Ecosystem Changes and Their Impact

Imagine a forest ecosystem where a wildfire has recently swept through, destroying a large portion of the trees and vegetation. How might this physical change affect the populations of animals that live in the forest? Provide at least two specific examples.

• Increase in animal populations due to more space

• Decrease in animal populations due to loss of habitat

• No change in animal populations

• Increase in plant diversity

In a freshwater pond ecosystem, excessive pollution has led to a decline in the number of aquatic plants. How could this biological change in the ecosystem impact the population of fish living in the pond?

• Increase in fish population due to more space

• Decrease in fish population due to loss of food source

• No change in fish population

• Increase in fish population due to cleaner water

Predict how the introduction of a new invasive species of plant into a grassland ecosystem might influence the populations of native animals.

• Increase in native animal populations due to more food

• Decrease in native animal populations due to competition

• No change in native animal populations

• Increase in plant diversity

Consider a desert ecosystem where a prolonged drought has occurred. How might this environmental change affect the populations of native plant species?

• No change in plant populations

• Decrease in plant populations due to lack of water

• Increase in animal diversity

• Increase in plant populations due to less competition

In a coastal ecosystem, a significant oil spill has taken place. Predict how this chemical change might impact the populations of seabirds in the area.

• Increase in seabird populations due to more food

• Decrease in seabird populations due to contaminated food sources

• Increase in plant diversity

• No change in seabird populations

Imagine a tundra ecosystem where global warming has led to a rise in average temperatures. How might this climatic change affect the populations of cold-adapted animal species?

• Increase in animal populations due to more food

• Decrease in animal populations due to habitat loss

• No change in animal populations

• Increase in plant diversity

In a coral reef ecosystem, a sudden increase in water temperature has been observed. Predict how this thermal change might impact the populations of coral and associated marine life.

• No change in coral populations

• Decrease in coral populations due to bleaching

• Increase in coral populations due to more sunlight

• Increase in fish diversity

In a savanna ecosystem, a new species of herbivore has been introduced. How might this biological change affect the populations of existing herbivores?

• No change in existing herbivore populations

• Increase in predator diversity

• Decrease in existing herbivore populations due to competition

• Increase in existing herbivore populations due to more food

Consider a wetland ecosystem where a new dam has been constructed upstream. How might this physical change affect the populations of aquatic plants and animals?

• Increase in bird diversity

• Increase in aquatic plant populations due to more water

• Decrease in aquatic plant populations due to altered water flow

• No change in aquatic plant populations

In a rainforest ecosystem, logging activities have significantly reduced the tree cover. How might this anthropogenic change affect the populations of arboreal animals?

• No change in arboreal animal populations

• Increase in arboreal animal populations due to more sunlight

• Decrease in arboreal animal populations due to habitat loss

• Increase in plant diversity