STEMscopes Ecosystems Scope Assessment Review (3rd Grade)

Which is an example of migration?

• Butterflies flying south at the beginning of the dry season

• A hedgehog’s heart rate and breathing slowing down

• A duck making a nest

• A frog burying itself in the mud

Which is an example of a plant becoming dormant in winter?

• Roots growing to find water

• Plants growing a lot of flowers to take in sunlight

• The leaves on a tree starting to change color

• Leaves closing at nighttime

A flood can have both positive and negative effects on an ecosystem. Which answer below is a positive effect it can have?

• Deer will have to leave their home because it is now covered in water.

• Trees perish because they have too much water.

• The soil is replenished with nutrients found in the floodwater.

• So much extra water can cause algal blooms, which block sunlight from reaching other underwater plants.

Zebras are herbivores and are grazing animals. They need grass to live and survive. What would happen to zebras if the area they live in had a drought and the grass was not able to grow?

• The zebras would become carnivores and eat only meat.

• They would become omnivores and eat meat and plants.

• They could stay where they are because the grass will grow at some point.

• They would have to move to a new place with enough food or they would perish.

Fishers exceed their limit on catching crabs during crab season, which means there aren’t as many crabs in the area as there should be. How will this affect the food chain shown?

• The sea ducks will not have enough food.

• Algae will not get enough sunlight to survive.

• The sea urchins will have more food.

• The coyote will have more food.

Looking at this simple food chain, which organisms are consumers?

Choose TWO correct answers.

• Giraffe

• Sun

• Lion

• Tree

• There are no consumers in this food chain.

The table shows parts of food chain. Construct a food chain that shows the correct order of the flow of energy.

• Eagle --> Snake --> Grasshopper --> Grass --> Mouse --> Sun

• Sun --> Eagle --> Mouse --> Snake --> Grass --> Grasshopper

• Sun --> Grass --> Grasshopper --> Mouse --> Snake --> Eagle

• Sun --> Grass --> Snake --> Grasshopper --> Mouse --> Eagle

Which model shows how energy flows in a food chain?

• 
• 
• 

The table below shows how populations of certain animals in an ecosystem change after a year of drought. Looking at the chart, how much did the species population change for the organism that experienced the greatest decrease?

If all the sea urchins were removed from the food chain shown, what might happen?

Choose TWO correct answers.

• The Sun might disappear.

• The algae population might grow out of control.

• The coyotes might run away.

• The crab population might move to a different ecosystem to find food.

• The sea ducks might thrive.