Unit 6 Ecology/Biodiversity

1.

Multiple Choice

30 sec

1 pt

Which is a biotic factor that could affect an ecosystem?

dust storms moving through an ecosystem

bacteria harming the health of organisms in an ecosystem

large amounts of acid rain precipitation seeping into the soil in an ecosystem

high levels of carbon dioxide entering the atmosphere within an ecosystem

2.

Multiple Choice

45 sec

1 pt

The three global biomes in the table are home to different species of fox and members of the deer family.

Biome Temperature Range Precipitation (cm per year)Typical Plants Fox and Deer Temperate deciduous forest –30 to 30°C(–22 to 86°F) 75 to 150 oaks, maples, small flowering plants gray fox, white-tailed deer Boreal (coniferous) forest –40 to 20°C(–40 to 68°F) 30 to 90 fir, pine, sprucered fox, moose Tundra –40 to 18°C (–40° to 64°F) 15 to 25 low-growing plantsarctic fox, caribou (reindeer)

Of the three biomes, why would you expect tundra to have the fewest number of animals in each population?

Shortest plants

tallest plants

least amount of food

most rain

3.

Multiple Choice

45 sec

1 pt

One biome includes bearberry, a short plant with small, waxy leaves, shallow roots, and flowers that bloom quickly in the short growing season. Another biome includes tall grasses that can survive fires due to roots that extend 6 to 7 meters deep during the long growing season. What is most likely true about the two biomes?

They have the same temperature range but different rainfall ranges.

They have the same temperature range and the same rainfall range.

They are at different latitudes but have the same temperature range.

They are at different latitudes and have different temperature ranges.

4.

Multiple Choice

45 sec

1 pt

The table lists some ways that plants have adapted to survive in a desert biome.

Desert Plant Adaptations 1 Flowers open at night for pollination by bats. 2 Spines protect plants from consumers. 3 Needles lose less water than broad leaves in high temperatures. 4 Wide root structures help plants soak up water in rare rainstorms.

Which statements describe adaptations to biotic factors in a plant’s desert biome?

1 and 2

1 and 3

2 and 3

2 and 4

5.

Multiple Choice

30 sec

1 pt

Which biome has the most vegetation?

desert

forest

grassland

tundra

6.

Multiple Choice

30 sec

1 pt

Why is it important to conserve the biodiversity of Earth?

to decrease the amount of global predator populations

to decrease the stability of major global ocean currents

to increase the stability of ecosystems during environmental changes

to increase the amount of nonrenewable resources located in the lithosphere

7.

Multiple Choice

30 sec

1 pt

Why is it difficult to create a terrarium ecosystem that will last a long time without human help?

Terrarium ecosystems cannot get enough sunlight.

Terrarium ecosystems cannot get enough oxygen.

Ecosystems with few species are weak and unstable.

All ecosystems require thoughtful human management.

8.

Multiple Choice

45 sec

1 pt

The Waccamaw Drainage System is a system of interrelated coastal wetlands in southeastern North Carolina. Land-use modification and human population growth threaten these wetlands in a variety of ways. Scientific experts have recommended a number of management practices to protect the Waccamaw Drainage System. Which one of these recommendations would reduce stream bank erosion?

encourage no-till agriculture near waterways

remove downed trees from river channels

dredge certain segments of the river

plant shoreline buffer zones

9.

Multiple Choice

30 sec

1 pt

How could the introduction of a nonnative species of plant affect an ecosystem in North Carolina?

It could pollinate the native plant species, producing a disease-resistant species.

It could reduce the competition for space and light with native plant species.

It could take over the habitats of the native plant species.

It could cause some insect species to destroy native plant species.

10.

Multiple Choice

45 sec

1 pt

Coal ash is a byproduct produced when coal is burned for energy. Coal ash contains sand, unburned carbon, and a variety of metals, such as arsenic, cadmium, lead, mercury, and zinc. Some energy companies mix coal ash with water and store this waste in ponds. How could the accidental release of coal ash waste impact ecosystems?

Heavy metals could bioaccumulate in aquatic food chains.

Unburned carbon could enter waterways and provide food for organisms.

Coal ash particles that mix with rain could acidify lakes and rivers.

Leaking waste could increase blooms of toxic algae.

11.

Multiple Choice

30 sec

1 pt

Research in which of these areas has the greatest impact on the environment?

irradiating food

organic fertilizers

bacteria to clean up oil spills

developing larger sweeter strawberries

12.

Multiple Choice

30 sec

1 pt

How can water be an agent for physical weathering?

by absorbing gases from the atmosphere and ground to chemically react

with minerals

by seeping into the soil and dissolving the minerals in roc

by absorbing sulfur oxides and creating acid precipitation

by seeping into the cracks of rocks and freezing

13.

Multiple Choice

30 sec

1 pt

Which storm most likely develops as air masses interact with the warm water in the northwest Pacific Ocean?

typhoon

tornado

blizzard

monsoon

14.

Multiple Choice

30 sec

1 pt

Nonnative flathead catfish that prey on smaller fish were accidentally introduced into the Yadkin River in North Carolina. What is the most likely effect these catfish could have on the ecology of the Yadkin River?

They could reduce native fish populations.

They could decrease water flow in the river.

They could damage streambeds and shoreline.

They could increase pollution in the water.

15.

Multiple Choice

30 sec

1 pt

How could the introduction of a nonnative species of plant affect an ecosystem in North Carolina?

It could pollinate the native plant species, producing a disease-resistant

species.

It could reduce the competition for space and light with native plant species.

It could take over the habitats of the native plant species.

It could cause some insect species to destroy native plant species.

16.

Multiple Choice

30 sec

1 pt

A company has several factories around the world and has decided to transition from burning fossil fuels to using alternative energy resources. How could a decrease in burning fossil fuels impact the atmosphere?

It could decrease the oxygen levels of the atmosphere.

It could increase the nitrogen levels of the atmosphere.

It could decrease the carbon dioxide levels of the atmosphere.

It could increase the sulfur dioxide levels of the atmosphere.

17.

Multiple Choice

30 sec

1 pt

Kudzu, a vine covering many acres of North Carolina, was introduced to the United States in 1876 to control erosion. Over the years, scientists found that kudzu creates problems by growing rapidly and preventing other plants from getting sunlight. Which best describes kudzu?

a noncompetitive species

an invasive, nonnative species

an agent of erosion

an abiotic factor

18.

Multiple Choice

30 sec

1 pt

One biome includes bearberry, a short plant with small, waxy leaves, shallow roots, and flowers that bloom quickly in the short growing season. Another biome includes tall grasses that can survive fires due to roots that extend 6 to 7 meters deep during the long growing season. What is most likely true about the two biomes?

They have the same temperature range but different rainfall ranges.

They have the same temperature range and the same rainfall range.

They are at different latitudes but have the same temperature range.

They are at different latitudes and have different temperature ranges.

19.

Multiple Choice

30 sec

1 pt

Biomes include both biotic and abiotic elements. Which set includes both biotic and abiotic elements of an estuary?

cordgrass, water salinity, great blue herons

ospreys, oysters, black needle rush

silt, air temperature, tidal pattern

periwinkles, bats, egrets

20.

Multiple Choice

30 sec

1 pt

Which of these is a threat to the survival of an ecosystem?

predator-prey population cycles

less biomass at higher levels of the food web

shrinking variety of animal and plant species

competition among some consumer populations

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