Download Keystone Ecology Quia Quiz

Name ________________________
Date ________________
Keystone: Ecology Review Quiz
Please choose the correct answer.
1. Use the list below to answer the question.
Observations
a. two grey wolves
b. five moose
c. several species of conifer trees
d. large granite rock
e. shallow pond
A student wrote several observations in a field notebook. Which term best classifies all of the student’s
observations? (1 point)
population
food chain
ecosystem
community
2. A researcher observing an ecosystem describes the amount of sunlight, precipitation, and type of soil present.
Which factors is the researcher most likely describing? (1 point)
biotic factors in a forest
biotic factors in a tundra
abiotic factors in a prairie
abiotic factors in an ocean
3. Use the diagram to answer the question.
Which sequence correctly describes the flow of energy between organisms in the marine food web? (1 point)
from seals to penguins to krill
from whales to krill to small fish
from sea birds to seals to penguins
from small fish to penguins to seals
4. A species of snapping turtles has a tongue that resembles a worm. The tongue is used to attract small fish. Which
best describes the interaction between the fish and the snapping turtle? (1 point)
predation
symbiosis
parasitism
competition
5. Which statement correctly describes how nitrogen in the soil returns to the atmosphere? (1 point)
Soil bacteria convert nitrates into nitrogen gas.
Decomposers directly convert ammonium into nitrogen gas.
Plants assimilate nitrites and convert them into nitrogen gas.
Nitrogen-fixing bacteria in plant roots convert nitrates into nitrogen gas.
6. 6. Agricultural runoff can carry fertilizers into lakes and streams. This runoff can cause algae populations to greatly
increase. Which effect does this change in the algae population sizes most likely have on affected lakes and
streams? (1 point)
a decrease in water level
an increase in water clarity
a decrease in dissolved oxygen needed by fish and shellfish
an increase in temperature near the water’s surface
7. A farmer observed that an increase in a field’s soil nitrogen content was followed by an increase in producer
productivity. What does this observation most likely indicate about the relationship between nitrogen and the
producers in the field? (1 point)
Nitrogen was a biotic factor.
Nitrogen was a limiting factor.
Nitrogen became a surplus resource.
Nitrogen became a selection pressure.
8. Use the graph to answer the question.
Isle Royale is located in Lake Superior. Isle Royale is home to populations of wolves and moose. The interactions
between the wolves and moose, as well as the individual population sizes, have been studied since 1958. The graph
shows the population sizes over time for both wolves and moose.
Predict what would likely happen to the wolf population’s size between 1994 and 2004.
(1 point)
The wolf population would decrease.
The wolf population would increase
The wolf population would stay the same.
The wolf population would stay the same.
9. Which statement best explains why decomposers are an important part of the food web pictured above? (1 point)
They use sunlight to make their own food.
They give off oxygen for animals to breathe.
They provide camouflage for small animals.
They make nutrients available to plants.
10. Which portion of the carbon cycle is driven directly by energy from the Sun? (1 point)
The formation of coal beneath rock layers
The formation of coal beneath rock layers
The emission of carbon dioxide from oil-burning power plants
The formation of sugars at Earth's surface
11. Coal, petroleum, and natural gas found underground in certain parts of Earth are primarily formed from which
process? (1 point)
Decay of radioactive elements
Collision of tectonic plates in earthquakes
Transformation of dead plants and animals under heat and pressure
Intrusion of water into the soil that breaks up rocks and minerals
12. The diagram shows a food web in a large park. Each circle represents a different species in the food web. Which of
the organisms in the food web could be referred to as primary consumers? (1 point)
7 only
5 and 6 only
2, 3, and 4 only
2, 5, and 7 only
13. Use the map to answer the question. Which zones in most likely to have a temperate climate (warm summers and
cold winters)? (1 point)
1 and 6
2 and 5
3 and 4
1, 2, and 3
14. Which of the following living things in a pond system uses the energy from sunlight to make its own food? (1 point)
Insect
Frog
Water lily
Small fish
15. Which of the following can limit the growth of a population of organisms? (1 point)
Both the number of predators and the availability of resources can limit the growth of a population of
organisms.
The number of predators can limit the growth of a population of organisms, but the availability of resources
cannot.
The availability of resources can limit the growth of a population of organisms, but the number of predators
cannot.
Neither the number or predators nor the availability of resources can limit the growth of a population of
organisms.
16. When settlers arrived in parts of North America in the 1600s, feeding relationships similar to those shown in the
diagram would have been common. The arrows point from the organisms being eaten to the organisms that eat
them. Settlers killed many of the mountain lions and wolves because they thought that they were dangerous to
their farm animals and families. A few years later, settlers noticed that there were a lot more deer. Using only the
relationships between the plants and animals described, what could explain why there were so many more deer?
(1 point)
The number of deer increased because without predators, the deer lived longer and had more offspring that
also lived longer.
The number of deer increased because populations are always increasing.
The number of deer increased because with fewer mountain lions and wolves, the deer had more food to eat.
There is not enough information given in the question and diagram to tell why the deer population increased.
17. The diagram shows the feeding relationships between populations of organisms in an area. The arrows point from
the organisms being eaten to the organisms that eat them. Using only the relationships between the organisms
shown in the diagram, which of the populations of organisms would be affected if the seaweed were removed?
(1 point)
Only the populations of large fish, seals, and killer whales would be affected.
The populations of all of the organisms except the killer whales would be affected.
Only the populations of shrimp, large fish, and small fish would be affected.
The populations of all of the organisms would be affected.
18. Which of the following statements about competition between plants is TRUE? (1 point)
Plants compete for water when it is limited, but they do not compete for space when it is limited.
Plants compete for water and space when they are limited, but they do not compete for light when it is
limited.
Plants compete for water, space, and light when they are limited.
Plants do not compete for any resource, even when it is limited.
19. Which statement describes how recycling aluminum cans positively affects the environment?
(1 point)
Recycling uses energy.
Recycling makes solid waste.
Recycling conserves mineral resources.
Recycling produces air pollution.
20. Which statement correctly describes a process of the water cycle? (1 point)
Evaporation can occur when water gains energy from the Sun and changes into water vapor.
Condensation can occur when liquid water molecules in clouds lose energy and fall to Earth.
Transpiration can occur when atmospheric water vapor gains energy and moves higher in the atmosphere.
Precipitation can occur when atmospheric water vapor loses energy and forms liquid water droplets.