Ecology and Natural Resources Worksheet

What is ecology?

• A study of the relationships among organisms of the same species.

• A study of the relationships among organisms of different species.

• A study of the relationship between organisms and their habitat.

• all of the above

You have been given a new puppy. What are the four basic needs of living things that you will have to consider as you decide how to care for your new pet?

• food, habitat, air for gas exchange, water

• food, water, companionship, air for gas exchange

• food, air for gas exchange, water, sunlight

• food, water, physical activity, air for gas exchange

All living things exchange gases. Plants use ________________ to make food and release ________________ to the environment.

• carbon dioxide, carbon dioxide

• carbon dioxide, oxygen

• oxygen, carbon dioxide

• oxygen, oxygen

A flowering orchid attached to the trunk of a tree is an example of commensalism, which is one type of symbiotic relationship. What does commensalism mean?

• The orchid benefits from the relationship and the tree neither benefits nor is harmed.

• The orchid benefits from the relationship and the tree is harmed.

• Neither the orchid nor the tree benefits or is harmed by the relationship.

• Both the orchid and the tree benefit from the relationship.

Which of the following is true of ALL natural resources?

• Humans are the only living organisms that use natural resources.

• All natural resources are replaced faster than they are used.

• Natural resources are substances found in nature that can be used to meet the basic needs of humans as well as other living organisms.

• Natural resources are only available in a limited supply.

Which of the following is an example of a "want"?

• shelter to live in

• a hot shower each day

• clean water to drink

• food to eat

____________________ means that resources are being replenished at a rate equal to or greater than the rate at which they are being used and that wastes are being completely absorbed.

• Conservation

• Sustainability

• Waste-reduction

• Symbiosis

How can North Americans reduce their ecological footprint?

• By reducing the number of products and the amount of energy they use.

• By making signs telling others to generate less waste

• By moving to a bigger piece of land

• By taking long, hot showers.

________________________ is the development of an ecosystem in an area that was initially bare.

• secondary succession

• Primary succession

• Bioaccumulation

• Symbiosis

You are an ecologist who is interested in studying why there has been a sudden decline in the fish population of a local river. You plan to begin your investigation by examining the present chemistry of the river water. You will compare your findings with (a)   collected five years prior.

• baseline data

• species counts

• aquatic observations

• acidity measurements