Exploring Ecosystems: Effects of Changes and Fossils

The video discusses fossils, their formation, and how they help scientists understand extinct organisms and past climates. It explores how changes in ecosystems, like the removal and reintroduction of wolves in Yosemite, affect wildlife and plant life. The role of woodpeckers in maintaining ecosystem balance is also highlighted.

What is a fossil?

• A type of rock

• An impression or replica of a prehistoric organism

• A modern animal skeleton

• A piece of ancient pottery

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Why are fossils rare?

• Because most organisms decompose completely after death

• Because they are often destroyed by natural disasters

• Because they are hidden deep within the earth's core

• Because they are collected by animals

What is the primary way fossils are formed?

• Through the exposure to intense heat

• By being buried under sediment soon after death

• Through rapid freezing

• By being preserved in amber

How can leaf fossils indicate the climate of an area?

• By the type of tree they came from

• By the shape and structure of the leaves

• By the size of the leaves

• By the color of the leaves

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Why do warmer areas have fewer fossils?

• Because the heat destroys the fossils

• Because warm climates encourage rapid decomposition

• Because there are fewer animals in warm areas

• Because the soil in warm areas is less conducive to fossil formation

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What was the effect of reintroducing wolves to Yosemite National Park?

• It helped balance the deer population and ecosystem

• It had no significant impact on the park

• It caused the deer population to become extinct

• It led to an overpopulation of wolves

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What can cause a change in an ecosystem?

• Introduction or removal of a species

• Stable animal populations

• Lack of human activity

• Constant climate conditions

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What impact did removing wolves from Yosemite have initially?

• Improved park safety

• Overpopulation of deer

• Decreased deer population

• Increased biodiversity

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What role do dead trees play in an ecosystem?

• They contribute to soil erosion

• They provide homes and food for various animals

• They block sunlight needed by undergrowth

• They are a source of food for herbivores

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What happens when woodpeckers leave an area due to lack of dead trees?

• Insects become overpopulated

• The number of trees increases

• The area becomes more attractive to humans

• Other birds take over the woodpeckers' role

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