Chapter Test: Principles of Ecology

Which of the following is NOT part of the water cycle?

• precipitation

• transpiration

• decomposition

• evaporation

Nitrogen is released to the abiotic parts of the biosphere from the processes of death and .

• decay by bacteria
• infiltration of groundwater

• runoff

• lightning in storm clouds

Anything that limits an organism’s ability to live in a particular environment is a (blank) factor.

• abiotic
• biotic

• limiting

• environmental

___ is the process of gradual, natural change and species replacement that takes place in communities of an ecosystem over time.

• Succession

• Evolution

• Adaptation

• Migration

Carbon dioxide in the atmosphere enters the biotic parts of the biosphere through (blank).

• Photosynthesis
• Respiration

• Decomposition

• Combustion

An ecologist who studies how several species in an area interact among each other and with the abiotic parts of the environment is interested in the biological organization level called a(n)

• organism

• population

• community

• ecosystem

An ecologist who studies how several species in an area interact is interested in the biological organization called a(n) .

• organism

• population

• community

• ecosystem

Consumers that eat both plants and animals are called .

• Omnivores
• Herbivores

• Carnivores

If a kestrel eats a mouse that eats grass, the kestrel is a .

• producer
• second-level consumer

• first-level consumer

• decomposer

In an energy pyramid, which level has the most available energy?

• Producers
• Primary Consumers

• Secondary Consumers

• Tertiary Consumers