Ecosystem Disturbances and Biodiversity

Miss Peachy discusses Unit 4, Lesson 14 of the WCA Biology B class, focusing on ecology concepts. The lesson covers the impact of disturbances on ecosystems, the intermediate disturbance hypothesis, and trophic cascades. It highlights how disturbances affect biodiversity and ecosystem balance, using examples like storms and predator removal. The lesson also explores the importance of moderate disturbances for ecosystem health and the role of top predators in maintaining ecological balance, illustrated by the reintroduction of wolves in Yellowstone National Park.

What is one of the key concepts introduced in Unit 4 Lesson 14?

• Cell Division

• Genetic Mutation

• Biodiversity

• Photosynthesis

Which type of disturbance is characterized by minimal long-term impact on ecosystems?

• Light disturbance

• Catastrophic disturbance

• Moderate disturbance

• Severe disturbance

According to the Intermediate Disturbance Hypothesis, what level of disturbance is beneficial for ecosystem health?

• No disturbance

• Light disturbance

• Moderate disturbance

• Severe disturbance

What happens to species in areas with only low-level disturbances?

• They become more diverse

• They over-specialize

• They become extinct

• They migrate frequently

How do moderate disturbances affect biodiversity?

• They cause species extinction

• They increase biodiversity by creating new niches

• They have no effect on biodiversity

• They decrease biodiversity

What is a potential consequence of high-level disturbances?

• Total extinction of species

• Increased biodiversity

• Improved soil quality

• Stable ecosystem

What is a trophic cascade?

• A type of severe disturbance

• A process where energy is transferred from producers to consumers

• A series of changes in an ecosystem caused by the removal of a top predator

• A method of measuring biodiversity

What happened to the elk population in Yellowstone after wolves were removed?

• It became extinct

• It skyrocketed

• It remained stable

• It decreased significantly

Why was the reintroduction of wolves into Yellowstone significant?

• It caused a decrease in biodiversity

• It had no impact on the ecosystem

• It led to the extinction of elk

• It restored balance to the ecosystem

What role can hunting play in ecosystem management?

• It can help maintain a balanced population of certain species

• It is unnecessary for ecosystem health

• It can replace the need for top predators

• It always leads to a trophic cascade