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Ecotones and Biodiversity

Total questions: 23

Worksheet time: 13mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

____ also called biotic change, is the natural change of one type of vegetation to another.

a)
transformation
b)
evolution
c)
adaptation
d)
succession
2.

Primary succession is ....

a)

the process of succession of land with no developed soil

b)
the gradual replacement of one ecosystem by another over time.
c)
the process of ecological change in an area with existing soil.
d)
the immediate recovery of an ecosystem after a disturbance.
3.

Secondary succession occurs ....

a)
in an area where the soil has been completely eroded
b)
in an area where a disturbance has destroyed an existing community but left the soil intact.
c)
in a stable ecosystem with no disturbances
d)
in a newly formed volcanic island without any soil
4.

What are some disturbances that might lead to secondary succession

a)
Volcanic eruptions
b)
Earthquake damage
c)

Disturbances leading to secondary succession include forest fires, flooding, and human interaction

d)
Drought conditions
5.

What is a pioneer species

a)
A pioneer species is the first organism to colonize a barren or disturbed environment.
b)
A pioneer species is a type of invasive species.
c)
A pioneer species is the last organism to leave a habitat.
d)
A pioneer species is an organism that thrives in highly developed ecosystems.
6.

The following is a description of succession common for much of North Carolina: the first plants

to begin growing are called the pioneer species, which are the weeds and grasses. These are

followed by shrubs, then pine forest, and finally hardwoods. Name the plants that grow in chronological order.

a)
Mosses, ferns, birch trees, conifers
b)
Ferns, cacti, oak trees, desert shrubs
c)
Algae, mushrooms, palm trees, bamboo
d)

Pioneer species (weeds and grasses), shrubs, pine forest, hardwoods

7.

The final community of natural vegetation that does not change unless disturbed.

(a)  

8.

What is the typical climax community in NC

a)
Pine forest
b)
Wetland
c)

Oak-Hickory Forest

d)
Grassland
9.

All stages of succession provide habitats for different species

a)
All species thrive in the same stage of succession.
b)
Only one species can inhabit each stage of succession.
c)
Succession stages are not important for species diversity.
d)
Different species inhabit different stages of succession.
10.

Habitats with greater variety in vegetation appeal to more species

a)
True
b)
Species diversity is unrelated to vegetation variety
c)
Only in certain climates
d)
False
11.

Even though the greater the variety in vegetation come species still need the forest interior (either pine or deciduous forests)

a)
Species thrive only in open areas.
b)
Species need the forest interior.
c)
All species prefer deciduous forests exclusively.
d)
Vegetation variety is irrelevant to species needs.
12.

Without old field succession, habitat for some species would be limited

a)
Old field succession has no impact on habitat diversity.
b)
Habitat diversity is solely dependent on climate change.
c)
Old field succession reduces the number of species in an area.
d)
Old field succession is essential for providing habitat diversity.
13.

Ponds and lakes also go through succession. Is the time period longer or shorter than land succession

a)
Longer
b)
Equal
c)
Shorter
d)
Variable depending on conditions
14.

As sediment is carried into the pond, the bottom begins to fill in, and the water becomes

shallower. The pond then can become a marsh, wet meadow, grassland, and finally a forest.

As with the succession of a bare field, each habitat created in each of the steps of pond

succession provides for the needs of diverse species of plants and animals.

a)
The pond remains deep and does not change.
b)
The pond dries up completely and becomes a desert.
c)
The pond turns into a rocky cliffside.
d)
The pond becomes shallower and can transform into a marsh, wet meadow, grassland, and finally a forest.
15.

As vegetation types increase and a larger variety of species can live there an environment become more complex. Is a meadow or a deciduous forest more complex?

a)
Deciduous forest
b)

Meadow

c)

Both are equally complex

d)

The above statement is false, variety of wildlife does not increase how complex the environment is

16.

Define Species Diversity, also called Biodiversity

a)
Species diversity refers to the total number of individuals in an ecosystem.
b)

Species diversity is the number of different types of organisms

c)
Species diversity is the distribution of species across different geographical areas.
d)
Species diversity is the genetic variation within a single species.
17.

Define genetic diversity

a)

Genetic diversity is the diversity of genes in a population

b)
Genetic diversity is the process of evolution in a species.
c)
Genetic diversity is the number of species in an ecosystem.
d)
Genetic diversity refers to the physical characteristics of an organism.
18.

Define ecosystem diversity

a)
Ecosystem diversity refers to the genetic variation within a species.
b)
Ecosystem diversity is the number of individual organisms in an ecosystem.
c)
Ecosystem diversity is the total biomass of all ecosystems in a region.
d)

Ecosystem diversity is the diversity of all habitats, communities, and processes in an ecosystem

19.

The area between two different

types of habitats, such as

between a forest and a field, will

have vegetation from both

habitats. These transitional

zones, where two or more

communities meet and

combine, are called (a)  

or edges.

20.

Ecotones or Edges contain all or most of the niches found in both ecosystems, but do they also contain new niches found only in the edge

a)
Yes, ecotones can contain new niches found only in the edge.
b)
Ecotones can only contain niches from one ecosystem.
c)
Ecotones are devoid of any unique niches.
d)
No, ecotones only contain niches from the adjacent ecosystems.
21.

The change in variety of species in the transition area, or ecotones, is called the ...

(a)  

22.

Some species require large expanses of the same type of habitat. These are called _____ and they do not benefit from edges

a)
edge species
b)
interior species
c)
migratory species
d)
generalist species
23.

What are some examples of interior species

a)
Western Red Cedar
b)
Bald Eagle
c)

Wood Thrush, Oven Bird, and various species of warblers

d)
American Beaver