Ecology and Environment Concepts Quiz
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Questions and Answers

Which type of consumer feeds exclusively on plants?

  • Herbivore (correct)
  • Carnivore
  • Omnivore
  • Scavenger

    • What is the primary role of decomposers in an ecosystem?

  • To serve as apex predators
  • To produce energy for primary consumers
  • To eat living plants
  • To break down dead organisms (correct)

    • Why do organisms at higher trophic levels require more food?

  • They receive less energy from lower levels. (correct)
  • They reproduce more quickly.
  • They are larger and need more space.
  • They lose less energy than lower levels.

    • What does an energy pyramid illustrate?

    <p>Energy loss and transfer between trophic levels.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following statements about food webs is correct?

    <p>Food webs represent a series of interconnected food chains.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What primarily affects the population size of a species in an ecosystem?

    <p>Biotic and abiotic resource availability</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How is biomass generally measured in ecological studies?

    <p>In mg/g/kg or pounds.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which trophic level typically has the smallest population size?

    <p>Top carnivores</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is an example of a detritivore?

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

    Why are complex food webs considered more stable than simple food webs?

    <p>They reduce species vulnerability to extinction.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What defines an ecological niche?

    <p>The role of a species within its ecosystem</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is an example of organic matter?

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

    What is the primary role of nitrification in the environment?

    <p>To convert nitrogen gas to nitrates for plant use</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which layer of the Earth’s spheres is composed mainly of nitrogen and oxygen gases?

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

    What is the main characteristic of an ecosystem described as 'self-regulating'?

    <p>It can maintain ecological balance independently</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following habitat types is NOT correctly matched with its environment?

    <p>Tropical rainforests – primarily aquatic life</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main consequence of the absence of an atmosphere on Earth?

    <p>Harsh temperature variations and UV radiation exposure</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What process is crucial for the recycling of matter in the ecosystem?

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

    What is the main reason bioaccumulated pesticides cannot easily be excreted from the body?

    <p>They are fat-soluble and stored in fatty tissue.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What process describes the increased concentration of toxins as you move up the food chain?

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

    What is a common outcome of the long-term use of pesticides on pest species?

    <p>Development of resistance to the pesticide.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is one method that farmers can use to combat pesticide resistance?

    <p>Applying a greater concentration of pesticide.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which type of agriculture avoids the use of synthetic pesticides?

    <p>Organic farming</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What characterizes point source pollution?

    <p>Pollutants originate from a specific, identifiable source.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is an example of non-point source pollution?

    <p>Fertilizer runoff during rain</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is meant by water quality indicators?

    <p>Factors determining how polluted water is for intended use.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What harm can water pollution cause to aquatic organisms?

    <p>It can sicken or kill aquatic organisms.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a potential advantage of organic farming over conventional farming?

    <p>Higher market prices for organic products.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary function of nitrifying bacteria in the nitrogen cycle?

    <p>To convert nitrogen gas into nitrates.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which process describes the transformation of nitrates back into nitrogen gas?

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

    What can be an ecological impact of excess nitrogen in aquatic ecosystems?

    <p>Formation of algal blooms.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How do plants primarily obtain carbon during photosynthesis?

    <p>By absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a direct consequence of burning fossil fuels on the carbon cycle?

    <p>Increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide levels.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    During what process do animals return carbon dioxide to the atmosphere?

    <p>Cellular respiration</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What role do decomposers play in the nitrogen cycle?

    <p>Return nitrogen compounds to the soil by decomposing dead organisms.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main consequence of eutrophication in water systems?

    <p>Algal blooms that reduce oxygen levels.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a characteristic of producers in an ecosystem?

    <p>They synthesize their own food through photosynthesis.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What effect does excess carbon have on the Earth's climate?

    <p>It can trap heat and increase global temperatures.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the role of transpiration in the water cycle?

    <p>It releases water vapor from plants into the air.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In which phase of cellular respiration is most energy produced?

    <p>Electron transport chain</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a significant human activity impacting the nitrogen cycle?

    <p>Overuse of nitrogen-based fertilizers.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following organisms is NOT considered a decomposer?

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

    What best describes genetic diversity?

    <p>Differences among individuals of the same species</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is a major cause of biodiversity decline?

    <p>Invasive species introduction</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Overexploitation of resources mainly leads to which of the following?

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

    What is one primary effect of habitat change?

    <p>Loss of biodiversity</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following correctly describes the relationship between climate change and biodiversity?

    <p>Species may decline without adaptation to climate change</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What effect do pesticides generally have on non-target species?

    <p>They can cause harm to beneficial organisms</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which factor contributes to global warming?

    <p>Increase in carbon dioxide emissions</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is one consequence of bioaccumulation?

    <p>Higher concentration of pollutants in organisms</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How do invasive species typically cause harm to ecosystems?

    <p>They outcompete native species for resources</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a characteristic of broad-spectrum pesticides?

    <p>They can harm a wide range of non-target organisms</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following statements about agroecosystems is true?

    <p>They alter food webs and biogeochemical cycles</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was one outcome of the diversion of water from the Aral Sea?

    <p>Decline in the freshwater ecosystem</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Overfishing has resulted in which of the following scenarios?

    <p>Severe depletion of certain fish populations</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the lithosphere primarily composed of?

    <p>Earth's solid outer layer and upper mantle</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which statement is true regarding the hydrosphere?

    <p>It encompasses all forms of water on Earth.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which characteristic is NOT typically associated with living organisms?

    <p>Absence of reproduction</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What best defines the term 'niche' in an ecosystem?

    <p>The interactions of a species with its ecosystem</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Biomes are primarily defined by which of the following factors?

    <p>Temperature, rainfall, and types of plants and animals</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a characteristic feature of sustainability in ecosystems?

    <p>Consistency of ecological conditions over long periods</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How do artificial ecosystems differ from natural ecosystems?

    <p>They require ongoing human maintenance.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which biogeochemical cycle is essential for plant growth and occurs through nitrogen fixation?

    <p>Nitrogen Cycle</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What illustrates the Gaia Hypothesis about Earth?

    <p>Earth resembles a living organism through interactions among spheres.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which factor is considered abiotic in an ecosystem?

    <p>Soil nutrients</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What typically characterizes deciduous forests?

    <p>Trees that lose leaves in autumn</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which activity is most likely to disrupt the sustainability of an ecosystem?

    <p>Over-hunting and over-fishing</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is NOT a component of the biosphere?

    <p>Natural resources</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the role of the atmosphere in ecosystems?

    <p>To supply gases necessary for life</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary role of producers in an ecosystem?

    <p>They use the Sun’s energy to produce carbohydrates.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which factor can limit population growth in an ecosystem?

    <p>Nutrient availability.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is meant by 'carrying capacity' in an ecosystem?

    <p>The highest population density a habitat can sustain over time.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following describes mutualism?

    <p>Both species benefit from the interaction.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What effect does predation typically have on prey populations?

    <p>It leads to a decrease in the prey population.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What describes the concept of tolerance range for a species?

    <p>The limits within which a species can survive and reproduce.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which biotic factor can limit a population's growth?

    <p>Presence of disease-causing organisms.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which scenario exemplifies commensalism?

    <p>A bird nesting in a tree without harming it.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a primary consequence of a drought in an ecosystem?

    <p>Plants dying, leading to secondary consumer decline.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How do invasive species typically affect ecosystems?

    <p>They can outcompete native species for resources.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why is sustainable use important in ecosystems?

    <p>It ensures resources can regenerate for future generations.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which scenario illustrates parasitism?

    <p>A mosquito feeding on human blood.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Definitions

    • Environment: All living and non-living things on Earth and their interactions.
    • Ecology: Study of how organisms interact with each other and their environment; ecologist is a person who studies ecology.
    • Ecosystem: Self-regulating system of living and non-living interactions.
    • Habitat: Place where an organism lives.
    • Biosphere: Part of Earth where life exists.
    • Sustainability: Ability to maintain ecological conditions without loss.
    • Organic Matter: Contains carbon and hydrogen atoms (e.g., proteins, sugars, fats).
    • Inorganic Matter: Does not contain carbon and hydrogen (e.g., CO2, NH3, H2O).
    • Biogeochemical Cycles: Movement of matter through biotic and abiotic environments.
    • Decay: Crucial for recycling matter.
    • Nitrification: Bacteria converting nitrogen gas to nitrates for plant use.
    • Ecological Niche: A species' role in its ecosystem.

    Life on Planet Earth

    • Earth supports countless organisms and diverse habitats.
    • Habitat Types:
      • Terrestrial (land): deserts (cacti, rattlesnakes), rainforests (trees, insects), Arctic (shrubs, bears, caribou).
      • Aquatic (water): coral reefs (diverse fish), ocean depths (sharks, shrimp), lakes/ponds (emergent, floating, submergent plants; frogs, snails, crayfish, turtles, fish).

    Earth's Spheres

    • Atmosphere: Layer of gases surrounding Earth (78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen).
      • Crucial for life; loss would cause extreme temperature differences and cancer risks.
    • Lithosphere: Earth's solid outer layer (crust and upper mantle); includes rocky landscapes.
    • Hydrosphere: All Earth's water, in liquid, solid, and gaseous forms (oceans, lakes, groundwater, clouds).

    The Gaia Hypothesis

    • Earth functions like a living organism, maintaining relatively consistent conditions.
    • A conceptual idea promoting environmental care.

    Stewardship

    • Personal responsibility for caring for something.
    • Planetary stewardship: caring for the entire planet.

    What is "Living"?

    • Characteristics of living things:
      • Movement/response to stimuli
      • Reproduction
      • Intake of nutrients
      • Respiration (energy production)
      • Excretion of wastes
      • Life cycle (growth and death)

    Biotic Components of an Ecosystem

    • Organism: Individual living thing
    • Population: Group of similar organisms in an area.
    • Community: Different species populations interacting.

    Communities & Biomes

    • Species: Group of similar organisms.
    • Habitat: An organism's physical environment.
    • Niche: Species' interactions with its ecosystem.
    • Biome: Large geographical region with similar ecosystems (defined by plants, animals, weather).
    • Biomes (Canada examples): Deciduous forest, Boreal forest, Tundra, Grasslands, Temperate coniferous forests.
    • Aquatic Biomes: Marine (oceans) & freshwater (lakes, streams).

    Sustainability of Ecosystems

    • Ecosystems ideally maintain stability through natural processes.
    • Human activities can disrupt ecosystems, making them unsustainable. Examples: overexploitation, logging, construction, mining.
    • Artificial Ecosystems: Created by humans and need ongoing maintenance (e.g., urban parks, farms, aquariums).

    Biogeochemical Cycles

    • Biogeochemical Cycle: Movement of matter through the environment.
    • Water Cycle: Evaporation, transpiration, condensation, precipitation.
    • Carbon Cycle: Photosynthesis and respiration are key processes
    • Nitrogen Cycle: Essential for proteins and DNA. Bacteria convert nitrogen gas to usable forms.
      • Nitrogen Fixation: Lightning and bacteria converting nitrogen to nitrates or ammonia.
      • Decomposers: Return nitrogen to the soil.
      • Denitrification: Bacteria convert nitrates back to nitrogen gas for reuse.
    • Phosphorus Cycle (not explicitly examined in document; if so, add facts here.)

    Ecosystem Interactions & Limiting Factors

    • Ecosystem Interactions: Continuous interactions between living and non-living parts.
      • Examples: producers using the sun's energy, predators hunting prey.
    • Limiting Factors: Factors that prevent population growth.
      • Abiotic: Sunlight, water, soil, storms, fire, drought, human disturbances.
      • Biotic: Competition, predation, disease, reliance on other organisms.
    • Populations increase/decrease, depending on resource availability.

    Ecosystem Tolerance Ranges

    • Species survive within a specific range of environmental conditions (tolerance range).
    • Optimal and tolerance range for species for given conditions.

    Biotic Interactions

    • Competition: Interaction between species for resources.
    • Predation: One species consuming another.
    • Symbiosis: Close interaction between species.
      • Mutualism: Both benefit.
      • Commensalism: One benefits, other is unaffected.
      • Parasitism: One benefits at the expense of the other.

    Carrying Capacity

    • Maximum population an ecosystem can support.
    • Ecosystems tend to stay in balance, with birth rates equaling death rates when carrying capacity is reached.

    Sustainable Use

    • Using resources in ways that meet present needs while preserving future generations' ability to meet needs.

    Biodiversity vs Genetic Diversity

    • Biodiversity: Number of species in an area, variety of ecosystems.
    • Genetic Diversity: Differences within a species.
    • Biodiversity loss factors: Habitat change, overexploitation, invasive species, climate change, pollution (discussed with examples)

    Agroecosystems

    • Ecosystems influenced by agriculture; often have reduced biodiversity.
    • Pests: Organisms damaging crops; often controlled by pesticides.
    • Pesticides: Chemicals used to control pests.
      • Benefits: Increased food production, disease control.
      • Issues: Pollution, harm to non-target species, pesticide resistance.
      • Biomagnification: Toxin concentration increasing at higher trophic levels.

    Water Pollution

    • Point Source Pollution: Specific sources of pollution.
    • Non-Point Source Pollution: Pollution from widespread sources.
    • Water quality indicators depend on intended use (drinking, recreation).

    Energy

    • Radiant energy/ Light energy: Energy from the sun; visible and other forms.
    • Thermal energy (heat energy): Heat energy.

    Food Chains and Webs

    • Organisms need energy and nutrients.
    • Producers: Make their own food (photosynthesis).
    • Consumers: Get energy by eating other organisms.
      • Herbivores: Eat plants.
      • Omnivores: Eat plants and animals.
      • Carnivores: Eat animals.
    • Decomposers: Break down dead organisms.
    • Trophic Levels: Feeding levels in food chains/webs.
    • Energy Transfer in Food Chains: Energy lost as heat at each level, reduced energy availability higher up in the chain.
    • Ecological Pyramids: Display relationships between trophic levels (energy, numbers, biomass).

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    Description

    Test your knowledge on key definitions and concepts related to ecology and the environment. This quiz covers important terms such as ecosystem, habitat, sustainability, and biogeochemical cycles, providing a comprehensive understanding of life on Earth. Perfect for students studying environmental science or ecology.

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