Changes to the Environment PDF

What is ecological succession?

• The process of community interaction and adaptation

• The orderly change in the makeup of a community over time

• A sudden change in an ecosystem due to natural disasters

• The decrease of biodiversity in a given area

What characterizes a pioneer community?

• Harsh environment

• High species diversity

• Stable biomass

• Efficient energy consumption

Which of the following is an example of primary succession?

• A volcanic eruption

• An abandoned cleared field

• A pine forest becoming the climax community

• Land cleared for harvest

What is the role of lichens in primary succession?

• They increase species diversity immediately

• They prevent nutrient loss

• They dissolve rock, forming soil

• They increase biomass stability

What triggers secondary succession?

• The formation of new land areas

• The partial or complete destruction of a climax community

• The establishment of a pioneer community

• The adaptation of populations to stable conditions

What is biodiversity?

• The process of ecological succession

• The decrease of species in a given area

• The variation in life within a species, ecosystem, biome, or on Earth

• The increase of biomass in a community

What effect does clearing land have on the environment?

• It destroys ecosystems

• It decreases CO2 in the atmosphere

• It increases biodiversity

• It promotes nutrient cycling

What is biomagnification?

• The decrease of CO2 due to tree absorption

• The process of nutrient cycling in ecosystems

• The increase of pollutant concentration up the trophic levels

• The adaptation of species to changing environments

What is a consequence of excessive irrigation?

• Increased efficiency of energy consumption

• Increased biodiversity

• Stabilization of biomass

• Erosion depletes nitrogen from soil