

• Keystone species primarily influence the abiotic factors of an ecosystem

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What would likely happen to the wolf and elk populations in Yellowstone if there was a drought that caused many of the plant species to dry up and/or die?

• The wolf and elk populations would increase due to less competition for resources

• The wolf and elk populations would not be affected by the plant populations

• The wolf and elk populations would decrease due to a lack of food resources

• The wolf and elk populations would migrate to other national parks

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Would the system of a rainforest fall apart if one species were removed from the ecosystem?

• Yes, because all species are equally important.

• No, because the ecosystem is resilient to the loss of a single species.

• Yes, because removing one species always causes a chain reaction.

• No, because only certain species are important to the ecosystem.

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How is the coral reef an example of a keystone species?

• By providing essential nutrients to other species.

• By creating habitats for a variety of marine life.

• By regulating water temperature in the ocean.

• By preventing coastal erosion.

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What niche does the coral fill for the coral reef?

• It provides a food source for marine predators.

• It acts as a primary producer in the ecosystem.

• It serves as a shelter for small fish and invertebrates.

• It filters toxins from the water.

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What are threats to the biodiversity of the coral reef and impacts of those threats?

• Climate change and increased fish populations.

• Pollution and enhanced coral growth.

• Overfishing and improved water quality.

• Climate change and pollution.

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Ecosystem services are benefits that healthy, diverse ecosystems provide to humans. List some ecosystem services provided by a healthy biodiversity on Earth and describe how our lives would be changed without these.

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Explain how the introduction of invasive species is one of the major causes of species extinction.

• Invasive species introduce new diseases to native species.

• Invasive species increase biodiversity by adding new species.

• Invasive species support the growth of native species.

• Invasive species have no impact on native species.

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