Ecology 102 practice

How do limiting factors determine the carrying capacity of an ecosystem?

An ecosystem can support a certain number of organisms depending on the availability of food, shelter, and water. If an ecosystem has more organisms than its water supply can support then it is beyond its carrying capacity. The ecosystem will not be able to support the organisms and they will have to either relocate or die until the ecosystem is once again at or below carrying capacity.

How does an ecosystem transition from primary succession to secondary succession?

During primary succession, pioneer species live off of rocks present in the ecosystem. As time passes, the pioneer species break down the rocks. As the pioneer species decompose, they are mixed in with the broken rock to form soil. With the formation of soil, plants can begin to establish themselves in the ecosystem.

What are the main components needed to insure ecosystem stability? a. estuary, savanna, and tundra b. primary and secondary succession c. food, water, shelter and biodiversity d. moderate climate, sufficient space, and adequate sunlight

C

Which of the following is most likely to be a limiting factor for growth on the floor of a tropical rainforest? a. water b. shelter c. sunlight d. prey

C

What are the two main categories of ecosystems? a. effective and ineffective b. marine and freshwater c. biotic and abiotic d. aquatic and terrestrial

D

How does biodiversity affect the stability of an ecosystem?

Having a number of different organisms increases the stability of an ecosystem, because a change in the population of one organism will have less effect on the population of an organism that depends on it. In a biodiverse ecosystem, a consumer will have a larger pool of food resources to draw from. If one of those food resources is decreased, the consumer can adjust by eating more of the other types available.

What is a possible effect of land development reducing the amount of shelter available in an ecosystem?

The resources available for the amount of organisms present will decrease in this situation. Overcrowding will result, which will lead to organisms either migrating to find resources or dying due to insufficient resources.

Why is it important for scientists who study ecosystems to study more than the organisms that live there?

The organisms are affected by abiotic factors as well as the other organisms in the ecosystem. Factors such as climate, air, soil, and water affect the stability of an ecosystem and are therefore important to study in addition to organisms.

What will happen to an ecosystem that is experiencing a prolonged drought?

The organisms in the ecosystem will either migrate or begin to die off as the available resources are no longer enough to support their numbers. The number of organisms in the ecosystem will adjust to the amount of water available.

T or F The prey of one species might also be the predator of another species.

True