Ecosystems and Interactions

Which statement describes an organism obtaining energy from a non-living element of the ecosystem?

• An earthworm swallows nutrients found in organic matter.

• A maple tree produces food through photosynthesis.

• A white-tailed deer eats grasses, leaves, twigs, fruit, and nuts.

• A bobcat preys on goats, birds, rodents, and insects.

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Which statement describes one way in which living organisms in a desert ecosystem interact with nonliving things in the ecosystem?

• Sunlight warms soil on the Earth's surface

• Plants get nutrients from the soil

• Sunlight produces light which causes rocks to have shadows

• Desert birds eat seeds found in the sand

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A student puts a fish, plants, gravel, light, and water in an aquarium. Which of the following describes an interaction between the fish and a living part of their environment that is necessary for fish survival?

• Decorative plants produce oxygen

• Beneficial bacteria grow on the gravel. Beneficial bacteria eliminate harmful fish waste products.

• Plants use a light source to make their own food.

• The fish eat the plants.

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Green anole lizards are bright-green reptiles native to the southeastern United States. They can be kept in terrariums to study their behavior and how they interact with their environment. Which observation describes the anole lizard interacting with the living elements in its environment?

• The anole rested on one of the rocks and lifted its head toward the light.

• The anole climbed the plant and then ate a cricket off one of the leaves.

• The anole drank some water and then ran across the sand.

• The anole jumped from the rock and scattered sand with its tail.

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What role do algae play in the health of coral reefs before bleaching occurs?

• They compete with corals for sunlight, weakening them

• They provide corals with essential nutrients through photosynthesis

• They erode the coral structures, leading to their collapse

• They attract predators that feed on corals

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When corals turn white due to algae leaving it is know as

• whiteout.

• coral bleaching.

• algal disease.

• coral death.

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Gradual changes in an ecosystem lead to (a)  

• decrease in biodiversity

• increase in biodoversity

• higher rates of disease

• reduction of food supplies

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Which of the following is the most likely result from clearing mature, forested land and converting it into agricultural land that would be used for cattle grazing?

• There will be a decrease in the amount of runoff into nearby streams.

• There will be a reduction in the emission of greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere.

• There will be an increase in the diversity and size of primary producers.

• There will be a reduction in the uptake of atmospheric carbon dioxide.

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What is meant by overgrazing?

• When the cows eat too much and get sick

• When a section of land is used for an extended period of time without sufficient recovery periods

• When too much grass is planted

• When a section of land is not used for an extended period of time and becomes overgrown

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All are considered to be abiotic factors EXCEPT

• moisture

• air currents

• predators

• temperature