Chapter 15 Ecosystem Interdependence

the snakes are increasing with fewer predators feeding on them

31. The hawk population in this grassland ecosystem is suffering losses due to a poxvirus rapidly spreading disease among the hawks. What would best explain why the mouse population is also experiencing a population decline? (5.4) a.The remaining hawks are eating only mice b.The snakes are increasing with fewer predators feeding on them c.The grasshoppers are beginning to feed on the mice too d.There is an abundance of grass with the hawks declining

the water snakes eat more fish

A fungal infection can kill amphibians such as frogs. In the pond community, the frog population is drastically reduced by this infection. Soon, the fish population also declines. Which of the following best explains the declining fish population? a.The fish eat infected insects b.The water snakes eat more fish c.Fewer zooplankton become available d.The water snake population increases

producer/autotroph

A plant

decomposer

An earthworm

secondary consumer

An organism that eats consumers that have eaten producers

decomposer

Bacteria and fungi

10

How many snakes are most likely represented by Z? (5.4) a. 10 b. 150 c. 30,000 d. 150,000

I

Use the generic food chain to answer the question. I → II → III → IV → top consumer Which position in the food chain represent a producer? (5.4) a. I b. II c. III d. IV

carnivore

Which could be considered a secondary consumer? (5.4) a. Plant b. Herbivore c. carnivore d. Detritivore

insects

Which of the following make up the second trophic level of the biomass pyramid? (5.4) a. Grass b. Insects c. rats d. Foxes

mouse

Which organism in the food chain is a secondary consumer? (5.4) a.Grass b. Grasshopper c. mouse d. Snake

eagle

Which organism represented in this food web would be the top consumer? (5.4) a. Snake b. Bird c. eagle d. Beetle

only the minnow

Which organisms in the food chain receive energy directly from the producer? (5.4) a. The algae, the minnow, and the salmon b. The minnow and the salmon c. The minnow, the salmon, and the grizzly bear d. Only the minnow

terrestrial grasses and aquatic vegetation

Which organisms in the food web have the greatest amount of energy? Select all that apply. a.Frogs b.Terrestrial grasses c. zooplankton d. Fish e. Aquatic vegetation f. Water snakes

phytoplankton

Which organisms in this energy pyramid represents a producer? (5.4) a. Trout b. Smelt c. zooplankton d. Phytoplankton

bears

A forest ecosystem supports the food chain indicated in the energy pyramid. Which organism would you expect to find the fewest in number in the ecosystem? (5.4) a. Plants b. Rabbits c. raccoons d. Bears

5,000 kilograms

According to the biomass pyramid, how much biomass of grass is needed to support 300 kilograms of insect biomass? (5.4) a. 2 kilograms b. 10 kilograms c. 300 kilograms d. 5000 kilograms

by killing the competitors of the other species

How could a predator increase the carrying capacity of another species in its habitat? By killing the competitors of the other species By living as a parasite of other species By eating certain prey species By competing with a species it does not eat

their population will further decrease

The Florida manatee is a nearly extinct marine mammal that depends on sea grasses and other aquatic vegetation for food. Manatees live in warm, shallow coastal waters. What will most likely happen to the florida manatee if pollution kills sea grasses and aquatic vegetation? (5.4) a.They will migrate further north to find food b.Their population will further decrease c.Their diet will change to include fish and small crustaceans d.They will move to deeper waters for a more stable habitat

primary consumer

An omnivore that eats berries as a meal

a decrease in all species

A drought causes the grass to fade, wilt, and eventually die. Which of the following most likely describes the effect of the drought on this food chain? (5.4) a.An increase in all species b.A decrease in grasshoppers but an increase in mice c.An increase in grasshoppers and hawks d.A decrease in all species

decomposer

A saprotroph is a ___.

1,000,000

According to the data given in the Pyramid of numbers, how many grass seeds must be produced to support 100 mice in this ecosystem? (5.4) a. 10 b. 1,000 c. 100,000 d. 1,000,000

30,000

According to the energy pyramid, the grass seeds contain 300,000 kcal. How many kilocalories would you expect to be represented by X, the amount of energy contained in the mice? (5.4) a. 30 kcal b. 300 kcal c. 3,000 kcal d. 30,000 kcal

a. an ecosystem that has 1000 squirrels must produce at least 800,000 acorns c. it takes 50 black rat snakes to feed 1 hawk

According to the pyramid of numbers given, which of the following statements are true? Select all that apply? (5.4) a.An ecosystem that has 1000 squirrels must produce at least 800,000 acorns b.An ecosystem with 50 black rat snakes will feed 1000 squirrels c.It takes 50 black rat snakes to feed 1 hawk d.The number of organisms decreases with each trophic level, but the amount of energy in each trophic level increases e.The number of organisms supported by each trophic level is unaffected if the number of organisms above or below it changes

producers

Algae receive energy directly from the sun which makes them which of the following? (5.4) a. Primary consumers b. producers c. heterotrophs d. Decomposers

secondary consumer

An omnivore that eats a primary consumer as a meal

tertiary consumer

An organism that eats a secondary consumer

scavenger

An organism that eats large amounts of tissue from a dead animal carcass

producer/autotroph

An organism that makes its own food

1%

As a general rule of thumb, about how much energy contained in the plants is available to the raccoons? (5.4) a. 1% b. 10% c. 25% d. 100%

available energy decreases because some is released as heat into the envioronment

As energy moves through a food web, what happens to the amount of available energy at each trophic level? (5.4) a. available energy decreases because some is released as heat into the environment b.Available energy increases because more organisms are consumed at higher trophic levels c.Available energy remains the same even though biomass decreases at each trophic level d.Available energy fluctuates either up or down depending on the number of organisms at each trophic level

with fewer large fish, killer whales prey on more marine mammals

Commercial overfishing of large fish in this ecosystem drastically decreases the large fish population. As a result, the marine mammal population also decreases. Which of the following best explains this decrease in the carrying capacity for marine mammals?(5.4) a.With fewer large fish, marine mammals feed on more small fish b.With fewer large fish, killer whales prey on more marine mammals c.Seabirds and sea turtles begin to compete with the marine mammals by preying on more small fish d.With fewer large fish, more small fish are available to marine mammals

the decrease in biodiversity threatens the health of the island ecosystem by disrupting the flow of energy and nutrients

Concerned about a mosquito-borne disease epidemic, an island community sprays heavily and repeatedly for mosquitos after a storm floods the island. In addition to killing mosquitos, the pesticide kills soil-dwelling small crustaceans, such as fiddler crabs, krill, and shrimp. How would the change in these small consumers most likely affect the island ecosystem? a.The niches created by the decrease in certain species populations makes the island vulnerable to invasive species b.Higher level consumers, such as red fish, marsh birds, and alligators, are likely to overpopulate the island and the surrounding waters c.Marsh grasses and other producers are more likely to mutate and form new species d.The decrease in biodiversity threatens the health of the island ecosystem by disrupting the flow of energy and nutrients

diversity of available prey

In this arctic ecosystem, fur hunting can drastically decrease the population of marine mammals. Given this food web, what factor allows the killer whale population to be stable even if marine mammal populations decrease?(5.4) a.Diversity of available prey b. Abundance of producers c. specialization of marine carnivores d. Diversity of marine niches

their population will decrease

Polar bears are carnivorous mammals that live primarily in the arctic. They rely heavily on a variety of seal species as their main food source. Their ability to catch and eat seals depends on sufficient ice coverage, but many scientists predict that ice coverage may drastically decrease in the arctic due to global warming. If ice coverage decreases as predicted, what will likely happen to arctic polar bears? (5.4) a.They will adapt their diet to include large fish, squid, and octopus b.Their population will decrease c.Their habitat would shift further south d.They will begin to compete with killer whales for habitat space

abundant salmon will allow bears to thrive and produce more offspring

Salmon are born in rivers and mature there until they swim to the ocean as adults. During the summer months, adult salmon return to the rivers to spawn. In late summer, grizzly bears consume large amounts of salmon that provide the nutrition and fat necessary for the bears to survive winter hibernation. The discarded salmon carcasses provide nutrients downstream and to terrestrial landscapes. Which statement best describes a result of a change in the salmon population? (5.4) a.Fewer salmon will allow bears to the thrive and produce more offspring b.Abundant salmon will harm river nutrients and terrestrial landscapes c.Abundant salmon will allow bears to thrive and produce more offspring d.Fewer salmon will force bears to hibernate later

the inorganic nutrients would no longer be available to the producers

The diagram shows the cycling of energy and nutrients in an ecosystem. (5.4) What would happen to the transfer of energy and the recycling of nutrients if the decomposers were removed from this cycle? a.The inorganic nutrients would no longer be available to the producers b.The consumers would have to replace the decomposers in the transfer of energy c.The consumers would get their energy directly from the sun d.The energy in inorganic nutrients would be transferred directly to consumers

primary consumer

The lowest level of consumer for an organism that must obtain food by eating other organisms

II

Use the generic food chain to answer the question. I → II → III → IV → top consumer Which position in the food chain represent the primary consumer? (5.4) a. I b. II c. III d. IV

the sun

What is the ultimate energy source for living organisms? (5.4) a. Energy stored in chemical bonds b. The sun c. energy stored in cells d. Nuclear power plants

grasshoppers would increase and snakes would decrease

What would most likely be the result if a pesticide is used to reduce the number of mice? 5.4 a.Snakes would increase, and grasshoppers would decrease b.Snakes would increase, and hawks would also increase c.Grasses would decrease, and snakes would increase d.Grasshoppers would increase, and snakes would decrease

the frog population would decrease

What would most likely happen if the insect population significantly decreased? a.The fish population would increase b.The terrestrial grass population would decrease c.The frog population would decrease d.The frog population would increase

Unlike nutrients, energy is not recycled and reused in an ecosystem As energy flows in an ecosystem, some is lost as heat to the environment.

Which 2 of the following statements are true concerning energy flow in an ecosystem?(5.4) a.Energy, like nutrients, is recycled in an ecosystem b.Plants get energy from the animals that consume them c.Unlike nutrients, energy is not recycled and reused in an ecosystem d.The energy in ecosystems flows from decomposers back to producers e.As energy flows in an ecosystem, some is lost as heat to the environment.

energy

Which is "lost" to the environment as heat making it unavailable for recycling? (5.4) a. Water b. Carbon c. oxygen d. Energy

carnivore

Which of the following best characterizes the top consumer of this food chain (5.4) I → II → III → IV → top consumer a. Decomposer b. Producer c. herbivore d. Carnivore

increased terrestrial grass growth

Which of the following could increase the carrying capacity of insects in the pond ecosystem shown? a.Increased terrestrial grass growth b.Decreased aquatic vegetation c.An increase in fish eggs that are laid d.An increase in the number of frogs

apex predators

Which of the following is found at the top of any ecological pyramid? (5.4) a. Producers b. Primary consumers c. apex predators d. decomposers

producers

Which of the following makes up the base of all ecological pyramids? (5.4) a. Producers b. Primary consumers c. apex predators d. Decomposers

eagle

Which of the following receives the least amount of energy in this food web? (5.4) a. Beetle b. Bird c. mouse d. Eagle

an increase in the population of primary consumers

Which of the following would best explain a decrease in the number of producers represented by this food web? (5.4) a.An increase in the amount of energy received from the sun b.An increase in the amount of atmospheric carbon dioxide c.An increase in the population of primary consumers d.A decrease in the number of apex predators

an increase in salmon birthrate and survival

Which of the following would most directly decrease the carrying capacity of minnows in an ecosystem with this food chain? (5.4) a.An increase in algae growth b.An increase in salmon birthrate and survival c.An increase in nutrients carried downstream d.An increase in grizzly bear birthrate and survival

mouse

Which organism in the food chain receives energy directly from a primary consumer? (5.4) a.Grasshopper b. Mouse c. snake d. Hawk

grasshopper

Which organism in the food chain receives the greatest amount of energy from the grass? a. Grasshopper b. Mouse c. snake d. Hawk

water snakes

Which organism in the food web represents the top consumer? (5.4) a. Fish b. Spiders c. frogs d. Water snakes

plants

Which organism represented by the energy pyramid has the most available energy? (5.4) a. Plants b. Rabbits c. raccoons d. Bears

decomposers

Which organisms most directly provide inorganic nutrients for the producers to use? (5.4) a. Decomposers b. Producers c. consumers d. Scavengers

producers

Which receive energy directly from the sun? (5.4) a. Producers b. Consumers c. decomposers d. Inorganic nutrients

snake, eagle, mouse

Which three organisms receive energy from more than one trophic level? (5.4) a. Squirrel b. Beetle c. snake d. Eagle e. Bird f. Mouse

zooplankton and insects

Which two organisms are primary consumers in the food web? (5.4) a. Fish b. Spiders c.zooplankton d. Aquatic vegetation e. Insects f.Terrestrial grasses

bird and mouse

Which two organisms in this food web receive energy directly from the beetle? (5.4) a. Bird b. Squirrel c. snake d. Mouse e. Eagle f. seeds

decomposers

Which type of organisms makes use of the lowest energy level? (5.4) a.Producers b. Consumers c. decomposers d. carnivores

they help to recycle nutrients back into the soil

Why are fungi and bacteria important in a food chain or food web? (5.4) a.They are an important food source for primary consumers b.They are producers c.They help to recycle nutrients back into the soil d.They are an important food source for secondary consumers

secondary consumer

The lowest level of consumer for a carnivore