Ecology and Succession Quiz

Evidence of excessive fertilizer use is often indicated by:

• climax community

• algal bloom

• old-field succession

• carbon dioxide

A gradual process of change and replacement of the types of species in a community is known as:

• ecological succession

• climax community

• secondary succession

• algal bloom

A process in which energy from the sun is used to make sugar molecules is called:

• respiration

• photosynthesis

• decomposition

• nitrogen fixation

Organisms that get their food by breaking down dead organisms are called:

• producers

• consumers

• decomposers

• herbivores

A process within the cell of an organism that uses glucose and oxygen to produce carbon dioxide, water, and energy is called:

• photosynthesis

• respiration

• decomposition

• nitrogen fixation

The ultimate source of energy for most organisms is the __________________.

• Moon

• Earth

• Sun

• Water

In the carbon cycle, the source of carbon for producers is the __________________.

• Soil

• Atmosphere

• Water

• Rocks

How are fossil fuels formed?

• From volcanic activity

• From decayed plants and animals

• From ocean currents

• From atmospheric gases

Describe an energy pyramid that could be present in a small garden.

• Sunlight -> Grass -> Insects -> Birds

• Sunlight -> Trees -> Fish -> Bears

• Sunlight -> Algae -> Frogs -> Snakes

• Sunlight -> Flowers -> Deer -> Wolves

What effect could an uncontrolled grass carp population have on the energy pyramids of a lake environment?

• Increase in plant diversity

• Decrease in vegetation

• Increase in fish population

• Decrease in water levels