Ecology Quiz on Population Density and Ecosystems

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What is the formula used to calculate population density?

Area + number of individuals

Number of individuals / area (units) (correct)

Number of individuals x area

Area / number of individuals

Which dispersion pattern occurs when individuals gather into groups where resources are available?

Even Dispersion

Uniform Dispersion

Clumped Dispersion (correct)

Random Dispersion

What might a decrease in the density of a deer population indicate about the habitat?

Improved population health

Higher population of predators

Potential habitat degradation (correct)

Increased availability of resources

Which factors could lead to a decrease in population density?

Predation and disease Signup and view all the answers

What is a common outcome of reintroducing a predator species, such as wolves, to an ecosystem?

Stabilization of prey populations Signup and view all the answers

What is the carrying capacity of a population?

The maximum population size that an environment can support Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following factors is NOT a density-dependent limiting factor?

Natural disasters Signup and view all the answers

How does the canopy affect the understory in a forest ecosystem?

It restricts sunlight from reaching the understory Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of a density-independent limiting factor?

Weather events like floods Signup and view all the answers

What impact does tree density in a forest have on the amount of sunlight reaching the understory?

More trees reduce sunlight reaching the understory Signup and view all the answers

What is an ecosystem?

A collection of habitats and the organisms that live in them. Signup and view all the answers

What defines an ecological niche?

All the physical, chemical, and biological factors a species needs to survive and reproduce. Signup and view all the answers

What role do plants play in an ecosystem that starts from bare rock?

They serve as the primary producers and help establish soil. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best describes abiotic conditions?

The range of conditions, such as air temperature, that a species can tolerate. Signup and view all the answers

After a disturbance like a volcanic eruption, the recovery of an ecosystem is known as:

Succession. Signup and view all the answers

What is the Competitive Exclusion Principle?

Two species cannot share the same niche. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes resource partitioning?

Division of resources among species to reduce competition. Signup and view all the answers

In a mutualistic relationship, what happens to the involved species?

Both species benefit from the relationship. Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of a predator-prey relationship?

A lion hunting a zebra. Signup and view all the answers

Which type of symbiotic relationship includes one species benefiting and the other being unaffected?

Commensalism Signup and view all the answers

What is likely represented by the graph showing prey utilization by different visitor species?

The predation rates of various visitor species on prey Signup and view all the answers

The cyclical changes in population densities of two species over time indicate which type of relationship?

Predator-prey dynamics Signup and view all the answers

Which term best describes the scenario in which two species share a resource without competing directly?

Resource partitioning Signup and view all the answers

What can be inferred from the overlapping bell-shaped curves in the diagram?

There may be an interaction between resource utilization and species populations Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about the graphs and diagrams is most accurate?

Predation is illustrated in at least one graph Signup and view all the answers

What does biodiversity refer to in an ecosystem?

The variety of species within an ecosystem. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best defines species richness?

The number of different species in a given area. Signup and view all the answers

How does species evenness contribute to biodiversity?

It shows the proportion of different species in the ecosystem. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement correctly describes the relationship between species richness and species evenness in Area 1 and Area 2?

Area 1 has greater species richness but lower species evenness than Area 2. Signup and view all the answers

What would be the likely impact of introducing a new species to Area 1?

It may increase species richness but potentially cause lower species evenness. Signup and view all the answers

What might make it challenging for scientists to protect all biodiversity hotspots equally?

Some hotspots are located in remote areas. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements correctly relates to keystone species and their role in biodiversity?

All members of an ecosystem rely heavily on the keystone species. Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important to maintain keystone species within an ecosystem?

They provide essential support for many other organisms. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a common factor that affects biodiversity?

The physical size of the organisms. Signup and view all the answers

What is a consequence of removing a keystone species from an ecosystem?

There could be widespread disruption within the ecosystem. Signup and view all the answers

What does the peak in the graph represent concerning ecosystem function over time?

The maximum ecosystem function after a disturbance Signup and view all the answers

How can ecosystem resilience be described in terms of recovery from disturbances?

The capacity to return to its original state after a disturbance Signup and view all the answers

What is indicated by the downward trend following the peak in the graph?

A period of instability in ecosystem function Signup and view all the answers

What type of disturbance might cause fluctuations in ecosystem function as shown in the graph?

A sudden volcanic eruption Signup and view all the answers

What can be inferred about the ecosystem's stability based on the graph's two plotted lines?

Different ecosystems respond uniquely to disturbances over time Signup and view all the answers

What is primary succession?

The sequence of biotic changes starting in an ecosystem previously uninhabited. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of secondary succession?

A forest recovering after a wildfire. Signup and view all the answers

Why does secondary succession generally occur faster than primary succession?

Established organisms may assist in rapid recovery. Signup and view all the answers

Which does NOT describe a characteristic of primary succession?

It requires the presence of existing soil. Signup and view all the answers

What role does soil play in succession types?

Soil is important for secondary succession as it provides nutrients. Signup and view all the answers