30 Questions
What is the main focus of ecology?
Studying interactions between organisms and their environment
According to Ernst Haekel, how did he define ecology?
Studying the interactions between organisms and their environment
What is commensalism?
An interaction where one species benefits while the other is not significantly affected
Which of the following is NOT a component of an ecosystem?
Trophic levels
What is the significance of interactions among biotic components in an ecosystem?
They influence the energy flow within the ecosystem
Which of the following is an abiotic component of an ecosystem?
Atmosphere and hydrosphere
What types of abiotic factors can influence the growth and distribution of plant and animal communities in an ecosystem?
Climate, topographic, and edaphic factors
Which term refers to a group of organisms of the same species occupying a specific geographic area?
Population
What are the abiotic factors related to climate that can influence ecosystems?
Light, temperature, humidity, and water
What does an ecological pyramid represent?
Energy flow through different trophic levels
How do lakes usually exhibit vertical stratification?
By having different water temperatures at different depths
Which factor influences the growth of plants and animal communities based on its water content, nutrient condition, texture, porosity, and acidity?
Edaphic (soil) factors
What does habitat refer to?
The place where an organism, population, or community lives
How does the text describe niche?
The role that each species plays in its environment
In ecological terms, what analogy is made between habitat and niche?
Habitat is the organism's 'address' while niche is its 'profession'
What factors determine the ecological niche of an organism?
Where it lives and what it eats
Why might there be a slight variation in the niche of tigers from different areas?
As different areas have different topography
What happens if two organisms occupy the same niche?
They will compete until one is displaced
What type of interaction occurs when two or more organisms share the same environmental resource that is in short supply?
Competition
Which type of competition involves competition between members of different species?
Interspecific competition
In predation, what does the term 'predator' refer to?
The animal that catches and kills its prey
In predation, what does the term 'prey' refer to?
The organism that is hunted and eaten
Which type of interaction involves one living organism feeding on another living species?
Predation
What is the main characteristic of most predators in terms of size compared to their prey?
Predators are usually bigger than their prey
What is the main reason why light availability is greatly reduced below the canopy layer?
The thick foliage of the trees blocks almost all sunlight
Which layer receives only 2-5% of the sunlight available to the canopy?
Understory Layer
Why do understory plants have a more difficult time with pollination compared to plants in other layers?
They rely on insects for pollination due to lack of air movement
Which layer has the densest plant growth and contains shrubs, ferns, and other plants requiring less light?
Shrub Layer
What type of plants are characteristic of the shrub layer in a forest ecosystem?
Shrubs and ferns requiring less light
Which animals are commonly found in the canopy layer of a forest ecosystem?
Monkeys, sloths, and birds
Test your knowledge of ecology by answering questions about the definition of ecology, hierarchical order, ecosystem components, energy flow, source of energy, and biogeochemical cycles. Topics also include habitat, niche, and organization. Perfect for students studying ecology!
Make Your Own Quizzes and Flashcards
Convert your notes into interactive study material.
Get started for free
