WorksheetsEcology Review
Total questions: 15
Worksheet time: 8mins
A biologist compares how different ecosystems undergo succession. She divides the series of events that happen during primary and secondary succession into three different stages. Which feature might be used to distinguish secondary succession from primary succession?
the lack of pioneer species in the second stage
the presence of pioneer species in the final stage
the presence of trees and large plants in the final stage
the presence of soil and organic matter in the first stage.
Tristan was learning about populations in Biology class. He learned that as a population increases, limiting factors can have a large impact on the carrying capacity of an area. Which of the following graphs would represent a population that has shown exponential growth initially, but has since reached its carrying capacity?
On remote islands, immigration and emigration usually do not have a large effect on population sizes. A bird population on a remote island remains at a relatively constant size year after year. Which of the following most likely describes the birthrate and the death rate for this population?
Birthrate and death rate are both zero
Birthrate and death rate are close to equal.
Birthrate is significantly less than death rate.
Birthrate is significantly greater than death rate.
Which of the following would be an example of a density independent limiting factor?
Average temperature of an area
Number of plants found in a local forest
A shortage of the number of nesting sites for gopher tortoises
The availability of food in a pond near Atlantic Coast high school
Phytoplankton are microscopic, single-celled photosynthetic organisms that live suspended in water. Like land plants, they absorb carbon dioxide, make carbohydrates using light energy, and release oxygen. Why are there so few aquatic plants and phytoplankton that live at the bottom zones in the ocean?
The ocean floor contains many decomposers.
Most sunlight is absorbed before reaching these levels.
Water is a limiting factor.
The temperature in these zones is extremely low.
When an environment has reached carrying capacity for a certain population, which of the following is true?
Growth and immigration rate is equal to death and emigration rate.
Growth and immigration rate is greater than death and emigration rate.
Growth and immigration rate is less than death and emigration rate.
Growth rate is exponential.
The pea weevil is a type of insect. The table below shows the average time it takes for pea weevil eggs to hatch at different temperatures.
Based on the data, which of the following conditions would promote the highest population growth rate in pea weevils?
Cold springs with temperatures from 11C to 16C
Moderate summers with temperatures from 25C to 27C
Heat waves in which the temperature is sustained well above 28C
Overnight frosts after which the temperature warms from 0C to 11C
An animal population decreases from 800 individuals to 600 individuals. Which of the following could explain this change in population size?
The possums became extinct.
The possums developed shorter life spans.
The possum population grew to a larger size.
The possum population evolved into a different species.
A picture of the water cycle is shown. The arrow representing #4 would be considered what?
Percolation
Evaporation
Precipitation
Transpiration
Looking at the water cycle image, what would the arrow representing #2 be?
Condensation
Precipitation
Evaporation
Transpiration
The diagram shows part of the carbon cycle. If many trees are removed from a forest by logging, what is the most immediate effect on the carbon cycle in that forest?
increase in the rates of decomposition
increase in the rates of atmospheric carbon dioxide
decreased combustion of fossil fuel
increased production of organic compounds
The number of pythons found throughout Everglades National Park has increased in recent years. These huge snakes are not native to Florida and are believed to have been released into the wild by pet owners. Wildlife biologists have initiated attempts to capture and remove these pythons. Which statement best explains the biologists' reasons for removing these pythons from the Everglades?
The pythons could begin to interbreed with native snakes and produce a more successful species.
The pythons could upset the territorial boundaries of native organisms
The pythons could adapt to overcome diseases common to native snakes.
The pythons could prey on native organisms and cause native population to decline.
Which of the following processes helps to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere?
Cellular respiration
Photosynthesis
Decomposition
Combustion
Why would the elimination of decomposers in an ecosystem be detrimental in the long term?
Because nutrients such as carbon would be locked away in dead things and would not be able to be broken down and recycled for use later.
Because it would then force tertiary consumers to fill the role of decomposers, which would impact their ability to feed on secondary and primary consumers.
Because omnivores would then have their populations increase dramatically
Decomposers are actually not needed in an ecosystem; they are just an extra benefit for an area and would help to keep the populations in balance.
Sand sagebrush and silk grass are species of flowering plants native to North America and belong to the aster family.
Prairie rattlesnakes will become herbivores.
Golden eagle and kit fox populations will decrease.
Sagebrush grasshoppers will consume soil bacteria.
Silk grass and sand sagebrush populations will decrease.
