Competition

A scientist named Joseph Connell studied two species of barnacles on the shore of a Scottish island. In the area between the average tide and the neap high tide, he found that the population of Species A was smaller than that of Species B. He removed Species B from one area but left both Species A and B in a similar area. The graph below shows the results of this study. Based on these data, which hypothesis was Connell most likely testing?

• The populations of both species of barnacles increase more in warm water than in cool water.

• Barnacles grow larger when they are isolated from other species.

• The two species of barnacles compete with each other for resources.

• The two species of barnacles are closely related to each other.

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Which organisms in the food web shown above compete for the same food source in this environment?

• Grasshoppers and snakes

• Hawks and frogs

• Frogs and snakes

• Decomposers and grasses

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This diagram shows the variety of organisms that live in different tide zones. Mussels are common organisms that compete for space in intertidal (middle) tide zones. If all of the mussels were removed from zone A, which organisms would likely compete for the space in Zone A?

• Periwinkle and Limpets

• Sea lettuce and Chiton

• Sea urchins and Hermit crabs

• Rock louse and Periwinkle

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NGSS.MS-LS2-1

Which types of native organisms do feral hogs most likely compete with for food sources?

• Carnivores and producers

• Herbivores and carnivores

• Producers and decomposers

• Decomposers and herbivores

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Black walnut trees produce a nontoxic chemical that becomes highly toxic when it is exposed to air or soil.

How does this chemical help black walnut trees compete with plants growing nearby?

• By attracting herbivores to the other plants

• By suppressing the growth of the other plants

• By increasing the photosynthesis rates in the other plants

• By limiting the amount of water available to the other plants

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The Prairies Region and the Cross Timbers are located in north-central Texas. The graph below shows information about eating habits of white-tailed deer in these regions. A Cross Timbers rancher is concerned about competition between the ranch animals and the deer. Based on the graph, which ranch animals compete for the most food with white-tailed deer?

• Cattle that eat grass and feed

• Goats that eat weeds and shrubs

• Turkeys that eat seeds and fruit

• Hogs that eat fruit, seeds, and feed

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Which abiotic factor is phytoplankton most likely to compete for in a marine environment?

• Sunlight

• Fish

• Rocks

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If a prey population rises, how will the predator population be affected?

• The predator population will remain stabe.

• The predator population will rise with it.

• The predator population will fall.

• The predator population will fluctuate randomly.

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If additional snakes are introduced into this ecosystem, there will most likely be an immediate decrease in the _________.  

• hawk population

• rabbit population

• wildflower population

• grass population

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Which of the following would be the most likely effect, if there were a sudden increase in the cricket population?

• There would be a decrease in the small bird population.

• There would be a decrease in the grass/flowers population.

• There would be a decrease in the mice population.

• There would be an increase in the grass/flowers population.

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