Ecology Quiz

What is the difference between a producer and a consumer?

• A. A producer gets energy from the sun; a consumer eats to get energy

• B. A producer eats to get energy; a consumer gets energy from the sun

• C. A producer is found at the top of an ecological pyramid; a consumer is found at the bottom

• D. A producer cooks its own food; a consumer buys its food

The diagram on the right shows a food web for an ecosystem. Which organism is most likely a producer?

• A. Organism A

• B. Organism B

• C. Organism C

• D. Organism D

Which of the following best describes the flow of energy moving up food web and why?

• A. Energy decreases as you move up trophic levels in a food web, because a majority of the energy is used by the previous organism or lost as waste

• B. Energy decreases as you move up trophic levels in a food web, because the larger organisms at the top of a food chain have lower energy requirements

• C. Energy increases as you move up trophic levels in a food web, because the larger organisms at the top of a food chain need more energy

• D. Energy increases as you move up trophic levels in a food web, because most of the energy is transferred to the above level as one organism eats another

In the ecological pyramid on the right, which of the following best describes the top consumer population?

• A. The top consumer population receives the most amount of energy and therefore is the largest population

• B. The top consumer population receives the least amount of energy and therefore is the largest population

• C. The top consumer population receives the least amount of energy and therefore is the smallest population

• D. The top consumer population receives the most amount of energy and therefore is the smallest population

Using the rule of ten percent, fill in the blanks below calculating the energy found in each trophic level above the producers in the ecological pyramid. YOU MUST SHOW YOUR WORK

●        Producers= 8,000 J of energy

●        Primary consumers= ______________ J of energy                WORK _____________________________

●        Secondary consumers= ________ J of energy                 WORK ________________________________

●        Top consumers= __________ J of energy            WORK________________________________

Galapagos penguins are the rarest and most endangered penguin species in the world, and the only penguins found at the equator.  Unlike most cold-water penguins, they have several adaptations that allow them to tolerate the warmer climate of the Galapagos Islands.  The penguins breeding success is closely linked to environmental conditions.  When the ocean currents that feed Galapagos are cold and full of sardines and other small fish, the penguins will breed and feed their nestlings.  When water temperatures increase and food becomes scarce, the penguins cannot get enough food for themselves or their nestlings to eat.  They therefore stop breeding and abandon their young.  In recent years, global warming has led to warmer ocean temperatures, which in turn has led to less breeding and more starvation of the Galapagos penguins.  This has led to their extreme endangered status.  Study the food web below to determine how the decrease in Galapagos Penguins due to climate change would impact the ecosystem, and then answer the questions.

A. List all organisms that eat Galapagos penguins and all organisms eaten by Galapagos Penguins.

Describe AT LEAST three impacts on the food web that would most likely occur due to the loss of penguins due to climate change. How would this change the balance and health of the ecosystem as a whole? What would you suggest humans do to restore balance to the ecosystem?

Galapagos penguins are the rarest and most endangered penguin species in the world, and the only penguins found at the equator.  Unlike most cold-water penguins, they have several adaptations that allow them to tolerate the warmer climate of the Galapagos Islands.  The penguins breeding success is closely linked to environmental conditions.  When the ocean currents that feed Galapagos are cold and full of sardines and other small fish, the penguins will breed and feed their nestlings.  When water temperatures increase and food becomes scarce, the penguins cannot get enough food for themselves or their nestlings to eat.  They therefore stop breeding and abandon their young.  In recent years, global warming has led to warmer ocean temperatures, which in turn has led to less breeding and more starvation of the Galapagos penguins.  This has led to their extreme endangered status.  Study the food web below to determine how the decrease in Galapagos Penguins due to climate change would impact the ecosystem, and then answer the questions.

B. Describe AT LEAST three impacts on the food web that would most likely occur due to the loss of penguins due to climate change. How would this change the balance and health of the ecosystem as a whole? What would you suggest humans do to restore balance to the ecosystem?