Biodiversity & Ecosystems
Genetics, Adaptation & Species
Island Biogeography
Succession & Disturbance
100

What measurement is most used to determine the biodiversity of a specific area?

What is Species Richness

100

Baja California has been home to the Northern Elephant Seal for many years. Humans living in the area discovered the many uses of the seal's blubber. In the 1890s, the seals were hunted down to as few as 20 individuals. Although the population has since rebounded, there is much less genetic variation. This is an example of....

What is Bottleneck Effect

100

According to the theory of island biogeography, what are two characteristics that determine the level of biodiversity found on an island?

What is size and distance to the nearest mainland

100

The main difference between primary and secondary succession is that...

What is primary occurs on barren, rocky areas while secondary does not

200

What factors influence species richness?

What is habitat size, length of time that the habitat has existed, and distance from other communities

200

Organisms need energy in order to survive. Which of the following are examples of adaptations that allow organisms to gain energy that they need to survive in their environment?

1. The long beak of a hummingbird

2. The echolocation of a bat

3. The eyesight of an eagle

What is 1, 2, and 3

200

Giant Tube Worms live on the ocean floor near hydrothermal vents where many toxic chemicals and extremely high temperatures do not allow other organisms to thrive. Why might the the Giant Tube Worms be able to survive here?

What is the environment is outside the range of tolerance for other organisms

200

The island of Surtsey (around 1.4km2) is located 32km off the coast of southern Iceland. The island formed during several volcanic eruptions in 1963. The island of Lawahii (around .4km2) is located 460km west of Hawaii. Several centuries ago, there was a major  fire that caused the destruction of all vegetation on the island. Today, you can observe new plant and animal species on both islands.

What would be an example of a pioneer plant species that was found on the island of Surtsey?

What is mosses and lichens

300

What factors increase species diversity within an ecosystem?

What is increased sunlight (solar radiation), increased precipitations, and pronounced seasons

300

What is an example of a cultural service of an ecosystem?

What is hiking paths, parks, camp grounds, fishing, etc.

300

The island of Surtsey (around 1.4km2) is located 32km off the coast of southern Iceland. The island formed during several volcanic eruptions in 1963. The island of Lawahii (around .4km2) is located 460km west of Hawaii. Several centuries ago, there was a major  fire that caused the destruction of all vegetation on the island. Today, you can observe new plant and animal species on both islands.

Within the same amount of time, which island would have the greatest biodiversity after a major disturbance and why?

What is Surtsey because it is larger and located closer to the mainland

300

Slash and burn is a method of clear cutting trees, What is a likely impact of the slash and burning of the Amazon Rainforest?

What is increased average global temperatures (higher atmospheric CO2)

400
The location of where an organism lives

What is Habitat

400

Based of the theory of island biogeography, why would an ecologist expect to find less Biodiversity on an island that is located 25km from the mainland compared to an island that is 8km from the mainland?

What is more species are able to travel the shorter distance

400

The island of Surtsey (around 1.4km2) is located 32km off the coast of southern Iceland. The island formed during several volcanic eruptions in 1963. The island of Lawahii (around .4km2) is located 460km west of Hawaii. Several centuries ago, there was a major  fire that caused the destruction of all vegetation on the island. Today, you can observe new plant and animal species on both islands.

Which island is an example of primary succession and why?

What is Surtsey because the plant species have colonized a barren habitat
400

Earthquakes are an example of what type of disturbance?

What is random

500

As an ecologist travels from the tropical rainforests at the equator north to the frozen tundra, she travels through many different biomes. The primary reason for this is due to:

What is changes in temperature and amount of rainfall

500

Which of the following is the best example of a keystone species in a pond ecosystem?

A. Northern Bluegill

B. White Stork

C. Clubtail Dragonfly

D. North American Beaver

What is D. North American Beaver

500

Darwin's finches evolved different beak sizes/shapes on the Galapagos islands? Why?

What is the use the variety of food found on the islands

500
American Pikas live in the alpine regions of the Rocky Mountains. They are extremely heat intolerant and are very sensitive to other changes in their environment. The population numbers of the American Pika have been decreasing at lower altitudes over the past 20 years. The American Pika is an example of a(n)...

What is Indicator Species