Ecosystems

• Which of these statements best describes a niche in an ecosystem? – A. the role of a species in its population – B. the role of a species in its community – C. the way a species uses the resources in its

habitat – D. the way a species interacts with other species

in its habitat

• Which of these statements best describes a niche in an ecosystem? – A. the role of a species in its population – B. the role of a species in its community – C. the way a species uses the resources in its

habitat – D. the way a species interacts with other species

in its habitat

• Which of the following describes a community?• A. all populations that live in the same area• B. all populations that contain the same

species• C. all populations that live in the same area

and interact• D. all populations that live in the same area

but do not interact

• Which of the following describes a community?• A. all populations that live in the same area• B. all populations that contain the same

species• C. all populations that live in the same area

and interact• D. all populations that live in the same area

but do not interact

• Green plants use energy from the sun to produce food during the process of photosynthesis. This food provides energy to an entire food chain. What starting materials do the plants use to make this food?

• soil and water• B. water and oxygen• C. carbon dioxide and water• D. water, phosphorus, and nitrogen

• Green plants use energy from the sun to produce food during the process of photosynthesis. This food provides energy to an entire food chain. What starting materials do the plants use to make this food?

• soil and water• B. water and oxygen• C. carbon dioxide and water• D. water, phosphorus, and nitrogen

• Why are decomposers an essential part of a healthy ecosystem? – A. Decomposers are a necessary part of the diet of

most consumers. – B. Decomposers convert plant material into a form that

primary consumers can use. – C. Decomposers make resources available to

producers by breaking down waste materials. – D. Decomposers extract energy from sunlight as they

break down plant materials, adding returning energy to the system.

• Why are decomposers an essential part of a healthy ecosystem? – A. Decomposers are a necessary part of the diet of

most consumers. – B. Decomposers convert plant material into a form that

primary consumers can use. – C. Decomposers make resources available to

producers by breaking down waste materials. – D. Decomposers extract energy from sunlight as they

break down plant materials, adding returning energy to the system.

• A scientist is studying a population of elephants contained in an animal preserve. Which of the following must be true if the size of the population is increasing?

• A. The birth rate has dropped to zero.• B. The birth rate is equal to the death rate. • C. The death rate is greater than the birth

rate.• D. The birth rate has become greater than

the death rate.

• A scientist is studying a population of elephants contained in an animal preserve. Which of the following must be true if the size of the population is increasing?

• A. The birth rate has dropped to zero.• B. The birth rate is equal to the death rate. • C. The death rate is greater than the birth

rate.• D. The birth rate has become greater than

the death rate.

• Which of the following best describes what scientists consider when they study ecology?

• A. the interactions of organisms with their environment

• B. the interactions of organisms with weather and climate

• C. the interactions of organisms to reproduce and produce offspring

• D. the interactions of organisms with one another and the environment

• Which of the following best describes what scientists consider when they study ecology?

• A. the interactions of organisms with their environment

• B. the interactions of organisms with weather and climate

• C. the interactions of organisms to reproduce and produce offspring

• D. the interactions of organisms with one another and the environment

• Which of the following determines where a population can live? – A. whether its needs are met by the biotic factors

in the habitat – B. whether its needs are met by the abiotic factors

in the habitat – C. whether its needs are met by the abiotic and

biotic factors in the habitat – D. whether its needs are met by the other

populations of organisms in the habitat

• Which of the following determines where a population can live? – A. whether its needs are met by the biotic factors

in the habitat – B. whether its needs are met by the abiotic factors

in the habitat – C. whether its needs are met by the abiotic and

biotic factors in the habitat – D. whether its needs are met by the other

populations of organisms in the habitat

• Which of the following is a biotic factor in an ecosystem?

• A. wind• B. tree leaves• C. small rocks• D. light from the sun

• Which of the following is a biotic factor in an ecosystem?

• A. wind• B. tree leaves• C. small rocks• D. light from the sun

• Which of these statements describes a species?• A. A species is a group of organisms that are

closely related.• B. A species is a group of organisms that live in

the same habitat.• C. A species is a group of organisms that live in

an area and interact.• D. A species is a group of organisms that are

closely related and produce fertile offspring

• Which of these statements describes a species?• A. A species is a group of organisms that are

closely related.• B. A species is a group of organisms that live in

the same habitat.• C. A species is a group of organisms that live in

an area and interact.• D. A species is a group of organisms that are

closely related and produce fertile offspring

Which of the following consumers is a herbivore? • A. cat• B. horse • C. human • D. vulture

Which of the following consumers is a herbivore? • A. cat• B. horse • C. human • D. vulture

• A student is identifying food chains in an ecosystem. Which of the following organisms might be a tertiary consumer?

• A. frog• B. redwood tree• C. great white shark• D.athlete’s foot fungus

• A student is identifying food chains in an ecosystem. Which of the following organisms might be a tertiary consumer?

• A. frog• B. redwood tree• C. great white shark• D.athlete’s foot fungus

• Two types of global food webs show the feeding relationships of organisms. What distinguishes one type of global web from the other?

• A. whether the producers are located on land or in water • B. whether or not the food web includes tertiary

consumers • C. whether the web includes animals that migrate during

the year • D. whether the ecosystem described by the web is

localized or very broad

• Two types of global food webs show the feeding relationships of organisms. What distinguishes one type of global web from the other?

• A. whether the producers are located on land or in water

• B. whether or not the food web includes tertiary consumers

• C. whether the web includes animals that migrate during the year

• D. whether the ecosystem described by the web is localized or very broad

• All organisms must obtain energy from their environment. Every organism needs this energy in order to grow and reproduce. How do producers obtain energy?

• A. They obtain energy by eating plants, bacteria, and algae.

• B. They extract chemical energy from decaying organic matter.

• C. They extract energy from the chemicals in soil, air, and water.

• D. They capture energy from sunlight and manufacture their own food.

• All organisms must obtain energy from their environment. Every organism needs this energy in order to grow and reproduce. How do producers obtain energy?

• A. They obtain energy by eating plants, bacteria, and algae.

• B. They extract chemical energy from decaying organic matter.

• C. They extract energy from the chemicals in soil, air, and water.

• D. They capture energy from sunlight and manufacture their own food.

• Which of the following is an example of a biotic limiting factor in an ecosystem?

• A. New predators move into the ecosystem.• B. A drought occurs for several months.• C. A hurricane passes through an ecosystem. • D. Living space is lost due to human activities.

• Which of the following is an example of a biotic limiting factor in an ecosystem?

• A. New predators move into the ecosystem.• B. A drought occurs for several months.• C. A hurricane passes through an ecosystem. • D. Living space is lost due to human activities.

• Which of the following events would lead to an increase in the size of a population of squirrels? – A. More squirrels are born than die. – B. Some squirrels emigrate in search of food. – C. New predators are added to the ecosystem. – D. A large number of squirrels die because of a

forest fire.

• Which of the following events would lead to an increase in the size of a population of squirrels? – A. More squirrels are born than die. – B. Some squirrels emigrate in search of food. – C. New predators are added to the ecosystem. – D. A large number of squirrels die because of a

forest fire.

• Which statement provides an example of how social hierarchy might influence a population?

• A. Soldier termites defend the colony from predators.

• B. Prairie dogs uses a high-pitched bark to communicate.

• C. Mistletoe sends roots into tree branches to take in nutrients.

• D. Poison tree frogs have bright colors signifying that they are toxic.

• Which statement provides an example of how social hierarchy might influence a population?

• A. Soldier termites defend the colony from predators.

• B. Prairie dogs uses a high-pitched bark to communicate.

• C. Mistletoe sends roots into tree branches to take in nutrients.

• D. Poison tree frogs have bright colors signifying that they are toxic.

• A scientist observes a population crash among eagles within an island ecosystem. Which event might have led to such a crash?

• A. Travelers brought new crops to the island.• B. A drop in sea level exposed more of the island.• C. The closing of a dam caused the island to flood.• D. Warm weather conditions resulted in an

abundance of food.

• A scientist observes a population crash among eagles within an island ecosystem. Which event might have led to such a crash?

• A. Travelers brought new crops to the island.• B. A drop in sea level exposed more of the island.• C. The closing of a dam caused the island to

flood.• D. Warm weather conditions resulted in an

abundance of food.

• Which of the following is an example of a biotic limiting factor for a population?

• A. water availability • B. climate • C. Disease• D. Natural disasters

• Which of the following is an example of a biotic limiting factor for a population?

• A. water availability • B. climate • C. Disease• D. Natural disasters

• Grizzly bears are classified in the order Carnivora. Their diet consists of roots, tubers, berries, nuts, fungus, insects, rodents, and fish. What ecological role best describes grizzly bears?

• A. carnivores • B. omnivores• C. herbivores • D. producers

• Grizzly bears are classified in the order Carnivora. Their diet consists of roots, tubers, berries, nuts, fungus, insects, rodents, and fish. What ecological role best describes grizzly bears?

• A. carnivores • B. omnivores• C. herbivores • D. producers

• During the 1930s, a large region of the Great Plains experienced a drought that turned grasslands into dust. How did this change most likely affect populations of insects living among the grasslands?

• A. They adapted to eat dust instead of grass.• B. They decreased because the resources they needed

were not available.• C. They increased because other populations were

eliminated from the environment. • D.They were not affected because the size of a population

cannot change over time.

• During the 1930s, a large region of the Great Plains experienced a drought that turned grasslands into dust. How did this change most likely affect populations of insects living among the grasslands?

• A. They adapted to eat dust instead of grass.• B. They decreased because the resources they needed

were not available.• C. They increased because other populations were

eliminated from the environment. • D.They were not affected because the size of a population

cannot change over time.

• Some consumers, such as many flying insects, need large amounts of energy to grow and move from one place to another. How do consumers get energy to function?

• A. Consumers obtain all of their energy by eating other organisms.

• B. Consumers obtain some energy from other organisms and some from sunlight.

• C. Consumers obtain most of their energy by absorbing it from their environments.

• D.Consumers convert light energy from the sun into chemical

• Some consumers, such as many flying insects, need large amounts of energy to grow and move from one place to another. How do consumers get energy to function?

• A. Consumers obtain all of their energy by eating other organisms.

• B. Consumers obtain some energy from other organisms and some from sunlight.

• C. Consumers obtain most of their energy by absorbing it from their environments.

• D.Consumers convert light energy from the sun into chemical

• How is an organism’s niche different from its habitat?

• A. Its niche is the organism’s role within the habitat.• B. Its niche is the climate that exists within the

habitat.• C. Its niche is the place where an organism lives

within a habitat.• D. Its niche is the size of the population to which the

organism belongs.

• How is an organism’s niche different from its habitat?

• A. Its niche is the organism’s role within the habitat.

• B. Its niche is the climate that exists within the habitat.

• C. Its niche is the place where an organism lives within a habitat.

• D. Its niche is the size of the population to which the organism belongs.

• Which of the following statements best describes the relationship between ecosystems and biomes? – A. A biome may contain many ecosystems, and ecosystems within

the same biome are typically home to similar species of organisms. – B. An ecosystem may contain many biomes, and biomes within the

same ecosystem are typically home to similar species of organisms. – C. Both biomes and ecosystems are characterized by their climate

conditions and the communities that live in them; however, biomes refer to land environments and ecosystems refer to aquatic environments.

– D. Both biomes and ecosystems are characterized by their climate conditions and the communities that live in them; however, ecosystems refer to land environments and biomes refer to aquatic environments.

• Which of the following statements best describes the relationship between ecosystems and biomes? – A. A biome may contain many ecosystems, and ecosystems within

the same biome are typically home to similar species of organisms. – B. An ecosystem may contain many biomes, and biomes within the

same ecosystem are typically home to similar species of organisms. – C. Both biomes and ecosystems are characterized by their climate

conditions and the communities that live in them; however, biomes refer to land environments and ecosystems refer to aquatic environments.

– D. Both biomes and ecosystems are characterized by their climate conditions and the communities that live in them; however, ecosystems refer to land environments and biomes refer to aquatic environments.

• Carnivores and herbivores are both consumers. Which statement best describes how they differ from one another?

• A. Carnivores produce all the energy they need.• B. Carnivores eat only animals whereas herbivores eat

only plants.• C. Carnivores eat living organisms whereas herbivores

eat organisms that have died.• D.Carnivores obtain energy by eating food whereas

herbivores obtain energy from sunlight.

• Carnivores and herbivores are both consumers. Which statement best describes how they differ from one another?

• A. Carnivores produce all the energy they need.• B. Carnivores eat only animals whereas herbivores

eat only plants.• C. Carnivores eat living organisms whereas herbivores

eat organisms that have died.• D.Carnivores obtain energy by eating food whereas

herbivores obtain energy from sunlight.

• Which statement about the deep ocean zone is true?

• A. Plankton dominate this zone of the ocean. • B. Coral reefs are commonly found in this zone. • C. Organisms in this zone must be able to

survive major changes in salinity. • D. Some organisms in this zone use chemicals

for energy rather than sunlight.

• Which statement about the deep ocean zone is true?

• A. Plankton dominate this zone of the ocean. • B. Coral reefs are commonly found in this zone. • C. Organisms in this zone must be able to

survive major changes in salinity. • D. Some organisms in this zone use chemicals

for energy rather than sunlight.

• Which example represents an abiotic factor in an aquatic ecosystem? – A. Water lilies float on top of a pond. – B. A population of bass is living in a lake. – C. The pH of a lake is decreased by acid rain. – D. Dragonflies feed on small insects near a pond.

• Which example represents an abiotic factor in an aquatic ecosystem? – A. Water lilies float on top of a pond. – B. A population of bass is living in a lake. – C. The pH of a lake is decreased by acid rain. – D. Dragonflies feed on small insects near a pond.

• How do rivers and streams differ from lakes and ponds? – A. Rivers and streams are made up of salt water

instead of fresh water. – B. Unlike the water in lakes and ponds, the water in

rivers and streams flows. – C. Fish can live in rivers and streams, whereas

plants grow in lakes and ponds. – D. Lakes and ponds form only after heavy rains,

whereas rivers and streams always exist.

• How do rivers and streams differ from lakes and ponds? – A. Rivers and streams are made up of salt water

instead of fresh water. – B. Unlike the water in lakes and ponds, the water

in rivers and streams flows. – C. Fish can live in rivers and streams, whereas

plants grow in lakes and ponds. – D. Lakes and ponds form only after heavy rains,

whereas rivers and streams always exist.

• Which ocean zone is at the deepest location? • A. neritic zone• B. bathyal zone• C. abyssal zone• D. intertidal zone

• Which ocean zone is at the deepest location? • A. neritic zone• B. bathyal zone• C. abyssal zone• D. intertidal zone

• Within each biome, how can the environment be organized into levels form complex to simple?

• Within each biome, how can the environment be organized into levels form complex to simple?

• Ecosystems, community, population, organism

• How would a food web be affected if a species disappeared from an ecosystem?

•

• How would a food web be affected if a species disappeared from an ecosystem?

• The organisms that fed on that species would have to find new sources of energy.

• What types of organisms typically make up the base, middle, and top of a food web?

• Base: • Middle: • Top:

• What types of organisms typically make up the base, middle, and top of a food web?

Base: Producers Middle: Primary and/or secondary Top: Tertiary

• How do limiting factors affect the carrying capacity of an environment?

•

• How do limiting factors affect the carrying capacity of an environment?

• Increases the carrying capacity for the population.

Salt water is denser than fresh water. What ecosystems would be most affected by this fact? Explain your answer.

Salt water is denser than fresh water. What ecosystems would be most affected by this fact? Explain your answer.

Estuary would be most affected because it is a mixture of salt and fresh water. Organisms would have to cope with water layers that have different salt concentrations.