Ecology and Environmental Science Quiz

What is the role of decomposers in an ecosystem?

• They consume primary consumers.

• They compete for resources with other organisms.

• They break down matter to return nutrients to the soil.

• They produce energy from sunlight.

Which of the following is a biotic factor?

• Water

• Sunlight

• Temperature

• Bacteria

What is the primary function of nitrogen-fixing bacteria?

• Convert nitrogen gas into usable nitrates for plants.

• Release oxygen into the atmosphere.

• Break down dead organic matter.

• Absorb carbon dioxide from the air.

Which of the following best describes a niche?

• The physical location where an organism lives.

• The role an organism plays in its environment.

• A group of organisms of the same species.

• The maximum population an area can sustain.

What percentage of energy is transferred to the next trophic level?

• 5%

• 10%

• 50%

• 90%

Which of the following is an example of mutualism?

• A fungus harming a tree.

• A tree providing shade for a plant.

• A bird eating ticks off a rhinoceros.

• A lion hunting a zebra.

What is the main characteristic of a desert biome?

• Cold temperatures

• Low rainfall

• Dense forests

• High rainfall

What is the term for the first species to inhabit an environment in primary succession?

• Secondary species

• Pioneer species

• Climax species

• Tertiary species

Which of the following is a density-independent limiting factor?

• Competition

• Disease

• Predation

• Natural disaster

What is the term for the maximum population that a given area can sustain?

• Carrying capacity

• Population density

• Community size

• Biotic potential