Cycles & Energy
This process moves carbon from the atmosphere into living organisms.
What is photosynthesis?
This type of succession begins where no soil exists.
What is primary succession?
This occurs when habitats are broken into smaller, isolated patches.
What is habitat frgmentation?
This term means using resources in a way that does not deplete them for the future.
What is sustainability?
A graph shows carbon dioxide steadily increasing over 50 years. What conclusion can be made?
What is CO₂ levels are increasing over time?
Energy decreases at each trophic level because it is lost as this.
What is heat?
These organisms are typically the first to grow on bare rock.
What are pioneer species (lichens/moss)?
An introduced species spreads rapidly because it has no predators. This is called what?
What is an invasive species?
Wind and solar energy are examples of this type of resource.
What are renewable resources?
A pond suddenly has fewer fish, and oxygen levels are very low. What is the most likely cause?
What is eutrophication?
A student claims matter and energy cycle the same way in ecosystems. Explain why this is incorrect.
What is energy flows one direction while matter cycles?
After a wildfire, why does an ecosystem recover faster than after a volcanic eruption?
What is soil remains in secondary succession?
Fertilizer runoff causes algae growth that later kills fish. What is this process?
What is eutrophication?
Connecting two habitats with a birdge or land strip helps organisms do what?
What is migrate/interbreed (increase gene flow)?
If decomposers disappeared, what would happen to nutrient availability over time?
What is nutrients would not be recycled?
This type of organism is responsible for returning nutrients to the soil from dead matter.
What are decomposers?
This stage of succession is relatively stable but can still be disrupted.
What is a climax community?
Why does burning fossil fuels contribute to climate change?
What is it increases carbon dioxide levels?
Why are ecosystems with high biodiversity generally more stable?
What is they are more resilient to disturbances?
An ecosystem quickly returns to normal after a flood. What characteristic does it have?
What is high resilience?
A lake ecosystem suddenly has very low plant growth. Testing shows nitrogen is scarce. What type of factor is nitrogen in this case?
What is a limiting nutrient?
A forest experiences frequent storms that knock down trees. Predict how this affects succession long-term.
What is succession is repeatedly restarted/slowed?
A fishing industry removes fish faster than they can reproduce. What ecological issue is this?
What is overexploitation?
Removing invasive plants and replanting native species is an example of what?
What is restoration ecology?
A new highway splits a forest in two. Predict TWO ecological consequences.
What is habitat fragmentation leading to isolation and reduced biodiversity?