Ecology

Which set of ecological organization levels is most likely to contain the largest variety of species?

• multiple biomes in a biosphere

• multiple ecosystems in a biome

• multiple individuals in a population

• multiple populations in a community

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-5

Which sequence best orders ecological categories from the one with the fewest number of individuals to the one with the greatest number of individuals?

• ecosystem, population, community, biome

• population, community, ecosystem, biome

• biome, population, community, ecosystem

• community, biome, population, ecosystem

A researcher observing an ecosystem describes the amount of sunlight, precipitation, and type of soil present. Which factors is the researcher most likely describing?

• biotic factors in a forest

• biotic factors in a tundra

• abiotic factors in a prairie

• abiotic factors in an ocean

A student listed characteristics of a classroom aquarium ecosystem. Which characteristic is a biotic component of the aquarium ecosystem?

• The water temperature is 23°C.

• The pH of the water is usually between 6.5 and 6.8.

• The ammonia is controlled with a filter that uses two types of bacteria.

• The lighting is supplied by natural sunlight and a fluorescent light bulb.

Scientists observed that the populations of top-level consumers in a particular ecosystem were rapidly decreasing. Further studies revealed that there was also a decline in producer productivity. Which other changes did the scientists most likely observe in the ecosystem?

• a) increased producer diversity

• b) decreased population size at all levels

• c) decreased primary consumer populations only

• d) increased primary and secondary consumer diversity

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

NGSS.MS-LS2-2

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

Oak treehoppers are parasites of trees. Which statement describes the relationship between an oak treehopper and a tree?

• Both the oak treehopper and the tree are harmed by one another.

• The oak treehopper benefits from the tree, while the tree is unaffected.

• The tree benefits from the oak treehopper, while the oak treehopper is unaffected.

• The oak treehopper benefits from the tree, while the tree is harmed by the oak treehopper.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-2

Tadpoles grown in ponds with high densities of tadpoles have lower survival and growth rates than tadpoles grown in ponds with lower densities of tadpoles. Which interaction between tadpoles grown in high-tadpole-density ponds would most likely cause the decreased survival and growth rates?

• symbiosis

• mutualism

• competition

• commensalism

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

A scientist determined that the average air temperature in an area increased during an observed period of time. The area included several small ponds. Which change to the water cycle most likely occurred in the area during the observed period of time?

• a) runoff decreased

• b) evaporation increased

• c) precipitation decreased

• d) condensation increased

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

Why are nonnative species often considered a disturbance in an ecosystem?

• They increase mutations.

• They compete for resources.

• They have special growth needs.

• They cause increased biodiversity.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

NGSS.MS-LS2-5

Ash from a volcanic eruption decreases the amount of available solar energy for a region. Which statement describes how a decrease in available sunlight will most likely affect ecosystems of this region?

• Producer populations will decrease, causing a decrease in consumer populations.

• Producer populations will decrease, causing an increase in consumer populations.

• Decomposer populations will increase, causing a decrease in consumer populations.

• Decomposer populations will increase, causing an increase in consumer populations.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-6

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

NGSS.MS-LS2-4