Worksheetsgeneral principle of ecology
Total questions: 272
Worksheet time: 3hrs 52mins
Organism that has an unusually large effect on its ecosystem.
top predator
tertiary consumer
producer
keystone species
Organism that has an unusually large effect on its ecosystem.
top predator
tertiary consumer
producer
keystone species
A group of biological communities that interact with the physical environment is
The biosphere
The ecosystem
The habitat
The population
The presence of interbreeding individuals in one place at a given time is called a
Biological community
Population
Ecosystem
Niche
The place where an organism lives out its life...
niche
habitat
land
biome
Which of these levels of organization includes all of the other levels?
Community
Ecosystem
Individual
Population
Which would be an abiotic factor for a tree in the forest?
A caterpillar eating its leaves
Wind blowing through its branches
A bird nesting in its branches
Fungus growing on its roots
Which would be an abiotic factor for a tree in the forest?
A caterpillar eating its leaves
Wind blowing through its branches
A bird nesting in its branches
Fungus growing on its roots
The insect in the photo above is gathering pollen and nectar for food, but at the same time is aiding in the plant's reproduction. What does this relationship demonstrate?
Predation
Commensalism
Mutualism
Parasitism
What term best describes the bee's role of gathering pollen?
Niche
Predator
Parasite
Habitat
Which type of heterotroph best describes a snake eating a rat?
Herbivore
Carnivore
Omnivore
Detritivore
How does energy first enter a pond ecosystem?
Through growth of algae
Through light from the Sun
Through decay of dead fish
Through runoff from fields
Which statement is true about energy in an ecosystem?
Energy for most ecosystems originates from the Sun
Energy most often is released as light from an ecosystem
Energy flows from heterotrophs to autotrophs
Energy levels increase toward the top of the food chain
What does the illustration represent?
A food web
A food chain
An ecological pyramid
A pyramid of energy
Which organism in the illustration is an autotroph?
Frog
Grasshopper
Fox
Grass
Which is a detritivore?
Cat
Mouse
Crayfish
Sunflower
Because nitrogen is required for growth, it is considered an essential
Nitrate
Nutrient
Gas
Matter
Converting nitrogen from a gas to a useable form by bacteria is
Nitrogen fixation
Denitrification
Biogeochemical cycle
Lithospheric process
The movement of chemicals on a global scale from abiotic through biotic parts of the environment is a
Lithospheric process
Oxygen cycle
Denitrification
Biogeochemical cycle
What is the name of the process in which bacteria and lightning convert nitrogen into compounds that are useful to plants?
Ammonification
Denitrification
Nitrate cycle
Nitrogen fixation
Where is the largest concentration of nitrogen found?
Animals
Atmosphere
Bacteria
Plants
What is the name of the process in which bacteria and lightning convert nitrogen into compounds that are useful to plants?
Ammonification
Denitrification
Nitrate cycle
Nitrogen fixation
What are the two major life processes that involve carbon and oxygen?
Coal formation and photosynthesis
Photosynthesis and respiration
Fuel combustion and open burning
Death and decay
What are the two major life processes that involve carbon and oxygen?
Coal formation and photosynthesis
Photosynthesis and respiration
Fuel combustion and open burning
Death and decay
Which would be considered an ecosystem?
Bacteria living in a deep ocean vent
Biotic factors in a forest
Living and nonliving things in a pond
Populations of zebras and lions
Invasive species alter the ecosystem by _____ in number quickly. This leads to _____ food for the native species.
increasing, less
increasing, more
decreasing, less
decreasing, more
Which of these words does NOT describe an invasive species?
alien
intruder
non-native
natural
Click on the map to help answer this question. What can we predict about the population of Feral Swine for the year 2016?
There will be less feral swine in 2016 than there were in 1982.
There will be more feral swine in 2016 than there were in 2010
There were fewer feral swine in 2004 than 1982.
There will be no change in feral swine population.
The place where an organism lives in order to obtain its food, water, shelter and other things needed for survival is called a ---
Niche.
Habitat.
Home.
Ecosystem.
The particular role (job) of an organism in its environment, including types of food it eats, how it obtains its food and how it interacts with other organisms is called a ---
Niche.
Habitat.
Home.
Ecosystem.
A species indigenous to a certain region or ecosystem naturally is a ---
Native Species.
Accidental Species.
Introduced Species.
Invasive Species.
Invasive species cause harm to the --- [choose 3]
economy.
atmosphere only.
environment.
health of organisms.
water only.
Invasive species --- [choose 3]
take over the habitat of other organisms.
increases the populations of native organisms.
decrease biodiversity.
increase biodiversity.
cause the populations of native organisms to decrease.
TRUE or FALSE? Invasive species can be introduced to an ecosystem accidentally.
True
False
TRUE or FALSE? Invasive species can be introduced to an ecosystem accidentally.
True
False
Invasive plants out-compete native plants for --- [choose 3]
sunlight.
water.
oxygen.
space.
TRUE or FALSE? Invasive species can be introduced to an ecosystem intentionally.
True
False
Biodiversity refers to ---
extinct species.
the variety of species on Earth.
nonrenewable resources.
the rate of species decline.
Kudzu has overgrown many parts of South Carolina and native ground plants have disappeared from the area. This is an example of ---
Parasitism between kudzu and the native plants.
A predator prey relationship between ground plants and kudzu.
Competition occurring between the native and invasive species.
Commesalism occurring between the kudzu and native plants.
What is a wetland?
An area where water covers the soil
An ocean
A puddle of mud
True or false, wetlands can be both freshwater and saltwater?
False
True
Which environment do you see in the picture?
sea environment
mangrove environment
coral reef environment
pond environment
Which Mangroves are found in Jamaica?
Black Mangroves
Green Mangroves
Red Mangroves
White Mangroves
How can Mangroves stand still in the waves?
By their roots
By their stem
By their leaves
Which is a mangrove?
Why are Mangroves important?
Mangroves protect shorelines from bad weather
Mangroves are home to a large variety of fishes
Mangroves protect the coral reefs.
Which is NOT TRUE about mangroves?
Muddy
Shallow
Trees/bushes
Deep
Which animals live in the mangrove?
crab
shrimp
shells
fishes
octopus
marine ecosystem
temperature
coral reef
pond
benthos
nekton
freshwater ecosystem
temperature
coral reef
pond
benthos
nekton
Swamps are commonly found on
rocky hillsides.
flat, poorly drained land.
mountain peaks
bottoms of ponds or lakes
What are the two main types of freshwater wetlands?
lakes and ponds
rivers and streams
littoral zones and benthic zones
marshes and swamps
Which ecosystem has the highest level of salinity?
salt marsh
brackish marsh
river
pond
Marine ecosystems and Estuaries are the SAME. Is this statement True or False?
True
False
Found in clear, warm salt water with lots of sunlight; most marine organisms are found here.
river
swamp
coral reef
lake
Aquatic organisms that swim actively in open ocean
nekton
benthos
littoral
plankton
Which of the following are functions of wetlands?
absorb pollutants
provide habitat for many animals
control floods by acting as a sponge for excess water
all of the above
The nutrient increase in a body of water caused by fertilizer runoff
littoral zone
fertilization
benthic photosurrealism
eutrophication
The temperature of this environment is the same throughout the environment. It is a small body of water that is shallow and surrounded by land and the water is still.
ocean
river
pond
lake
The temperature of this environment is the same throughout the environment. It is a small body of water that is shallow and surrounded by land and the water is still.
ocean
river
pond
lake
The temperature of this environment is the same throughout the environment. It is a small body of water that is shallow and surrounded by land and the water is still.
ocean
river
pond
lake
Why should we remove an invasive species?
They won't be able to survive in a new environment.
They will eat native species and cause other species to decrease.
We should not remove them and let nature be.
Which is a consequence of an increase in greenhouse gases?
Ice caps freezing
global cooling
sea levels rising
Which of the following are greenhouse gases?
Nitrogen
carbon dioxide
oxygen
water vapor
What do we need to replace nonrenewable resources with?
renewable/sustainable resources
other nonrenewable resources
We don't need to replace them
As species go extinct what will happen to the biodiversity in that ecosystem?
Decrease
Increase
Stay the same
What is biodiversity?
All the same species living in one area
the variability among organisms
all the endangered species in one area
What will happen to ocean life if the water gets warmer?
They will be fine
decrease in variation
increase in variation
Does what we do today to the environment affect those after us?
NO
YES
MAYBE
What is a good way to tell people the good about renewable resources and bad about fossil fuels?
let them read it for themselves
Education
they already know
they don't need to know
Which are example of fossil fuels?
Oxygen
Coal
Oil
Natural gas
Which are examples of renewable resources?
coal
wind power
solar power
water power
What will happen to the populations of seals, polar bears and penguins if the ice caps melt?
Populations will increase
Nothing will happen to the populations
Populations will decrease
What happens when an ecosystem becomes less biodiverse?
The stability of the ecosystem increases.
The stability of the ecosystem decreases.
The stability of the ecosystem remains the same.
The ecosystem cannot survive.
What causes acid rain?
pollutants from burning fossil fuels
runoff from agriculture
Pesticide use
CFCs
Which term describes the effects of hunting and fishing for species without concern of the threat of their population.
Overpopulation
Habitat Loss
Overexploitation
Invasive Species
What is a description of an invasive species?
A non native species that causes a threat to an ecosystem
A non native species that does not cause a threat to an ecosystem
A native species that causes a threat to an ecosystem
A native species that does not cause a threat to an ecosystem
Which of the following is NOT an effect of overpopulation?
Excessive use of natural resources
Running out of land for farming/agriculture
Increased diseases and epidemics
Less production of plastics and garbage
Which organisms are most affected by the biomagnification of toxins from pollutants?
Producers
Herbivores
Primary Consumers
Top predators
Increased __________________ may cause global warming by trapping more heat in the atmosphere.
water
carbon dioxide
oxygen
water vapor
Which of the following have been changed or altered due to climate change ?
droughts
flooding
melting of polar ice caps
all of the above
How does the concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere affect climate?
As carbon dioxide concentrations increase, temperatures increase
As carbon dioxide concentration increase, temperatures decrease.
Carbon dioxide concentrations have no affect on climate
As carbon dioxide concentrations increase, temperatures become more random.
Which of the following can be considered types of pollution
Sound
Light
Chemicals
All of the above
Deforestation leads to
a decrease in biodiversity
habitat loss
an increase in carbon dioxide levels
all of these
What causes acid rain?
High concentrations of sulfuric or nitric acid from pollution
Fertilizer use
Pesticide use
CFCs
Choose the correct examples of air pollutants
oxygen
carbon monoxide
chlorofluorocarbon
smoke
hydrogen
Which pollutants come from exhaust of vehicles?
chlorofluorocarbon
smoke
carbon monoxide
radioactive carbon
nitrogen dioxide
A rapid growth of algae could lead to:
A reduction of oxygen levels in the water
Water that can support more life
An increase in oxygen levels
There is nothing we can do to stop water pollution.
True
False
What can happen to fish when there is not enough oxygen in the water?
They can suffocate
They can't float
They can't see
Nothing. Fish don't need oxygen
Type of aquatic ecosystem that was once viewed as wasteland and drained by the government
estuaries
coral reefs
open ocean
wetlands
Aquatic ecosystem that serves as a nursery for many species and suffers from pollution from city harbors like the Chesapeake Bay
estuaries
coral reefs
open ocean
wetlands
Requires maximum level of contaminants (MCLs) to meet safety regulations for community tap water supplies
Clean Water Act
Kyoto Protocol
Montreal Protocol
Safe Drinking Water Act
Policies to attain fishable and swimmable waters in the United States
Clean Water Act
Kyoto Protocol
Montreal Protocol
Safe Drinking Water Act
An area where there are cold waters, low oxygen levels, and bottom-dwelling organisms.
benthic zone
littoral zone
limnetic zone
photic zone
Smog or ground ozone forms in the troposphere. Which pollutants are most responsible for smog or ground ozone?
sulfur and particulate matter
volatile organic compounds and nitrogen oxides
carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide
none of these answers are correct
Where is the Ozone Layer found in our atmosphere?
Troposphere (lower portion)
Stratosphere (upper portion)
Which of the following pH measurements of rainwater would indicate acid precipitation/rain?
pH 6.0
pH 4.1
pH 7.3
pH 9.6
Which of the following pH measurements of rainwater would indicate acid precipitation/rain?
pH 6.0
pH 4.1
pH 7.3
pH 9.6
Which range indicates a base/alkaline?
1-6
8-14
What areas are more likely to experience temperature inversions?
small cities in the mountains
large cities in valleys
large cities near oceans
small cities near a river
Exposure to too much radon gas can cause
lung cancer
sun burn
blindness
acne
Which of the following government agencies is responsible for the Clean Air Act?
the USGS
the USDA
the EPA
the USDOJ
Populations of invasive species grow so quickly because
Invasive Species are native to an area.
Invasive species are prey to many animals.
Invasive species have no natural predators.
Invasive species keep the ecosystems in equilibrium.
The loss of a natural habitat is called
Habitat development
biodiversity
Pollution
Habitat destruction
Greenhouse gases have environmental impacts on marine ecosystems. Which environmental impact is NOT a result of greenhouse gases?
global warming
sea level rise due to glacial melting
cooling of arctic waters
coral bleaching due to the acid rain
The separation or breaking of habitats into smaller pieces is called
habitat division
habitat pollution
habitat corruption
habitat fragmentation
Species that normally live and thrive in a particular ecosystem
native species
exotic specis
invasive species
keystone species
Species that normally live and thrive in a particular ecosystem
native species
exotic specis
invasive species
keystone species
The consumption of a resource faster than it can be replenished is known as
bioaccumulation
urban development
resource depletion
degradation
Precipitation that contains high amounts of chemical pollutants that injures plants and pollutes the soil and rivers/oceans
herbicide
pesticide
beach erosion
acid rain
Releases more CO2, increasing greenhouse gases which could lead to climate change.
fertilizer runoff
pesticides
burning fossil fuels
beach erosion
Activity that decreases the amount of oxygen and increases the amount of carbon dioxide.
deforestation
burning fossil fuels
greenhouse effect
climate change
Activity that decreases the amount of oxygen and increases the amount of carbon dioxide.
deforestation
burning fossil fuels
greenhouse effect
climate change
Pesticides and herbicides eventually show up in higher level consumers due to
climate change
bioaccumulation
habitat destruction
fertilizer runoff
There's not enough ozone in the upper atmosphere, and this is why we talk about the ozone hole.
True
False
The ozone of the lower layers of the atmosphere is also one of the greenhouse gases.
True
False
There is only one gas that causes the greenhouse effect.
True
False
Greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide trap light in the atmosphere.
True
False
The layer that contains the greenhouse gases is called atmosphere.
True
False
Without the greenhouse effect, the average temperature on Earth would be warmer.
True
False
The greenhouse effect is human-induced.
True
False
Bioaugmentation involves ................
eliminating sludge
addition of microbes to a cleanup site
plants usage for bioremediation
bioventing
The cleanup approach includes removal of groundwater or soil from its natural setting to permit for bioremediation
Bioaugmentation
ex situ bioremediation
in situ bioremediation
Phytoremediation
Bioremediation involves .......
usage of microbes to create new organisms
usage of anaerobic bacteria to create new antibiotics
usage of microbes to destroy environmental pollutants
usage of aerobic bacteria to create new vaccines
The bioremediation process involving the usage of plants to degrade pollutants is ............
Composting
Biopile
Phytoremediation
Land farming
Which of the following is ex-situ mode of bioremediation ............
Bioventing
Biosparging
Bioaugmentation
Biopiles
Biostimulation means .........
the modification of the environment to stimulate the existing bacteria capable of bioremediation
standardized bacteria (microbes) are added to an area that has been contaminated
involves supplying oxygen and nutrients by circulating aqueous solutions
None of the above
The process of converting environmental pollutants into harmless products by naturally occurring microbes is called as ..........
Ex-situ bioremediation
Intrinsic bioremediation
Extrinsic bioremediation
None of these
The process of extracting metals from ores bearing rocks is called .........
Bio extraction
Microbial extraction
biofiltration
bioleaching
Which of the following crops is an example of biomass feedstocks?
Sugar cane
Wheat straw
Rice straw
Corn stover
Which of the following crops is an example of biomass feedstocks?
Sugar cane
Wheat straw
Rice straw
Corn stover
Why are non-biodegradable plastics a problem in the environment?
They are filling up lakes and ponds
They do not decompose or break down naturally
They contain poisons for wildlife
They can cause dead zones
Which of the following biochemical conversion process is performed by micro-organisms?
Anaerobic digestion
Fermentation
Composting
All of the above
The compounds that resist biodegradation and thereby persists in the environment are called ............
recalcitrant
biostimulation
carcinogen
All of the above
The compounds that resist biodegradation and thereby persists in the environment are called ............
recalcitrant
biostimulation
carcinogen
All of the above
The anaerobic degradation process generally results in the formation of ............. gases.
Nitrogen, Sulphur
Acetate, nitrate
Carbon, methane
Methane, sulphur
Which of the following gas is produced from landfill wastes?
Biogas
Carbon monoxide
Chlorofluorocarbon
LPG
………………...is a process of stimulating the natural in situ biodegradation of contaminants in soil by providing air or oxygen to existing soil microorganisms.
Biostimulation
Biodegradation
Bioventing
Bioaugmentation
……………………...is an in-situ remediation technology that uses indigenous microorganisms to biodegrade organic constituents in the saturated zone
Biosparging
Bioventing
Bioaugmentation
Biostimulation
……………………...is an in-situ remediation technology that uses indigenous microorganisms to biodegrade organic constituents in the saturated zone
Biosparging
Bioventing
Bioaugmentation
Biostimulation
Combined sewer overflow events (CSOs) occur during heavy precipitation and can overwhelm sewer systems. During this event...
untreated sewage, rain water & grey water are released into a body of water
untreated sewage, groundwater & greenwater are released into a body of water
just untreated rain water and runoff are released into a body of water
just treated sewage is released into a body of water
During a CSO event, dissolved oxygen levels decrease because...
bacteria in biological waste use it for cellular respiration
algae uses it for photosynthesis
biological waste react with the dissolved oxygen
runoff uses it up
What is a benefit of a sanitary sewer system?
sewage is always sent to a waste water treatment plant no matter the weather
rainwater and runoff is always returned directly back to a freshwater source
these sewer systems cost more money to maintain two sets of pipes
What is a pitfall (negative) to having sanitary sewer systems? (Select all that apply)
this system separates sewage from storm water
rainwater and runoff goes untreated before it enters a body of water
these sewer systems cost more money to maintain two sets of pipes
Pollutants entering waterways from a general area, such as runoff from farmland or a parking lot from a suburban community are both examples of...
decomposition
point source pollution
non-point source pollution
turbidity
Pollutants entering waterways from a general area, such as runoff from farmland or a parking lot from a suburban community are both examples of...
decomposition
point source pollution
non-point source pollution
turbidity
What is the purpose of a rain garden? (Select all that apply)
Reduce the amount of runoff
Reduce the amount of pollutants entering our water ways
Reduce the number of CSO events
Increase the amount of runoff
Increase the amount of impervious surfaces
How does a rain barrel help maintain our fresh drinking water sources and aquatic ecosystems?
Reduces the amount of storm water / runoff that enters these bodies of water
Increases the value of a property
Protects against thermal pollution
Increases the ability for the homeowner to water their garden
How does a rain barrel help maintain our fresh drinking water sources and aquatic ecosystems?
Reduces the amount of storm water / runoff that enters these bodies of water
Increases the value of a property
Protects against thermal pollution
Increases the ability for the homeowner to water their garden
How can rain gardens and green infrastructure benefit communities with Combined Sewer systems?
This will reduce the amount of water the sewers receives during large rain events and reduce CSO events
This will increase the size of the pipes in a combined sewer system
This will increase the amount of water that enters our sewer system
Which of the following are examples of green infrastructure? (Select ALL that apply)
Green roofs
Rain gardens
Permeable pavement
Rain barrels
Which of the following are examples of green infrastructure? (Select ALL that apply)
Green roofs
Rain gardens
Permeable pavement
Rain barrels
An increase in paving of green space
Results in excessive runoff and flooding
Allows for recharging of the aquifer beneath it
Is great for the environment because it causes flooding which is good for ponds
All of the above
What is permeable pavement?
Pavement that has been designed to allow water to pass through and be soaked into the ground
Pavement that is impenetrable
Pavement that has been designed to allow water to sit on top but is not slippery
Wastewater from people’s homes that contains raw sewage when we flush the toilet. This wastewater is called...
Blackwater
Greenwater
Greywater
Rainwater
What is the meaning of the prefix quad-/quart-?
Eight
Not, (negating)
Small
Four
Combined sewer overflow events (CSOs) occur during heavy precipitation and can overwhelm sewer systems. During this event...
untreated sewage, rain water & grey water are released into a body of water
untreated sewage, groundwater & greenwater are released into a body of water
just untreated rain water and runoff are released into a body of water
just treated sewage is released into a body of water
During a CSO event, dissolved oxygen levels decrease because...
bacteria in biological waste use it for cellular respiration
algae uses it for photosynthesis
biological waste react with the dissolved oxygen
runoff uses it up
What is a benefit of a sanitary sewer system?
sewage is always sent to a waste water treatment plant no matter the weather
rainwater and runoff is always returned directly back to a freshwater source
these sewer systems cost more money to maintain two sets of pipes
Pollutants entering waterways from a general area, such as runoff from farmland or a parking lot from a suburban community are both examples of...
decomposition
point source pollution
non-point source pollution
turbidity
What is this an image of?
Rain barrel
Rain garden
Rain guard
Biofuel container
How does a rain barrel help maintain our fresh drinking water sources and aquatic ecosystems?
Reduces the amount of storm water / runoff that enters these bodies of water
Increases the value of a property
Protects against thermal pollution
Increases the ability for the homeowner to water their garden
