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WorksheetsSuccession and Biodiversity
Total questions: 20
Worksheet time: 10mins
What is the most stable stage of this sequence?
Grass stage
Pine Forest stage
Shrub stage
Hardwood Forest stage
What is the least stable stage of this sequence?
hardwood forest stage
shrub stage
grass stage
pine forest stage
In which stages do plant species modify the environment, eventually making way for other plant communities?
grass, shrub and pine forest stage
hardwood forest stage, only
shrub, pine forest, and hardwood forest stages
grass stage, only
How has the development of a pine and then a hardwood forest affected populations of shrubs?
the development of the two types of forests has negatively affected populations of shrubs by decreasing the amount of pollinators in the area
the development of the two types of forests has positively affected populations of shrubs by increasing the amount of water available to shrubs
the development of the two types of forests has negatively affected populations of shrubs by decreasing the amount of space available to shrubs.
the development of the two types of forests has positively affected populations of shrubs by increasing the amount of sunlight in the area.
The diagrams shows a sequence. Which phrase best describes the sequence of diagrams?
The development of a terrestrial ecosystem into an aquatic ecosystem.
The replacement of a natural community in an orderly manner.
The path of energy through a food web in a natural community.
The alteration of an ecosystem by a natural disaster.
What is the ultimate function of ecological succession in an environment?
to create different types of environments on Earth
to form environments that can never be destroyed
to limit the kinds of organisms that live in an environment
to rebuild biodiversity through natural stages
What is one difference between primary and secondary succession?
Primary succession is slow and secondary succession is rapid.
Secondary succession begins on soil and primary succession begins on virtually lifeless areas.
Primary succession modifies the environment, and secondary succession does not.
Secondary succession begins with lichens and primary succession begins with trees.
Ecological succession is the
process of change in an ecological community over time.
passing down of advantageous traits to offspring.
an organism's ability to survive an environmental change.
the creation of a new species within an ecosystem.
One of the roles of ecological succession is to encourage biodiversity in a habitat. Ecological succession occurs in stages and permits a habitat to allow new species to grow in number as the habitat
is relocated.
is destroyed
undergoes change.
remains the same.
A North American grassland is usually more productive when it contains diverse plant communities. How does the biodiversity of a North American grassland affect its sustainability?
The biodiversity allows all plant communities to survive when the ecosystem experiences severe weather.
The biodiversity prevents all plant communities from surviving when the ecosystem experiences a heat wave.
The biodiversity prevents some plant communities from surviving when the ecosystem experiences consistent weather patterns.
The biodiversity allows some plant communities to survive when the ecosystem experiences slightly different weather patterns.
Sustainability is defined as the ability of an ecosystem to survive over time. How does biodiversity affect the sustainability of an ecosystem?
It introduces fewer new species of organisms.
It helps to keep the ecosystem balanced.
It allows organisms to avoid competition.
It creates a constant state of change.
A forest is an ecosystem in which different species of trees, insects, shrubs, and animals interact. How would the sustainability of a forest ecosystem be affected if the biodiversity of the forest increased?
The sustainability of the forest ecosystem would decrease because there would be more interactions between different species.
The sustainability of the forest ecosystem would increase because there would be fewer interactions between different species.
The sustainability of the forest ecosystem would decrease because there would be fewer interactions between different species.
The sustainability of the forest ecosystem would increase because there would be more interactions between different species.
Which of the following is the best reason to protect a section of an oak forest?
to prevent oak trees from reproducing too quickly
to cause the extinction of undesirable animal species
to provide more land for agricultural purposes
to maintain the diversity of the living environment
A wildfire burned all of the vegetation off a field, and lichens and mosses were the first organisms to grow in the burned spot. Over time, grasses and shrubs grew where the lichens and mosses had been. Which of the following best describes why the grasses and shrubs were able to grow in the area?
The lichens and mosses created a supply of water for complex plants
The lichens and mosses made the field suitable for complex plants.
The lichens and mosses manufactured the enzymes needed for complex plants.
The lichens and mosses were the first step in the food chain for complex plants.
Biodiversity affects the sustainability of an ecosystem by
always increasing competition for limited resources within the ecosystem.
preventing the ecosystem from surviving many changes.
always decreasing competition for limited resources within the ecosystem.
allowing the ecosystem to survive many changes.
While on a boat trip on Lake George in northern Florida, Ingrid noticed a plant species that covered most of the surface of the lake called a water hyacinth. Water hyacinths were introduced to Florida from Brazil in the late 1800s as a nursery plant. What effect did the water hyacinth most likely have on the native water plants?
It formed a symbiotic relationship with the native plants.
It helped the native water plants to obtain resources.
It competed with the native water plants for resources.
It became a parasite on the native water plants
Kudzu, a plant native to eastern Asia was introduced into America in 1876. In 1935, kudzu was planted along southern roadways to control soil erosion. Adding a foot of vine a day in the spring and summer, kudzu quickly grew out of control. Why can introducing a new species to an existing ecosystem often be a disaster?
The new species can harm native organisms and damage the ecosystem.
The new species can rapidly evolve into a dangerous subspecies that cannot be destroyed.
The new species can eventually become extinct.
The new species can create excess nutrients in the soil that can damage native species.
In some forests and parks containing varieties of flowering trees and shrubs, there are signs that read, "Take nothing but pictures; leave nothing but footprints." These signs help people to remember that
all animals feed directly on flowering shrubs that may be removed by people.
humans can disrupt habitats by removing flowering trees and shrubs.
flowering shrubs grow better in state forests and parks than in other locations
the removal of flowering trees and shrubs will increase biodiversity.
Using the diagram, which organisms most likely produced soil first?
shrubs
grasses
mosses and lichens
hardwood trees
Two factors that influence succession are inhibition, in which one organism slows the growth of another, and facilitation, in which one organism aids the growth of another. In the diagram, there are few grasses in softwood and hardwood forests. How did these trees cause inhibition of grass growth?
by limiting the amount of water that reaches the ground
by limiting the amount of sunlight that reaches the ground
by removing all of the nutrients from the soil
by removing all of the carbon dioxide from the air
