Keystone Species Quiz

What is a keystone species?

• A species that is most abundant in an ecosystem.

• A species that plays a critical role in maintaining the structure of an ecological community.

• A species that has no predators in its ecosystem.

• A species that can live in a variety of ecosystems.

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Which of the following is an example of a keystone species?

• Cattle

• Sea otter

• Grass

• Mosquito

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What is a trophic cascade?

• A process where nutrients flow from one trophic level to another.

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

• The migration of species from one habitat to another.

• The increase in population size of a species at the bottom of the food chain.

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How can the removal of a keystone species affect an ecosystem?

• It can increase biodiversity.

• It can lead to a more stable ecosystem.

• It can cause a trophic cascade and disrupt the ecosystem balance.

• It has no significant effect.

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In a food chain, what is the primary source of energy?

• Carnivores

• Herbivores

• Decomposers

• The Sun

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Which of the following best describes a food web?

• A linear sequence of who eats whom in an ecosystem.

• A single pathway of feeding relationships among organisms in an ecosystem.

• A complex network of feeding relationships among organisms in an ecosystem.

• A graphical representation of the energy flow in an ecosystem.

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What happens to energy as it moves up the food chain?

• It increases exponentially.

• It remains constant.

• It decreases due to energy loss at each trophic level.

• It is completely recycled.

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Why are keystone species important for biodiversity?

• They are the most numerous species in their ecosystems.

• They provide food for all other species.

• They help to maintain the structure and integrity of the ecosystem.

• They have no predators, ensuring their survival.

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What role do decomposers play in a food web?

• They produce their own food through photosynthesis.

• They consume living plants and animals.

• They break down dead organisms, returning nutrients to the soil.

• They are the primary source of energy in an ecosystem.

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What could be a direct consequence of removing a top predator from an ecosystem?

• A decrease in the population of primary consumers.

• An increase in the diversity of plant species.

• A decrease in the overall biodiversity of the ecosystem.

• An increase in the population of herbivores, leading to overgrazing.

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