Populations, Communities, and Ecosystems Topic Test

In what order do the changes in the succession of an ecosystem occur? Write the letters of the events in the correct order.

A. Thin soil accumulates and seedlings emerge from the soil.

B. Lichen and moss grow on the rock surfaces and start dissolving the rocks.

C. A landslide builds up a new land surface at the base of a mountain.

D. A mature community of meadow plant and animal populations becomes established.

• C, B, A, D

• A, C, B, D

• B, D, A, C

• D, A, C, B

Many natural ecosystems change through secondary succession. Which of the following describes an ecosystem in which a secondary succession will most likely occur?

• a coastline newly formed from erupted lava

• an island where rain showers occur most afternoons

• a forest partly burned by wildfire caused by a lightning strike

• a hillside where all the soil and organisms were removed for mining

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In some grassland ecosystems, lions are predators that consume zebras. In several estuary ecosystems, fish lice are parasites that consume the blood of fish. How are these two relationships of predation and parasitism from different ecosystems similar?

• Only one organism in each relationship dies.

• Both organisms in each relationship are harmed.

• Only one organism in each relationship benefits.

• Neither organism in each relationship is harmed.

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Lichens in a forest ecosystem are actually fungi and algae living together. The fungi benefit from food produced by the algae. The algae benefit from nutrients and water absorbed by the fungi. Which of the following relationships in different ecosystems is most similar to the interaction of the fungi and algae?

• mutualism between fungi and ants

• parasitism between fungi and humans

• commensalism between birds and trees

• competition between algae and aquatic plants

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Which of the following best supports the argument that human activities can affect different populations in an ecosystem differently, based on examples from the diagram?

• All populations in an ecosystem are affected equally by human activities.

• Some populations increase while others decrease due to human activities, as shown in the diagram.

• Human activities have no effect on any populations in the ecosystem.

• Only plant populations are affected by human activities.

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Prince William Sound near Alaska supports many organisms. In 1989, the oil tanker Exxon Valdez spilled about 11 million gallons of oil into the water. The oil spill damaged habitats and injured many types of organisms. Many populations are still recovering. The diagram shows the species directly injured and their progress.

Use three examples from the diagram to support the argument that human activities can affect different populations in an ecosystem differently.

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Black oystercatchers prey on mussels, while common murres prey on salmon and rockfish. Which of the following inferences is supported by evidence in the diagram?

• A. Black oystercatchers recovered at a faster rate than common murres because their predators were eliminated by the oil spill.

• B. Black oystercatchers recovered at a faster rate than common murres because their predators were not as severely affected by the oil spill.

• C. Common murres recovered at a faster rate than black oystercatchers because their source of food was not as severely affected by the oil spill.

• D. Common murres recovered at a faster rate than black oystercatchers because their source of shelter was not as severely affected by the oil spill.

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Cheetahs are endangered, predatory mammals that live in sub-Saharan Africa. Which of the following are reasons that animals become endangered? Choose the three that apply.

• too much biodiversity

• low genetic diversity

• loss of habitat

• abundant resources

• environmental changes

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Some scientists think humans are living in the period of the next mass extinction. There are two ways extinctions can occur. What is the difference between the two kinds of extinctions?

• A. A mass extinction occurs slowly and eliminates one species. Background extinction occurs quickly and kills many species.

• B. A mass extinction occurs quickly and kills many species. Background extinction occurs slowly and eliminates one species.

• C. A mass extinction occurs from competition for available niches, and a background extinction occurs from a large, natural cause.

• D. A mass extinction occurs due to slow environmental changes, and a background extinction occurs due to a rapid, widespread environmental event.

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What examples of ecosystem services are exhibited in this image? Choose the three that apply.

• water

• soil

• air

• sunlight

• animals

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