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Unit 11 Ecology and Human Impact

Total questions: 56

Worksheet time: 4hrs 31mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

In an aquatic ecosystem, a species of fish thrives in the clear waters of a large lake. Which of the following is an example of a density-independent limiting factor that could reduce the population of this fish species?

a)

A viral infection spreads rapidly through schools of closely packed fish.

b)

Overfishing occurs as fishermen target densely populated spawning grounds.

c)

Pollution from a nearby factory spill decreases the water quality, leading to a die-off of fish.

d)

Competition for food increases as the fish population grows, leading to slower growth rates and smaller fish.

2.

In a freshwater lake, certain species of fish feed on the algae growing on the surface, keeping the algae from overpopulating and blocking sunlight. The reduction in algae allows sunlight to penetrate the water, supporting other aquatic plants that provide oxygen and habitat for the fish. Which term best describes this plant-fish interaction?

a)

Mutualism

b)

Commensalism

c)

Parasitism

d)

Predation

3.

Several species of hummingbirds are found in the same rainforest region. They minimize competition by feeding on different types of flowers, which are found at varying heights and locations. Some prefer the canopy's blossoms, while others feed on shrubs or ground-level plants. In this way, they can coexist peacefully in the same area because they:

a)

exhibit different colors and sizes.

b)

do not drink nectar from the flowers.

c)

occupy different niches within the rainforest.

d)

experience different humidity levels in the rainforest.

4.

"Considering the diet and predators of honeybees, which of the following best defines their ecological niche?"

a)
  • Their ability to fly at high speeds to escape predators

b)
  • Their role in pollinating plants while feeding on nectar and being prey to birds and insects

c)
  • Their tendency to form hives in protected areas

d)
  • Their migration patterns in response to seasonal changes

5.

A pond ecosystem contains several species of frogs. What allows these different species to coexist in the same pond?"

a)
  • They all sing different mating calls.

b)
  • They occupy different areas of the pond and eat different types of food.

c)
  • They are all different colors.

d)
  • They all breed at different times of the year.

6.

In a coral reef ecosystem, various species of fish thrive without directly competing with one another. Which of the following best explains this phenomenon?"

a)
  • All fish species in the reef migrate at different times of the year.

b)
  • Each fish species prefers a different depth and type of coral for shelter and hunting.

c)
  • The fish in the reef communicate with each other to establish feeding times.

d)
  • Different fish species in the reef are active at different times of day and night.

7.

Asian carp were introduced into U.S. waterways for aquaculture and wastewater treatment. What factor has contributed most to the rapid increase of Asian carp in these ecosystems?

a)
  • The carp have adapted to feed on a new type of plant found only in U.S. waterways.

b)
  • The carp have developed a resistance to diseases that are common in U.S. waterways.

c)
  • There are few natural predators in U.S. waterways to control the carp population.

d)
  • The water temperature in U.S. waterways is ideal for carp breeding year-round.

8.
Which of the following is a herbivore?
a)
cricket
b)
frog
c)
hawk
d)
shrew
9.
If the grasshopper were to be removed completely from the food web, what organism would be most effected?
a)
The squirrel
b)
The shrew
c)
The deer
d)
The rabbit
10.
Which organism recieves the least amount of energy from the producer?
a)
Owl
b)
Grasshopper
c)
Lilypad
d)
Mouse
11.
The mouse in this food web would be considered a:
a)
Primary Consumer
b)
Producer
c)
Tertiary Consumer
d)
Secondary Consumer
12.
What is the carrying capacity of the following graph?
a)
1000
b)
8000
c)
800
d)
600
13.
In the year 1865 the rabbit population seems to soar above the lynx (bobcat) population.  What might be a cause for this?
a)
a disease hit the lynx population
b)
the rabbits ran out of food
c)
the lynx may have stopped eating rabbits altogether
d)
the rabbit population got a disease
14.
According to the population pyramid of this country, its population is most likely...
a)
growing slowly.
b)
growing rapidly.
c)
decreasing.
d)
not changing.
15.
The presence of wastes, such as plastic bags and motor oil, in lakes and streams miles away from developed areas suggests that
a)
ecosystems are interconnected and human action can alter ecosystem equilibrium.
b)
recycling programs have failed to conserve biotic resources.
c)
natural processes can alter ecosystem stability.
d)
direct harvesting practices have led to irreversible destruction of ecosystems.
16.
When fertilizers run off farmland into streams and ponds, the nitrogen content of the water increases. This can lead to rapid growth of algae in a process called eutrophication. How can this process affect other organisms in the water?
a)
Oxygen is used up as algae is decomposed, reducing the amount available to other organisms.
b)
 The water becomes better able to support aerobic organisms.
c)
 The algae provide food for fishes and other organisms, leading to decreased algae populations.
d)
The extra nitrogen provides additional food for the other organisms, increasing their population.
17.
A strip mining company wants to lease some land that is currently part of a national park. They promise to reclaim the land should any minerals be mined from the area, and they are willing to pay top dollar for the rights. As an ecologist, what factors would you raise with the local government?
a)
 the threat to local biodiversity
b)
management of the land after the company leaves
c)
 the new jobs that would be created
d)
 the increased traffic in the area
18.
 If worldwide deforestation (removal of forests) is not regulated, what could most likely result?  
a)
Acid rain could lower the pH of rivers and lakes to dangerous levels for aquatic life
b)
  CO2 levels in the atmosphere could increase and contribute to global warming problems
c)
Plants and animals could become better adapted to living in desert conditions.
d)
Future generations of humans could have an excess of wood and paper products.
19.
In lakes  that are exposed to acid rain, fish populations are declining.
  This is primarily due to changes in which lake condition?
a)
size
b)
pH
c)
temperature
d)
location
20.

Predator population lags behind prey population because:

a)

Increase in predators leads to decrease in prey

b)

Increase in predators leads to increase in prey

c)

Increase in predators leads to decrease in producers

21.

The chart shows predator and prey relationships in four different ecosystems.. Which is a correct example of a change that would happen to one population because of a change in the other population because of a predator/prey relationship?

a)

When the population of sharks decreases because of fishing, the population of small fish will decrease.

b)

When the population of dragonflies decreases because of humans, the population of mosquitos will decrease.

c)

During hunting season when many deer are killed by hunters, the mountain lion population will decline.

d)

When the mice population increases due to having more resources, the population of snakes will decrease.

22.

In an ecosystem, the presence of many different species is critical for the survival of some forms of life when

a)

Ecosystems remain stable over periods of time

b)

Significant changes occur in the ecosystem

c)

Natural selection does not occur

d)

The finite resources of Earth increase

23.

Decomposers are important in the environment because they

a)

Convert large modules into simpler molecules that can be recycled

b)

Release heat from large molecules so that the heat can be recycled through the ecosystem

c)

Can take I carbon dioxide and convert it into oxygen

d)

Convert molecules of dead organisms into permanent biotic parts of an ecosystem

24.

In some areas, foresters plant one tree for every tree they cut This activity is an example of

a)

Lack of management of non renewable natural resources

b)

A good conservation practice for renewable natural resources

c)

A good conservation practice for non renewable natural resources

d)

Lack of concern for renewable natural resources

25.

An environment can support only as many organisms as the available energy, minerals and oxygen will allow. Which term is best described by this statement

a)

Biological feedback

b)

Carrying capacity

c)

Homeostatic diversity

d)

Biological diversity

26.

In a forest community, a shelf fungus and a slug live on the side of a decaying tree trunk. The fungus digests an absorbs materials from the tree, while the sung eats algae growing on the outside of the trunk. These organisms do not compete with one another because they occupy

a)

The same habitat, but different niches

b)

The same niche, but different habitats

c)

The same niche and the same habitat

d)

Different habitats and different niches

27.

In an ecosystem, nutrients would be recycled if they were transferred directly from herbivore to carnivores to

a)

Hosts

b)

Prey

c)

Decomposers

d)

Autotrophs

28.

Imported animals species often disrupt an ecosystem because in their new environment, they will most likely

a)

Eliminate the fetid variation of autotrophs

b)

Increase the number of mutations in the herbivores

c)

Have no natural enemies

d)

Be unable to produce offspring

29.

What is an invasive species?

a)

An organism that is new to an environment that has positive effects on the environment.

b)

An organism that is native to an environment that has negative effects on the environment.

c)

An organism that is new to an environment that has negative effects on the environment.

d)

An organism that is native to an environment that has positive effects on the environment.

30.
Increased carbon dioxide may cause global warming by trapping more ____________ in the atmosphere.
a)
water
b)
gases
c)
heat
d)
water vapor
31.

Which of these are fossil fuels? Select all fossil fuels listed.

a)

steam

b)

coal

c)

gas

d)

oil

32.

The main human activity that releases greenhouse gases is

a)

using public transportation and there by reduce the affects of greenhouse gases.

b)

burning fossil fuels

c)

texting on cellphones

d)

eating meat

33.
What gas from the list below is a cause for global warming?
a)
Urethane
b)
Oxygen
c)
Carbon Dioxide
34.
Which natural process removes carbon dioxide from the atmosphere?
a)
forest fires
b)
volcanic eruptions
c)
cellular respiration
d)
photosynthesis
35.
Which of the following have been linked to climate change?  
a)
droughts
b)
flooding
c)
melting of polar ice caps
d)
all of the above
36.

Burning fossil fuels (like coal) to generate electricity releases sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides which react with gases in the atmosphere. This leads to precipitation called:

a)

ozone

b)

acid rain

c)

greenhouse gases

d)

methane

37.
What is deforestation?
a)
Clearing Earth's forests on a massive scale
b)
Eating too much vegetables
c)
Going to a forest and pulling weeds
d)
Clearing the five trees in my backyard
38.
What are the effects of deforestation ?
a)
loss of habitat
b)
increased green house gasses 
c)
soil erosion and flooding
d)
all of the above
39.

All of the following are causes for biodiversity loss, EXCEPT:

a)

Habitat Loss

b)

Invasive Species

c)

Replanting trees

d)

Pollution

40.
 Which biome is more likely to survive a change in the environment?
a)
High (rich) biodiversity
b)
Low (poor) biodiversity
41.

High biodiversity makes it more likely that the ecosystem will be able to keep functioning after a disturbance, such as disease or natural disaster.

a)

True

b)

False

42.
What type of symbiosis?  Hummingbirds feed on nectar from flowers.  The flowers are pollinated by hummingbirds as they move from flower to flower.
a)
commensalism
b)
mutualism
c)
parasitism
d)
predation
43.
A tapeworm and a cat have this type of relationship.
a)
mutualism
b)
parasitism
c)
commensalism
d)
competition
44.

According to the graph, what is causing the deer population to decrease

a)

They got sick

b)

The wolf population is decreasing

c)

The wolf population increased

d)

They ran out of food

45.
A change in the acidity of mountain lakes would most likely be a result of
a)
A) ecological succession of the area at the top of the mountain
b)
B) the introduction of new species into the lakes
c)
C) air pollution from smoke stacks miles away
d)
D) planting grasses and shrubs around the lakes
46.

What is the term for the number of different plants and animal found within an area? The more varied an ecosystem is, the more stable the ecosystem.

a)

Biodiversity

b)

Homeostasis

c)

Biotic

d)

Biosphere

47.

All of the living populations that are found and interact within an ecosystem.

a)

Population

b)

Species

c)

Community

d)

Ecosystem

48.

An organism that feeds exclusively on plant material, example – a deer.

a)

Carnivore

b)

Herbivore

c)

Omnivore

d)

Producer

49.

Those resources that are unable to be replaced and, once used up,are gone. Fossil fuels are examples of this type of resource.

a)

Renewable Resources

b)

Non Renewable Resources

c)

Sun Energy

d)

Biotic

50.

The interactions of living organisms and non-living factors within an area.

a)

Ecosystem

b)

Population

c)

Biosphere

d)

Climax Community

51.
If the grasshopper were to be removed completely from the food web, what organism would be most effected?
a)
The squirrel
b)
The shrew
c)
The deer
d)
The rabbit
52.
How much energy is passed from one trophic level to the next?
a)
1%
b)
10%
c)
50%
d)
100%
53.

What type of growth is demonstrated in the graph?

a)

Exponential

b)

Carrying capacity

c)

Linear

d)

Negative

54.

Which of the following demonstrates population growth when there is limited available water in an area?

a)
b)
c)
55.

When Yellowstone National Park was created in the late 1800s, wolves were on the decline. The last wolves in Yellowstone were killed in 1926, but in the 1800s, there were between 100-160 wolves in the park. In 1995, gray wolves were reintroduced to the park.


Which graph (drawn in red) below shows a prediction of how the population would change if there was less water available in the ecosystem?

a)
b)
c)
d)

There would be no change to carrying capacity.

56.

What happens to the other 90% of energy when it is passed up the food chain?

a)

it is found in the dirt

b)

it is used for metabolic processes or given off to the environment as heat

c)

it us used for swimming

d)

it is used to make a Krabby Patty