Biology Ecosystems and Food Chains
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Questions and Answers

Which of the following best describes a producer in an ecosystem?

  • Organisms that compete for food
  • Organisms that break down dead material
  • Plants and other photosynthetic/chemosynthetic organisms (correct)
  • Animals that eat other animals

    • In an ecosystem, there are more predators than prey at any given time.

    False

    What are biotic factors?

    Living components in an ecosystem that affect its structure and dynamics.

    A _____ is defined as a community of interacting organisms and their physical environment.

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

    Match the following abiotic factors with their descriptions:

    <p>Temperature = Affects metabolic rates of organisms Soil quality = Determines plant growth capability Light availability = Crucial for photosynthesis Salinity = Influences aquatic life diversity</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which factor is NOT considered an abiotic component?

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

    Symbiotic relationships can negatively impact at least one of the organisms involved.

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

    What is bioaccumulation?

    <p>The process where pollutants build up in the bodies of organisms, often impacting top predators.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the term for competition between members of the same species?

    <p>Intraspecific competition</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Allelopathy in plants involves the release of biochemicals to promote the growth of other plants.

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

    Define parasitism in the context of symbiosis.

    <p>Parasitism is when one organism benefits at the expense of another.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The ecological niche refers to the specific ______ an organism occupies in an ecosystem.

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

    Match the type of symbiosis with its description.

    <p>Parasitism = One organism benefits, the other is harmed Commensalism = One organism benefits, the other is unaffected Mutualism = Both organisms benefit</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is an example of a mutualistic relationship?

    <p>Coral reefs and photosynthetic algae</p> Signup and view all the answers

    No two species can occupy the same ecological niche according to the competitive exclusion principle.

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

    What is the main cause of the spread of Devil Facial Tumour Disease in Tasmanian devils?

    <p>Transmission of cancerous cells through fighting and biting.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Capture-recapture techniques help estimate the population of highly ______ organisms.

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

    What technique is used to measure the distribution of immobile animals or plants?

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

    Generalist species are likely to die out due to strong competition and lack of resources.

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

    What is the equation used to estimate a total population in capture-recapture techniques?

    <p>(S1 x S2) / M2</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The ______ of the Australian Megafauna included species like giant wombats.

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

    Match the following species to their ecological roles or features.

    <p>Acacia trees = Release allelochemicals Galah = Ground feeder Noisy miner = Insect hunter Tasmanian devil = Host to Devil Facial Tumour Disease</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What should be done with vegetation, seeds, and seedlings before rehabilitation?

    <p>They must be cleared, stockpiled, and cared for.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The only way to treat tailings is by storing them on-site with no further action.

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

    What must be done to the pit after mining is completed?

    <p>The pit must be refilled with landfill or water to become a dam.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Minimising ploughing helps to prevent soil erosion by reducing the exposure of _____ soil.

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

    Match the methods of reducing erosion with their descriptions:

    <p>Minimising Ploughing = Using chemicals to kill weeds without disturbing soil Re-Planting Vegetation = Roots of trees holding soil in place Silt Traps = Devices to catch sediment flow from construction sites Vegetation Cover = Providing wildlife corridors and food</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are the two primary theories explaining the extinction of Australian megafauna?

    <p>Changes in climate and arrival of humans</p> Signup and view all the answers

    All large animals in Australia went extinct due to human arrival.

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

    What role did Aboriginal rock paintings play in understanding past ecosystems?

    <p>They depicted animals and landscapes of the past, providing evidence of the climate and biodiversity at the time.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The Thylacine is also known as the __________.

    <p>Tasmanian tiger</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the evidence type with its description:

    <p>Ice core drilling = Trapped gas bubbles in ice provide atmospheric data Radiometric dating = Determines age through radioactive decay Aboriginal rock paintings = Art that depicts past organisms and environments Geological formations = Records changes in Earth's environments over time</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which event is believed to have contributed to the extinction of megafauna before the last ice age?

    <p>The drying out of the continent</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Dingoes, introduced by Aboriginal people, were ineffective predators.

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

    Explain what iron banded formations signify in geological studies.

    <p>They consist of alternating bands of iron-rich and iron-poor sediments, indicating past environmental conditions.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Palaeontological and geological evidence helps to understand the history of the __________ and predictions for future events.

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

    Match the following extinct species with their descriptions:

    <p>Thylacine = Carnivorous marsupial also known as the Tasmanian tiger Megafauna = Large prehistoric animals of Australia Dingo = Wild dog brought by Aboriginal people Gaia theory = Concept linking Earth's biological and physical components</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What geological evidence indicates past changes in Earth’s atmosphere?

    <p>Ice core gas bubbles</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The extinction of megafauna in Australia was solely caused by natural climate changes.

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

    What is the significance of gas analysis in studying past climates?

    <p>Gas analysis helps determine qualitative and quantitative gas compositions that reveal atmospheric conditions.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The __________ method measures the radioactive decay of isotopes to determine the age of materials.

    <p>radiometric dating</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following factors contributed to the extinction of the Thylacine?

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

    What is a major consequence of human-induced land clearing?

    <p>Reduction in soil fertility</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Eutrophication occurs when fertilizers wash into rivers, leading to a decline in aquatic biodiversity.

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

    What is salinisation?

    <p>The increase in salinity of soils and waterways.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The process by which accumulated toxic pesticides move up food chains and increase in concentration is called ___.

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

    Match the following factors to their effects on ecosystems:

    <p>Salinisation = Increases soil salinity and reduces fertility Pesticides = Harm beneficial soil organisms Eutrophication = Leads to algal blooms and reduced oxygen levels Introduced species = Outcompetes native species for resources</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is a primary cause of salinisation?

    <p>Land clearing and irrigation</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Human overpopulation has no significant impact on ecosystems.

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

    Name one method that can be used to mitigate the impacts of mining on ecosystems.

    <p>Rehabilitation of land after mining ceases.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The accumulation of nitrogen and phosphorus from fertilizers can lead to a rapid growth of algae, known as ___.

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

    What is one effect of climate change on ecosystems?

    <p>More frequent extreme weather events</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Biologists study past extinction events to create models predicting future biodiversity impacts.

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

    What is an example of an introduced species in Australia?

    <p>Rabbits, foxes, cane toads, or feral cats.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Human activities that exploit natural resources rapidly can lead to the ___ of ecosystems.

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

    Which factor contributes to the rising sea levels?

    <p>Melting polar ice caps</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the following processes to their descriptions:

    <p>Biomagnification = Toxic substances increase in concentration up the food chain Salinisation = Increase of soil salinity affecting plant growth Eutrophication = Overgrowth of algae from nutrient runoff Introduced species = Species brought to a new habitat that disrupts local ecosystems</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Food Chains and Ecosystems

    • Bioaccumulation refers to the accumulation of toxic substances in organisms through the food chain, particularly affecting top predators.
    • The biosphere encompasses all living organisms and their interactions with both biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living) components.

    Ecosystem Components

    • Ecosystems consist of communities of interacting organisms and their physical environments, which vary by type, such as terrestrial and aquatic.
    • Abiotic factors include light, temperature, rainfall, and soil quality, significantly influencing habitat suitability for organisms.
    • Biotic factors involve interactions among living organisms (predation, competition, symbiosis) that impact population dynamics and ecosystems.

    Trophic Levels

    • Producers (photosynthetic organisms), consumers (animals), and decomposers (fungi and microbes) form the foundational components of food webs.
    • Predator-prey relationships are dynamic, with predator populations fluctuating in sync with prey populations.

    Competition

    • Competitive interactions can be intraspecific (within the same species) or interspecific (between different species).
    • Allelopathy in plants illustrates competition for resources, influencing neighboring plant growth negatively or positively.

    Symbiosis

    • Symbiotic relationships can be mutualistic (both benefit), commensalistic (one benefits, the other unaffected), or parasitic (one benefits at the expense of another).
    • Coral reefs exemplify mutualism, where coral and algae support diverse marine life.

    Disease Dynamics

    • Diseases are detrimental to organisms, with infectious diseases being a major threat within ecosystems, particularly when infection spreads due to environmental changes.

    Ecological Niches

    • Ecological niches define the role and space occupied by species within an ecosystem and influence interactions and biodiversity.
    • Competitive exclusion principle suggests that no two species can occupy identical niches without one eventually dominating.

    Population Measurement Techniques

    • Various sampling techniques help estimate species distribution and abundance, especially when direct counts are impractical.
    • Quadrats and transects are used for plants and immobile animals, while capture-recapture methods estimate populations of mobile species.

    Extinction Events

    • Australian Megafauna, including species like Diprotodon and Megalania, went extinct around 40,000 years ago due to climate changes and human arrival.
    • The Tasmanian tiger (Thylacine) faced extinction due to human actions, habitat loss, and competition with introduced species.

    Evidence of Past Ecosystems

    • Palaeontology and geology provide insights into historical ecosystems through fossil evidence, rock formations, and Aboriginal rock paintings depicting past biodiversity.
    • Ice core drilling captures atmospheric composition changes, informing about climate shifts over geological time.

    Human Impact on Ecosystems

    • Human overpopulation and resource exploitation have introduced selection pressures on ecosystems, such as salinisation, pesticide use, and eutrophication.
    • Introduced species often disrupt ecological balances, leading to the decline of native species.

    Future Ecosystems and Biodiversity

    • Predictive models based on past extinction events help assess future biodiversity impacts stemming from human activity and climate change.
    • Mining affects ecosystems, emphasizing the importance of rehabilitation to recover the environment post-extraction.

    Climate Change Effects

    • Climate change results in rising global temperatures, extreme weather, and disruptions in freshwater availability, threatening ecosystem stability.
    • Responsible management of biodiversity is crucial as changing climates continue to shape ecological dynamics.### Mining Rehabilitation
    • Clearing, stockpiling, and caring for vegetation, seeds, and seedlings is essential for later rehabilitation of mining sites.
    • Tailings, or waste materials from mining, require proper treatment and management.
    • After mining concludes, pits can be refilled with either landfill or water, resulting in the formation of a dam.
    • Stockpiled soil is respread over the mining area, followed by a staged introduction of vegetation.
    • Successful rehabilitation allows for the return of native animals and plants to the ecosystem.

    Agricultural Land Degradation

    • Soil serves as the foundation for terrestrial agriculture, crucial for feeding the global population.
    • Traditional ploughing practices increase soil erosion by exposing surface soil to rain and wind, leading to loss of fine particles and nutrients.

    Erosion Mitigation Strategies

    • Minimizing ploughing can reduce soil disturbance; environmentally friendly chemicals can effectively control weeds.
    • Re-planting vegetation, such as trees, helps anchor soil with roots and mitigates erosion risks.
    • Construction sites in Australia are legally required to implement temporary silt traps to capture sediment and prevent contamination of local waterways.
    • Maintaining vegetation cover on road verges, new developments, and drainage banks helps prevent erosion and supports wildlife habitats.
    • Utilizing native vegetation not only aids erosion control but also creates wildlife corridors and contributes to environmental rehabilitation.

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    Description

    Explore the intricate relationships within ecosystems, focusing on the food chain dynamics and the concept of bioaccumulation in top predators. This quiz delves into the biosphere, the interaction between biotic and abiotic factors, and how these elements shape populations within various ecosystems.

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