Amphibian Conservation and Extinction Quiz
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Questions and Answers

What is the primary cause of the current level of extinction according to the content?

  • Natural disasters
  • Global warming caused by humans (correct)
  • Pollutants in water
  • Invasive species

    • How does acid rain affect frog reproduction?

  • It hampers sperm movement in water. (correct)
  • It increases sperm mobility.
  • It enhances embryo development.
  • It accelerates egg fertilization.

    • Which of the following factors is linked to the decline of frog populations?

  • Increasing temperatures (correct)
  • Higher carbon dioxide levels
  • Increased rainfall
  • Decreased use of fossil fuels

    • What is considered an extirpated species?

    <p>A species that no longer exists in a specific part of the country</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which species is classified as endangered in Alberta?

    <p>Swift Fox</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What role do frogs serve as bioindicators?

    <p>They are indicators of the health of aquatic ecosystems.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is an umbrella species in conservation biology?

    <p>A species selected to protect other species through conservation.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What role do amphibians play in an ecosystem?

    <p>They act as indicator species sensitive to environmental changes.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which factor is identified as having a major impact on amphibian population declines?

    <p>Habitat loss</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary focus of population ecologists?

    <p>How groups of the same species change in size and distribution over time</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which statement about biodiversity is accurate?

    <p>Extinction of one species can disrupt food chains due to interconnectedness.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is a significant cause of amphibian decline?

    <p>Climate change</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the estimated extinction rate relative to historical rates?

    <p>Up to 10,000 times higher</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What role do producers play in a food chain?

    <p>They produce food energy for themselves and other organisms.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How many species on Earth are estimated to potentially face extinction by the end of the century?

    <p>Half of all species</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which type of organism is a carnivore?

    <p>An organism that feeds on other consumers.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the essential habitat needed for frogs to breed?

    <p>Wetlands and lakes with clean water</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What do community ecologists primarily study?

    <p>The structure and interactions among different populations</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the top layer of a food chain typically composed of?

    <p>Tertiary consumers that eat other consumers</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How do abiotic factors influence individual organisms?

    <p>By determining the physical adaptations of species</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the significance of understanding how communities interact within ecosystems?

    <p>To understand competition and predator-prey relationships</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What role do decomposers play in an ecosystem?

    <p>They absorb nutrients from waste materials and recycle them.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is biomagnification?

    <p>The increase in concentration of substances, like toxins, at higher levels of the food chain.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What event in the 1900s significantly affected sea otter populations?

    <p>Overhunting nearly causing their extinction.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which best describes the effect of toxic chemicals on eagles during the 1900s?

    <p>They caused eggshells to become thin, leading to higher rates of breakage.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How many species of plants and animals in Canada are currently at risk?

    <p>More than 450 species.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the defining characteristic of the biosphere as a closed system?

    <p>It does not exchange matter with its surroundings but exchanges energy.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following zones does not belong to the biosphere?

    <p>Upper atmosphere</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does dynamic equilibrium refer to in the context of ecosystems?

    <p>A system with constant change where components adjust without disturbance.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How do terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems support diverse organisms?

    <p>Through a variety of specialized habitats and niches.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What impact does human activity have on Earth's equilibrium?

    <p>It disrupts the natural balance of ecosystems.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which characteristic best describes a closed system in environmental science?

    <p>A system that allows for the flow of energy but not matter.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is primarily affected by changes in an ecosystem's dynamics?

    <p>The interactions between biotic and abiotic components.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following best defines an ecosystem?

    <p>A community of living organisms interacting with abiotic factors.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which statement reflects a proactive approach to shaping the future?

    <p>Hope inspires action and change.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following best describes the study of ecology?

    <p>The relationships between living and non-living components of the environment.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of these components is considered a biotic factor in an ecosystem?

    <p>Fungi</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the prefix 'abi-' indicate in the term 'abiotic'?

    <p>Not or opposite</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which phrase reflects a fundamental attitude towards environmental stewardship?

    <p>We must preserve our planet for future generations.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a characteristic of abiotic factors in an ecosystem?

    <p>They are influenced by climate and geography.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which quote embodies the essence of taking action for the future?

    <p>The ultimate test of man's conscience is his willingness to sacrifice.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In what way does ignorance impact ecological understanding?

    <p>It hinders awareness and responsibility.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    The Biosphere as a Closed System

    • Earth is a closed system, meaning matter isn't exchanged with its surroundings.
    • Earth exchanges energy with its surroundings.
    • All living things interact with each other and non-living parts of the planet.
    • Oceans are either open or closed systems.
    • Human bodies are open or closed systems.

    The Biosphere

    • The biosphere is the narrow zone around Earth that has life.
    • The biosphere has three zones: lithosphere (land), hydrosphere (water), and atmosphere (air).
    • The upper atmosphere and Earth's crust aren't part of the biosphere, but still influence living organisms.

    Outcomes

    • Key learning objectives include understanding ecosystem trophic levels (using models like food chains/webs), defining species, populations, communities, and ecosystems, and explaining interrelationships.
    • Explain how terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems support diversity.
    • Identifying biotic and abiotic characteristics and their influence in ecosystems (aquatic and terrestrial) in a local region.

    Ecosystem Dynamics

    • A generalized scheme shows energy flow (broken red lines) and material cycling (solid blue lines) in ecosystems.
    • Energy begins as solar energy, transforms through the food web, and then exits as radiated heat.
    • Matter cycles through trophic levels and returns to producers.

    Dynamic Equilibrium

    • Each Earth component must balance with every other component in a state of equilibrium.
    • Dynamic equilibrium is a system with constant change in which components adjust without overall disturbance.
    • If one environmental component changes, another must adjust to maintain the overall equilibrium.
    • Human activity is disrupting Earth's equilibrium.

    Biodiversity

    • Biodiversity is the number of species in an ecosystem.
    • Connected organisms in an ecosystem mean that the extinction of one species can cause a domino effect and collapse a food chain.
    • More biodiversity means better immunity against ecosystem collapse.

    Food Chains

    • A food chain is a step-by-step sequence linking organisms that feed on each other.
    • Producers use energy from the Sun and nutrients in the soil/water to grow.
    • Plants and algae are producers.
    • Consumers eat other organisms.
    • Herbivores eat producers (plant eaters).
    • Carnivores eat other consumers (meat eaters).
    • Omnivores eat both producers and consumers.
    • Decomposers break down everything (fungi and bacteria).

    Indicator Species

    • Indicator species are very sensitive to small environmental changes.
    • They provide early warning systems about the balance of an ecosystem.
    • Amphibians are an example (eggs and tadpoles in water and adults in different habitats, leaving them vulnerable to hazards in two food chains).

    Biomagnification

    • Biomagnification is a process where the concentration of substances increases at higher levels of the food chain.
    • Harmful substances are accumulated at higher levels of the food chain.

    Species at Risk

    • Over 450 species of plants and animals face risks

    Air and Water Quality

    • Frog skin absorbs pollutants from air and water.
    • Acid rain effects reproduction and development of species.
    • Example: Affected species may show a decline in sperm count or deformed limbs.

    Climate Change

    • Increasing temperatures linked to fossil fuel use.
    • Droughts affect frog populations.
    • Example: Climate change may lead to drier ecosystems, reducing frog populations due to changing climate conditions.

    Ultraviolet Radiation

    • Frogs thin skin susceptible to ultraviolet radiation.
    • Ozone layer damage leads to increased radiation.
    • Heightened risk of skin cancer in higher altitude frogs.
    • Frogs are a good indicators of the overall health of the planet.

    Umbrella Species

    • A species selected for conservation decisions, protects other species.

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    Related Documents

    The Biosphere As A Closed System PDF

    Description

    Test your knowledge on the factors affecting amphibian populations, specifically frogs, and their ecological roles. This quiz covers topics such as extinction causes, acid rain effects, and conservation biology. Dive into the important concepts surrounding biodiversity and ecosystem health.

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