Ecology Final

Which statement about predators and herbivores is true? A. A broad diet is more typical of a predator than of an herbivore. B. There are few herbivorous insects. C. Only herbivores eat seeds more than any other plant part. D. Herbivores tend to be generalist and usually forage on many different types of plants.

A. A broad diet is more typical of a predator than of an herbivore.

In predator / prey cycles (ie. Lynx / Hare) a rise in prey population is followed directly by what? A. A rise in predator populations B. An increased number of predators cause a decline in prey populations C. As the prey population falls it will support fewer predators

A. A rise in predator populations

Why are ecologists concerned about the establishment of invasive species in new areas? A. Because invasive species can have large ecological effects in their new communities B. Because invasive species always cause a decline in biological diversity of the communities they invade C. Because invasive species that become established are easy to control D. Because invasive species are often toxic

A. Because invasive species can have large ecological effects in their new communities

Which of the following was a finding of Flecker and Townsend's studies of an aquatic trophic cascade? A. Brown trout decreased invertebrate density more than the native galaxias did. B. Brown trout decreased invertebrate species diversity more than the native galaxias did. C. Lower invertebrate density led to a decrease in algal biomass. D. Both b and c

A. Brown trout decreased invertebrate density more than the native galaxias did.

Which conclusion can be drawn from Brewer's experiments on pitcher plants? A. Competition for light is an important factor in their competition with noncarnivorous neighbors. B. Competition for nitrogen is an important factor in their competition with noncarnivorous neighbors. C. The plants were at a particular disadvantage when noncarnivorous neighbors were left intact and the pitchers were starved. D. Both b and c

A. Competition for light is an important factor in their competition with noncarnivorous neighbors.

What is the correct order of "filters" that control the diversity and kinds of species present in a community? A. Dispersal, abiotic factors, species interactions B. Species interactions, abiotic factors, dispersal C. Abiotic factors, species interactions, dispersal D. Dispersal, species interactions, abiotic factors

A. Dispersal, abiotic factors, species interactions

What is the correct order of "filters" that control the diversity and kinds of species present in a community? A. Dispersal, abiotic factors, species interactions B. Species interactions, abiotic factors, dispersal C. Abiotic factors, species interactions, dispersal D. Dispersal, species interactions, abiotic factors

A. Dispersal, abiotic factors, species interactions

Which statement about estuaries is false? A. Estuary is another name for salt marsh. B. Many commercially important fish species inhabit estuaries during their juvenile stages. C. They usually have high levels of nutrients. D. Their salinity often varies according to the tides.

A. Estuary is another name for salt marsh.

An insect has habitat requirements that overlap substantially with those of other endangered species. Because this insect is well known for its extremely beautiful coloration, efforts to protect it have garnered much support. It is thus acting as a(n) _______ species. A. Flagship B. keystone C. invasive D. focal

A. Flagship

Which statement about mutualisms is false? A. For an ecological interaction to be a mutualism, the net benefits must exceed the net costs for one partner but not the other. B. Species do not engage in mutualisms for altruistic reasons. C. In some mutualisms, one or the other partner, under certain environmental conditions, will withdraw the reward it usually provides. D. There is an inherent conflict of interest between the partners in a mutualism.

A. For an ecological interaction to be a mutualism, the net benefits must exceed the net costs for one partner but not the other.

You are studying two species of tree frog. The two species are found on two different islands, separated by 200 km of ocean water. Species A lives on very light-colored rocks and species B lives on dark-colored trees. Which process is most unlikely to be affecting allele frequencies in the population? A. Gene flow between populations B. Natural selection C. Mutation rates D. Genetic drift

A. Gene flow between populations

Which of the following can help protect local populations from extinction? A. Immigration B. Inbreeding C. Allee effects D. Demographic stochasticity

A. Immigration

In Brown and Davidson's study of seed-eating rodents and ants in Arizona, the number of rodents _______ when ants were removed and the number of ant colonies _______ when rodents were removed. A. Increased; increased B. increased; decreased C. decreased; increased D. decreased; decreased

A. Increased; increased

Sousa's studies of southern California boulders showed that algal succession is driven predominately by A. Inhibition. B. tolerance. C. facilitation. D. inhibition under low salt conditions and facilitation under high salt conditions.

A. Inhibition.

Two species of birds actively fight over berries. Injuries have been observed, and the presence of one species limits the survival and reproduction of the other. What type of competition is this? A. Interference B. Exploitative C. Allelopathy D. Logistic

A. Interference

Which statement about environmental science is true? A. It is an interdisciplinary field that incorporates concepts from the natural sciences, economics, and sociology B. It is the same discipline as ecology. C. It focuses on understanding the causes behind the distribution and abundances of organisms. D. All environmental scientists are activists

A. It is an interdisciplinary field that incorporates concepts from the natural sciences, economics, and sociology

What does this graph demonstrate (number of eggs laid on the x-axis, and percentage of eggs surviving to fledging on the y-axis)? A. Lack's clutch size B. Live fast, die young C. Tradeoff between seed size and number D. Slow and steady

A. Lack's clutch size

Based on the results of studies of male widowbird tail length and mating success, what would you predict will likely happen to the male widowbirds over many generations? A. Male average tail lengths will be longer. B. Male average tail lengths will be shorter. C. Male average tail lengths will stay the same. D. Male tails will be brighter colored.

A. Male average tail lengths will be longer.

Which type of succession involves colonization of habitats devoid of life? A. Primary B. Secondary C. Pristine D. Abiotic

A. Primary

Which statement about the equilibrium theory of island biogeography is false? A. The number of species on an island depends on a balance between immigration and competition rates. B. If the extinction rate increases, the number of species on an island should decrease. C. If the immigration rate increases, the number of species on an island should increase. D. The theory applies to island-like habitats as well as islands.

A. The number of species on an island depends on a balance between immigration and competition rates.

In the succession that followed the eruption of Mount St. Helens, which organism played an important role as an ecosystem engineer? A. The pocket gopher Thomomys talpoides B. The frog Rana cascadae C. The toad Bufo boreas D. The salamander Ambystoma gracile

A. The pocket gopher Thomomys talpoides

Which statement about the mammal fauna native to North and South America is true? A. There are some differences because the two continents were originally part of different "super continents." B.They show some similarities because the Americas, as distinct from Europe, Asia, and Africa, were once part of the same "super continent." C. They show some similarities because the two continents split apart about 6 million years ago. D. They show strong differences because the two continents were never connected.

A. There are some differences because the two continents were originally part of different "super continents."

Which statement about CAM and C4 plants is true? A. They both make use of the enzyme PEPcase. B. They both have differentiated mesophyll and bundle sheath tissue separated by a waxy layer. C. They both are typically found in wet climates. D. During the night, stomata are opened in both types of plants.

A. They both make use of the enzyme PEPcase.

Which of the following will most likely exhibit a regular or nearly regular pattern of dispersion? A. a species that competes for a limiting resource that is equally distributed in space B. a species whose habitat is patchily distributed C. a species with short dispersal distances D. a species in which individuals are positioned at locations selected at random

A. a species that competes for a limiting resource that is equally distributed in space

Vegetation patterns affect the reflectance of solar radiation. The capacity of a land surface to reflect solar radiation is known as its A. albedo. B. evapotranspiration rate. C. Hadley index. D. lapse rate.

A. albedo.

At low population densities, the flocking behavior of some species of birds is disrupted to the extent that the population growth rate is lower at very low densities than it is at somewhat higher densities. This is an example of A. an Allee effect. B. genetic drift. C. environmental stochasticity. D. dampened oscillations.

A. an Allee effect.

Davidson and Andrewartha's studies of thrips (Thrips imaginis) showed that A. annual fluctuations in population size could be predicted based on rainfall and temperature data. B. annual fluctuations in population size were due primarily to density-dependent factors. C. density-independent factors increase the size of populations when population size is low. D. All of the above

A. annual fluctuations in population size could be predicted based on rainfall and temperature data.

As compared with terrestrial ecosystems, freshwater ecosystems A. are more likely to be characterized by the animals they contain as well as the plants. B. show more variability in temperature. C. occupy more area. D. have been less affected by human impact.

A. are more likely to be characterized by the animals they contain as well as the plants.

In species where females provide the bulk of the parental care, females are most likely to A. be choosy about which males they mate with. B. be indiscriminant about which males they mate with. C. mate with as many males as possible. D. compete to mate with choosy males.

A. be choosy about which males they mate with.

The failure of some non-native species to become incorporated into communities is often attributed to _______ . A. biotic resistance B. MacArthur's law C. the complementary model D. nonequilibrium exclusion

A. biotic resistance

Researchers have helped increase the abundance of the red-cockaded woodpecker by A. constructing artificial nest cavities. B. vaccinating the birds against parasites. C. placing bird feeders in their area. D. stopping all burning in the longleaf pine ecosystem.

A. constructing artificial nest cavities.

Off-road mountain vehicles and mountain bikes trample various plant species in the Santa Cruz Mountains and hills of California. Although plants still persist in the area and many species are unaffected, habitat quality for many species has declined. This is an example of habitat A. degradation. B. homogenization. C. loss. D. fragmentation.

A. degradation.

When λ = 1 or r = 0, the population size A. does not change B. decreases in size C. increases in size D. all of the above

A. does not change

You are trying to determine how the number of individuals in a population will change in the near future. Population growth occurs in a continuous fashion. To do this you measured the following properties of the population: it has a per capita birth rate equal to 0.02 individuals/ individual/unit time, a per capita death rate of 0.01 individuals/individual/unit time, a per capita immigration rate of 0.00 individuals/individual/unit time, and a per capita emigration rate of 0.02 individuals/individual/unit time. Based on this information the population is expected to: A. have fewer individuals in the future B. have the same population size in the future C. have more individuals in the future D. have no individuals in the future

A. have fewer individuals in the future

Across various sites within the rainforest of Panama, different species of trees are found with little overlap among sites. Based on this pattern of species turnover, Panama's rainforest is best described as having _______ diversity. A. high beta B. low alpha C. low beta D. high alpha

A. high beta

In Sousa's experiments, communities living on the smallest boulders had _______ levels of disturbance and _______ species diversity. A. high; low B. high; high C. low; high D. low; low

A. high; low

Habitat fragmentation tends to _______ the rate of inbreeding and _______ the effects of genetic drift. A. increase; increase B. increase; decrease C. decrease; increase D. decrease; decrease

A. increase; increase

In Sousa's study of succession in intertidal boulder fields in California, disturbance was _______ proportional to the size of the boulders. The highest level of species richness occurred when disturbance was _______. A. inversely; at an intermediate level B. directly; at an intermediate level C. inversely; high D. directly; high

A. inversely; at an intermediate level

The photic zone is important in both marine and freshwater systems, because A. it is where enough light penetrates allowing for photosynthesis. B. it is where detritus accumulates. C. it is the coldest part of the system and where oxygen concentrations are often low. D. all of the above.

A. it is where enough light penetrates allowing for photosynthesis.

In terrestrial plants, the closing of stomates to reduce water loss when water is scarce has two major trade-offs: Photosynthesis is limited due to _______, and membranes can be damaged by _______. A. limited CO2 uptake; energy accumulation B. increased retention of H2O; energy accumulation C. limited CO2 uptake; an increase in enzyme concentrations D. limited retention of H2O; increased transpiration

A. limited CO2 uptake; energy accumulation

An abrupt transition in form between the larval and juvenile stages is known as _________________ and can occur in insects and __________________________. A. metamorphosis; amphibians B. metamorphosis; mammals C. phenotypic plasticity; amphibians D. semelparous; fishes

A. metamorphosis; amphibians

In an inverted trophic pyramid, _______ biomass is present in the secondary carnivores than in the primary producers. Compared to terrestrial systems, aquatic systems are _______ likely to feature inverted pyramids. A. more; much more B. more; about as C. more; much less D. less; much more

A. more; much more

According to the work of Estes and others, an increase in _______ would lead to an increase in the abundance of urchins. A. orcas B. Opuntia stricta C. glades D. otters

A. orcas

The interactions between the American chestnut and the parasitic fungus Cryphonectria parasitica best exemplify the principle that A. parasites can drive host populations to extinction. B. parasites can influence host population cycles. C. selection can favor a diversity of host and parasite genotypes. D. vaccination can reduce the incidence of disease.

A. parasites can drive host populations to extinction.

In equatorial regions, the sun's rays strike Earth's surface at a more _______ angle than they do toward the poles. This means that the same amount of energy is spread over a _______ area in equatorial regions than in polar regions. A. perpendicular; smaller B. perpendicular; larger C. acute (less than 90? angle); larger D. acute (less than 90? angle); smaller

A. perpendicular; smaller

Suppose that a late succession plant that is surrounded by early succession plants will grow at a rate of 0.7 cm per day. If the early succession plants are removed experimentally, the late succession plants are observed to grow at a rate of 0.6 cm per day. This experiment shows that the early succession plants have a _______ effect on the late succession plants, and this observation is most consistent with the _______ model of succession. A. positive; facilitation B. negative; facilitation C. positive; inhibition D. positive; tolerance

A. positive; facilitation

In Paine's demonstration that removing the top predator in an intertidal food web led to lower species diversity, the top predator was a(n) A. sea star. B. mussel of the genus Mytilus. C. acorn barnacle. D. minnow.

A. sea star.

In general, biomes in the _______ zone have been changed the most by human activity. A. temperate B. tropical C. subtropical D. arctic

A. temperate

Though it contains only 11% of Earth's terrestrial vegetation cover, the _______ biome is home to about half of Earth's species. A. tropical rainforest B. tropical seasonal forest C. temperate grassland D. temperate deciduous forest

A. tropical rainforest

Compared with land at the same latitude, ocean waters tend to be _______ in the winter and _______ in the summer because water has a _______ heat capacity than land has. A. warmer; colder; higher B. colder; warmer; lower C. warmer; warmer; higher D. colder; colder; lower

A. warmer; colder; higher

The lowest possible value of the Shannon index is _______. Low values indicate _______ species diversity. A. -1; low B. 0; low C. 0; high D. 1; low

B. 0; low

There are 800 birds on a 30 hectare island. What is the population density of birds per hectare? A. 800 birds per hectare B. 27 birds per hectare C. 13 birds per hectare D. 770 birds per hectare

B. 27 birds per hectare

Suppose you wanted to determine whether you had adequately sampled the species richness of a given amphibian community. Which result would most likely lead to the conclusion that more sampling was needed to assess the species richness? A. A high Shannon index value B. A linear species accumulation curve C. A species accumulation curve that reached a threshold D. A low Shannon index value

B. A linear species accumulation curve

Which of the following will most likely exhibit a regular or nearly regular pattern of dispersion? A. A species with short dispersal distances B. A species that competes for a limiting resource that is equally distributed in space C. A species in which individuals are positioned at locations selected at random D. A species whose habitat is patchily distributed

B. A species that competes for a limiting resource that is equally distributed in space

Which statement about the stratospheric ozone layer is false? A. CFCs, used in refrigerants and propellants, react with other chemicals to produce chemicals that destroy ozone molecules B. Decreases in protective ozone have been most pronounced near the equator. C. The levels of the protective ozone layer continued to decline after the Montreal Protocol, due to time lags. D. Amphibians appear to be particularly susceptible to the increased UV radiation brought about by the decline in the protective ozone layer.

B. Decreases in protective ozone have been most pronounced near the equator

Which statement about biomes is false? A. Biomes are determined according to similarities in the morphological responses of organisms to the physical environment. B. Determination of biomes incorporates taxonomic similarities among organisms. C. The same biome can be found on different continents. D. Biomes are characterized more by the plants that are found there than by the animals.

B. Determination of biomes incorporates taxonomic similarities among organisms.

Which of the following is an advantage that endoparasites have over ectoparasites? A. Dispersal ability B. Ease of feeding C. Less susceptibility to the host's immune system D. A more simple life cycle

B. Ease of feeding

_____________________ cause the physical environment to change over a certain distance into the fragment, and thus biological interactions and ecological processes change as well. A. Habitat corridors B. Edge effects C. Fragmentation D. Habitat loss

B. Edge effects

Which statement about the movement of energy through ecosystems is true? A. Energy can be recycled through consumers and producers. B. Energy can move in one direction only and cannot be recycled. C. Energy can reverse direction if organisms are allowed to decompose. D. Recent technology allows us to recycle the energy in our ecosystem.

B. Energy can move in one direction only and cannot be recycled.

Which factor most likely prevented the grasslands at the eastern edge of the Great Plains from becoming forest? A. Insufficient precipitation B. Frequent fires C. Too low temperatures D. All of the above

B. Frequent fires

Which statement about the amphibians that colonized the area around Mount St. Helens after the eruption is true? A. The frog Rana cascadae was the most important animal ecosystem engineer in the community. B. Frogs and salamanders started to colonize the area within the first few years of the eruption. C. By the year 2000, the species diversity of amphibians had reached pre-eruption levels. D. No amphibians recolonized the area as they had all been killed by the eruption.

B. Frogs and salamanders started to colonize the area within the first few years of the eruption.

Which evolutionary process is most likely to inhibit speciation? A. Directional selection B. Gene flow C. Genetic drift D. Disruptive selection

B. Gene flow

Which statement about environmental science is true? A. It focuses on understanding the causes behind the distribution and abundances of organisms. B. It is an interdisciplinary field that incorporates concepts from the natural sciences, economics, and sociology. C. All environmental scientists are activists. D. It is the same discipline as ecology.

B. It is an interdisciplinary field that incorporates concepts from the natural sciences, economics, and sociology.

Which statement about keystone species is true? A. Keystone species are always predators. B. It is possible for a species to behave as a keystone species in one part of its range but not in other parts. C. Keystone species have a large effect on energy flow and community composition because of their large biomass. D. Both b and c

B. It is possible for a species to behave as a keystone species in one part of its range but not in other parts.

Which statement about the beak of soapberry bugs is true? A. Its length is not a heritable trait. B. Its length has evolved in response to changes in fruits on which the insect feeds. C. Measurable evolutionary changes have not occurred to its length within decades. D. All of the above

B. Its length has evolved in response to changes in fruits on which the insect feeds.

Which of the following is not one of the currently documented ecological responses to climate change? A. Many species of nonmigratory European butterflies have shifted their ranges northward, with few shifting southward. B. Migratory birds in England and North America have been arriving at nest sites later in the season. C. There has been an upward shift from lower elevations to higher elevations of vascular plants in the European Alps. D. Lizard populations have been going extinct.

B. Migratory birds in England and North America have been arriving at nest sites later in the season.

Which of the following are found only in the photic zone? A. Zooplankton B. Phytoplankton C. Fungi D. Larger animals, like fish

B. Phytoplankton

A forest community has reestablished itself after an ice storm damaged most, but not all, of the trees in one area. Which type of succession best describes the reestablishment of the community after the storm? A. Climax B. Secondary C. Primary D. Biotic

B. Secondary

The cells of a fish are about 0.8% salt. One liter of water is about 1,000 grams. Solution A contains 70 grams of salt in 20 liters of water. Solution B contains 120 grams of salt in 10 liters of water. Solution C contains 50 grams of salt in 10 liters of water. Which solution is hyperosmotic to the fish? A. Solution A only B. Solution B only C. Both solution A and solution B D. Both solution B and solution C

B. Solution B only

Who is charged with executing the provisions of the Endangered Species Act? A. Al Gore B. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service C. The United Nations D. CITES

B. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

In Huffaker's studies of an herbivorous mite and its mite predator, which variable was critical in determining whether the populations of predator and prey would go extinct quickly or persist? A. Whether natural selection was operating to influence the population cycles B. The complexity of the habitat C. The nature of the prey's stress response D. Whether the predators were sit-and-wait or active

B. The complexity of the habitat

Which statement about Tilman and colleagues' studies of the diatoms Synedra and Asterionella is true? A. The species that reached the highest stable population when grown alone drove the other species to extinction. B. The species that reduced silica levels the furthest when grown alone drove the other species to extinction. C. Both species were able to coexist when grown together. D. The species that went extinct varied at random in different trials; sometimes it was Synedra, sometimes it was Asterionella.

B. The species that reduced silica levels the furthest when grown alone drove the other species to extinction.

Suppose that following a lava flow, pine grass (a hypothetical species) is the first species to colonize the area. Chemicals produced by pine grass change the soil chemistry in the environment, but these chemicals have little or no effect on subsequent colonization by later species. Which model would best explain this scenario of succession? A. Inhibition B. Tolerance C. Facilitation D. Both a and b

B. Tolerance

Which parasite alters the behavior of rats, such that they will seek out cats (which likely will capture and kill them)? A. Hymenoepimecius argyraphaga B. Toxoplasma gondii C. Hairworm D. Plasmodium

B. Toxoplasma gondii

An ecologist studying ecosystems would be most interested in which question? A. Is a predator species maintaining species diversity by selectively preying on the most abundant prey species? B. What controls energy flow through a lake system? C. How does temperature affect survivorship of marmots? D. How do features of the landscape affect the movement of bears?

B. What controls energy flow through a lake system?

An individual zooplankton can change its solute concentrations in response to a change in water salinity. This response is an example of _______ in the form of a(n) _______ adjustment. A. adaptation; turgor B. acclimatization; osmotic C. acclimatization; stomatic D. adaptation; osmotic

B. acclimatization; osmotic

Due to their low density, females of a species of turtles have difficulty finding mates. As a result, the population's growth rate has been low, despite ample resources. This is an example of A. isolation by distance. B. an Allee effect. C. genetic drift. D. environmental stochasticity.

B. an Allee effect.

Midges of the genus Axarus, which live in the bottom of rivers and lakes, are examples of a(n) _______ species. A. estuarine B. benthic C. photic D. lentic

B. benthic

According to research conducted by Zanette and colleagues, exposing song sparrow parents to the perception of increased predation risk A. caused offspring to retain too much heat. B. caused pairs to produce fewer offspring. C. caused pairs to produce more offspring. D. caused female offspring to choose mates with territories further away from predators.

B. caused pairs to produce fewer offspring.

Insects feeding on the leaves of a plant stimulate the plant to produce more leaves. This is an example of A. aposematism. B. compensation. C. Competition. D. an induced defense.

B. compensation.

A(n) _________________ is an organism that eats dead organic matter and causes the fragmentation of that matter into smaller pieces. A. decomposer B. detritivore C. autotroph D. fungus

B. detritivore

Antibiotics are a strong source of _____________ selection, leading to evolution of antibiotic resistance in bacteria. A. stabilizing B. directional C. determinant D. disruptive

B. directional

After large seeds became more common, the average beak size of the medium ground finch increased in size over the course of a few years. This change was most likely a case of A. disruptive selection. B. directional selection. C. stabilizing selection. D. genetic drift

B. directional selection.

The seagrasses in seagrass beds are A. red algae. B. flowering plants. C. green algae. D. brown algae.

B. flowering plants.

A highway severely inhibits movements of Florida cooters (a species of turtle) between sections of their habitat. For the cooters, this situation is one of habitat A. degradation. B. fragmentation. C. loss. D. homogenization

B. fragmentation.

According to the studies by Dyer and Letourneau, high densities of Tarsobaenus beetles in a lowland wet tropical forest led to _______ herbivory and _______ production A. higher; higher B. higher; lower C. lower; higher D. lower; lower

B. higher; lower

The term "K-selection" refers to selection A. for semelparity. B. in populations that tend to be close to the carrying capacity of the environment. C. for high population growth rates. D. to increase age at sexual maturity.

B. in populations that tend to be close to the carrying capacity of the environment.

In Paine's studies of ecosystems in the rocky intertidal zone, removal of Pisaster sea stars led to a long-term A. decrease in mussels of the genus Mytilus. B. increase in mussels of the genus Mytilus. C. increase in species diversity. D. increase in gooseneck barnacles.

B. increase in mussels of the genus Mytilus.

Deforestation in the tropics should result in a(n) _______ in the land's ability to reflect solar energy and a _______ in latent heat loss. A. increase; increase B. increase; decrease C. decrease; increase D. decrease; more variable result

B. increase; decrease

The Nile perch in Africa's Lake Victoria is an example of a(n) A. species that has become threatened due to habitat loss. B. invasive predator that is decreasing the diversity and abundance of native species. C. flagship species. D. umbrella species.

B. invasive predator that is decreasing the diversity and abundance of native species.

The thermoneutral zone is the range of temperatures in which an active endotherm A. is in torpor. B. is operating at its basal metabolic rate. C. can survive. D. is operating at its maximum metabolic rate.

B. is operating at its basal metabolic rate.

Which of the following is a way that allows an ectothermic organism to reduce heat loss? A. it physiologically adjusts its metabolic rate B. it exhibits behavior that alters the organisms thermal environment C. both A and B D. none of the above

B. it exhibits behavior that alters the organisms thermal environment

Despite having a relatively small biomass, populations of grizzly bears often have strong effects on their communities. The grizzly bear is therefore an example of a A. foundation species. B. keystone species. C. dominant species. D. trophic facilitator.

B. keystone species.

Compared with birds, amphibians have a _______ maximum resistance to and a _______ maximum tolerance for water loss. A. higher; higher B. lower; higher C. higher; comparable D. higher; lower

B. lower; higher

Cool air is _______ dense than warm air; as air cools, it _______. A. more; rises B. more; sinks C. less; rises D. less; sinks

B. more; sinks

El Niño events are associated with A. greatly increased upwelling in the eastern Pacific Ocean. B. much reduced or absent upwelling in the eastern Pacific Ocean. C. flooding in Indonesia and parts of Australia. D. droughts in the southeastern United States.

B. much reduced or absent upwelling in the eastern Pacific Ocean.

Populations of rock pocket mice that live on dark lava formations in Arizona and New Mexico have dark coats while nearby populations that live on light colored rocks have light coats. In each population _________ has favored individuals whose coat colors match their surroundings making them less visible to _________. A. natural selection; competitors B. natural selection; predators C. genetic drift; predators D. disruptive selection; competitors

B. natural selection; predators

The interactions between the American chestnut and the parasitic fungus Cryphonectria parasitica best exemplify the principle that A. selection can favor a diversity of host and parasite genotypes. B. parasites can drive host populations to extinction. C. parasites can influence host population cycles. D. vaccination can reduce the incidence of disease.

B. parasites can drive host populations to extinction.

Nasonia vitripennis is a wasp roughly the size of a Drosophila fly. Adult females drill holes and lay eggs in the pupae of blowflies and related species. These eggs then hatch into larvae, which then eat the pupae. Thus, Nasonia vitripennis is a A. hemiparasite. B. parastoid. C. microparasite. D. Both a and c

B. parastoid.

In the 1890s, the biologist Hermon Bumpus found that sparrows that had survived a Rhode Island storm were more likely to be of intermediate size than sparrows that had perished from the storm. This is most likely an example of A. gene flow. B. stabilizing selection. C. disruptive selection. D. genetic drift.

B. stabilizing selection.

The landscape of the Amazon rain forest has become more fragmented over the past half century. Thus, we would say that its _______ has changed. A. grain B. structure C. composition D. extent

B. structure

Some species in the genus Clusia start out as epiphytes but eventually can take on the tree form, a transformation that is facilitated by a property known as facultative CAM. This property allows them to A. switch between C4 and CAM photosynthesis. B. switch between C3 and CAM photosynthesis. C. switch between C3 and C4 photosynthesis. D. switch among C3, C4, and CAM photosynthesis.

B. switch between C3 and CAM photosynthesis.

On cool mornings you can see lizards lying flat on the ground. While doing this some lizards can even shift their ribs to increase the amount of surface area they have in contact with the ground. What is the most correct explanation for why the lizards are doing this? A. they are lazy B. they are trying to increase the amount of heat they gain via conduction C. they are trying to increase the amount of heat they lose via convection D. they are trying to reduce the amount of heat lost via evaporation

B. they are trying to increase the amount of heat they gain via conduction

Which of the following is the most important criteria for determining whether to model the growth of a particular population with the exponential population growth model versus the geometric population growth model? A. whether or not the population has a carrying capacity B. whether or not reproduction occurs in discrete breeding seasons C. whether or not birth rates exceed immigration rates D. whether or not the population is interacting with other species

B. whether or not reproduction occurs in discrete breeding seasons

How do predation and herbivory differ from parasitism and parasitoidism? A. Parasitism and parasitoidism are not exploitative relationships. B.Most parasites and parasitoids spend their entire lives consuming a single individual, whereas herbivores and predators usually eat at least several different individuals. C. Unlike parasitoids and parasites, predators and herbivores usually do not exert strong selective pressures on their food organisms. D. Parasitism never results in the death of the organism, while predation and herbivory usually do cause the death of the organisms they eat.

B.Most parasites and parasitoids spend their entire lives consuming a single individual, whereas herbivores and predators usually eat at least several different individuals.

Which statement is closest to Alfred Russel Wallace's early hypothesis for the higher diversity of life in the tropics? A.The tropics are more climatically stable than other parts of the globe, and thus can support species with larger population sizes. Such species are less prone to extinction. B.The tropics are more climatically stable than other parts of the globe, and thus tropical species have had more time to diversify than those in areas with severe climatic conditions. C.The tropics have a larger land area than other parts of the globe, and thus can support species with larger population sizes. Such species are less prone to extinction. D.The tropics have a larger land area than other parts of the globe, and thus can support species with larger population sizes. Such species are more apt to produce new species.

B.The tropics are more climatically stable than other parts of the globe, and thus tropical species have had more time to diversify than those in areas with severe climatic conditions.

You are studying a population of dung beetles You find some dung patties and count the number of beetles. You find there are 3000 beetles initially. The intrinsic rate of increase for these beetles is 0.0800 individuals / (individual month) You want to know what the population size after 6 months will be? Based on the information given you should know which growth equation to use. On the exam you will be given all equations, but you will need to know which one to use. A. 1440 B. 3001 C. 4848 D. 35,4531

C. 4848

A population of rodents contained 703 individuals at the end of March. During the month of April, 47 died, 17 were born, 57 immigrated, and 16 emigrated. What was the population size after those events? A. 673 B. 692 C. 714 D. 730

C. 714

Which of the following did not occur after wolves were reintroduced to the Greater Yellowstone ecosystem? A. Changes in elk behavior B. Increased recruitment of woody browse species, such as Aspen C. A decrease in beaver population size D. Recovery of riparian functions

C. A decrease in beaver population size

Assuming that their average population growth rates and all other factors are equal, which population would most likely be at risk for extinction? A. A large population with low variation in its growth rate B. A large population with high variation in its growth rate C. A small population with high variation in its growth rate D. A small population with low variation in its growth rate

C. A small population with high variation in its growth rate

Which morphological difference is associated with C4 plants but not C3 plants? A. Stomata in the lower epidermis B. Spongy mesophyll cells C. A waxy coating of the bundle sheath D. Xylem

C. A waxy coating of the bundle sheath

Which of the following is an example of an anthropogenic Allee effect? A. As the population of a species of butterflies drops, there is more inbreeding in the species. B. The extinction of island endemics is often coupled with the introduction of cosmopolitan species. C. As rhinos become rarer, there is an increased effort by poachers to obtain their increasingly valuable horns. D. The introduction of an invasive grass species alters the ecological relationships of other organisms.

C. As rhinos become rarer, there is an increased effort by poachers to obtain their increasingly valuable horns.

Individual beetles on the island vary in size. Which beetle does optimal foraging theory predict the lizard will eat most frequently? A. Beetles that are smaller than average and are nearby. B. Beetles that are average size and are far away. C. Beetles that are bigger than average and are nearby. D. The size of the beetles is unlikely to affect the lizard's foraging preferences.

C. Beetles that are bigger than average and are nearby.

Which of the following represents the correct order of levels of biological organization, from largest to smallest? A. Biosphere; ecosystem; population; community B. Biosphere; population; ecosystem; community C. Biosphere; ecosystem; community; population D. Ecosystem; biosphere; community; population

C. Biosphere; ecosystem; community; population

Which statement about the relationship between consumers and producers is true? A. Consumers obtain energy by eating other organisms, whereas producers obtain energy by decomposing dead matter. B. Consumers obtain energy from an external source to produce their own food, whereas producers obtain energy by decomposing dead matter. C. Consumers obtain energy by eating other organisms, whereas producers use energy from an external source to produce their own food. D. Consumers and producers both obtain energy by eating other organisms; the difference lies in what types of organisms they eat.

C. Consumers obtain energy by eating other organisms, whereas producers use energy from an external source to produce their own food.

Which statement about change in communities is true? A. Only biotic factors can be agents of change. B. Only abiotic factors can be agents of change. C. Disturbances create opportunities for some species to grow or reproduce due to the injury or death of other individuals. D. "Stress" and "disturbance" are interchangeable words that describe the same processes.

C. Disturbances create opportunities for some species to grow or reproduce due to the injury or death of other individuals.

Which statement is false? A. What we know about ecology is always changing. B. Even results of experiments that do not support a hypothesis can be useful. C. Ecologists can prove their hypotheses are true based on the results of a single experiment. D. The scientific method is iterative and self-correcting.

C. Ecologists can prove their hypotheses are true based on the results of a single experiment.

Which of the following is not part of the scientific method used in studying frog deformities? A. Observations of nature leading to questions about those observations B. Use of previous knowledge to develop possible answers to the questions (hypotheses) C. Ethics studies and surveys to determine the public perception about frog deformities D. Evaluations of competing hypotheses by means of careful observations

C. Ethics studies and surveys to determine the public perception about frog deformities

Which of the following does not follow from the list of ecological maxims? A. At some point, every population will experience checks on its growth and resource use. B. Whatever affects one organism can affect others as well. C. Evolution took place in the past, but it is no longer occurring. D. Ecosystems change over space and time. E. All of the above follow from the ecological maxims.

C. Evolution took place in the past, but it is no longer occurring.

Which process changes allele frequencies by chance alone? A. Disruptive selection B. Stabilizing selection C. Genetic drift D. Both a and b

C. Genetic drift

In which biome is climate change currently a high or very high threat? A. Tropical forest B. Temperate grassland C. Polar D. Marine

C. Polar

Which of the following is an extreme case of population fluctuations? A. Logistic growth B. Demographic stochasticity C. Population outbreaks D. Delayed density dependence

C. Population outbreaks

Which statement about the role of ecology in evolution is true? A. Although ecological factors greatly affect the likelihood of population extinctions, they have minimal effects on speciation. B. Ecological changes do not affect the influence of genetic drift through changes in population size. C. Predator-prey interactions can cause large-scale evolution in both the predators and the prey. D. Both a and b

C. Predator-prey interactions can cause large-scale evolution in both the predators and the prey.

Which statement about invasive species is true? A. Invasive species threaten only their competitors. B. Control of invasive species is easy and inexpensive. C. Preventing invasive species from entering new areas is the best strategy for combating the threat of invasive species. D. Invasive species often serve as flagship species.

C. Preventing invasive species from entering new areas is the best strategy for combating the threat of invasive species.

Which of the following is not a biotic feature of the environment that can limit an organism's distribution or abundance? A. Competitors B. Parasites C. Rainfall D. Predator

C. Rainfall

Which statement about habitat corridors is false? A. They may facilitate the movement of pathogens. B. They may facilitate the movement of species that we want to protect. C. Researchers found that they greatly decreased predation of indigo buntings at the Savannah River Ecological Laboratory. D. Biodiversity can best be sustained by large reserves connected across the landscape and buffered from areas of intense human use

C. Researchers found that they greatly decreased predation of indigo buntings at the Savannah River Ecological Laboratory

Assuming all other factors are equal, which statement about the success of core natural areas as a conservation measure is false? A. One large reserve is superior to a few small reserves with the same total area. B. Areas with compact shapes are superior to areas with less compact shapes. C. Several reserves far apart are superior to the same number of reserves close together. D. Reserves connected by habitat corridors are superior to unconnected reserves.

C. Several reserves far apart are superior to the same number of reserves close together.

In Huffaker's studies of an herbivorous mite and its mite predator, which variable was critical in determining whether the populations of predator and prey would go extinct quickly or persist? A. Whether natural selection was operating to influence the population cycles B. The nature of the prey's stress response C. The complexity of the habitat D. Whether the predators were sit-and-wait or active

C. The complexity of the habitat

In the succession that followed the eruption of Mount St. Helens, which organism played an important role as an ecosystem engineer? A. The toad Bufo boreas B. The frog Rana cascadae C. The pocket gopher Thomomys talpoides D. The salamander Ambystoma gracile

C. The pocket gopher Thomomys talpoides

In his experiments with different competing pairs of Paramecium species, Gause found that sometimes both species persisted and sometimes only one species did. Which hypothesis did Gause propose in order to explain the cases in which both species persisted? A. One species was a much better competitor than the other. B. Periodic disturbance allowed for coexistence. C. The two species tended to use different resources. D. The two species exhibited only interference competition, not exploitative competition.

C. The two species tended to use different resources.

What is the advantage for a male cricket parasitized by hairworms to seek out water? A. By hydrating the cricket, the water decreases the negative effects of the parasite. B. Female crickets live near the water; by going to the water, the infected cricket can increase his chances of mating before the parasite kills him. C. There is no advantage for the cricket; the cricket's behavior is advantageous only to the parasite. D.There is no advantage for the infected cricket, but by going to the water and drowning, the cricket reduces the prevalence of parasitism in the species.

C. There is no advantage for the cricket; the cricket's behavior is advantageous only to the parasite.

Which of the following is the first step in Darwin's process of natural selection? A. More individuals are produced than can be supported by the environment. B. Much of the variation is heritable. C. There is variation in the characteristics among individuals within a species. D. Some individuals have a higher chance of surviving and reproducing than other individuals because they possess traits that are favorable in that particular environment.

C. There is variation in the characteristics among individuals within a species.

Which statement about Flecker and Townsend's studies of an aquatic trophic cascade is false? A. Artificial stream channels were used to keep fish in or out. B. Brown trout were found to cause a significant increase in algae compared with the effects of the native galaxias. C. They demonstrated the importance of bottom-up effects. D. Brown trout were found to cause a greater decrease in invertebrate species density than the native galaxias did.

C. They demonstrated the importance of bottom-up effects.

Which types of organisms are most likely to harbor high concentrations of persistent organic pollutants in their bodies? A. Herbivores B. Decomposers C. Top predators D. Plants

C. Top predators

In the Lotka-Volterra predator-prey model, an increase in the capture efficiency (a) should lead to _______ in the long-term average number of predators and _______ in the long-term average number of prey. A. an increase; a decrease B. an increase; no change C. a decrease; a decrease D. no change; no change

C. a decrease; a decrease

Tall people generally have tall parents, and short people tend to have short parents. Based on this observation, we can infer that height is A. evolving in the human population. B. due to a single gene. C. a heritable trait. D. not a genetically-based trait.

C. a heritable trait.

Black walnut trees release chemicals that can be toxic to other plants. This phenomenon is an example of _______________. A. isoclines B. exploitative competition C. allelopathy D. character displacement

C. allelopathy

A bee pollinating an important agricultural crop is an example of A. a surrogate service. B. restoration management. C. an ecosystem service. D. ecosystem management.

C. an ecosystem service.

In wetland sediments, the physiological functioning of organisms is most likely to be negatively affected by _______ conditions. A. anadromous B. photic C. anoxic D. alkaline

C. anoxic

The failure of some non-native species to become incorporated into communities is often attributed to _______ (i.e., the phenomenon whereby interactions with native species exclude or slow the growth of non-native species). A. the complementary model B. nonequilibrium exclusion C. biotic resistance D. MacArthur's law

C. biotic resistance

Robert MacArthur showed that different species of warblers in New England forests A. cannot coexist indefinitely. B. coexist because they utilize different types of trees. C. coexist because they utilize different parts of the same trees. D. coexist because they utilize the same trees at different times of the day.

C. coexist because they utilize different parts of the same trees.

A group of interacting species that occur together at the same place and time is known as a A. species network. B. metapopulation. C. community. D. population.

C. community.

Heterotrophs are categorized by what they eat. A detritivore eats A. bacteria. B. algae. C. dead organic material. D. fungi.

C. dead organic material

In Grutter's studies in the Great Barrier Reef of Australia, removal of the cleaner fish led to a(n) _______ in the number of fish species and _______ in the number of individual fish. A. increase; an increase B. increase; a decrease C. decrease; a decrease D. decrease; little change

C. decrease; a decrease

Steelhead fish are predators of predatory insects, which in turn feed on midge larvae. The midge larvae feed on algae. By indirect effects, a reduction in the number of steelhead fish should lead to a(n) _______ in midges and a(n) _______ in algae. A. increase; increase B. decrease; decrease C. decrease; increase D. increase; decrease

C. decrease; increase

Steelhead fish are predators of predatory insects, which in turn feed on midge larvae. The midge larvae feed on algae. By indirect effects, a reduction in the number of steelhead fish should lead to a(n) _______ in midges and a(n) _______ in algae. A. increase; increase B. increase; decrease C. decrease; increase D. decrease; decrease

C. decrease; increase

The logistic equation assumes that A. the per capita growth rate is a constant. B. density-dependent factors do not regulate population growth. C. density-dependent factors are regulating population growth. D. the per capita growth rate increases with increasing density.

C. density-dependent factors are regulating population growth.

A beetle that feeds exclusively on dead wood is an example of a(n) _______ and is part of the _______ trophic level. A. herbivore; first B. herbivore; second C. detritivore; second D. omnivore; second

C. detritivore; second

A mudslide kills a large fraction of a population of a flower species. The reduction in this flower population allows for an increase in the population size of a fern that competes with the flower. This is an example of A. Facilitation. B. primary succession. C. disturbance. D. stress.

C. disturbance.

When wolves were restored to Yellowstone National Park, A. willow populations increased. B. there was a reduction in the recruitment of aspen and cottonwood. C. elk foraging behavior changed. D. beaver populations declined.

C. elk foraging behavior changed.

In a metapopulation setting, habitat fragmentation generally causes the _______ rate to increase and _______ to decrease. A. colonization; the extinction rate B. colonization; environmental stochasticity C. extinction; the colonization rate D. extinction; genetic drift

C. extinction; the colonization rate

Regional species diversity is also referred to as _______ diversity. A. alpha B. beta C. gamma D. delta

C. gamma

Compared with the zone below it, temperatures in the marine photic zone are generally _______ and water pressure is _______. A. lower; higher B. higher; higher C. higher; lower D. higher; about the same

C. higher; lower

Evolution in a parasite from ectoparasitism to endoparasitism would most likely be caused by a(n) _______ in the number or intensity of natural enemies of the _______. A. increase; host B. decrease; host C. increase; parasite D. decrease; parasite

C. increase; parasite

Between 1880 and 2012, the average annual global surface temperature A. decreased 0.8°C. B. increased 0.2°C. C. increased 0.8°C. D. increased 2.0°C.

C. increased 0.8°C.

As the number of eggs laid increases, the percentage of eggs surviving to fledging (when chicks are capable of flight) __________________ A. increases B. decreases C. increases and is known as Lack's clutch size D. decreases and is known as Lack's clutch size

C. increases and is known as Lack's clutch size

Corals are animals that are related to _______ and form close relationships with _______ in their colonies. A. flatworms; fungi B. jellyfish; fungi C. jellyfish; algae D. starfish; algae

C. jellyfish; algae

A population that experiences delayed density dependence will exhibit particular patterns of population dynamics depending upon rτ (the population growth rate under ideal conditions x the time lag in the effects of density dependence). At low levels of this interaction, the population should exhibit _______; at intermediate levels, it should display _______; and at still higher levels, it should exhibit _______. A. exponential growth; stable limit cycles; demographic stochasticity B. logistic growth; stable limit cycles; dampened oscillations C. logistic growth; dampened oscillations; stable limit cycles D. demographic stochasticity; stable limit cycles; genetic drift

C. logistic growth; dampened oscillations; stable limit cycles

Janzen restored the pasturelands in Costa Rica to native tropical dry forest by A. conducting controlled burns. B. completely removing cattle ranches. C. planting trees. D. increasing hunting.

C. planting trees.

In the Seychelles warbler, territorial behavior encourages a _______ population dispersion pattern, and cooperative breeding encourages a _______ population dispersion pattern. A. clumped; clumped B. clumped; regular C. regular; clumped D. regular; regular

C. regular; clumped

The Shannon index is a measure of A. interaction strength. B. species richness alone. C. species diversity. D. the extent of trophic facilitation.

C. species diversity.

The ability of a community to remain the same in terms of its structure and function despite some perturbation is known as A. persistence. B. equilibrium. C. stability. D. productivity.

C. stability.

When rτ is large (rτ > 1.57), the population fluctuates indefinitely about the carrying capacity. This pattern is referred to as A. logistic growth B. dampened oscillations C. stable limit cycle D. doubling time

C. stable limit cycle

Biologists find that tomato plants treated with an insecticide produce 2.2% more tomatoes compared to untreated plants. To assess whether these differences are significant, the biologists would most likely use A. a control group. B. a hypothesis. C. statistical analysis. D. replication. E. mathematical modeling.

C. statistical analysis.

In the Lotka-Volterra predator-prey model, b represents A. the birth rate of prey. B. the population growth rate of prey in the absence of predators. C. the efficiency at which prey biomass is converted into predator offspring. D. the capture efficiency of prey by predator

C. the efficiency at which prey biomass is converted into predator offspring.

The grizzly has habitat requirements that overlap substantially with those of other endangered species. As such, the grizzly is best classified as a(n) _______ species. A. keystone B. invasive C. umbrella D. focal

C. umbrella

Suppose that a new river cuts through a land mass, separating populations of mice on either side. These mice then evolve into new species on the two sides of the land mass. This is an example of evolution by A. continental drift. B. subduction. C. vicariance. D. ratites

C. vicariance.

What is the most likely reason that polar bears are found in the Arctic but not in Antarctica? A. Antarctica does not provide a suitable habitat for polar bears. B. Polar bears, which were derived from brown bears that lived in the Northern Hemisphere, are unable to travel long distances. C.Polar bears, which were derived from brown bears that lived in the Northern Hemisphere, can migrate long distances, but they are either unable or unwilling to travel across tropical areas that lie between the Arctic and Antarctica. D. Continental drift prevented the polar bears from going to Antarctica.

C.Polar bears, which were derived from brown bears that lived in the Northern Hemisphere, can migrate long distances, but they are either unable or unwilling to travel across tropical areas that lie between the Arctic and Antarctica.

Ecological rule that states that no two species can occupy the same exact niche in the same habitat at the same time

Competitive exclusion

The population density of ground crickets at Oldmill Farm is about 15 per square meter. Assuming that the crickets are randomly distributed, about how many crickets would you expect to find in a rectangular section of land that is 6 meters x 2 meters? A. 12 B. 15 C. 120 D. 180

D. 180

A culture of bacteria initially has 2 individuals present. The bacteria has a per capita rate of growth equal to 0.43 individuals/individual/hour. How many bacteria are present in the culture 24 hours later? Assume that population growth occurs in an exponential manner. Nt = N0ert A. 2 B. 15,452 C. 48,237 D. 60,667 E. 84,434

D. 60,667

Which statement about mass extinctions is false? A. Major extinctions can promote increases of diversity of some groups by removing their competitors. B. Paleontologists recognize five major mass extinctions. C. Dinosaurs were among the casualties of the last major mass extinction. D. After a mass extinction, communities quickly recover and the diversity of life usually rebounds to previous levels within a million years.

D. After a mass extinction, communities quickly recover and the diversity of life usually rebounds to previous levels within a million years.

Life tables can be based on the A. ages of organisms. B. life cycle stages of organisms. C. sizes of organisms. D. All of the above

D. All of the above

What determines the number of trophic levels in an ecosystem? A. The amount of primary production B. Frequency of disturbance C. Ecosystem size D. All of the above

D. All of the above

Which of the following is not a benefit provided by dispersal? A. Escape from predators and/or pathogens B. Reduced competition among close relatives C. Ability of organisms to move to favorable habitats D. All of the above are advantages of dispersal

D. All of the above are advantages of dispersal

Which of the following cannot be a factor determining the species composition of communities? A. Regional species pools B. Abiotic conditions C. The nature of interactions between introduced species and species already in the community D. All of the above can be factors determining species composition.

D. All of the above can be factors determining species composition.

Which of the following cannot be a resource for an organism? A. Physical space B. Light C. Another organism D. All of the above can be resources.

D. All of the above can be resources.

Which present-day continent was not part of Pangaea? A. North America B. Europe C. Asia D. All of the above were part of Pangaea.

D. All of the above were part of Pangaea.

Which statement about density-dependent or density-independent growth is true? A. Only density-independent factors can regulate population size. B. Density-independent factors do not have large effects on population size. C. A decrease in birth rate with increasing population size is a density-independent factor. D. An increase in emigration rate with increasing population size is a density-dependent factor.

D. An increase in emigration rate with increasing population size is a density-dependent factor.

A possible negative consequence of establishing habitat corridors is that they A. may facilitate the movement of pathogens. B. may facilitate the movement of invasive species. C. have never been demonstrated to be effective in assisting the movement of the target species. D. Both a and b

D. Both a and b

Acacia plants often have ants of the genus Pseudomymex associated with them. What benefit do the ants provide for the acacias? A. They limit herbivory by attacking potential herbivores. B. They limit competition by removing other plants. C. They provide a source of protein for the acacias. D. Both a and b

D. Both a and b

In its mutualistic interactions with leaf-cutter ants, a bacterium produces fungicides against a fungal pathogen and receives, as a benefit, A. a place to live. B. food from glandular secretions. C. defense against phages. D. Both a and b

D. Both a and b

Which attribute of a community tends to lead to higher species richness? A. High specialization of species B. A broad resource spectrum C. Low population size in each species D. Both a and b

D. Both a and b

Which negative effect can habitat fragmentation have on a metapopulation? A. It can make patches smaller, thus increasing the patch extinction rate. B. It can make patches more isolated, thus decreasing the patch colonization rate. C. It can lead to dampened oscillations within patches. D. Both a and b

D. Both a and b

Which of the following is an abiotic feature of the environment? A. The average minimum temperature at night B. The number of days during which at least 1 mm of rain falls C. The prevalence of parasites in the area D. Both a and b E. None of the above

D. Both a and b

Which population is likely to be increasing in size? A. A population with an r of 0.04 B. A population with a λ of 1.3 C. A population with a λ of 0.98 D. Both a and b

D. Both a and b

According only to the specifics of Levins's metapopulation model, which of the following is important in determining whether a metapopulation can persist for a long time? A. The spatial arrangement of patches B. The colonization rate of patches C. The extinction rate of patches D. Both b and c

D. Both b and c

Kangaroo rats adapted to the desert will A. produce more sweat during the hottest part of the day to reduce their body temperature. B. produce water through their metabolizing of food. C. rely on behavioral strategies to minimize water loss. D. Both b and c

D. Both b and c

Which model assumes the existence of competitive hierarchies among species? A. The lottery model B. The dynamic equilibrium model C. The intermediate disturbance model D. Both b and c

D. Both b and c

Which statement about phenotypic plasticity is true? A. All plasticity is adaptive. B. Plasticity can involve physiological responses. C. In some types of phenotypic plasticity, a single genotype can produce discrete morphs. D. Both b and c

D. Both b and c

The results of Connell's experiments with intertidal barnacles support which of the following principles of competition? A. Evolution by natural selection can alter the outcome of competition. B. Periodic disturbances that remove a superior competitor can allow inferior competitors to persist. C. Exploitative competition is the most common form of competition in nature. D. Both competition and physical factors can limit the local distribution of species.

D. Both competition and physical factors can limit the local distribution of species.

The _______ pathways, which provide high concentrations of CO2 to the Calvin cycle, substantially reduce photorespiration. A. C3 and C4 photosynthetic B. C4 photosynthetic and ATP C. ATP and CAM D. CAM and C4 photosynthetic

D. CAM and C4 photosynthetic

Which of the following statements about the ways that plants prevent water loss is false? A. Some plants shed their leaves during dry seasons to prevent transpirational water loss. B. A higher ratio of root biomass to stems and leaves enhances the rate of water supply. C. In dry habitats, plants may have thicker cuticles to slow water loss. D. Darkly pigmented leaves reduce reflection and increase heat gain by radiation.

D. Darkly pigmented leaves reduce reflection and increase heat gain by radiation.

Which statement about ecological footprints is false? A. The ecological footprint of the average American is much larger than that of the average person in much of the rest of the world. B.Calculations of ecological footprints are based on several sources of information, including agricultural productivity, resource use, and pollution. C. Ecological footprints can be used to estimate carrying capacities. D. Ecological footprints of populations do not change over time.

D. Ecological footprints of populations do not change over time.

Some Aleutian Islands are surrounded by urchin barrens while others are surrounded by kelp forests. Which of the following is the primary explanation for these differences? A. Kelp forest islands and urchin barren islands differ with respect to oceanic currents. B. Kelp eat urchins, thus preventing their establishment. C. The kelp forest islands experience a substantially warmer climate than do the urchin barren islands. D. Grazing by urchins prevents the formation of kelp forests.

D. Grazing by urchins prevents the formation of kelp forests.

Which of the following is not part of the growing taxonomic homogenization of Earth's biota? A. Increases in the number of native generalist species B. Spread of introduced species C. Decreases in the distribution of native specialist species D. Increases in the number of native specialist species

D. Increases in the number of native specialist species

Two species of birds actively fight over berries. Injuries have been observed, and the presence of one species limits the survival and reproduction of the other. What type of competition is this? A. Exploitative B. Logistic C. Allelopathy D. Interference

D. Interference

From the act of pollinating flowers, a wasp population gains the benefit of a 0.08 growth rate increase per month. However, the costs imposed by the flower (wasps getting stuck, time spent pollinating the flower instead of pollinating other species, etc.) is a 0.03 reduction in growth rate per month. The flower gains benefits from the pollination that enhance its population growth rate by 0.09 per month, but it incurs costs (feeding the wasps, damage done by the bees) that reduce its growth rate by 0.06 per month. Which statement best describes the relationship between the bees and the flowers? A. It is a host-parasite relationship in which the flowers are the hosts and the bees are the parasites. B. It is an amensalism. C. It is a commensalism. D. It is a mutualism.

D. It is a mutualism.

Which of the following would be most likely to be K-selected? A. Mice B. Weedy plants C. Mayflies D. Lions

D. Lions

Which statement about hot deserts is true? A. They are usually located within 10 degrees of the equator. B. Succulent stems are not common in hot deserts. C. Both a and c. D. Low water availability is an important constraint on the abundance of desert plants.

D. Low water availability is an important constraint on the abundance of desert plants.

During the summer vacation you decide to take a road trip from Greenville, NC and visit Miami, FL, Washington, D.C., and Toronto, Ontario (in Canada). On the basis of the well-documented trend in species diversity with latitude, where would you expect to see the greatest number of frog species? A. Toronto, Ontario B. Washington D.C. C. Greenville, NC D. Miami, FL

D. Miami, FL

Which statement about global biogeographic patterns is true? A. For any given latitude, the diversity of species is roughly constant for all longitudes no "hot spots" of diversity exist. B. All groups of organisms show more diversity at the tropics than at higher latitudes. C. Species diversity patterns are better explained by differences in longitude, not latitude. D. Most groups of organisms show more diversity at the tropics than at higher latitudes.

D. Most groups of organisms show more diversity at the tropics than at higher latitudes.

What is true about oxygen concentrations in water? A. All organisms require oxygen for metabolism B. Hypoxia refers to high oxygen conditions C. Oxygen diffuses quickly into water D. Oxygen levels are important for chemical reactions that determine nutrient availability

D. Oxygen levels are important for chemical reactions that determine nutrient availability

Which statement about ecological studies is true? A. They usually focus on individuals. B. They usually focus on populations. C. They usually focus on ecosystems. D. The can focus on any level of biological organization from individuals up through to the level of the biosphere.

D. The can focus on any level of biological organization from individuals up through to the level of the biosphere.

Which of the following is a biotic feature of the environment? A. The pH of the soils B. The average maximum temperature at night C. The number of days during which at least 1 mm of rain falls D. The number of days during which a predator is actively hunting

D. The number of days during which a predator is actively hunting

Despite the loss of the Atlantic forest habitat of Brazil, no extinctions of birds from this area have been reported. According to Brooks and colleagues, which of the following is the most plausible explanation for the apparent lack of extinctions? A. Birds are adapting to inhabiting forest fragments. B. Birds are adapting to inhabiting the deforested areas. C. Birds have gone extinct, but biologists have not observed the extinctions. D. There is a time lag between deforestation and extinction, and this time lag has not played itself out.

D. There is a time lag between deforestation and extinction, and this time lag has not played itself out.

Which statement about foundation species is true? A. They cannot be ecosystem engineers. B. They have low abundance but strong effects on the community. C. They are also keystone species. D. They have strong community effects due to their high abundance.

D. They have strong community effects due to their high abundance.

Which statement about Simberloff and Wilson's tests of the equilibrium theory of island biogeography in islands of the Florida Keys is true? A. They prevented predators from coming to some islands through the use of enclosures. B. They fragmented the habitat on some of the islands, thereby increasing the extinction rate. C. They exposed some of the islands to a new predator. D. They sprayed some of the islands with insecticides to defaunate them.

D. They sprayed some of the islands with insecticides to defaunate them.

The types of behaviors that an animal engages in are determined by A. the genetic makeup of the individual and the animal's preferences. B. the local environmental conditions and the individual's ability to reason. C. a combination of the animal's preferences and its genetic makeup. D. a combination of environmental conditions and the individual's genes.

D. a combination of environmental conditions and the individual's genes.

A mouse exposed to reduced levels of oxygen initially cannot run as fast as usual, but after a week its performance improves. This is an example of _______ to _______. A. acclimatization; hypothermia B. adaptation; hypoxia C. adaptation; hypothermia D. acclimatization; hypoxia

D. acclimatization; hypoxia

Stress in an organism is caused by an environmental change that results in a decrease in the rate of an important physiological process, such as A. growth B. reproduction C. survival D. all of the above

D. all of the above

The distribution of a species is limited by: A. the availability of locations with abiotic conditions that the species can tolerate B. the presence or absence of other species C. the ability of individuals of the species to disperse D. all of the above

D. all of the above

In mountain biological zones, the alpine zone differs from the tundra in that A. the alpine zone has higher wind speeds. B. the alpine zone has more intense solar radiation. C. the alpine zone has lower atmospheric partial pressure of O2 and CO2. D. all of the above are correct differences between the alpine zone and the tundra biome.

D. all of the above are correct differences between the alpine zone and the tundra biome.

Many species of butterflies are noxious to predators. They also have bright red coloration that indicates to the potential predators that they are unpleasant or even harmful to eat. This is an example of _______ coloration. A. exploitative B. cryptic C. apomitic D. aposematic

D. aposematic

The final theoretical stage of succession is called the _______ stage. A. omega B. ultimate C. penultimate D. climax

D. climax

A bear accidentally carries the seeds of a weedy plant in its fur. Transporting the seeds neither helps nor harms the bear, but it is beneficial to the plant. This is an example of a(n) A. amensalism. B. mutualism. C. symbiosis. D. commensalism.

D. commensalism.

Many species live in the Quabbin Reservoir in Massachusetts, and these different species interact to varying degrees. This is an example of a(n) A. ecosystem. B. population. C. biosphere. D. community.

D. community.

Genetic drift tends to _______ genetic variation within small populations, and _______ genetic differences among populations. A. increase; increase B. increase; have no effect on C. increase; decrease D. decrease; increase

D. decrease; increase

In the years since Myxoma was introduced to Australia, the virus _______ and rabbits _______ to the virus A. has evolved to become more lethal; have evolved resistance B. has evolved to become more lethal; have not changed in their level of resistance C. has not changed in its lethality; have evolved resistance D. has evolved to become less lethal; have evolved resistance

D. has evolved to become less lethal; have evolved resistance

Despite having a relatively small biomass, populations of grizzly bears often have strong effects on their communities. The grizzly bear is therefore an example of a A. foundation species. B. trophic facilitator. C. dominant species. D. keystone species.

D. keystone species.

According to the intermediate disturbance hypothesis, A. high disturbance levels increase species diversity due to high mortality. B. high disturbance levels reduce species diversity due to competitive exclusion. C. intermediate disturbance levels increase species diversity due to resource partitioning. D. low or absent disturbance levels reduce species diversity due to competitive exclusion.

D. low or absent disturbance levels reduce species diversity due to competitive exclusion.

According to the dynamic equilibrium model, species diversity is highest when disturbance is at _______ levels and competitive displacement is at _______ levels. A. high; high B. high; intermediate C. low to intermediate; high D. low to intermediate; low to intermediate

D. low to intermediate; low to intermediate

According to the Menge-Sutherland model, predation affects species richness most significantly at _______ levels of environment stress or disturbance, and competition is the most important factor at _______ levels of environmental stress or disturbance. A. high; medium B. medium; high C. low; high D. low; medium

D. low; medium

Under sexual selection, individuals with certain characteristics gain advantages over others solely with respect to _______ success. A. survival B. foraging C. antipredator D. mating

D. mating

An association of individuals of the same species living in the same area is called a(n) A. ecosystem. B. biosphere. C. community. D. population.

D. population.

A region that is experiencing very frequent disturbances of intermediate intensity will most likely exhibit _______. If the intensity of these disturbances increases noticeably, the region will most likely exhibit _______. A. primary succession; extinction of all life B. primary succession; secondary succession C. secondary succession; primary succession D. secondary succession; extinction of all life

D. secondary succession; extinction of all life

Two tree species live in different environments yet share many similar characteristics. The most likely reason for these similarities is A. genetic drift. B. natural selection. C. adaptive radiations. D. shared ancestry.

D. shared ancestry.

Trophy hunting in bighorn sheep has had an inadvertent evolutionary consequence: the sheep have become _______ and their horns have become _______. A. larger; larger B. larger; smaller C. smaller; larger D. smaller; smaller

D. smaller; smaller

Biologists find that worms treated with a hormone live 1.3 days longer than untreated worms. To assess whether these differences are significant, the biologists would most likely use A. mathematical modeling. B. a control group. C. replication. D. statistical analysis.

D. statistical analysis.

The two major compounds in the atmosphere that are responsible for acidic precipitation are _______ and _______. A. sulfuric acid; hydrochloric acid B. ozone; hydrochloric acid C. ozone; nitric acid D. sulfuric acid; nitric acid

D. sulfuric acid; nitric acid

In the Lotka‒Volterra predator‒prey model, the parameter a represents A. the birth rate of prey. B. the population growth rate of prey in the absence of predators. C. the efficiency with which prey biomass is converted into predator offspring. D. the capture efficiency of prey by predators.

D. the capture efficiency of prey by predators.

Which of the following is a trait that a plant living in the arctic could have to minimize the likelihood of freezing? A. they have reflective leaves that are arranged so that light hits the sides of the leaf B. the base of the plant is rather narrow and the bulk of the plant is located well off the ground C. they have an open growth form that increases exposure to the wind D. they have darkly pigmented leaves to increase heat gain via radiation

D. they have darkly pigmented leaves to increase heat gain via radiation

High productivity in the open ocean would most likely be found in A. polar cells. B. the South Pacific. C. the Labrador current. D. upwelling zones.

D. upwelling zones.

The side of a mountain range that faces into the prevailing winds is called the _______ side. This usually receives _______ precipitation than the other side of the mountain. A. leeward; more B. leeward; less C. starboard; less D. windward; more

D. windward; more

Which of the following statements about producers is false? A. They acquire energy from an outside source. B. They respire C. They are responsible for NPP. D. They can be eaten by consumers. E. All of the above are true; none is false.

E. All of the above are true; none is false.

Which of the following community functions provides valuable services to humans? A. Food and fuel production B. Water purification C. O2 and CO2 exchange D. Protection from catastrophic events, such as floods E. All of the above provide valuable services to humans

E. All of the above provide valuable services to humans

Which of the following statements about evolution by natural selection is true? Answers: A. Populations evolve by natural selection. B. Individuals evolve by natural selection. C. Adaptations are the result of evolution by natural selection. D. Both a and b E. Both a and C

E. Both a and c

An organism's life history is a record of events relating to its A. development B. survival C. reproduction D. growth E. all of the above

E. all of the above

Human activities also influence the distribution of biomes by conversion of land for A. agriculture development B. logging activities C. resource extraction D. urban development E. all of the above

E. all of the above

Why should humans care about conserving biodiversity? A. because of a moral responsibility B. for economic & medicinal benefits C. because biodiversity can serve as an indicator of environmental quality D. because biodiversity can maintain ecosystem properties E. all of the above are reasons to conserve biodiversity

E. all of the above are reasons to conserve biodiversity

Which of the following organisms reproduces during discrete time periods? A. humans B. bacteria C. some species of plants D. cicadas (insect) E. both C and D

E. both C and D

All groups of organisms show more diversity at the tropics than at higher latitudes. True or False

False

Aquatic environments may be hyperosmotic, meaning the environment is less saline than an organism's cells. True or False

False

Current human population growth matches the logistic population growth curve. True or False

False

Does the "hole" in the ozone account for observed effects of climate change, such as the melting polar ice caps? True or False

False

If species have a high degree of specialization, it can result in more competition and low species richness. True or False?

False

In Simberloff & Wilson's experiment testing the theory of island biogeography, after one year species numbers were similar to numbers found before the experiment, with far islands having the most species. True or False

False

Over several generations a population may undergo adaptation to the stress, but the physiological process may never return to its pre-stress rate. True or False

False

Plants have chemical defenses, called primary compounds, where plants release toxic chemicals to reduce herbivory. True or False

False

Predators exert strong selection pressure on their prey—if prey are not well defended, they die. Thus, prey do not influence predator adaptations to prey defenses. True or False

False

The greatest seasonal variation of temperature is most likely to be seen over oceans. True or False

False

Upwelling can occur anywhere in the ocean. True or False

False

When human activities remove large portions of the species habitat its population sizes shrink and the distances between populations increase, causing evolutionary changes that increase its potential for adaptive evolution and decrease its risk of extinction. True or False

False

Allocating resources to reproduction can decrease an individual's growth rate, survival rate, or potential for future reproduction. True or False

True

Current evidence indicates that the current mass extinction differs from the 5 prior mass extinctions in that the current mass extinction is the result of the actions of one species. True or False

True

Density-independent factors can have large effects on population size, but do not regulate population size. True or False

True

Each species has a range of environmental tolerances that determines its potential geographic distribution. For example, spruce trees in the boreal forest must be able to tolerate temperatures from -58 degrees F in winter to 86 degrees F in the summer. The spruce cannot move so they must tolerate these temperature extremes. True or False

True

Ecotones are regions of rapid replacement of species along a gradient. True or False

True

Ectotherms have a greater tolerance for variation in their body temperature than endotherms. True or False

True

In reality both bottom up and top down controls are operating simultaneously in ecosystems, but the top down view has important implications for the effects of trophic interactions on energy flow in ecosystems. True or Fase

True

Many islands have species that are endemic, meaning they are found nowhere else on earth. True or False

True

Most scientists believe we are in an El Niño year. True or False

True

Mutation is the source of new alleles on which evolution depends, whereas, natural selection, genetic drift, and gene flow can cause allele frequencies in a population to change over time. True or False

True

Mutations occur too rarely to be the direct cause of significant allele frequency change over short time periods. True or False

True

Overexploitation by humans has caused 90% of large fish to disappear from the oceans since 1950. True or False

True

Rank abundance curves usually show a few species are abundant, while most species are rare True or False

True

Rank abundance curves usually show a few species are abundant, while most species are rare. True or False

True

Species can differ in their optimal conditions and their range of tolerance. True or False

True

Streams are referred to as a lotic system, whereas ponds are referred to as a lentic system. True or False?

True

The competition coefficients are described as: α is the effect of species 2 on species 1, and β is the effect of species 1 on species 2. True or False

True

The trade winds normally push warm surface water toward Southeast Asia. During El Niño, this is reversed. True or False

True

Tradeoffs can occur between size and number of offspring, between fecundity and survivorship, and between dispersal and dormancy True or False

True

Type III survivorship curves are the most common type observed in nature and are typical of species that produce large numbers of young. True or False

True

When considering climatic variation, it occurs at longer time scales than variation in weather. True or False

True