LIMITING FACTORS

Which population description is most likely represented by the graph?

• A population of birds quickly increases but then becomes stable due to limiting factors in the environment.

• A population of mice slowly increases but then fluctuates seasonally as predators raise their young and limit prey populations.

• A population of fish quickly increases in the spring when there is plenty of food but then decreases quickly in the fall when food is limited.

• A population of wolves slowly increases because of limiting factors in the environment but then increases constantly when additional prey migrate into the environment.

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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.

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A farmer observed that an increase in a field’s soil nitrogen content was followed by an increase in producer productivity. What does this observation most likely indicate about the relationship between nitrogen and the producers in the field?

• Nitrogen was a biotic factor.

• Nitrogen was a limiting factor.

• Nitrogen became a surplus resource.

• Nitrogen became a selection pressure.

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NGSS.MS-LS2-1

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A rancher notices that an extended drought results in fewer births among his population of cattle. Which statement best explains the rancher's observation?

• Water is below cattle in the energy pyramid.

• Water and cattle are part of the same food chain.

• Water is an isolating mechanism for cattle.

• Water is a limiting factor for cattle.

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A fire burned most of the grass and brush in an ecosystem. The graph shows the combined populations of primary and secondary consumers in the area. What does the slope of the graph between years 2 and 5 represent?

• decreased dependence of consumers on producers for energy

• increased transfer of energy from producers to consumers

• increased dependence of producers on consumers for energy

• decreased transfer of energy from consumers to producers

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The table lists the number of squirrels, coyotes, hawks, and raccoons that can be supported by resources available in a 10-square mile portion of a chaparral ecosystem. Which statement correctly identifies the limiting factor for one of the species listed?

• Shelter is the limiting factor for coyotes.

• Water is the limiting factor for raccoons.

• Space is the limiting factor for hawks.

• Food is the limiting factor for squirrels.

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An ecosystem can support only as many organisms as the available energy, minerals, and oxygen will allow. Which of the following is best described by this statement?

• biological homeostasis

• genetic variation

• biological diversity

• carrying capacity

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Which of the following represents a limiting factor unique to a field planted with wheat each year?

• the amount of soil nutrients

• the temperature

• the amount of sunlight

• the amount of water

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The gypsy moth is a pest species whose larvae feed on the leaves of hardwood trees. The population size of gypsy moths naturally changes in cycles. As a result, the amount of defoliation caused by the moths also fluctuates. Which statement describes how the change in size of the gypsy moth population from 1972 to 1981 most likely affected the ecosystems represented by the maps?

• The plant species preferred by gypsy moths expanded to include shrubs and vines between 1972 and 1981.

• Animals that depend on hardwood trees for shelter increased in number between 1972 and 1981.

• Other organisms that feed on the leaves of hardwood trees faced increased competition between 1972 and 1981.

• Tree species that are not susceptible to gypsy moth defoliation decreased in number between 1972 and 1981.

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Increases in which of the following can increase population size?

• emigration and birth rate

• emigration and death rate

• immigration and birth rate

• immigration and death rate

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