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Changing Ecosystems

Total questions: 15

Worksheet time: 15mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

A pasture gradually returns to a forested state. This is secondary succession.

a)

True

b)

False

2.

After lava covers the land, _________ occurs

a)

primary succession

b)

secondary succession

3.

Final illustration (#8) shows

a)

pioneer species

b)

climax community

c)

only biotic factors

d)

only abiotic factors

4.

A species that does not belong in a balanced ecosystem, comes in, and changes it (usually for the worse).

a)

flagnship

b)

umbrella

c)

invasive

d)

predator

5.

A community with interacting abiotic and biotic factors.

a)

Ecosystem

b)

Keystone Species

c)

Invasive Species

d)

Aquifers

6.

Land that is covered in water seasonally or permanently.

a)

Wetlands

b)

Aquifers

c)

Marsh Grasses

d)

Brackish Water

7.

A species that plays a critical role in the health, maintenance, growth, or definition of an ecosystem.

a)

keystone

b)

invasive

c)

engineer

d)

predator

8.

Saltwater Intrusion

a)

The movement of saltwater into a freshwater ecosystem

b)

When flood waters flood a city

c)

Happens only during floods

d)

Happens in rich soil

9.

Brackish Water

a)

No organisms live here

b)

Crystal clear water

c)

Transitional areas with a mix of saltwater and fresh water

d)

Muddy water

10.

How do beavers affect nonliving parts of ecosystems?

a)

  • Beaver dams cause upstream flooding, creating deep ponds.

  • b)

  • Beavers cut down trees to construct dams, allowing more sunlight to reach the forest floor.

  • c)

  • Beaver dams alter how water flows through an ecosystem.

  • d)

  • all of the above

  • 11.

    Which of the following best describes a dynamic system?

    a)

    A system that remains static over time

    b)

    A system that changes constantly

    c)

    A system that operates in a fixed manner

    d)

    A system that lacks any structure or organization

    12.

    What usually happens to an ecosystem after a sudden catastrophic change?

    a)

    Rapid recovery and restoration to its original state

    b)

    Immediate collapse and irreversible damage

    c)

    Slow predictable change – succession

    d)

    Complete regeneration within a short period of time

    13.

    What is a natural cause for sudden catastrophic change to an ecosystem?

    a)

    Human intervention

    b)

    Pollution

    c)

    Volcano, fire

    d)

    Deforestation

    14.

    Which of the following methods allows scientists to determine the impact of prairie dogs on an ecosystem?

    a)

    Conducting surveys to count the number of prairie dogs in the ecosystem.

    b)

    Analyzing the diet of predators in the ecosystem.

    c)

    Observing the behavior of prairie dogs in their natural habitat.

    d)

    By comparing ecosystems where prairie dogs have been lost, and observing changes.

    15.

    Changing Ecosystems

    a)

    The gradual process of change and replacement of the types of species in a community.

    b)

    The immediate replacement of one species by another.

    c)

    The process of a single species dominating an ecosystem.

    d)

    The sudden extinction of all species in an ecosystem.