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Worksheets

Climate and Ecosystem Dynamics

Total questions: 144

Worksheet time: 4hrs 23mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

Which of the following is an example of a biotic factor?

a)

Sunlight

b)

Rocks

c)

Plants

d)

Air

2.

What are autotrophs?

a)

Organisms that consume other organisms for energy

b)

Organisms that make their own food through photosynthesis

c)

Organisms that decompose dead matter

d)

Organisms that only live in water

3.

What is a detritivore?

a)

A type of autotroph

b)

A type of heterotroph that feeds on dead plant material

c)

A producer that makes its own food

d)

A nutrient found in soil

4.

What is the primary composition of air in the atmosphere?

a)

78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen.

b)

50% oxygen, 50% nitrogen.

c)

60% nitrogen, 30% oxygen.

d)

70% oxygen, 20% nitrogen.

5.

Which layer of the Earth is described as a thick mantle composed mostly of rock?

a)

Atmosphere

b)

Hydrosphere

c)

Geosphere

d)

Biosphere

6.

Which sphere consists of parts of the atmosphere, hydrosphere, and geosphere where life is found?

a)

Atmosphere

b)

Hydrosphere

c)

Geosphere

d)

Biosphere

7.

What causes the uneven heating of the Earth's surface?

a)

Ocean currents

b)

Angle of Sun's rays hitting Earth

c)

Wind patterns

d)

Cloud cover

8.

What is the difference between weather and climate?

a)

Weather is the long-term average of atmospheric conditions; climate is the short-term state of the atmosphere.

b)

Weather is the short-term state of the atmosphere; climate is the long-term average of atmospheric conditions.

c)

Weather and climate are the same and can be used interchangeably.

d)

Weather is the study of stars; climate is the study of planets.

9.

Explain why air doesn’t travel in a straight line from the equator towards the poles.

a)

Because of the Earth's magnetic field.

b)

Due to the Coriolis effect.

c)

Because of the gravitational pull of the moon.

d)

Due to the Earth's axial tilt.

10.

What is a biome?

a)

A small community of plants and animals

b)

A large community of vegetation and wildlife adapted to a specific climate

c)

A single species living in an area

d)

A type of ecosystem

11.

What factors cause similar biomes to be found across the world?

a)

Similar latitude and elevation

b)

Similar population density

c)

Similar soil types

d)

Similar water sources

12.

Which abiotic factors are most influential in determining what type of biome occurs in a particular region?

a)

Temperature and precipitation

b)

Soil type and humidity

c)

Wind speed and altitude

d)

Sunlight and air pressure

13.

What process do organisms use to break down food molecules to get chemical energy?

a)

Photosynthesis

b)

Cellular respiration

c)

Fermentation

d)

Digestion

14.

Which of the following best describes a food chain?

a)

A diagram showing the habitat of organisms

b)

A sequence illustrating who eats whom in an ecosystem

c)

A chart of the population size of species

d)

A map of migration patterns

15.

What trophic level do producers occupy in a food chain?

a)

Second

b)

Third

c)

First

d)

Fourth

16.

What is a food web?

a)

A simple feeding relationship

b)

A series of interconnecting food chains

c)

A single predator-prey interaction

d)

A type of ecological pyramid

17.

Why are complex food webs considered more stable than simple food webs?

a)

They have fewer species

b)

They have more interactions, reducing vulnerability

c)

They are easier to understand

d)

They do not involve energy transfer

18.

What does an energy pyramid illustrate?

a)

The number of species in an ecosystem

b)

Energy loss and transfer between trophic levels

c)

The stability of a food web

d)

The complexity of ecological interactions

19.

How do plants obtain their chemical energy?

a)

By consuming other organisms

b)

Through photosynthesis

c)

By decomposing organic matter

d)

Through cellular respiration

20.

What energy-rich substance is produced by green plants during photosynthesis?

a)

Oxygen

b)

Carbon dioxide

c)

Glucose

d)

Water

21.

Explain the differences between food chains and food webs.

a)

Food chains show multiple paths of energy flow; food webs show a single path

b)

Food chains show a single path of energy flow; food webs show multiple paths

c)

Food chains and food webs are the same

d)

Food chains show energy flow in plants only; food webs show energy flow in animals only

22.

What is each step in a food chain called?

a)

Level

b)

Stage

c)

Trophic level

d)

Phase

23.

What is the significance of biogeochemical cycles in the environment?

a)

They create new matter.

b)

They transform matter from one form to another.

c)

They destroy nutrients.

d)

They prevent water from evaporating.

24.

Which process in the water cycle involves water vapor turning into liquid water?

a)

Evaporation

b)

Transpiration

c)

Condensation

d)

Percolation

25.

What is the term for water moving across the surface of the land into bodies of water?

a)

Transpiration

b)

Surface Runoff

c)

Percolation

d)

Precipitation

26.

Which of the following is NOT a part of the water cycle?

a)

Evaporation

b)

Photosynthesis

c)

Precipitation

d)

Transpiration

27.

What is the impact of human activities on the carbon cycle?

a)

They have no impact.

b)

They decrease carbon in the atmosphere.

c)

They release significant quantities of carbon into the atmosphere.

d)

They help maintain the carbon balance.

28.

What is one consequence of increased carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere?

a)

Decreased ocean acidity

b)

Increased average temperature

c)

Increased tree growth

d)

Reduced carbonic acid formation

29.

Why is ocean acidification harmful to ocean life?

a)

It increases oxygen levels

b)

It damages shells of organisms

c)

It promotes coral growth

d)

It reduces water temperature

30.

How do plants primarily take up phosphorus?

a)

Through their leaves

b)

Through their roots

c)

Through their stems

d)

Through their flowers

31.

Why is the carbon cycle important?

a)

It helps in the formation of clouds.

b)

It is essential for the production of oxygen.

c)

It regulates the Earth's temperature and supports life.

d)

It is responsible for the water cycle.

32.

Biotic components include

a)

soil

b)

bacteria

c)

nutrients

d)

water

33.

What is the word equation for photosynthesis

a)

water + oxygen = carbon dioxide + glucose

b)

carbon dioxide + oxygen = water + glucose

c)

oxygen + water = hydrogen

d)

water + carbon dioxide = oxygen + glucose

34.

Why can't we live without the process of photosynthesis?

a)

we can live without photosynthesis

b)

it uses sugar to convert energy into usable forms for living things

c)

it converts solar energy into usable energy for living things

d)

its main purpose it to create oxygen for us to breathe

35.

Name two abiotic factors that would support this food web.

a)

frog and oxygen

b)

water and sunlight

c)

lavender and eagle

d)

shelter and butterfly

36.

State a food chain that is part of this food web

a)

butterfly, dragonfly, wolf, python

b)

lavender, rat, eagle

c)

corn, grasshopper, frog, python

d)

flower plant, corn, rat, python, eagle

37.
One single organism is known as an ___________.
a)
Individual
b)
Population
c)
Community
d)
Ecosystem
38.

A group of different species in the same location is known as a ___________.

a)
Individual
b)
Population
c)
Community
d)
Ecosystem
39.

Temperature is a _________factor

a)

Biotic

b)

Abiotic

c)

living

d)

cool

40.
Which of the following describes an interaction in which one organism kills and eats another?
a)
competition
b)
symbiosis
c)
predation
d)
mutualism
41.
This system is made up of all the water on or near the earth's surface
a)
Hydrosphere 
b)
Biosphere 
c)
Atmosphere 
d)
Geosphere 
42.
The four spheres of Earth...
a)
are all connected
b)
have nothing to do with one another
c)
exist on Venus and Mars
d)
don't affect human life
43.
The body of gases surrounding Earth is the...
a)
Hydrosphere 
b)
Biosphere 
c)
Atmosphere 
d)
Geosphere 
44.
Animals, forests, grasslands, and trees all belong to which sphere?
a)
Atmosphere
b)
Biosphere
c)
Lithosphere
d)
Hydrosphere
45.
The arrows in a food chain or web represents what?
a)
They point to the organism that is being eaten.
b)
It shows how sunlight flows within an ecosystem.
c)
They show what direction the energy is flowing between organisms. 
d)
They represent how water is transferred within a habitat.
46.

An organism that eats only plants

a)

omnivore

b)

carnivore

c)

herbivore

d)

detriovore

47.

A consumer that eats both plants and animals

a)

herbivore

b)

carnivore

c)

omnivore

48.

Which animal occupies the fourth trophic level?

a)

hawk

b)

lizard

c)

snake

d)

grass

49.

Organisms that break down dead or decaying organisms.

a)

Decomposers

b)

Producers

c)

Consumers

50.

What is this called?

a)

Food Web

b)

Food Chain

c)

Trophic Level

51.
What does the picture show?
a)
A Food Web
b)
An Ecosystem
c)
A Food Chain
d)
A nice scenery
52.
All of the living and nonliving things in an area that interact with each other are called a/an ______.
a)
community
b)
habitat
c)
population
d)
ecosystem
53.

A symbiotic relationship in which both organisms benefit.

a)

Mutualism

b)

Commensalism

c)

Parasitism

d)

Predation

54.

A symbiotic relationship in which one organism is helped and the other is neither helped or harmed.

a)

Parasitism

b)

Commensalism

c)

Mutualism

d)

Individualism

55.
In which type of symbiosis does one benefit and one is harmed?
a)
Symbiosis 
b)
Mutualism
c)
Parasitism
d)
Commensalism
56.

Energy enters an ecosystem as...

a)

chemicals

b)

food

c)

minerals

d)

sunlight

57.

How much energy moves from trophic level to trophic level?

a)

100%

b)

50%

c)

1%

d)

10%

58.
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
59.
What type of symbiosis?  Skunks often live in burrows that have been dug and abandoned by woodchucks.  
a)
commensalism
b)
mutualism
c)
parasitism
d)
predation
60.
Which symbols best describe parasitism?
a)
+,+
b)
+,-
c)
+,0
d)
-,0
61.

Aphids are tiny insects that live on and eat the leaves of plants, removing vital nutrients from the plants.

a)

Predation

b)

Parasitism

c)

Commensalism

d)

Mutualism

62.
If only 10% of an organism's energy is available for the next trophic level, what happens with the other 90% of the energy?
a)
It is destroyed after it is used up.
b)
It is used for life processes or lost as body heat.
c)
It remains for the next trophic level IF the predator consumes ALL of the organism.
d)
It is lost completely as body heat. 
63.
Which organism in figure 1 contains the most available energy?
a)
plants
b)
mountain lions
c)
hawks
d)
none of the above
64.

Herbivores are referred to as ________ consumer.

a)

Secondary 

b)

Primary

c)

Tertiary

65.

A carnivore is referred to as a ________ consumer.

a)

Producer

b)

Primary

c)

Secondary

66.

Organisms that get their energy and nutrition from other organisms (consumers).

a)

Heterotroph

b)

Autotroph

c)

Decomposer

d)

Detritivore

67.
Which of the following is the best conclusion that can be made from this graph?
a)
atmospheric carbon dioxide levels have been decreasing since 1960
b)
Hawaii has a lot of carbon dioxide
c)
humans have been working hard to decrease carbon dioxide levels
d)
atmospheric carbon dioxide levels have increased steadily since 1960
68.
 What is the greenhouse effect?
a)
The warming of a planet due to trapped radiation.
b)
The cooling of Earth due to air pollution.
c)
The heating of a solid, such as a rock.
69.
Which is a natural source of greenhouse gases?
a)
aerosols
b)
deforestation
c)
volcanic eruptions
d)
burning fossil fuels
70.
T/F: Some greenhouse gases are naturally present in the Earth's atmosphere
a)
True
b)
False
71.

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

72.
T/F: Water vapor is a greenhouse gas
a)
True
b)
False
73.
Increased carbon dioxide may cause global warming by trapping more ____________ in the atmosphere.
a)
water
b)
gases
c)
heat
d)
water vapor
74.
Which natural process removes carbon dioxide from the atmosphere?
a)
forest fires
b)
volcanic eruptions
c)
cellular respiration
d)
photosynthesis
75.
Carbon is stored in
a)
Trees and other living things
b)
Oceans
c)
underground in soil and fossil fuels
d)
All are correct
76.

What natural factors can influence our climate?

a)

earth's tilt

b)

orbit around the sun

c)

changing ocean currents

d)

all of the choices listed

77.
The average temperature of the surface of Earth has increased approximately 1°C in the past century. Which reason best explains this increase in temperature?
a)
lower levels of ozone in the atmosphere
b)
lower levels of nitrogen in the atmosphere
c)
higher levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere
d)
higher levels of oxygen in the atmosphere
78.

What is ocean acidification and how is it related to the carbon cycle?

a)

It is the process of oceans becoming more basic due to decreased carbon dioxide levels

b)

It is the process of oceans becoming more acidic due to increased carbon dioxide levels

c)

It is the decrease in ocean temperatures due to reduced carbon dioxide in the atmosphere

d)

It is the increase in ocean temperatures due to increased carbon dioxide in the atmosphere

79.

How does deforestation affect the carbon cycle?

a)

It increases the amount of carbon dioxide absorbed from the atmosphere

b)

It decreases the amount of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere

c)

It decreases the amount of carbon dioxide absorbed from the atmosphere

d)

It has no significant effect on the carbon cycle

80.

Identify the cycle illustrated in the diagram.

a)

Nitrogen Cycle

b)

Water Cycle

c)

Phosphorus Cycle

d)

Carbon Cycle

81.
TRUE or FALSE?
All of the carbon in existence is continually recycled in the carbon cycle.
a)
True
b)
False
82.

How do animals get carbon?

a)

By eating plants and or other animals.

b)

They absorb it from the atmosphere.

c)

From the ground

d)

They do not get carbon from anywhere.

83.

Which of the following is correct?

a)

There is as much carbon on earth as when it was formed

b)

Carbon is being created whenever it is recycled

c)

Carbon is lost every time it is recycled

d)

Carbon changes to different forms and is never recovered

84.

How do animals get the nitrogen they need?

a)

From the air they breathe

b)

From the water they drink

c)

From the food they eat

d)

From the sun

85.

What is the process where plants use nitrates to grow?

a)

Nitrogen Fixation

b)

Ammonification

c)

Assimilation

d)

Nitrification

86.

What is the process where bacteria turns Nitrogen gas from the atmospheres into usable compounds?

a)

nitrogen composition

b)

nitrogen fixation

c)

ammonia

d)

denitrification

87.
Organisms that break down dead plants & animals and release nitrogen back into atmosphere...
a)
bacteria
b)
plants
c)
animals
d)
producers
88.

Plants and animals can use nitrogen directly from the air.

a)
True
b)
False
89.
Nitrification happens in the ______
a)
Air 
b)
Soil 
c)
Ground Water 
d)
Plants 
90.

What happens when too much Nitrogen finds its way to the ocean?

a)

Algae Bloom

b)

Acid Precipitation

c)

Nitrogen Fixation

d)

Decomposition

91.

What is the main reservoir of nitrogen?

a)

Water bodies

b)

Plants

c)

Atmosphere

d)

Soil

92.

The process that convert nitrates (NO3-) back to nitrogen gas (N2) there by replenishing N2 in the atmosphere is called

a)

Nitrogen fixation

b)

Deamination

c)

Denitrification

d)

Nitrification

93.

A correct path that nitrogen could take would be

a)

air -> animals -> plants -> bacteria

b)

animals -> air -> bacteria -> plants

c)

bacteria -> air -> plants -> animals

d)

air -> bacteria -> plants -> animals

94.

Why does a farmer use nitrogen fertilizer on his crops?

a)

To speed up the decomposition process of dead plants

b)

To promote bacterial growth in the soil

c)

To aid in the making of proteins in the plants and animals

d)

To convert the crops into fossil fuels

95.

The process of making nitrites and nitrates is...

a)

denitrification

b)

nitrogen fixation

c)

nitrification

d)

ammonification

96.

_____ brings phosphorous into our waterways. .

a)

Precipitation

b)

Runoff

c)

Transpiration

d)

Condensation

97.

This is released by the weathering of rocks.

a)

Carbonate

b)

Phosphate

c)

Phosphorus

d)

Nitrogen

98.

Too much phosphorus in waterways (rivers, lakes) can lead to___________.

a)

eutrophication

b)

nothing

c)

decreased pH levels

d)

diseases

99.

Phosphorus is primarily found in

a)

sedimentary rock

b)

atmospheric gases

c)

seawater

d)

plants

100.
What is it called when plants give off water vapor as a waste product?
a)
condensation
b)
evaporation
c)
sublimation
d)
transpiration
101.
Snow, sleet, hail, and rain are all examples of  ________________. 
a)
evaporation
b)
condensation
c)
accumulation
d)
precipitation
102.

Identify the producer in the food web

a)

Grass

b)

Grasshopper

c)

Bird

d)

Mouse

103.

Identify a primary consumer from the food web

a)

Grasshopper

b)

Owl

c)

Fox

d)

Grains

104.

Identify all the secondary consumers from the food web (You can select multiple answers)

a)

Birds

b)

Owls

c)

Mice

d)

Foxes

105.

Identify the Carnivore from the food web

a)

Mice

b)

Grasshopper

c)

Rabbit

d)

Owl

106.

Identify the Herbivore from the food web

a)

Owl

b)

Fox

c)

Rabbit

d)

Bird

107.

Identify the Omnivore from the food web

a)

Mouse

b)

Grasshopper

c)

Bird

d)

Carrot

108.
In the energy pyramid below, which organism has the least amount of energy available?
a)
Producers
b)
Herbivores
c)
Carnivores
d)
Top Predator
109.

How many trophic levels are there usually?

a)

Only 1

b)

2 or 3

c)

4 or 5

d)

Infinite amount

110.

In this food web, what trophic level is the mouse?

a)

Secondary and Tertiary Consumer

b)

Primary Consumer

c)

Secondary Consumer

d)

Primary and Secondary Consumer

111.

In this food web, what trophic level is the owl?

a)

Producer

b)

Primary Consumer

c)

Secondary Consumer

d)

Tertiary Consumer

112.

In this food web, what trophic level is the snake?

a)

Secondary and Tertiary Consumer

b)

Primary Consumer

c)

Secondary Consumer

d)

Primary and Secondary Consumer

113.
Which Biome has permafrost?
a)
Temperate Forest
b)
Rainforest
c)

Boreal Forest

d)
Tundra
114.
Which biome has coniferous trees (which don't lose their leaves)?
a)

Boreal Forest

b)
Temperate Forest
c)
Tundra
d)
Grasslands
115.
Which biome has wide-open fields of grass?
a)

Boreal Forest

b)
Grasslands
c)
Temperate Forest
d)
Rainforest
116.

Which biome has 4 distinct seasons?

a)

Boreal Forest

b)

Tundra

c)

Grasslands

d)

Temperate Forest

117.

Which biome is the majority of Canada in?

a)

Tundra

b)

Boreal Forest

c)

Temperate Forest

d)

Desert

118.

If the number of births in a population is the same as the number of deaths in a population, what will happen to the population size?

a)
It will increase.
b)
It will decrease.
c)
It will stay the same.
d)
It will fluctuate.
119.

What phrase describes the largest number of individuals of a population that the environment can support?

a)
carrying capacity
b)
population crash
c)
lag phase
d)

exponential growth

120.

What word describes the type of growth of this rabbit population?

a)
exponential
b)
logistic
c)
S-shaped
d)
predator-prey
121.

What type of population growth is depicted in this graph?

a)

exponential growth

b)

logistic growth

c)

performance growth

d)

nagative growth

122.

Immigration means ...

a)

Members of a population moving out of a community.

b)

Living in the same habitat in different seasons.

c)

Members of a population moving into a community.

d)

Living in different habitats in different seasons.

123.

Emigration means ...

a)

Members of a population moving out of a community.

b)

Season movement from place to place.

c)

Members of a population moving into a community.

d)

Communities swapping habitats every winter.

124.

If the amount of food or resources available increases, the carrying capacity for an animal:

a)

Stays the same

b)

Increases

c)

Decreases

d)

Fluctuates

125.
Which of the following is a key characteristic of most invasive species?
a)
Ability to breathe in the air & in the water
b)
Large, sharp teeth
c)
Produce many offspring
d)
Is a top predator
126.

The primary cause of the introduction of invasive species introduction is ---

a)

too much food.

b)

human action.

c)

weather events.

d)

asteroids.

127.
When a population grows past the ecosystem's carrying capacity, what happens to the population?
a)
Continues to grow
b)
The population starts to die off to return to carrying capcity
c)
The population will go extinct due to lack of resources
d)
The population grows then finds a new carrying capacity
128.
Food, water, sunlight, shelter, and space are resources that are often __________.
a)
limiting factors
b)
wet
c)
messy
d)
found in rocks
129.

What are the main greenhouse gases?

a)

carbon dioxide, oxygen, water vapor, nitrous oxide, methane

b)

carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, water vapor, sulfur dioxide

c)

methane, water vapor, carbon dioxide, oxygen

d)

methane, water vapor, carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide

130.

An accurate definition of Sustainability is

a)

meeting population needs

b)

meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to survive

c)

meeting the needs of the future without worrying about todays

d)

meeting the food needs of animals

131.

Which one of the following human activities is causing the most damage to our planet?

a)

Overfishing

b)

Increased use of airplanes

c)

Burning fossil fuels

d)

Pollution

132.

Which answer is true regarding biodiversity?

a)

As long as there are enough producers, an ecosystem is considered to have a good amount of biodiversity.

b)

The rain forest has an unhealthy ecosystem because its biodiversity is too great.

c)

An ecosystem is healthier when the biodiversity is great.

d)

Biodiversity is positively affected when non-native species are introduced into an environment

133.
Which of the following would be the most likely effect, if there were a sudden increase in the cricket population?
a)
There would be a decrease in the small bird population.
b)
There would be a decrease in the grass/flowers population.
c)
There would be a decrease in the mice population.
d)
There would be an increase in the grass/flowers population.
134.

What is a limiting factor?

a)

any factor that helps a living thing grow

b)

the opposite of multiplication

c)

any factor that limits population growth

d)

any factor that makes a population grow

135.

Give some examples of limiting factors

a)

a balance in the ecosystem

b)

food, water, predators, space, disease, etc.

c)

desert, wetland, alpine, forest

d)

plants, animals, fungus

136.
What is the carrying capacity of the following graph?
a)
1000
b)
8000
c)
800
d)
600
137.
Growth of biological organisms which goes on unhindered when resources are unlimited.
a)
population density
b)
carrying capacity
c)
exponential growth 
d)
survivorship curve
138.
Largest number of individuals of a population that a environment can support
a)
population 
b)
limiting factor
c)
carrying capacity
d)
none of these
139.

Which species would benefit from the grasshopper dying off?

a)

Butterfly and Berries

b)

Snake

c)

Plantain, Butterfly, and Berries

d)

Ladybird and Rabbit

140.

Which species would be harmed or die off from the mouse dying?

a)

Snake and Buzzard

b)

fox and buzzard

c)

Plaintain

d)

Rabbit, Fox, Buzzard, and Snake

141.

Which of the following have been changed or altered due to climate change ?

a)

droughts

b)

flooding

c)

melting of polar ice caps

d)

all of the above

142.

How does climate change affect precipitation patterns?

a)

A. It creates uniform rainfall worldwide

b)

B. It causes only droughts

c)

C. It leads to more floods only

d)

D. It causes both intense rainfall and droughts in different regions

143.

Our climate didn't begin to deviate from its usual fluctuations until the 1990s. Why was that?

a)

The oceans had been absorbing the excess heat.

b)

Levels of carbon in the atmosphere were safe before the 1970s.

c)

The hole in the ozone layer caused some Antarctic ice to melt.

d)

Feedback loops were triggered in the 1980s.

144.

Attenborough claims that science predicts that by the 2030s, the Arctic will be completely free of ice in summers. Which of the following will occur as a consequence of this?

a)

Half a million species will be wiped out.

b)

Global warming will decelerate.

c)

Global warming will accelerate.

d)

Polar bears will migrate to Antarctica and live on penguins.