BIO 20: Ecosystems and Population Change Quiz

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Questions and Answers

What is the study of ecosystems, communities, populations, and the biotic & abiotic factors that influence each?

Ecology (correct)

Zoology

Biology

Botany

Which term refers to the living components of an ecosystem?

Adaptations

Abiotic factors

Biotic factors (correct)

Habitat

At the community level of an ecosystem, how do populations of different species interact with one another?

Abiotic factor exchange

Adaptation to the environment

Symbiotic relationships only

Predator/prey interactions and competition (correct)

What affects the growth of each population at the population level of an ecosystem?

Food, habitat, and mate availability Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the study of how the abiotic environment affects the behavior and physical features of an individual organism?

Ecophysiology Signup and view all the answers

What are the nonliving components of an ecosystem called?

Abiotic factors Signup and view all the answers

What do population ecologists focus on?

Changes in size and distribution of a group of individuals of the same species over time Signup and view all the answers

What type of interactions do community ecologists study?

Competition between species and predator-prey relationships Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of sea otters in kelp forest ecosystems?

To keep sea urchin populations in check by feeding on them Signup and view all the answers

What was the direct effect of the decline in sea otter numbers on kelp forests?

Increase in sea urchin populations Signup and view all the answers

What is the main predictor of diversity in terrestrial ecosystems?

Proximity to the equator Signup and view all the answers

Which biome is expected to have the most diversity?

Tropical rainforest Signup and view all the answers

What do ecosystem ecologists study?

Interactions among biotic and abiotic factors in a given area Signup and view all the answers

What are sea urchins primarily known for?

Feeding on kelp Signup and view all the answers

How did the decline in sea otter numbers impact the broader food chain in kelp forest ecosystems?

It caused a decline in the numbers and health of species dependent on kelp Signup and view all the answers

What is the impact of kelp forests on other marine life within the ecosystem?

It provides habitat and food for marine species Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Ecosystem Study

The study of ecosystems, communities, populations, and the biotic and abiotic factors that influence each is referred to as ecology.
Biotic factors refer to the living components of an ecosystem.

Community Level

Populations of different species interact with one another through competition, predation, and symbiosis at the community level of an ecosystem.

Population Level

The growth of each population is affected by factors such as birth and death rates, immigration, and emigration at the population level of an ecosystem.

Organism and Environment

The study of how the abiotic environment affects the behavior and physical features of an individual organism is referred to as physiological ecology.

Abiotic Components

The nonliving components of an ecosystem, such as light, temperature, and nutrients, are called abiotic factors.

Population Ecology

Population ecologists focus on the dynamics of populations, including population growth, decline, and extinction.

Community Ecology

Community ecologists study the interactions between different species within a community.

Kelp Forest Ecosystems

Sea otters play a key role in kelp forest ecosystems, preying on sea urchins that would otherwise overgraze kelp.
The decline in sea otter numbers had a direct effect on kelp forests, leading to an increase in sea urchin populations and a subsequent decline in kelp.
The decline in sea otter numbers also had a broader impact on the food chain, allowing sea urchin populations to boom and kelp forests to decline.
Kelp forests provide habitat for a diverse range of marine life, and their decline has a cascading effect on the entire ecosystem.

Ecosystem Ecology

Ecosystem ecologists study the interactions between biotic and abiotic factors, including energy flow and nutrient cycling.

Biome Diversity

The main predictor of diversity in terrestrial ecosystems is the amount of energy available.
The biome expected to have the most diversity is the tropical rainforest.

Sea Urchins

Sea urchins are primarily known for their ability to overgraze kelp, leading to the decline of kelp forests.

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Description

Test your knowledge of ecosystems, population change, and diversity in biology with this quiz covering topics such as species, population, community, ecosystem interrelationships, biotic and abiotic characteristics, and limiting factors.