Keystone, Endangered, Endemic, Indicator

A North American grassland is usually more productive when it contains diverse plant communities. How

does the biodiversity of a North American grassland affect its sustainability?

• The biodiversity allows all plant communities to survive when the ecosystem experiences severe weather.

• The biodiversity prevents all plant communities from surviving when the ecosystem experiences a heat

  wave.

• The biodiversity prevents some plant communities from surviving when the ecosystem experiences

  consistent weather patterns.

• The biodiversity allows some plant communities to survive when the ecosystem experiences slightly

  different weather patterns.

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Why is the world’s loss of biodiversity a source of concern?

• Humans depend upon other organisms for food and oxygen.

• Loss of biodiversity is not a concern because extinctions are common.

• Biodiversity is only a concern if a massive event takes place such as a volcanic eruptions.

• Loss of biodiversity is so insignificant that we will never notice it.

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Indicate the false statement about invasive species below.

• When a new species is introduced to an ecosystem, it is always invasive.

• A plant or an animal can be considered invasive.

• Invasive species can seriously affect the biodiversity of an ecosystem.

• Humans are a major factor in spreading invasive species.

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Choose the correct example of an endemic species.

• Raccoons because they carry many different types of diseases.

• Fireflies because of their special bioluminescence abilities.

• Ring-tailed Lemur because it is only found on the island of Madagascar.

• Humans because we can live anywhere.

The gopher tortoise is Georgia's state reptile. They dig burrows which other animals in the ecosystem rely on for survival. Without them, the ecosystem would collapse. What type of species is the gopher tortoise to the ecosystem?

• endangered

• indicator

• invasive

• keystone

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Biodiversity can be measured by the number and relative abundance of species in an ecosystem. Select the statement that best addresses a solution to the issue of loss of biodiversity in a North American ecosystem.

• Introduce fast growing plants like kudzu (from Japan) which can become groundcover to prevent erosion.

• Identify keystone species in an ecosystem and isolate them in a protected area away from other species.

• Remove decomposers by applying fungicide so that more organic material is available to animals and plants.

• Inspect ships moving through international waters to prevent the introduction of invasive species, which can potentially outcompete native species.

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What is the definition of a keystone species?

• Species that is critical to the functioning of the ecosystem in which it lives because it affects the survival and abundance of many other species.

• Species that originates in that ecosystem.

• Species that signifies a particular event or trend.

• A nonnative species introduced into an ecosystem that has negative consequences on that ecosystem.

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What is the definition of a native species?

• Species that is critical to the functioning of the ecosystem in which it lives because it affects the survival and abundance of many other species.

  Native species

• Species that originates in that ecosystem.

• Species that signifies a particular event or trend.

• A nonnative species introduced into an ecosystem that has negative consequences on that ecosystem.

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What is the definition of an Indicator species?

• Species that originates in that ecosystem.

• Species that are restricted to a particular type of environment.

• A species that is very likely to become extinct if current trends persist.

• Species that signifies a particular event or trend.

What is an Invasive species?

• A species that is very likely to become extinct if current trends persist.

• A nonnative species introduced into an ecosystem that has negative consequences on that ecosystem.

• Species that originates in that ecosystem.

• Species that is critical to the functioning of the ecosystem in which it lives because it affects the survival and abundance of many other species.

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