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Ecosystem Engineers Quiz
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Ecosystem Engineers Quiz

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Questions and Answers

What is the outcome when two species occupy exactly the same ecological niche?

  • They can coexist without competition.
  • One species will outcompete and eliminate the other. (correct)
  • Both species will thrive equally.
  • They will diversify into distinct niches.

    • What role does resource partitioning play in ecological communities?

  • It enables different species to reduce competition by occupying different niches. (correct)
  • It enhances competition among species.
  • It eliminates the need for adaptation among species.
  • It allows similar species to utilize the same resource.

    • What does the term competitive exclusion refer to?

  • The ability of multiple species to share a single niche.
  • The prevention of one species from occupying a space due to resource division.
  • The coexistence of species through habitat differentiation.
  • The local extinction of a species due to intense competition. (correct)

    • How do the Anolis lizards in the Dominican Republic manage to coexist?

    <p>They occupy different areas of the habitat.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What leads to the development of different niches among ecologically similar species?

    <p>Significant differences that arise through resource partitioning.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What role do ecosystem engineers, like beavers, play in their environment?

    <p>They create new habitats or modify existing ones.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which type of species is more likely to be a top predator?

    <p>Keystone species</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How do pathogens like SARS-CoV-2 primarily spread?

    <p>Through direct contact and vectors.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a characteristic of keystone species?

    <p>Their loss leads to dramatic unforeseen consequences.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of pathogen is Lyme disease classified as?

    <p>A vector-borne zoonotic pathogen.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What can vectors do in relation to pathogens?

    <p>Transmit infectious pathogens between humans.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How can disturbances in ecosystems, like flooding, be studied?

    <p>By recording the impact on invertebrate species in various streams.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which statement about zoonotic pathogens is true?

    <p>They can cause disease in both animals and humans.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of interaction does a parasite have with its host?

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

    Which of the following statements is true regarding mutualism?

    <p>Many mutualistic relationships can exist without both species depending on each other.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What characterizes a commensal relationship?

    <p>One species benefits without affecting the other.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is an example of an ectoparasite?

    <p>A tick on a deer</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How can a commensal relationship evolve into a mutualistic one?

    <p>When both species start depending on each other for survival.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the interspecific relationship between Anopheles mosquitoes and humans?

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

    What distinguishes interspecific competition from predation?

    <p>Interspecific competition occurs without direct harm.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following pairs is NOT an example of an interspecific interaction?

    <p>Two adult deer competing for food</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of interaction is characterized by one species benefiting while the other is harmed?

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

    Which of the following factors is important for measuring species diversity within a community?

    <p>Species richness and evenness</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which statement is true regarding communities with higher species diversity?

    <p>They can resist invasive species.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In a biological community, which group typically has the most significant impact on community diversity and structure?

    <p>A few key species</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What distinguishes a food web from a food chain?

    <p>A food web shows complex non-linear interactions.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In marine food webs, which organisms are identified as primary producers?

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

    Which measure does NOT contribute to understanding species diversity?

    <p>Population density</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which type of ecological interaction results in both species benefiting?

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

    What does the presence of slight variations in niches allow in a climax community?

    <p>More species to coexist</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which term describes the phenomenon where sympatric populations of closely related species show distinct differences in body structures and resource use?

    <p>Character displacement</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What conclusion can be drawn from Robert Paine's experiment removing Pisaster from communities?

    <p>Predators may play a critical role in community dynamics</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why is a natural disturbance beneficial for succession?

    <p>It creates conditions favorable for rapid growth of new species</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What defines a species that dramatically alters the physical environment and controls community structure?

    <p>Keystone species</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which community type exhibits a higher diversity value?

    <p>A community with 12 species evenly distributed</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the cycling of matter within an ecosystem imply?

    <p>Chemicals are reused and conserved within ecosystems</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Ecosystem Engineers

    • Species that significantly modify their environment, creating or altering habitats.
    • Beavers exemplify ecosystem engineers by influencing the distribution and abundance of various species through indirect interactions.

    Keystone Species

    • Keystone species are often recognized after their loss results in dramatic changes to community structure.
    • Typically, keystone species are top predators that play a crucial role in maintaining the ecosystem's balance.

    Pathogens

    • Pathogens are agents causing diseases that impact communities on both local and global scales.
    • Zoonotic pathogens can infect both humans and animals, with vectors such as mosquitoes facilitating transmission.
    • SARS-CoV-2 is recognized as a zoonotic pathogen primarily spreading through direct contact.

    Disturbances

    • Disturbances such as flooding can significantly alter community composition and biodiversity, as documented in New Zealand streams.

    Competitive Exclusion

    • If two species share the identical niche, strong competition typically leads to the exclusion of the inferior competitor.
    • Different niches enable coexistence among species, highlighting the importance of niche differentiation.

    Resource Partitioning

    • Resource partitioning refers to ecological differences developed by similar species to mitigate competition.
    • This allows multiple species, such as the Anolis lizards, to thrive in proximity by utilizing different parts of their habitat.

    Parasitism

    • Parasitism involves one species (the parasite) deriving nourishment at the expense of another (the host).
    • Many parasites have multiple host species, such as Anopheles mosquitoes, which are vectors for malaria.

    Mutualism

    • Mutualism describes relationships where both species involved benefit, with some being obligatory for survival while others are facultative.
    • Example: Clownfish and sea anemones engage in mutualistic interactions.

    Commensalism

    • Commensalism benefits one species without significantly affecting the other, with the potential for the relationship to shift to mutualism.
    • Cattle egrets and African buffalo exemplify potential commensal relationships.

    Interspecific Interactions

    • Various forms of interspecific interactions include competition, predation, herbivory, parasitism, commensalism, and mutualism.

    Species Diversity

    • Species diversity encompasses both species richness and evenness, with communities exhibiting higher diversity being more resistant to invasive species.
    • A few key species can have outsized impacts on community structure.

    Trophic Structure

    • Trophic structure is characterized by food chains (linear relationships) and food webs (complex, non-linear relationships).
    • Phytoplankton serve as primary producers in the Antarctic ocean ecosystem.

    Climax Communities

    • A climax community is reached when no new niches are available, allowing for slight variations to permit coexistence among species.

    Character Displacement

    • Character displacement occurs when sympatric populations illustrate more differences in traits compared to allopatric populations, facilitating resource utilization.

    Natural Disturbance and Succession

    • Natural disturbances promote succession by creating conditions favorable for the rapid growth of new species, often allowing for secondary succession.

    Importance of Keystone Species

    • Keystone species, like Pisaster, disproportionately influence community structure; their removal often leads to reduced species diversity.

    Diversity Value Comparisons

    • A community with uniform species abundance has a higher diversity value compared to one dominated by a few species with unequal abundance.

    Matter Cycling in Ecosystems

    • Unlike energy, matter is recycled within ecosystems, implying continual input is not necessary for maintenance.

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    Description

    Test your knowledge about ecosystem engineers and their role in modifying habitats. This quiz focuses on species like beavers and how they impact their environments. Discover the significance of these modifications in ecology.

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