Ecology: Pyramid of Numbers

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What is the primary focus of environmental science?

The impact of humans on their surroundings. (correct)

The study of the relationship between organisms and their environments.

The conservation of natural resources.

The study of the evolution of species.

What type of environmental factor is sunlight?

Biogeochemical

Abiotic (correct)

Ecological

Biotic

Which of the following is an example of a biotic environmental factor?

Pathogens (correct)

Humidity

Wind

Temperature

What is the term for the branch of biology that studies the relationship between organisms and their environments?

Ecology (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of how biotic and abiotic factors interact?

The influence of trees on the temperature of a stream. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the practice of managing ecosystems to maintain their health and sustainability?

Ecosystem Management (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary factor that determines the extent to which humans use an ecosystem?

Ecosystem productivity (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following ecosystems typically has high productivity?

Rainforest (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of converting grasslands to grazing lands?

Displacement of native species (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary consequence of over-fishing aquatic ecosystems?

Ecological imbalance (D) Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary role of humans in ecosystems in the ancient past?

Another consumer (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of human ecosystem management in the recent past?

Increasing ecosystem productivity (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary issue with counting the number of organisms in each trophic level to understand the pyramid of numbers?

Large consumers weigh more than plants, making the count deceiving. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary difference between the pyramid of numbers and the pyramid of biomass?

The pyramid of biomass measures the mass of organic matter, while the pyramid of numbers measures the number of organisms. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary reason for the 90% loss at each trophic level in the pyramid of biomass?

The inefficiency of energy transfer between trophic levels. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of biogeochemical cycles in ecosystems?

To recycle the building blocks of organic matter. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary reason why the amount of matter making up the earth is relatively constant?

Much of the matter used by organisms is recycled through biogeochemical cycles. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary component of organic matter that is recycled through biogeochemical cycles?

Carbon, nitrogen, hydrogen, oxygen, and phosphorus. (B) Signup and view all the answers