Succession and the Flow of Energy

Primary succession occurs when pioneer species move into an area that has no plants. Which organisms are a common pioneer species?

• Conifer trees and tall grasses

• Mosses and lichens

• Grasses and weeds

• Vines and shrubs

Both primary and secondary succession begin with pioneer species that . . .

• Change the area and make it safer for predatory organisms

• Invade the are so that new organisms cannot be established

• Modify the area and allow larger and more complex organisms to appear

• Use up all of the existing resources and prevent establishment of non-native organisms

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

A group of students take care of a vegetable garden. When it is time to plant in the spring, the students leave part of the garden empty in order to observe ecological succession. Which of these will most likely occur first?

• Development of topsoil

• Growth of weeds and grasses

• Growth of trees and shrubs

• Development of a creek or stream

The chart lists organisms in 5 different categories living near the Texas Gulf Coast. Based on the chart, which food chain models a flow of energy in the ecosystem?

• Sun --> Mosquitos --> Shrimp --> Coyotes

• Sun --> Algae --> Shrimp --> Red drum

• Sun --> Pygmy sunfish --> Shrimp --> Wood ducks

• Sun --> Willow oaks --> Algae --> River otters

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-6

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

Which sentence best describes how energy flows through this energy pyramid?

• Energy is transferred down each level of the energy pyramid.

• The energy lost at each level is consumed by organisms at the top level

• Energy is transferred from organisms in one level to those in the level above

• The organisms at the bottom level provide energy directly to all other levels.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

Which statement does NOT describe a relationship shown in the food web?

• Elk are prey for mountain lions

• Mice are herbivores that consume grass and are preyed on by snakes.

• Owls prey on rabbits and frogs

• Rabbits consume shrubs and are parasites of grasses

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-2

Which organisms all consume the same producer?

• Crabs, pilchards, blennies

• Euphausiids, sweeps, water fleas

• Tiger sharks, dolphins, octopuses

• Sea urchins, crabs, octopuses

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

Based on the model, which consumers would receive the greatest amount of energy captured by the producers in their food chains?

• Wedge-tailed eagles

• Chuditch

• Ring-tailed opossums

• Eucalyptus tree

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-6

NGSS.MS-LS2-3