Ecology Quiz

What is an ecosystem?

• A. A community of living organisms and their interactions with their abiotic environment.

• B. A group of nonliving elements in an environment.

• C. A single species living in isolation.

• D. A collection of rocks and minerals.

What does equilibrium in an ecosystem refer to?

• A. The ability of an ecosystem to remain at equilibrium in spite of disturbances.

• B. The speed at which an ecosystem recovers equilibrium after being disturbed.

• C. The steady state of an ecosystem where all organisms are in balance with their environment and with each other.

• D. The interaction between living organisms and nonliving elements.

What is resistance in the context of an ecosystem?

• A. The speed at which an ecosystem recovers equilibrium after being disturbed.

• B. The ability of an ecosystem to remain at equilibrium in spite of disturbances.

• C. The interaction between living organisms and nonliving elements.

• D. The steady state of an ecosystem where all organisms are in balance.

What does resilience in an ecosystem mean?

• A. The ability of an ecosystem to remain at equilibrium in spite of disturbances.

• B. The steady state of an ecosystem where all organisms are in balance.

• C. The speed at which an ecosystem recovers equilibrium after being disturbed.

• D. The interaction between living organisms and nonliving elements.

Which of the following is an example of a small ecosystem?

• Tidal pool ecosystem in Matinicus Island in Maine

• Amazon Rainforest in Brazil

• Sahara Desert

• Great Barrier Reef

Which of the following is an example of a large ecosystem?

• Tidal pool ecosystem in Matinicus Island in Maine

• Amazon Rainforest in Brazil

• Yellowstone National Park

• Galápagos Islands

Which desert is depicted in image (a) with abundant plant life?

• Saguaro National Park, Arizona

• Boa Vista island, Cape Verde

• Sahara Desert, Africa

• Gobi Desert, Asia

Which desert is depicted in image (b) that is devoid of plant life?

• Boa Vista island, Cape Verde

• Saguaro National Park, Arizona

• Sahara Desert, Africa

• Gobi Desert, Asia

What is a key difference between the desert in Saguaro National Park, Arizona, and the desert in Boa Vista island, Cape Verde?

• The desert in Saguaro National Park has abundant plant life, while the desert in Boa Vista island is devoid of plant life.

• The desert in Saguaro National Park is rocky, while the desert in Boa Vista island has abundant plant life.

• The desert in Saguaro National Park is devoid of plant life, while the desert in Boa Vista island has abundant plant life.

• Both deserts have abundant plant life.

What is a food chain?

• A linear sequence of organisms through which nutrients and energy pass.

• A circular sequence of organisms through which nutrients and energy pass.

• A random sequence of organisms through which nutrients and energy pass.

• A network of organisms through which nutrients and energy pass.