Ecology and Ecosystems Quiz

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Questions and Answers

What is the role of decomposers in an ecosystem?

To absorb nutrients from waste and recycle them (correct)

To predate on smaller organisms

To produce energy for herbivores

To serve as primary producers in food chains

What was a significant environmental impact observed during the decline of the sea otter population in the 1990s?

Decrease in marine biodiversity (correct)

Increase in nutrient levels in the ocean

Increase in kelp forest size

Recovery of the sea otter population

What phenomenon explains the increase of toxins at higher levels of the food chain?

Eutrophication

Detrification

Biomagnification (correct)

Bioaccumulation

What major factor contributed to the decline of the eagle population in the 1900s?

Toxic chemical waste affecting reproduction Signup and view all the answers

How many species of plants and animals in Canada are at risk as of January 2024?

More than 450 Signup and view all the answers

What are the three zones of the biosphere?

Lithosphere, Hydrosphere, Atmosphere Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following accurately describes a closed system?

Does not exchange matter with its surroundings but exchanges energy Signup and view all the answers

What is meant by 'dynamic equilibrium' in an ecosystem?

A balance among components that can adjust without disruption Signup and view all the answers

What are biotic factors in an ecosystem?

Living organisms and their interactions Signup and view all the answers

How do terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems support biodiversity?

By offering a variety of habitats and niches Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements reflects the current state of Earth's equilibrium?

It is being disrupted due to human impact. Signup and view all the answers

Which component can be considered an abiotic factor in an ecosystem?

Water Signup and view all the answers

What role does the upper atmosphere play in the biosphere?

It influences living organisms despite not being part of the biosphere. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best reflects a proactive approach to the future?

Hope inspires positive change. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main focus of ecology?

The study of the interactions between living and non-living things. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is considered a biotic factor in ecology?

Animals Signup and view all the answers

What does the prefix 'abiotic' mean?

Opposite of life. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the statement, 'You must be the change you wish to see in the world'?

Personal actions can inspire broader societal change. Signup and view all the answers

Which quote emphasizes the responsibility towards future generations?

Consider our planet as a loan from our children. Signup and view all the answers

In an aquatic ecosystem, which of the following would be classified as an abiotic factor?

Water quality. Signup and view all the answers

Which of these phrases best captures the essence of despair in relation to future actions?

It can result in inaction and resignation. Signup and view all the answers

What primary factor is currently driving the high extinction rate of species?

Global warming due to increased CO2 levels Signup and view all the answers

How does acid rain specifically affect frog reproduction?

It reduces the movement of sperm cells in the water Signup and view all the answers

Which group of frogs is most affected by increasing ultraviolet radiation?

Frogs living at higher altitudes Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary role of an umbrella species in conservation efforts?

To simplify conservation-related decision-making for other species Signup and view all the answers

What impact does increased fossil fuel use have on frog populations?

It causes increasing temperatures linked to declining populations Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of population ecologists?

Observing changes in size and distribution of a species over time Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes a food chain?

A step-by-step sequence linking organisms that feed on each other Signup and view all the answers

What role do producers play in a food chain?

They produce food energy using sunlight and nutrients Signup and view all the answers

How does biodiversity affect an ecosystem's stability?

Higher biodiversity makes an ecosystem more immune to collapse Signup and view all the answers

What is typically true about community dynamics?

Competition for resources affects how populations coexist Signup and view all the answers

What factors might influence the structure of an ecosystem?

Both biotic and abiotic factors including climate and resources Signup and view all the answers

Which type of organism is classified as an omnivore?

An organism that eats both plants and other consumers Signup and view all the answers

What can result from the extinction of a single species in an ecosystem?

A collapse of the food chain impacting multiple species Signup and view all the answers

What is the definition of an extirpated species?

A species that has gone extinct in a part of the country but exists elsewhere Signup and view all the answers

Which species is classified as endangered?

Swift Fox Signup and view all the answers

What major factor is identified as the primary cause of amphibian population declines?

Loss of habitat Signup and view all the answers

What role do indicator species play in an ecosystem?

They indicate the overall health of the ecosystem Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a primary reason for the disappearance of amphibians?

Predator introduction Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of North America's frogs and toads are reported to be in trouble?

30% Signup and view all the answers

What is the suggested extinction rate compared to the natural historical rate?

10,000 times higher Signup and view all the answers

Why are amphibians at greater risk due to their habitat requirements?

They rely on multiple ecosystems for life stages Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

The Biosphere as a Closed System

Earth is a closed system, meaning matter is not exchanged with its surroundings, but energy is exchanged.
All living things interact with each other and non-living things on Earth.
The biosphere is a narrow zone around Earth with life.
It has three zones: lithosphere (land), hydrosphere (water), and atmosphere (air).
The upper atmosphere and Earth's crust affect living organisms, even though they aren't part of the biosphere.
There are interconnectedness and complexities in nature.

Outcomes

Explain the structure of ecosystem trophic levels (using food chains and food webs).
Define species, population, community, and ecosystem.
Explain interrelationships among these entities.
Explain how terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems support diversity through habitats and niches.
Identify biotic and abiotic characteristics and explain their influence in ecosystems (local region).

The Biosphere

The biosphere is the narrow zone around Earth with life.
Within the biosphere are three key zones: land (lithosphere), water (hydrosphere), and air (atmosphere).
Even though the upper atmosphere and Earth's crust are outside the biosphere, they still influence living organisms.

Nature is Full of Interconnections and Complexities/Ecosystem Dynamics

Earth is a complex system where all components are interconnected
A closed system does not exchange matter with surroundings, but does exchange energy with its surroundings
Living things are connected to each other and to nonliving components, like air, water, soil, and sunlight.

Ecosystem Dynamics (Simplified Scheme)

Energy flows from the sun.
Organisms use energy and cycle matter.
Materials ultimately return to the environment and cycle back to producers (Plants and Algae)

Dynamic Equilibrium

Every part of Earth's environment must be in balance with everything else
Dynamic equilibrium occurs when components of a system adjust to constant changes without disturbing the entire system
If something within an ecosystem changes, something else can adjust to avoid unbalancing the entire system
Today, Earth's equilibrium is being affected by human activities

Biodiversity

Biodiversity is the number of species within an ecosystem.
The more biodiversity within an ecosystem, the more resistant or immune it is to collapse.
Extinction of species can create a domino effect that can collapse the entire food chain within an ecosystem because they are connected.

Food Chains

A food chain is a sequence of organisms that feed on each other through the ecosystem.
Producers are the organisms that create their own food using the sun's energy and nutrients in the soil/water. (Plants and algae)
Consumers are organisms that rely on producers (Herbivores) or other living organisms (Carnivores) for food.
Decomposers, like fungi and bacteria, break down waste and dead organisms, recycling the nutrients back into the ecosystem.

Interconnectedness

Studying interconnectedness is crucial to understanding ecosystems.
For example, the effects of hunting otters almost to extinction and their uneven recovery demonstrated the interconnectedness of different species and their impact on the ocean ecosystem (e.g. kelp forests)

Biomagnification

Biomagnification is a process where substances increase in concentration at higher levels within a food web.
Toxins enter food webs via producers, and the concentration of these toxins increases as they move through the higher levels of the food web, meaning that top-level consumers are particularly affected.

Species at Risk

More than 450 species of plants and animals are at various degrees of risk in Canada.
Species at risk can be categorized as Extinct, Endangered, Threatened, or Special Concern. -These categories encompass the level of risk associated with each species.
- Specific examples (e.g., Black-footed ferret, Woodland Caribou) of species at risk are provided.

Indicator Species

Indicator species are very sensitive to small environmental changes
They provide an early warning system about ecosystem balance
Amphibians, for example, are indicator species, as their eggs and tadpoles live in water, and their adult forms in the forest, making them susceptible to hazards in both

Why are Amphibians Disappearing?

Amphibians have been around for over 400 million years.
Losses in their population are due to environmental disturbances like habitat loss, changing air and water quality, climate change, and ultraviolet radiation.

Loss of Habitat

Frogs, specifically, require wetlands, ponds, and lakes with clean water to breed and lay eggs, and adults need a place to catch insects in fields or forests.
They also need safe passage between these areas.
Human activities impacting wetlands, ponds, and lakes cause losses of these habitats.

Extinction Rates

Current extinction rates are significantly higher than natural, historical rates
The current extinction crisis is mainly caused by humans' activities and global warming from increased CO2

Air and Water Quality

Air and water pollutants, such as acid rain, affect frog reproduction

Air Pollution

Air pollution, quantified by PM2.5 levels, varies across different cities.
Higher PM2.5 levels indicate more severe air pollution.

Climate Change

Increasing temperatures and fossil fuel usage are linked,
Changing climate conditions result in drying climates, impacting frog populations.

Umbrella Species

A conservation strategy for making conservation decisions that protect many other species indirectly.

Additional Information

The image of a frog in a pot of water on fire implies the importance of acting to preserve biodiversity, highlighting that seemingly slow changes in environmental conditions may affect species.
The image of a crossroads suggests the need to choose a better path for a better future, implying the impact humans have on the planet and decision-making for a sustainable future.
The image of buildings with green roofs, solar panels, and wind turbines showcases examples of environmentally friendly solutions.

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Description

Test your knowledge on the crucial roles of decomposers, the impact of species decline on ecosystems, and the factors influencing biodiversity. This quiz covers various concepts related to ecology, including dynamic equilibrium, biotic and abiotic factors, and the zones of the biosphere.