Ecology Concepts Review

What does the term 'biodiversity' refer to?

• The variety of non-living things in an area

• The stability of an ecosystem

• The number of different organisms living in a given area

• The interaction between living and non-living things

Which of the following is an example of an autotroph?

• Fungi

• Deer

• Algae

• Mouse

What is the primary role of decomposers in an ecosystem?

• Producing their own food

• Competing for resources

• Consuming other organisms

• Recycling dead organic material into inorganic material

Why is a food web considered better than a food chain?

• It does not require arrow heads

• It shows multiple organisms all connected

• It includes non-living components

• It shows a single pathway for energy

What does an energy pyramid illustrate?

• The stability of an ecosystem

• The recycling of nutrients

• The flow of energy through a food web

• The number of organisms at each level

What is the initial stage of ecological succession called?

• Climax community

• Pioneer stage

• Secondary succession

• Tertiary stage

What is the most stable stage of ecological succession?

• Pioneer stage

• Intermediate stage

• Primary stage

• Climax community

What does the term 'carrying capacity' refer to?

• The variety of species in an ecosystem

• The amount of energy available at each trophic level

• The process of recycling nutrients

• The maximum number of organisms that can live in a given area

Which of the following is a limiting factor in an ecosystem?

• Energy flow

• Ecological succession

• Biodiversity

• Food availability

In a predator-prey relationship, which population is typically larger?

• Predator

• Prey

• Both are equal

• Depends on the ecosystem