Wayground logo

Free Printable Worksheets

Font size

S
M
L
XL
Worksheets

Ecology Quiz

Total questions: 20

Worksheet time: 20mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

In an ocean, the growth and survival of seaweed, small fish, and sharks depends on abiotic factors such as

a)

sunlight, temperature, and minerals

b)

sunlight, pH, and type of seaweed

c)

number of decomposers, carbon dioxide, and nitrogen

d)

number of herbivores, carbon, and food

2.

Which component of a stable ecosystem is not recycled?

a)

oxygen

b)

water

c)

energy

d)

nitrogen

3.

One biotic factor that limits carrying capacity of any habitat is the

a)

availability of water

b)

level of atmospheric oxygen

c)

activity of decomposers

d)

amount of soil erosion

4.

The growth of a population is shown in the graph.

Which letter indicates the carrying capacity of the environment for the population?

a)

A

b)

B

c)

C

d)

D

5.

Cattail plants in freshwater swamps of New York State are being replaced by purple loosestrife plants. The two species have very similar environmental requirements. This observation best illustrates

a)

variations within a species

b)

dynamic equilibrium

c)

random recombination

d)

competition between species

6.

Two closely related species of birds live in the same tree. Species A feeds on ants and termites, while species B feeds on caterpillars. The two species coexist successfully because

a)

each occupies a different niche

b)

they interbreed

c)

they use different methods of reproduction

d)

birds compete for food

7.

In a stable, long existing community, the establishment of one species per niche is most directly the result of

a)

parasitism

b)

interbreeding

c)

competition

d)

overproduction

8.

Carbon dioxide containing carbon14 ia introduced into a balanced aquarium ecosystem. After several weeks, carbon14 will most likely be present in

a)

the plants, only

b)

the animals, only

c)

both the plants and animals

d)

neither the plants, nor animals

9.

One aquatic food chain consists of polar bears, fish, weed, and seals. Which sequence demonstrates the correct flow of energy between these organisms?

a)

seals->weed->fish ->polar bears

b)

fish->weed->polar bears->seals

c)

weed->fish->seals ->polar bears

d)

polar bears->fish ->seals->weed

10.

The Pine Bush ecosystem near Albany, New York, is one of the last known habitats of the nearly extinct Karner Blue butterfly. The butterfly's larvae feed on the wild green plant, lupine. The larvae are in turn consumed by predatory wasps. The four groups in the chart represent other organisms living in this ecosystem. The Karner Blue larvae belong in which group?

a)

A

b)

B

c)

C

d)

D

11.

The Pine Bush ecosystem near Albany, New York, is one of the last known habitats of the nearly extinct Karner Blue butterfly. The butterfly's larvae feed on the wild green plant, lupine. The larvae are in turn consumed by predatory wasps. The four groups in the chart represent other organisms living in this ecosystem. Which food chain best represents information in the passage?

a)

lupine -> Karner Blue larvae -> wasps

b)

wasps > Karner Blue larvae -> lupine

c)

Karner Blue larvae -> lupine -> wasps

d)

lupine -> wasps -> Karner Blue larvae

12.

Which group contains decomposers?

a)

A

b)

B

c)

C

d)

D

13.

Two food chains are represented below.

Food chain A: aquatic plant -> insect -> frog -> hawk

Food chain B: grass -> rabbit -> hawk

Decomposers are important for supplying energy for

a)

food chain A, only

b)

food chain B, only

c)

both food chain A and food chain B

d)

neither food chain A nor food chain B

14.

In the transfer of energy from the Sun to ecosystems, which molecule is one of the first to store this energy?

a)

protein

b)

fat

c)

DNA

d)

glucose

15.

Dissolved carbon dioxide in the pond is used directly by

a)

autotrophs

b)

parasites

c)

fungi

d)

decomposers

16.

Identify one cell structure found in a producer that is not found I a carnivore.

4 lines
17.

What would most likely happen if most of the bacteria and fungi were removed from an ecosystem?

a)

Nutrients resulting from decomposition would be reduced.

b)

Energy provided for autotrophic nutrition would be reduce.

c)

The rate of mutations in plants would increase.

d)

Soil fertility would increase.

18.

State one piece of evidence from the diagram that indicates that light penetrates to the bottom of the lake.

4 lines
19.

Identify the type of organism that is not visible in the diagram but must be present in the ecosystem to recycle the remains of dead organisms.

4 lines
20.

X-axis - downstream sampling sites

Y-axis - Relative amount of dissolved oxygen in parts Per Million (ppm)

Untreated organic wastes were accidentally discharged into a river from a sewage treatment plant. The graph shows the dissolved oxygen content of water samples taken from the river at a specific distance downstream from the plant, both before and after the discharge occurred. State one reason why the statement below is correct. "The effects of the accidental damage are not expected to last for a long time."

4 lines