Ecosystems
In a food web, what percentage of energy is typically transferred from one trophic level to the next?
10%
Which type of succession occurs in an area that was previously occupied by living organisms but was disturbed, leaving the soil intact?
Secondary Succession
What is the maximum population size that an environment can support indefinitely?
Carrying Capacity
At what type of plate boundary does subduction typically occur, leading to the formation of volcanic arcs?
Convergent Boundary
Which irrigation method is considered the most efficient in terms of reducing water loss to evaporation?
Drip Irrigation
What is the term for the total rate of photosynthesis in a given area?
Gross Primary Productivity (GPP)
A species that provides an early warning of environmental damage, such as lichens reflecting air quality, is known as a(n)...
Indicator species
Which survivorship curve is characteristic of K-selected species that have high survival rates throughout most of their life span?
Type I
In which layer of the Earth's atmosphere is the protective ozone layer located?
Stratosphere
What is the term for the tendency of a shared, unregulated resource to be depleted by individuals acting in their own self-interest?
Tragedy of the Commons
Which terrestrial biome is characterized by a deep layer of nutrient-rich topsoil (A horizon), making it ideal for large-scale agriculture?
Temperate Grassland
According to the theory of island biogeography, which islands tend to have the highest species richness?
Large islands close to the mainland.
What is the formula used to calculate the doubling time of a population based on its growth rate?
The Rule of 70 (70 / annual growth rate)
What is the most abundant gas in Earth’s atmosphere?
Nitrogen (N2)
What is a major environmental disadvantage of Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) or Free Range Farming?
Production of massive amounts of animal waste that can contaminate local waterways.
Which process in the nitrogen cycle converts ammonia into nitrites and then nitrates?
Nitrification
What type of ecosystem service involves the material outputs from nature, such as food, water, and lumber?
Provisioning Services
During which stage of the demographic transition does a population experience the highest growth rate?
Stage 2 (Transitional)
What phenomenon is characterized by the weakening of trade winds and the warming of surface waters in the tropical Pacific?
El Niño (ENSO)
What management strategy combines biological, physical, and chemical tools to control pests with minimal environmental impact?
Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
This biogeochemical cycle is unique because it does not have a significant atmospheric component, making it a common limiting factor in ecosystems.
Phosphorus Cycle
What is the number one cause for species extinction?
Habitat destruction/fragmentation
Is a volcanic eruption considered a density-dependent or density-independent limiting factor?
Density-independent
Which soil horizon is known as "topsoil" and contains a mixture of organic matter and minerals?
A Horizon
Which type of mining involves the removal of the "overburden" in long strips to expose the resource underneath?
Strip Mining