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Ecosystems and Biodiversity

Total questions: 25

Worksheet time: 39mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

Which of the following describes how an abiotic factor can impact the population in an ecosystem?

a)

A parasite that invades a host can reproduce and cause a decline in the host species population.

b)

Organisms that compete for the same resources will keep each other from overpopulating.

c)

Predators will prevent herbivores from depleting the plants and other resources in an ecosystem.

d)

Seasonal variations in temperature can cause some of the individuals in a population to die.

2.

Which of the following is a biotic factor that limits population growth of another organism?

a)

A forest fire

b)

Competition with other organisms for resources

c)

Pollution in the water

d)

Drought (greatly reduced rainfall)

3.

A disease kills most of the predator population. Which of these is the most likely effect on the prey population?

a)

The prey will also be killed by the disease.

b)

The prey population will decrease in size because there are fewer predators.

c)

The prey population will increase in size because there are fewer predators.

d)

There will be no effect on the prey population.

4.

Corals live near the surface of the ocean in some warm regions of the world. The corals provide a home for algae. The algae, in turn, produce food that is used by the corals. Which is a biotic factor in this ecosystem?

a. The temperature of the water

b. The (salinity (salt content) of the water

c. The population of algae

d. The amount of sunlight that reaches the coral.

a)

The temperature of the water

b)

The (salinity (salt content) of the water

c)

The population of algae

d)

The amount of sunlight that reaches the coral.

5.

Which of the following is an example of a biotic limiting factor?

a)

Natural disasters

b)

Disease

c)

Flooding

d)

Temperature

6.

What role do decomposers play in an ecosystem?

a)

They produce energy from sunlight.

b)

They control the population of predators.

c)

They break down dead organisms and recycle nutrients.

d)

They compete with herbivores for food.

7.

What is most likely to happen if two species compete for the exact same resources in an ecosystem?

a)

One species may outcompete the other, leading to a decline in the less competitive species

b)

The resources will increase to support both species

c)

Both species will thrive equally

d)

Neither species will be affected

8.

What are the three levels of biodiversity mentioned?

a)

Species, genetic, and ecosystem diversity

b)

Terrestrial, aquatic, and atmospheric diversity

c)

Plant, animal, and microbial diversity

d)

Local, regional, and global diversity

9.

Explain why biodiversity is important for humans.

a)

It provides us with food, wood, fibers, energy, chemicals, and medicines.

b)

It reduces the number of species on Earth.

c)

It increases the Earth's temperature.

d)

It limits the availability of natural resources.

10.

What does the term "biodiversity" stand for?

a)

Biological diversity

b)

Biome diversity

c)

Biochemical diversity

d)

Biophysical diversity

11.

Discuss the role of species diversity in an ecosystem.

a)

It limits the number of species in an ecosystem.

b)

It enhances the stability and resilience of ecosystems.

c)

It reduces the genetic variation within species.

d)

It increases the risk of extinction.

12.

How does ecosystem diversity benefit the environment?

a)

It reduces the number of habitats available.

b)

It increases the variety of habitats and ecological processes.

c)

It limits the interactions between species.

d)

It decreases the number of species in an ecosystem.

13.

What is one of the benefits of genetic diversity?

a)

It reduces the adaptability of species.

b)

It increases the risk of disease.

c)

It enhances the survival and adaptability of species.

d)

It limits the number of ecosystems.

14.

Why is it important to preserve biodiversity?

a)

It limits the availability of natural resources.

b)

It ensures the sustainability of ecosystems and human life.

c)

It decreases the number of species on Earth.

d)

It increases the Earth's temperature.

15.

What is a keystone species?

a)

A species that is the most abundant in an ecosystem

b)

A species that has a crucial role in the way an ecosystem functions

c)

A species that is the largest in an ecosystem

d)

A species that is the smallest in an ecosystem

16.

What can happen to an ecosystem without keystone species?

a)

The ecosystem would remain the same

b)

The ecosystem would become more diverse

c)

The ecosystem would be dramatically different or cease to exist

d)

The ecosystem would have more predators

17.

What role do sea otters play in the Pacific Northwest ecosystem?

a)

They eat kelp.

b)

They control the sea urchin population.

c)

They are prey for crabs.

d)

They burrow in the soil.

18.

What is a predator?

a)

An organism that hunts and feeds on another organism.

b)

An organism that only eats plants.

c)

An organism that decomposes dead matter.

d)

An organism that lives in symbiosis with another organism.

19.

What is the significance of the predator-prey relationship in an ecosystem?

a)

It helps maintain the balance of populations within the ecosystem.

b)

It allows predators to become the dominant species.

c)

It leads to the extinction of weaker species.

d)

It has no significant impact on the ecosystem.

20.

What is the term for organisms that compete for the same resources?

a)

Interspecific competition

b)

Intraspecific competition

c)

Resource partitioning

d)

Mutualism

21.

What is prey?

a)

A type of predator

b)

An organism that a predator feeds on

c)

A plant that produces food

d)

A habitat for animals

22.

How are predator and prey populations linked?

a)

If the number of prey decreases, then the number of predators will decrease.

b)

Predators will always outnumber prey in a stable ecosystem.

c)

An increase in prey will lead to a decrease in predator populations.

d)

Predator populations are unaffected by changes in prey populations.

23.

Define the term 'ecosystem'.

a)

A community of living organisms interacting with their environment.

b)

A type of climate zone characterized by specific weather patterns.

c)

A group of non-living things in a specific area.

d)

A method of studying animal behavior in their natural habitat.

24.

What causes competition among organisms?

a)

Competition occurs when both organisms attempt to use the same limited resources.

b)

Competition arises from the abundance of resources available to organisms.

c)

Competition is a result of organisms having different habitats.

d)

Competition happens when organisms cooperate to share resources.

25.

What role do producers play in a food chain?

a)

Producers create energy through photosynthesis and are the base of the food chain.

b)

Producers consume energy from other organisms to survive.

c)

Producers are organisms that decompose dead matter in the ecosystem.

d)

Producers are the top predators in the food chain.