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Unit 1: Introduction to Ecosystems

Total questions: 20

Worksheet time: 20mins

Name
Class
Date
1.
Which is a biotic factor in an ecosystem?
a)
sunlight
b)
water
c)
birds
d)
soil
2.
The process of plants losing water through their leaves is called ____.
a)
condensation
b)
evaporation
c)
transpiration
d)
exhaling
3.
What is the only process that removes carbon from the atmosphere?
a)
combustion
b)
cellular respiration
c)
photosynthesis
d)
decomposition
4.
A particular golf course is using large amounts of nitrogen fertilizer. What process could move this nitrogen into a local stream?
a)
volatilization
b)
nitrogen fixation
c)
runoff
d)
ammonification
5.

What is the largest reservoir for water?

a)

the ocean

b)

rocks and minerals

c)

the atmosphere

d)

glaciers

6.

A place where matter/nutrients are collected/stored.

a)

A lake

b)

A reservoir

c)

A cloud

d)

The atmosphere

7.

Which group is not represented in the food web?

a)

producers

b)

primary consumers

c)

secondary consumers

d)

decomposers

8.

What do the arrows in the food chain indicate about the flow of energy in an ecosystem?

a)

Energy is continuously recycled by the organisms in an ecosystem.

b)

Energy flows in one direction in an ecosystem, from producers to consumers.

c)

More of the available energy in an ecosystem is given to large animals than to small animals.

d)

Organisms at the end of the food chain receive more energy than those at the beginning.

9.

How would the removal of earthworms from the food chain affect the other organisms?

a)

The number of bass will increase.

b)

The number of crayfish will decrease.

c)

The crayfish will get their energy directly from the sun.

d)

The number of bass and ospreys (bird) will increase.

10.

The diagram shows part of an aquatic food web for a stable lake ecosystem in Connecticut. What is the source of energy for the algae?

a)

waves

b)

sunlight

c)

bacteria

d)

rotifers, water fleas and tadpoles

11.

Suppose that a new predator of the rabbit migrated to this ecosystem. What is the most likely initial effect on the other organisms?

a)

More competition among the mice for food

b)

More competition among the hawks for food

c)

Less competition among snakes for food

d)

Less grass available for food

12.

The diagram provided shows a marine food chain. In this food chain, the zooplankton are

a)

primary producers.

b)

primary consumers.

c)

secondary consumers.

d)

tertiary consumers.

13.

A student examines the information in the table. The student concludes that Organism W should be placed at the base of the food web to represent the feeding relationships in the marine ecosystem. However, the student later learns that Organism W's cells do not contain chloroplasts. Based on the new information, which conclusion would be appropriate?

a)

Another organism in the marine ecosystem is a producer.

b)

Organism W is a secondary consumer in the marine ecosystem.

c)

The role of Organism T in the marine ecosystem changes during its life.

d)

This marine ecosystem does not have any producers.

14.

Which of these organisms would most likely be found at the bottom of a biomass pyramid?

a)

giant squids

b)

sand sharks

c)

sea cucumbers

d)

green algae

15.
Which of the following habitats probably has the greatest number of plant and animal species?
a)
the African savannah
b)
a rainforest in Brazil
c)
a temperate forest in China
d)
a temperate grassland in Kansas
16.
This biome contains mostly spruce trees and Douglas firs, which are both evergreen.  The winters are long and cold and the summers are short and rainy.  The soil is very rich.  Moose and elk live here.  This biome is classified as a
a)
taiga
b)
tundra
c)
deciduous forest
d)
temperate forest
17.
What do you call the non-living parts of an environment?
a)
biotic
b)
abiotic
c)
biome
d)
aquatic
18.
What aquatic biome is characterized by flowing fresh water?
a)
Lakes/Ponds
b)
Mangroves Swamps
c)
Rivers/Streams
d)
Coral Reefs
19.

Which of the following are all threats to coral reefs?

a)

zooplankton and phytoplankton only

b)

chemicals and phytoplankton

c)

oil spills, chemicals, sewage

d)

oil spills, sewage, phytoplankton

20.

Which of the following are functions of wetlands?

a)

absorb pollutants

b)

provide habitat for many animals

c)

control floods by acting as a sponge for excess water

d)

all of the above