Ecology Quiz

The mouse population of an area decreased last year. Which abiotic factor would explain the population decrease?

• A fatal bacterial disease

• A decrease in rainfall

• An increase in owl population

• Competition among the mice for food

The ecological role an organism performs in their specific environment is considered the organism's:

• A. Ecosystem

• B. Habitat

• C. Biome

• D. Niche

Which of the following is a biotic factor?

• Water

• Temperature

• Fungi

• Soil

The place where an organism lives within an ecosystem is its:

• A. Habitat

• B. Biome

• C. Niche

• D. Community

Refer to the graph below. An increase in the predator population...

• Leads to an increase in the size of its prey population

• Usually results in the extinction of its prey population

• Will cause a decrease in the size of its prey population

• Causes no change in the size of its prey population

Which secondary consumers compete for the same food source?

• plankton and dogfish

• mackerel and herring

• scallop and cod

• tuna and cod

Is the picture showing an ecosystem's food web or food chain?

• Food Web

• Food Chain

Which adaptation would be the most useful (beneficial) in the tundra biome?

• Warm fur and thick layers of fat so animals can stay warm

• Animals have large ears to try to keep themselves cool during the day

• Trees growing tall to outcompete their neighboring plants

• Animals being nocturnal to avoid severe temperatures / sunlight during the day

A variety of trees and shrubs grow in the Blue Ridge Mountains. This woody habitat supports many types of animals. One species, the black bear, lives in the Blue Ridge Mountains. What effect would deforestation MOST LIKELY have on the black bear?

• The black bear would immediately become extinct.

• The black bear would most likely become a predator of other animals.

• The black bear would most likely relocate to another area in search of food and shelter.

• The black bear would quickly adapt to the changes in its habitat and the numbers would stay about the same.

A decrease in the bee population would impact which species THE MOST?

• bird

• deer

• mountain lion

• snake