Ecosystem Interactions & Relationships
A bird eats insects off a large mammal, helping the mammal by removing pests. This is an example of ____.
a. mutualism
b. commensalism
Ans: mutualism
A farmer removes all the plants from a field, leaving only soil. Over time, no insects or birds are found in the area. This demonstrates the importance of ____.
a. producers
b. prey
Ans: producers
What would happen if decomposers disappeared from an ecosystem?
Nutrient cycling would stop, leading to dead organic matter accumulation.
How do thick, waxy leaves and deep roots help desert plants survive?
By conserving water and accessing deep water sources
What ecological issue occurs when a highway divides a forest, separating animal populations?
Habitat fragmentation
A remora fish attaches to a shark and gets a free ride without affecting the shark. This is an example of ____.
a. mutualism
b. commensalism
Ans: commensalism
A forest fire destroys a large section of woodland, but over time, small plants start to grow back, followed by trees. This is an example of ____.
a. ecological succession
b. trophic cascade
Ans: ecological succession
What process is occurring when excess fertilizer runoff causes massive algae growth in lakes?
Eutrophication
What ecological principle explains why animals in cold climates tend to have shorter limbs and ears?
Allen’s Rule
What conservation strategy involves planting trees to restore degraded forests?
Reforestation
A certain species of barnacle grows only on whales, benefiting from movement and access to food. What type of symbiotic relationship is this?
Commensalism
The disappearance of a top predator in an ecosystem leads to an uncontrolled rise in prey populations. This phenomenon is called ____.
a. ecological succession
b. trophic cascade
Ans: trophic cascade
Which natural cycle is disrupted when deforestation leads to increased carbon dioxide in the atmosphere?
The carbon cycle
What specialized root structures allow wetland trees to access oxygen in waterlogged soil?
Pneumatophores
What environmental problem occurs when excessive fishing depletes a species and disrupts the food web?
Overexploitation
If a non-native species is introduced into an ecosystem and outcompetes native species for resources, this leads to ____.
a. competitive exclusion
b. density-dependent
Ans: competitive exclusion
In an energy pyramid, this level has the most available energy.
a. producer level
b. tertiary consumer
Ans: producer level
What type of bacteria help plants by converting atmospheric nitrogen into usable forms?
Nitrogen-fixing bacteria
What is the primary function of long, deep roots in sand dune plants?
Anchoring the plant against strong winds and preventing erosion.
What is it called when a once-endangered species recovers due to conservation efforts?
Species recovery
When rabbits overpopulate an area, their food source decreases, leading to starvation and population decline. This is an example of ____.
a. competitive exclusion
b. density-dependent
Ans: density-dependent
A snake eats a frog, which previously ate an insect that fed on a plant. What trophic level does the snake belong to?
a. producer level
b. tertiary consumer
Ans: tertiary consumer
Which cycle is disrupted by human activities leading to acid rain?
The sulfur cycle
What adaptation allows certain fish to survive in both freshwater and saltwater?
Osmoregulation
What sustainable practice involves protecting ecosystems while allowing responsible resource use, such as regulated logging or fishing?
Sustainable resource management