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Which example does NOT describe a predation event? A. A producer creates energy from sunlight. B. A pollinator eats the pollen and nectar of a flower. C. A carnivore catches and eats a deer. D. All of these are examples of predation events. E. An herbivore eats a few of the leaves from a tree.

A. A producer creates energy from sunlight.

Imagine that every person on Earth had an ecological footprint the size of an average Haitian person's ecological footprint. Which statement describes a potential result? A. Our demand on Earth's resources would be much more sustainable than it is currently. B. It would take the equivalent of about four Earths to support all of us. C. Our energy needs would increase to an unsustainable level. D. We would exceed the biocapacity of Earth. E.We would quickly run out of renewable and nonrenewable resources because we would have to use even more fossil fuel to support our energy demands.

A. Our demand on Earth's resources would be much more sustainable than it is currently.

A television show about conspiracy theories is discussing global warming, claiming it is a myth that CO₂ levels have risen over the last 1,000 years. Which evidence would be most useful to use in educating the producers to convince them that global warming is not a myth? A. ice cores B. tree rings C. corals D. all of these E. measurements of carbon dioxide from the air

A. ice cores

The relationship between the bee and the bacteria living in the bee's gut can be classified as _____. A. mutualism B. a disease C. commensalism D. parasitism E. chemosynthetic

A. mutualism

Growth rates are _____. A. the difference between birth and death rates in a population B. positive when the birth rates are less than the death rates C. logistic when the populations increase at a constant rate D. not influenced by immigration and emigration patterns E. none of these

A. the difference between birth and death rates in a population

The island of Guam traditionally has not had any snakes that prey on birds; however, brown tree snakes that prey upon birds were introduced. Use your knowledge of wolf-moose population dynamics to determine what happened to the population dynamics of birds and the new snakes on Guam. Which statement is probably one of the results of the snake introduction? A. Because bird populations crashed, one of the birds' main prey items, spiders, increased their population size. B. All of these happened. C. As snake populations became very large, they reached the carrying capacity of Guam and caused bird populations to crash. D. Snake populations increased exponentially as they preyed upon birds that had no defenses against the predators. E. Because prey was abundant and few predators existed, snakes spread throughout the island.

B. All of these happened. Because bird populations crashed, one of the birds' main prey items, spiders, increased their population size. As snake populations became very large, they reached the carrying capacity of Guam and caused bird populations to crash. Snake populations increased exponentially as they preyed upon birds that had no defenses against the predators. Because prey was abundant and few predators existed, snakes spread throughout the island.

Which of these is NOT a correct statement about food chains? A. Food webs are better than food chains for showing the position of omnivores within the community. B. Food chains are often complex and intertwined. C. The food-chain concept is an oversimplification of actual organism interactions. D. All of these are correct statements about food chains. E. Food webs show the relationships among multiple food chains

B. Food chains are often complex and intertwined.

Which statements is NOT a characteristic or effect of climate change? A. Climate change is any substantial change in climate that lasts for an extended period of time. B. Global warming is the only type of climate change. C. The scientific community believes that climate change is being accelerated by human activity. D. Climate change is beginning to re-draw the map of biomes around the world. E. Climate change will likely exceed the ability of many species to adapt and could cause many species to go extinct.

B. Global warming is the only type of climate change.

Ecologists often study the spatial distribution of animals. Which of these descriptions of common distribution patterns is incorrect? A. Clumped: wolves cluster together in packs that generally move around together. B. Uniform: moose are highly territorial creatures and move around an island habitat in large groups. C. None of these examples is consistent with its description. D. Random: fish on a coral reef occur in small groups and alone all around the reef, and are equally likely to be anywhere on the reef. E. All of these examples are consistent with their descriptions.

B. Uniform: moose are highly territorial creatures and move around an island habitat in large groups.

Although water is considered a renewable resource, what is a reason why it might be more like a nonrenewable resource? A. Water and nonrenewable resources can both become polluted and unusable. B. Water can be used up faster than it can be returned in the water cycle. C. Water was formed millions of years ago from dead plants and animals. D. Water resources are not evenly distributed around the world. E. Water use releases carbon dioxide into the environment.

B. Water can be used up faster than it can be returned in the water cycle.

Which event or condition is a density-independent factor that could influence population growth? A. a disease that spreads through direct physical contact B. a volcanic eruption that covers an island in a layer of lava C. a sudden decrease in the food supply due to usually dry conditions D. all of these E. a new predator that moves into an area with hunting tactics that the prey species are not adapted to avoid

B. a volcanic eruption that covers an island in a layer of lava

Which statement is an example of a mutualistic interaction between species? A. A large fish visits a cleaner fish that removes parasites by eating them off the affected areas. B. all of these C. none of these D. Bees get a food resource by visiting flowers, and flowers get pollinated by bee activities. E. A clown fish lives in a sea anemone; the clown fish gets protection and the anemone uses the clown fish as a lure to attract other fish that it will sting and eat.

B. all of these A large fish visits a cleaner fish that removes parasites by eating them off the affected areas. Bees get a food resource by visiting flowers, and flowers get pollinated by bee activities. A clown fish lives in a sea anemone; the clown fish gets protection and the anemone uses the clown fish as a lure to attract other fish that it will sting and eat.

Which statement is a consequence of Arctic ice melting due to global warming? A. Polar bears are in poorer condition and their weight has decreased over the last 30 years. B. all of these C. The temperature is increasing in the Arctic at an accelerated rate. D. More solar radiation is being absorbed by the ocean. E. Arctic animals are losing suitable habitats.

B. all of these Polar bears are in poorer condition and their weight has decreased over the last 30 years. The temperature is increasing in the Arctic at an accelerated rate. More solar radiation is being absorbed by the ocean. Arctic animals are losing suitable habitats.

Human actions have altered the global carbon cycle by _____. A. cutting down large numbers of trees B. all of these C. decreasing the number of photosynthetic organisms D. developing and using drilling and mining methods that allow access to previously inaccessible fossil fuel deposits E. inventing the internal combustion engine and burning fossil fuels

B. all of these cutting down large numbers of trees decreasing the number of photosynthetic organisms developing and using drilling and mining methods that allow access to previously inaccessible fossil fuel deposits inventing the internal combustion engine and burning fossil fuels

Once the carrying capacity of an environment is reached, the population generally _____. A. none of these B. all of these C. may experience cycles of "boom and bust" D. cannot continue growing exponentially E. may fluctuate by slightly exceeding the carrying capacity, and then dropping below it

B. all of these may experience cycles of "boom and bust" cannot continue growing exponentially may fluctuate by slightly exceeding the carrying capacity, and then dropping below it

Imagine a system where a finch feeds on thistle seeds and the finch population size is linked to the productivity of the thistle, and the thistle population size is related to foraging pressure of the finch population. This is an example of population dynamics at the _____ level. A. population B. community C. species D. ecosystem E. biosphere

B. community

The carbon cycle is the movement of carbon atoms via natural processes such as _____. A. deforestation, photosynthesis, and fossil fuels B. decomposition, photosynthesis, and respiration C. decomposition, deforestation, and fossil fuels D. deforestation, photosynthesis, and respiration E. decomposition, photosynthesis, and fossil fuels

B. decomposition, photosynthesis, and respiration

Which of these would need to be accounted for in a carbon footprint? A. oxygen in the atmosphere B. fossil fuel use C. nitrogen cycles D. water use E. fossilized phosphorus

B. fossil fuel use

Just as cows consume grass for nourishment, bees consume _____. A. flowers B. nectar and/or pollen C. all of these D. pollen only E. seeds

B. nectar and/or pollen

Slash-and-burn agriculture affects global warming by _____. A. removing photosynthetic organisms from the environment, thereby decreasing CO₂ in the environment B. removing photosynthetic organisms from the environment, thereby increasing CO₂ in the environment C. removing methane producers from the environment, thereby decreasing greenhouse gases D. adding more methane gas to the environment, thereby increasing greenhouse gases E. No effect will be seen in global warming or greenhouse gases from this type of agriculture.

B. removing photosynthetic organisms from the environment, thereby increasing CO₂ in the environment

Population dynamics are influenced by birth and death rates. Which situation is NOT a factor that can cause early death for wolves on Isle Royale? A. bone deformities causing impairments in hind leg use, probably from inbreeding B. warmer temperatures causing tick populations that feed on wolves to increase dramatically, which causes wolves to lose blood and decreases their hunting abilities C. warmer temperatures decreasing the frequency with which ice bridges form between Isle Royale and the mainland, which reduces the chances for immigration by new wolves that might increase the genetic diversity of the island population D. all of these E. starvation if wolves cannot find and catch enough prey to survive

B. warmer temperatures causing tick populations that feed on wolves to increase dramatically, which causes wolves to lose blood and decreases their hunting abilities

Temperature is an important physical feature of an ecosystem. Which option shows a correct, direct relationship between temperature and organisms in an environment? A. Sea ice is melting in the Arctic; flowers in England are blooming sooner than they usually bloom. B. Arctic temperatures are increasing; the arctic fox is hibernating for longer periods of time. C. Arctic temperatures are increasing; the red fox is expanding its habitat to compete with the Arctic fox. D. Sea ice is melting in the Arctic; maples are making less syrup. E. Sea ice is melting in the Arctic; flowers in England are blooming later than they usually bloom.

C. Arctic temperatures are increasing; the red fox is expanding its habitat to compete with the Arctic fox.

Which statement is true about energy transfer? A. Vegetarianism is equally as energy efficient as eating meat. B. All of the energy from one trophic level is transferred to the next trophic level. C. Energy is lost between trophic levels as heat, metabolism, and waste. D. Indigestible plant parts transfer energy to the next trophic level. E. all of the above

C. Energy is lost between trophic levels as heat, metabolism, and waste.

The flow of carbon in an ecosystem is similar to the flow of energy in an ecosystem. Is this statement true or false? A. True; carbon and energy both flow through an ecosystem in one direction. B. True; carbon and energy both cycle through an ecosystem. C. False; energy flows in one direction through the ecosystem while carbon cycles through the ecosystem. D. False; carbon flows in a single direction through the ecosystem, and energy cycles through the ecosystem. E. False; carbon is not used in ecosystems, whereas energy is used in ecosystems.

C. False; energy flows in one direction through the ecosystem while carbon cycles through the ecosystem.

Which statement best explains why herbivorous organisms are more energetically efficient than those that consume meat? A. Herbivorous eat nutrient-rich meat. B. Herbivorous organisms are at the top of the food chain. C. Herbivorous organisms are at the bottom of the food chain. D. Herbivorous organisms are slower and, therefore, burn fewer calories. E. Herbivorous organisms obtain their energy directly from the sun.

C. Herbivorous organisms are at the bottom of the food chain.

Why are many animals expected to go extinct due to global warming? A. Animals will begin to prey upon each other more aggressively due to global warming. B. none of these C. Organisms will be unable to relocate to suitable habitats when their current habitats are altered due to global warming. D. all of these E. There are thousands of organisms that live on Arctic sea ice that will drown when the ice melts due to global warming.

C. Organisms will be unable to relocate to suitable habitats when their current habitats are altered due to global warming.

Which statement is NOT a reason that pollinators are considered keystone species? A. Pollinators are not considered keystone species. B. Many plant species rely on insects to successfully reproduce. C. Pollinators have complex social structures and division of labor. D. Pollinators maintain the integrity and productivity of natural communities. E. Pollinators are a critical link in the food chain.

C. Pollinators have complex social structures and division of labor.

By studying the data collected from Isle Royale, ecologists have discovered that a large wolf population correlates to vigorous tree growth. Which statement best explains this pattern? A. The remains of moose carcasses fertilize the soil, which allows for increased tree growth. B. none of these C. Wolves decrease the moose population, which consumes trees as its main diet. D. When there is a large wolf population on the island, the moose swim to the mainland. The decrease in moose allows for more tree growth. E. all of these

C. Wolves decrease the moose population, which consumes trees as its main diet.

Which species is NOT likely to be considered a keystone species? A. a top predator, such as a wolf, whose diet choices serve to control the prey population size, which also indirectly affects the abundance and growth of vegetation B. All of these are examples that describe keystone species. C. a fish species that specializes in eating only a few aquatic plant species and that does not form a main component of the diet of the carnivores in the system D. an insect whose foraging movements result in the movement of pollen and the fertilization of many kinds of plant species E. None of these is an example that describes keystone species.

C. a fish species that specializes in eating only a few aquatic plant species and that does not form a main component of the diet of the carnivores in the system

Which phrase does NOT describe a keystone species? A. a species whose removal would have a dramatic effect on the community B. a species that plays a central role in holding the community together C. a species that always occupies the highest trophic level in a community D. All of these describe a keystone species. E. a species on which many other species depend

C. a species that always occupies the highest trophic level in a community

The largest demand in the global ecological footprint is caused by our _____. A. grazing land needs B. gasoline needs C. energy needs D. farmland needs E. fishing needs

C. energy needs

A _____ resource is one that is gone for good once it is depleted. A. pollution B. renewable C. nonrenewable D. global warming E. carbon footprint

C. nonrenewable

Which of these species in a community would NOT be affected by a decrease in bee populations? A. deer B. mice C. humans D. All of these species would be affected. E. birds

D. All of these species would be affected deer mice humans birds

Fossil fuels formed naturally on Earth. Why aren't they thought of as renewable resources? A. Fossil fuels form quickly in some areas and slowly in other areas. B. Fossil fuels form in areas that are not accessible to humans. C. Fossil fuels were formed from dinosaurs and can no longer form naturally. D. Fossil fuels take an incredibly long time to form naturally. E. Fossil fuels form as a result of asteroid impacts, which do not occur very frequently.

D. Fossil fuels take an incredibly long time to form naturally.

What is NOT a potential result of living more sustainably? A. Sustainable technologies, such as solar panels, can help businesses save on energy costs. B. Sustainable development can help balance the economic, ecological, and social impacts of development. C. Sustainable technologies can reduce the amount of pollutants released from burning fossil fuels. D. Living more sustainably results in less population growth. E. Sustainable building can cost more in the short term, but can lead to energy savings in the long term.

D. Living more sustainably results in less population growth.

Even if people want to use sustainable energy sources and technologies, several barriers can limit their use. Which of these is NOT a potential barrier to more widespread use of sustainable development practices or technologies? A. Construction and use of sustainable energy technologies can use hazardous chemicals or generate hazardous wastes that need to be carefully disposed of to avoid polluting the environment. B. The technology for energy production and harvesting from some sustainable sources still needs to be optimized. C. Construction of sustainable energy production facilities can destroy habitats. D. Sustainable technologies currently release more greenhouse gases than nonrenewable energy sources release. E. Sustainable energy can be much more expensive to produce than nonrenewable options.

D. Sustainable technologies currently release more greenhouse gases than nonrenewable energy sources release.

How do scientists measure changes in the levels of global atmospheric CO₂? A. They have directly measured CO₂ in the atmosphere since 1758. B. all of these C. They measure CO₂ levels in water trapped deep in Earth's crust. D. They take ice core samples that allow measurement of CO₂ over hundreds of thousands of years. E. none of these

D. They take ice core samples that allow measurement of CO₂ over hundreds of thousands of years.

Bees are a colonial species and live in hives with thousands of other bees. Which description is an example of commensalism? A. a bee hive in a garage B. a bee hive located in an attic space C. a bee hive in a wall D. a bee hive in a hollow tree E. a bee hive built in the ground

D. a bee hive in a hollow tree

Which situation would lead to the highest ecological footprint? A. a country with a high per capita footprint and low population size B. a country with a low per capita footprint and low population size C. any country with a high population regardless of the per capita footprint D. a country with a high per capita footprint and high population size E. a country with low per capita footprint and high population size

D. a country with a high per capita footprint and high population size

Although they are not native to the United States, honey bees have successfully competed for resources with native bees and other pollinator species by _____. A. colonizing new habitats B. feeding year-round in warmer climates C. none of the above D. all of the above E. feeding on a wide variety of flowers

D. all of the above colonizing new habitats feeding year-round in warmer climates feeding on a wide variety of flowers

How have warmer-than-normal climatic conditions affected moose populations on Isle Royale? A. An increase in the tick population has resulted in weight loss for the moose, which increased their death rate. B. Tick populations have grown and they have fed on the moose, which resulted in blood loss and higher death rates for moose. C. none of these D. all of these E. Moose escaped the heat by resting in the shade, but then had less time for eating, which resulted in thinner moose that were not as prepared to survive winter temperatures.

D. all of these An increase in the tick population has resulted in weight loss for the moose, which increased their death rate. Tick populations have grown and they have fed on the moose, which resulted in blood loss and higher death rates for moose. Moose escaped the heat by resting in the shade, but then had less time for eating, which resulted in thinner moose that were not as prepared to survive winter temperatures.

The unit of measurement in an ecological footprint is the _____. A. carbon hectare B. ecological hectare C.global unit D. global hectare E. carbon hectare per person

D. global hectare

Which organism would NOT be classified as a consumer in a food chain? A. a wolf B. a bee C. a deer D. grass E. a human

D. grass

Human population growth contributes to extinction in which way(s)? A. agriculture practices that alter land use B. ecological carbon loss C. agriculture practices that alter land use and ecological carbon loss D. habitat destruction and agriculture practices that alter land use E. habitat destruction

D. habitat destruction and agriculture practices that alter land use

Which of these is NOT an example of something that ecologists would generally study? A. the population dynamics of one species of sea urchin B. how the Amazon tropical rain forest is affected by its plants, animals, weather, and geology C. how predators, such as sharks, affect the population of prey, such as fish D. how the mitochondria of a mouse function in its cells E. how one species of butterfly forages and reproduces in its habitat

D. how the mitochondria of a mouse function in its cells

Ecologists study organisms at a number of levels with different numbers of components. Which sequence correctly orders these levels, from smallest to largest? A. none of these B. community, individual, population, ecosystem C. population, individual, community, ecosystem D. individual, population, community, ecosystem E. ecosystem, population, community, individual

D. individual, population, community, ecosystem

All of these statements can be advantages of a clumped distribution pattern EXCEPT _____. A. it helps organisms defend themselves against predators B. organisms can match their distribution to resource-rich areas C. it allows organisms to hunt prey more efficiently D. it allows individuals to maximize space between them E. all of these are advantages of a clumped distribution pattern.

D. it allows individuals to maximize space between them

The relationship between global warming and greenhouse gases is the _____. A. more oxygen, the less heat is trapped from Earth's surface B. more greenhouse gases, the less heat is trapped from Earth's surface C. more methane, the less heat is trapped from Earth's surface D. more greenhouse gases, the greater the amount of heat trapped from Earth's surface E. two are unrelated

D. more greenhouse gases, the greater the amount of heat trapped from Earth's surface

In addition to using _____ resources, we can live more _____ by reducing water use, eating less meat, recycling, and driving less. A. nonrenewable; at the global hectare level B. nonrenewable; sustainably C. nonrenewable; at the ecological footprint level D. renewable; sustainably E. renewable; at the ecological footprint level

D. renewable; sustainably

All of these statements regarding ecosystems are correct EXCEPT _____. A. an ecosystem is composed of the living and nonliving components of an environment B. studying an ecosystem can help scientists understand individual populations C. moose and wolves are part of the Isle Royale ecosystem D. sunlight and water are good examples of living components of an ecosystem E. individuals, populations, and communities are all part of an ecosystem

D. sunlight and water are good examples of living components of an ecosystem

Carrying capacity is NOT the point _____. A. around which a population's size tends to fluctuate B. where available resources are being fully exploited by the population C. all of these D. where additional resources are available only to individuals that immigrate into the population E. at which a population reaches the maximum number of individuals that an environment can support

D. where additional resources are available only to individuals that immigrate into the population

Food chains are an important part of an ecosystem. A food chain shows _____. A. where organisms live B. all of these C. how much food each organism consumes D. which organisms are producers and which are consumers E. the carrying capacity of the food chain

D. which organisms are producers and which are consumers

Which ecological definition is incorrect? A. An individual is a single organism of a particular species. B. none of these C. A population is a group of individuals of the same species living in the same region. D. An ecosystem consists of individuals, populations, and communities. E. A community is made up of biotic and nonliving components.

E. A community is made up of biotic and nonliving components.

Which of these properly states the relationship between global temperature and global CO₂ levels? A. In the past 500 years, the temperature has increased rapidly, along with decreases in carbon dioxide levels. B. In the past 140 years, the temperature has increased rapidly, along with decreases in carbon dioxide levels. C. In the past 500 years, the temperature has increased rapidly, along with increases in carbon dioxide levels. D. In the past 140 years, the temperature has decreased rapidly, along with decreases in carbon dioxide levels. E. In the past 140 years, the temperature has increased rapidly, along with rises in carbon dioxide levels.

E. In the past 140 years, the temperature has increased rapidly, along with rises in carbon dioxide levels.

Which description is an example of the effects of rising temperatures? A. Marmots are coming out of hibernation later in the year. B. all of these C. Maple trees in America are making more syrup than ever before. D. Animals that were traditionally only found in temperate areas are being found in tropical zones. E. Plants are blooming earlier in the year.

E. Plants are blooming earlier in the year.

Which statement is NOT a description of sustainability? A. Sustainability means managing resource use today to ensure a successful future for others. B. Sustainability describes the ways humans use Earth's resources. C. Sustainability means living in a way that resource use does not exceed the biocapacity of Earth. D. The concept of sustainability means different things to different people and can be difficult to define and measure. E. Sustainability is a concept that only applies to the actions of environmental activists.

E. Sustainability is a concept that only applies to the actions of environmental activists.

Which statement is true of distribution patterns in nature? A. Clumped distribution has no advantages and is rarely observed in nature. B. Species can always be categorized into one distinct type of distribution, and populations never vary from this categorization. C. all of these D. Four main types of distribution exist. E. Uniform distribution allows individual organisms to maximize space between them.

E. Uniform distribution allows individual organisms to maximize space between them.

Which of these is a part of the ecosystem of Vermont's maple sugar-providing region? A. the air B. the soil C. maple trees D. the temperature E. all of these

E. all of these the air the soil maple trees the temperature

Why are truly random distributions rare in nature? A. Individuals of a particular species often need certain types of conditions to survive and grow, so more individuals are found in these areas. B. Resources are unevenly distributed across most landscapes. C. none of these D. Many species have social behaviors that promote clusters of individuals for increasing foraging success or for predator avoidance. E. all of these

E. all of these Individuals of a particular species often need certain types of conditions to survive and grow, so more individuals are found in these areas. Resources are unevenly distributed across most landscapes. Many species have social behaviors that promote clusters of individuals for increasing foraging success or for predator avoidance.

When moose first arrived on Isle Royale and found a habitat without predators, the moose population _____. A. was not regulated by predator-prey interactions. B. could be categorized as going through a cycle of "boom and bust" population dynamics. C. grew exponentially, and then crashed due to lack of food. D. re-grew after a starvation period that allowed the vegetation to recover. E. all of these

E. all of these was not regulated by predator-prey interactions. could be categorized as going through a cycle of "boom and bust" population dynamics. grew exponentially, and then crashed due to lack of food. re-grew after a starvation period that allowed the vegetation to recover.

Which of these is a renewable resource? A. fossil fuels B. coal C. natural gas D. oil E. biofuels

E. biofuels

The rapid growth of the human population is a concern because _____. A. as a population increases, so does its per capita ecological footprint B. natural resources are abundant C. all human populations rely on fossil fuels D. the carbon hectare is increasing E. if we continue to grow, the population will exceed Earth's biocapacity

E. if we continue to grow, the population will exceed Earth's biocapacity

Which phrase is NOT a biotic factor affecting population growth of moose on Isle Royale? A. infectious disease B. food availability C. tick population growth D. wolf population size E. summer temperatures

E. summer temperatures