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Ecosystems

Total questions: 25

Worksheet time: 13mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

An ecosystem is made of both biotic and

abiotic things. Which describes the biotic

part of the ecosystem?

a)

plants that grow in soil

b)

the animals that breathe oxygen

c)

all living things in the environment

d)

plants and animals that live in water

2.

If you stand in the middle of an open field,

you are standing among individual

organisms, different species, populations,

and communities. What makes up one of

the populations in the field?

a)

all organisms of the same species

b)

the different communities in the

ecosystem

c)

the communities that occupy the

same niche

d)

all organisms that live in a certain

part of the field

3.

The rainforests in South America support

many ecosystems. These ecosystems are

healthy. How does the diversity in the

rainforests help determine the health of

ecosystems?

a)

When diversity is high, there are

more resources available.

b)

Resources in the environment last

longer when the diversity is low.

c)

Less diverse ecosystems have less

competition among the residents.

d)

Areas with high diversity have

increased competition among the

residents.

4.

Temperature, water, soil, and air are

abiotic factors in an environment. They are

not the same everywhere. What role do

abiotic factors such as these play in an

ecosystem?

a)

They control the changes of the

seasons.

b)

They prevent competition among

populations.

c)

They determine which plants and

animals can live there.

d)

They help control the effect humans

might have on the ecosystem.

5.

When scientists talk about an ecosystem

and the type and number of animals and

plants that live in one, they are also

concerned about limiting factors. What are

limiting factors?

a)

the rate at which the plants and

animals in an ecosystem reach

maturity

b)

the ratio of animals that lay eggs to

those that give birth to live young

c)

the things that are necessary to

support a population of organisms in

an area

d)

the difference between trees that lose

their leaves in an ecosystem and

those that don’t

6.

In a 1-meter square sample site, students

identified seven different types of

consumers and two different types of

producers. Which is the best way to

classify the consumers?

a)

by size

b)

by how they move

c)

by the type of food they eat

d)

by the type of food they make

7.

Invasive plants compete with native plants

for resources. Which statement describes

what is likely to happen to native plants

that compete with fast-growing invasive

plants?

a)

Their numbers will decrease.

b)

Their numbers will stay the same.

c)

Their numbers will increase slightly.

d)

Their numbers will increase greatly.

8.

Megan’s class has decided to restore an

empty lot to the way it was before the

town was built. Before they buy any plants

or soils, what must they determine?

a)

the average annual rainfall

b)

the factors that caused the plants to

die

c)

what natural predators were once

nearby

d)

which native plants used to live in the

area

9.

Dr. Dowlen is a paleontologist. She goes

on a geology field trip to look at some

interesting rocks in her area. One place has

a large, flat surface covered with fossils. Is

it possible for Dr. Dowlen to learn about

this ancient ecosystem by marking out a

grid?

a)

No, because there are no organisms

living there now.

b)

No, because the area is not

completely flat and the grid would

not be accurate.

c)

Yes, because the fossils are easy to

see just as living organisms are easy

to see.

d)

Yes, because the fossils in the rocks

represent the organisms that once

lived there.

10.

Darien is planting a garden alongside her

house. The space she can plant in is half in

the shade and half in the sun. What types

of plants should she plant to get the best

results in her garden?

a)

plants that are native to the area

b)

plants that live in filtered or

somewhat shady conditions

c)

plants that are capable of living in

both full sun and full shade

d)

plants that live in sun for one side of

the garden and plants that live in

shade for the other side

11.

A developer is planning a new housing

development and is interested in protecting

crocodile habitats. The graph below shows

which habitats crocodiles prefer.


The developer wants to build where the

fewest crocodile observations have

occurred. Near which type of area is the

developer most likely to place the new

housing development?

a)

coves

b)

ponds

c)

creeks

d)

shoreline

12.

Hurricanes that strike land are considered

natural disasters. Why are hurricanes also

considered seasonal disasters?

a)

Hurricanes can cause major damage.

b)

Hurricanes occur in areas all over the

country.

c)

Hurricanes develop only during

certain times of the year.

d)

Hurricanes strike only coastal regions

and not areas that are far inland.

13.

Carrotwood is a fast-growing landscape

tree. Today, this tree is found in many

habitats, including dunes, coastal areas,

freshwater marshes, and riverbanks. It

crowds out native plants and competes for

light and other resources. Which term

describes the carrotwood species?

a)

native

b)

natural

c)

invasive

d)

predatory

14.

When an environment changes, differences

between individuals can allow some plants

and animals to survive while others die or

move to new locations. Which statement

best describes how this happens?

a)

Environmental changes allow

animals to survive, adapt, and vary.

b)

All animals survive when the

environment changes, which leads to

their variations and adaptations.

c)

Animals have variations that may

allow them to adapt and survive

when the environment changes.

d)

Animals have adaptations that allow

them to survive environmental

changes, which leads to variation.

15.

After large numbers of people moved to an

area, several species of animals and plants

became extinct. Which event most likely

led to the extinction of so many species in

a short amount of time?

a)

natural disasters

b)

habitat destruction

c)

variations in the species

d)

the change in the climate

16.

the average area weather in an area over time

a)

diversity

b)

competition

c)

climate

d)

limiting

17.

the variety of species in an ecosystem

a)

diversity

b)

competition

c)

climate

d)

limiting

18.

Nonliving

a)

biotic

b)

abiotic

c)

competition

d)

limiting

19.

Living

a)

biotic

b)

abiotic

c)

competition

d)

limiting

20.

the struggle for resources in an ecosystem

a)

biotic

b)

abiotic

c)

competition

d)

limiting

21.

the type of factor that determines the size of the population

a)

biotic

b)

abiotic

c)

competition

d)

limiting

22.

a nonnative animal that moves into a new place

a)

invasive

b)

conservation

c)

succession

d)

environment

23.

the gradual change and buildup of organisms in an environment

a)

invasive

b)

conservation

c)

succession

d)

environment

24.

protecting ecosystems and the organisms in them

a)

pollution

b)

extinction

c)

conservation

d)

succession

25.

litter on the ground or any harmful chemicals in the water

a)

pollution

b)

extinction

c)

conservation

d)

succession