8.11B Competition & Interdependence

The number of organisms an environment can support depends on the availability of environmental resources. Changes in the mule deer population in Nevada from 1900–2000 are shown in the graph.

During which years did the mule deer population most likely experience the greatest decrease of environmental resources?

• 1930–1950

• 1956–1960

• 1960–1970

• 1976–1980

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In the early 1900s, an e ort was made to protect the deer population that lived on the Kaibab Plateau in Arizona. Over 6200 predators of the deer were hunted. The best explanation for the increase in the deer population on the Kaibab Plateau is that the deer had...

• less exposure to diseases

• a more favorable climate

• an unlimited food supply

• fewer natural enemies

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The table below shows the rise and fall of the deer population in Arizona between 1905 and 1935.

What most likely caused the deer population to change between 1915 and 1920?

• very little rainfall

• many deer starving

• removal of predators

• more deer being hunted

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Which of the following statements is best supported by this data?

• Earthworms have similar frequencies in these soil types.

• Earthworms were most often found in the loamy soil habitat.

• Earthworms are suffocated by clay soils.

• Earthworms search for moisture in sand and loamy soil.

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The table lists foods some birds like to eat in nature.

In New England, seeds and berries are the only foods available for most birds during the winter. Which bird moves away to find food during the winter?

• blue jay

• cardinal

• chickadee

• robin

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The table shows how different water temperatures affect the annual number of eggs one type of fish produces.

Which statement predicts the effect warmer water temperatures would most likely have on this type of fish?

• The fish would quickly adjust to the new temperatures.

• The fish population would decline over time.

• The fish would lay eggs more often to produce enough eggs.

• The fish population would produce more females than males.

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Use the graph to answer the following question.

Which event explains what most likely happened at the beginning of month 3?

• More predators of species  X were introduced.

• The prey of species X decreased in number.

• A disease that affected species X was introduced.

• A competitor of species X decreased in number.

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Ten sow bugs were placed in a closed container where they had a choice to move to a moist, dark environment or a dry, light environment. Five sow bugs were initially placed in each environment. Every minute, for 10 minutes, the number of sow bugs in each location was recorded.

Which explanation is best supported by the sow bug data?

• Sow bugs prefer moist, dark environments because they need moisture to breathe.

• Sow bugs prefer dry, light environments because they do not need water to survive.

• Sow bugs prefer moist, dark environments because they use their eyes to locate food.

• Sow bugs prefer dry, light environments because they use the Sun’s energy to produce food.

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Rabbits introduced into Australia over 100 years ago have become a serious pest to farmers. Rabbit populations increased so much that they displaced many native species of plant eaters. What is the most logical explanation for their increased numbers?

• Rabbits have a high death rate.

• There are few effective predators.

• Additional rabbit species have been introduced.

• There is an increase in rabbit competitors.

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Salt concentration, water temperature, plankton, and the whale shark might all be used in a description of an ocean

• climate.

• food web.

• ecosystem.

• population.

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