Category 4 Science

A company has purchased 15,000 acres of forest. The loggers harvest mature trees in order to supply lumber for new homes. According to the graph, the Spotted Owl and the Hawk populations are the most negatively affected organisms. What would be the most likely explanation of why this has occurred?

• The Owl and Hawk numbers have dropped because the logging has depleted their food source.

• The owl and hawk populations have dropped because of the pollution from the logging equipment.

• The owl and hawk populations have dropped because the logging has removed the places they used for their nests.

• The owl and hawk populations have dropped because they have been scared away by the presence of humans.

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Data for four animal populations in a wooded area were collected before and after a shopping mall was constructed near the area. The graph above shows changes in the populations. Which animal's food sources most likely increased after the mall opened?

• Squirrels only

• Snakes, squirrels and raccoons

• Raccoons only

• Snakes, squirrels and deer

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In this food chain, what will happen if the frogs become extinct?

• The snakes will increase.

• The grasshoppers will decrease.

• The eagles will remain the same.

• The grasshoppers will increase.

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How would a reduction in the snail population effect this ecosystem?

• It would cause decreased competition between spiders and owls.

• It would cause decreased competition between spiders and wood mice.

• It would cause increased competition between grasshoppers and beetles.

• It would cause increased competition between wood mice and shrews.

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What is the primary source of energy for most ecosystems?

• Wind

• Thermal vents

• The Sun

• Decomposition

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In a food chain, which type of organism receives energy directly from the sun?

• Carnivores

• Herbivores

• Producers

• Decomposers

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Which of the following best describes the role of decomposers in an ecosystem?

• They produce their own food through photosynthesis.

• They consume living plants and animals.

• They break down dead organisms and recycle nutrients back into the soil.

• They are the primary consumers of producers.

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NGSS.MS-LS2-3

What factor most directly affects the population size of a species in an ecosystem?

• The coloration of the species

• The amount of available food

• The number of different species in the ecosystem

• The average temperature of the ecosystem

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NGSS.MS-LS2-1

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What is the primary reason for the loss of biodiversity?

• Natural disasters

• Habitat destruction by humans

• The introduction of non-native species

• All of the above

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What role do plants play in the water cycle within an ecosystem?

• They store water in their roots, preventing it from entering the water cycle.

• They release water vapor into the atmosphere through transpiration.

• They absorb water vapor directly from the atmosphere, bypassing the soil.

• They have no significant role in the water cycle.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-4