Ecology 2335
When dN/dt = rN after considering potential intraspecific competition, then N is approximately what value?
0
Fundamentally, what is an isocline?
A line for equilibrium in some rate
Which environment makes the most sense for a plant to invest heavily in seed production? A) A highly disturbed habitat B) A moderately disturbed habitat C) A non-disturbed habitat D) It doesn't matter
A) A highly disturbed habitat
Which of the following (if any) correctly describes the role of disturbance in regulating diversity? A) A low disturbance frequency will reduce diversity by allowing dominant competitors to exclude other species B) A moderate disturbance frequency will allow both r- and K- selected species to coexist C) A high disturbance frequency will increase diversity by reducing habitat occupancy and preventing competition
A) A low disturbance frequency will reduce diversity by allowing dominant competitors to exclude other species B) A moderate disturbance frequency will allow both r- and K- selected species to coexist
Which of the following constitute islands as we have defined them? A) A patch of land in the ocean B) A forest in the middle of a city C) A patch of coral in the middle of a sea grass meadow D) A lake
A) A patch of land in the ocean B) A forest in the middle of a city C) A patch of coral in the middle of a sea grass meadow D) A lake
Which statement best describes quorum sensing in bacteria? A) A signaling mechanism between cells. B) A mechanism by which bacteria attach to surfaces. C)A spiteful behavior performed to kill other species. D) A form of chemotaxis. E) A method by which bacteria resist antibiotics.
A) A signaling mechanism between cells.
What values of alpha would indicate stronger effects of one species on another? A) Alpha >1 B) Alpha < 1 C) Alpha > 0 D) Alpha < 0
A) Alpha >1
A population of horned mammals is reaching extinction faster than predicted by the growth rate equations alone. Scientists have narrowed down that mortality must be density-dependent and resolve to put all of these individuals together to save the population. Which of the following would support their actions and reasoning? A) An observation that, at small numbers, the per capita death rate is higher than at larger population sizes B) An observation that, at small numbers, the per capita death rate is lower than at larger population sizes C) An observation that, at large numbers, the per capita death rate is higher than at larger population sizes D) An observation that disease spreads more rapidly in larger groups
A) An observation that, at small numbers, the per capita death rate is higher than at larger population sizes
Mutualisms are different from predation and competition because: A) Both parties benefit B) Both parties participate in the interaction to help the other party C) Mutualisms are obligate D) Mutualisms cause both parties to adapt to one another
A) Both parties benefit
Which of the following is a consequence or effect of mutualisms? Check all that apply: A) Changes to ecosystem properties B) Effects on organisms that do not interact with the mutualists directly C) Effects on patterns of speciation D) Changes in the distribution or abundance of the mutualists
A) Changes to ecosystem properties B) Effects on organisms that do not interact with the mutualists directly C) Effects on patterns of speciation D) Changes in the distribution or abundance of the mutualists
Which of the following are important in determining whether a patch is colonized in reality? (pick all that apply) A) Distance to neighbor B) Size C) Quality
A) Distance to neighbor B) Size C) Quality
Which of the following do you think might be realistically important in determining whether a patch is colonized? (pick all that apply) A) Distance to neighbor B) Size C) Quality
A) Distance to neighbor B) Size C) Quality
Which of the following processes influence local species diversity? Check all that apply. A) Evolution and historical factors B) Habitat diversity C) Dispersal D) The extent of resource partitioning
A) Evolution and historical factors B) Habitat diversity C) Dispersal D) The extent of resource partitioning
Which of the following will increase species diversity, all else being equal: A) Increasing resource range B) Increasing niche breadth C) Increasing niche overlap D) Increasing environmental harshness
A) Increasing resource range C) Increasing niche overlap
Of the following groups, which experiences the greatest negative effects of competition?A) Intraspecific competition between individuals of same population B) Intraspecific competition between individuals of different populations C) Interspecific competition between individuals of the same population D) Interspecific competition between individuals of different populations E)All of the above experience the same amount of competition
A) Intraspecific competition between individuals of same population
Pick all that are true about survivorship, l(x) A) It can never increase with age (x) B) It measures the proportion of individuals that survive from x to x + 1 C) It measures the proportion of individuals that remain at age x relative to those initially born
A) It can never increase with age (x) and C) It measures the proportion of individuals that remain at age x relative to those initially born
Which of the following are true about the euphotic zone? A) It extends to the depth where Net Primary Productivity = 0 B) It is largest where aquatic/ocean productivity is the greatest C) It is large in the open ocean and smaller closer to shore (like in estuaries) D) It reflects how far light penetrates into the water
A) It extends to the depth where Net Primary Productivity = 0 C) It is large in the open ocean and smaller closer to shore (like in estuaries) D) It reflects how far light penetrates into the water
Which of the following (if any) are true about energy transfer in food chains? Check all that apply A) It is assumes that energy flows between living organisms occurs only between those at adjacent levels (ignoring decomposers) B) It represents a closed system where energy can be recycled indefinitely C) It only occurs between living organisms D) It is affected only by thermodynamic processes
A) It is assumes that energy flows between living organisms occurs only between those at adjacent levels (ignoring decomposers)
Which of the following statements about lambda is true? A) It is the rate of increase of a population with non-overlapping generations B) It is equal to the total number of births - total number of deaths C) It indicates the population is shrinking when it becomes less than 0 D) Can only be computed over one specifically defined interval E) All are true
A) It is the rate of increase of a population with non-overlapping generations and D) Can only be computed over one specifically defined interval
Which of the following are true about bottom-up regulation? Check all that apply. A) It is the result of competition for resources B) The only level that is affected is the producer or plant level C) It is an example of abiotic regulation D) Predators are not affected by prey density
A) It is the result of competition for resources
Which of the following DO NOT explain broad (global) patterns of terrestrial productivity? A) Light B) Rainfall C) Temperature D) Nutrients
A) Light D) Nutrients
A big K will have the following effect on predator-prey cycling A) Make the cycles less stable B) Make the cycles more stable C) Will have no effect
A) Make the cycles less stable
Which of the following are likely to be true about pesticide use? Check all that apply, if any. A) Pesticide levels will be high enough to harm an insect-eating bird even when sprayed at a non-harmful level B) The pesticide is likely to lose its effectiveness over time C) No insect species will be able to occupy the area where the pesticide was initially applied D) Local insect pollinators might decline as a result E) Local plant species may decline because the pesticide is toxic to them
A) Pesticide levels will be high enough to harm an insect-eating bird even when sprayed at a non-harmful level B) The pesticide is likely to lose its effectiveness over time D) Local insect pollinators might decline as a result
Control of population sizes in a food web, if solely controlled by one type of regulation, will be primarily controlled by _________ in bottom-up and _______ in top-down regulation. A) Resources; predators B) Predators; resources C) Rates of growth; resources D) Biotic factors; abiotic factors E) None of the above
A) Resources; predators
Parasite growth rate depends on (Check all that apply): A) The ability to find a new host B) The ability to reproduce inside a host C) The ability to use multiple different host species D) The ability to be a good competitor
A) The ability to find a new host B) The ability to reproduce inside a host
The predator prey equations contain constants for which of the following terms? pick all that apply. A) The predator capture rate B) Predator growth rate (r) C) Prey growth rate (r) D) Prey carrying capacity (k)
A) The predator capture rate C) Prey growth rate (r)
A herbivore could result in the evolution of which of the following plant traits? Pick all that apply A) Toxic chemical compounds B) Spines on stems C) Attractive flowers D) Thick tough leaves
A) Toxic chemical compounds B) Spines on stems D) Thick tough leaves
Suppose that a time machine allows you to go back in time (and to travel to Australia!), and you have collected rabbits and Myxomafrom the years 1955 and 1980. Once you are back in the twenty-first century, you infect both sets of rabbits with both sets of myxoma viruses. The most likely result will be (1) that the rabbits from 1980 injected with the 1980 virus will have a _______ survival rate than those same rabbits injected with the 1955 virus; and (2) that the rabbits from 1980 injected with the 1955 virus will have a _______ survival rate than rabbits from 1955 injected with the 1955 virus. A) higher; higher B) higher; lower C) similar; higher D) lower; higher E) lower; lower
A) higher; higher
Which of the following is not an assumption of models indicating energy and matter transfer in food chains? A)Energy flows between organisms occurs only between adjacent levels B) It represents a closed system where matter can be recycled indefinitely C) Energy flows can occur between living organisms and abiotic resources D) It is affected by thermodynamic processes, such as energy conservation
A)Energy flows between organisms occurs only between adjacent levels
Rank the areas in terms of their productivity, from greatest to least A) Tropical forests B) Temperate forests C) Boreal forests D) Deserts
A, B, C, D
An organism that is not present in a habitat because of some physical condition is said to experience which type of limitation?
Abiotic
Which of following factors can limit species distributions? A) Environmental conditions B) Other organisms C) Large geographic features such a mountains D) Behavior E) Historical events
All of the above: environmental conditions, other organisms, large geographic features, behavior, historical events
What values of alpha would indicate resource overlap? A) Alpha >1 B) Alpha < 1 C) Alpha > 0 D) Alpha < 0
Alpha > 0
Snail species A grows rapidly during its early years in order to more quickly attain a size where it cannot be crushed. Snail B does not. We would predict that: A) A reproduces earlier than B B) B reproduces earlier than A C) It makes no difference
B) B reproduces earlier than A
Ecological facilitation describes species interactions that benefit none of the participants. A) True B) False
B) False
The predator isocline A) Is a horizontal line B) Is a vertical line C) Is represented by r/a' D) Is represented by q/a'f
B) Is a vertical line D) Is represented by q/a'f
Which factors determine global patterns of marine productivity? A) Temperature B) Light C) Carbon D) Nutrients
B) Light D) Nutrients
A tropical rainforest is an example of an ecosystem. Which of the following statements about matter and energy in a tropical rainforest is the most accurate? Please choose ONE answer that you think is best. A) Energy is recycled, but matter is not recycled. B) Matter is recycled, but energy is not recycled. C) Both matter and energy are recycled. D) Neither matter nor energy is recycled/
B) Matter is recycled, but energy is not recycled.
Which term is missing from the following eq describing two species competition? dN1/dt * 1/ N1= r ((K1-N1)/K1 A) N2 B) N2*alpha12 C) K2 D) The equation is correct as written
B) N2*alpha12
Of the following groups, which experiences the greatest amount of competition with adult male bears? A) Adult female bears in the same population B) Other adult male bears in the population C) Other adult male bears of a similar species D) Juvenile male bears in the population
B) Other adult male bears in the population
Which of the following are true about the effects predators have on prey? Pick all that apply A) Predators will never cause prey extinction because there will be no food for the next predator generation. B) Predators exert a density dependent effect on prey C) Predators only affect their prey D) Predators can cause prey populations to cycle
B) Predators exert a density dependent effect on prey D) Predators can cause prey populations to cycle
Assume that infectivity of the parasite is infinitely high. What will happen to virulence? A) The parasite should evolve to an intermediate level of virulence and the host should continue to increase its defenses as long as possible B) The parasite should continue to evolve to a higher level of virulence and the host should continue to increase defenses as long as possible C) The parasite and the host should both evolve to intermediate levels-the parasite won't cause it's host to go extinct and the host won't waste energy
B) The parasite should continue to evolve to a higher level of virulence and the host should continue to increase defenses as long as possible
Which of these, if any, always will increase competition between species (Pick all that are correct)? A) The two species are closely related B) The requirements of the two species are more similar C) One species is better at getting resources D) The resource is in shorter supply
B) The requirements of the two species are more similar D) The resource is in shorter supply
Which of the following, if any, are required for interspecies competition to occur (pick all that are correct) A) The two species are closely related B) The two species must utilize the same resource C )The resource used by both is limiting D) One species interferes with the other's ability to gain a resource
B) The two species must utilize the same resource C )The resource used by both is limiting
Which of the following, if any, are required for interspecies competition to occur (pick all that are correct) A) The two species are closely related B) The two species must utilize the same resource C) The resource used by both is limiting D) One species interferes with the other's ability to gain a resource
B) The two species must utilize the same resource C) The resource used by both is limiting
A community has 4 possible states, with succession equally probable from any one state to another. This form of succession is known as: A) Facilitation B) Tolerance C) Inhibition D) Coevolution
B) Tolerance
This variable represents capture A) N B) a C) f D) q E) r
B) a
What do distribution patterns tell us about particular environments and processes that affect species?They tell us... A) the range of species that can live in an area B) about the quality of a given environment C) that post-dispersal events are active in an area
B) about the quality of a given environment
Which of the following will change the equilibrium value of p, the proportion of occupied patches, under the basic metapopulation model? Pick all that apply. A) changing population growth rate B) changing extinction rate C) changing colonization (immigration) rate
B) changing extinction rate C) changing colonization (immigration) rate
In the absence of predators, prey grow A) logistically B) exponentially C) logistically with intraspecific competition D) logistically with interspecific competition
B) exponentially
When N approaches K for a population growing according the logistic equation, A) the population will no longer grow B) population growth will approach 0 C) population growth approximates r D) population size will overshoot K
B) population growth will approach 0
Organism A has a higher metabolic rate than organism B. Which of the following (if any) are true? A) This should increase Consumption efficiency of A vs. B B) This should decrease Assimilation efficiency of A vs. B C )This should decrease Production efficiency of A vs B
C )This should decrease Production efficiency of A vs B
Suppose that rabbits are the only prey and food supply of foxes, and that thepredator‒prey interactionfollowsLotka‒Volterra dynamics. The mortality rate of foxes in the absence of rabbits is 0.2 per week,and the intrinsic growth rate of rabbits in the absence of predation is 0.4 per week. The capture efficiencyis 0.002, and the efficiency at which rabbit biomass is converted into fox biomass is 0.2.If there are initially 30 foxes and 400 rabbits, the overall rate of change in the rabbit population will be_______ per week. A) 24 B) 160 C) 136 D) 184 E) none of the above
C) 136
Which of these fitness outcomes best describes 'selfish' behavior A) Actor (+), Recipient (+) B) Actor (-), Recipient (-) C) Actor (+), Recipient (-) d. Actor (-), Recipient (+)
C) Actor (+), Recipient (-)
Which of the following is a form of Exploitative Competition? A) Overgrowth Competition B) Chemical Competition C) Consumptive Competition D) Encounter Competition E) All of the above
C) Consumptive Competition
Which of the following is the first potentially limiting factor determining a species distribution? A) Physical forces B) Other organisms C) Dispersal limitations
C) Dispersal Limitations
Which one of these life history traits is most characteristic of a K-selected species? A) Fast development. B) Short pre-reproductive period. C) High survivorship. D) Low investment in defense. E) Small offspring.
C) High survivorship.
Which ONE of these statements about parasites is correct? A) Virulence and transmission rate are negatively correlated B) Rapid transmission between unlimited hosts will lead to a reduction in parasite virulence C) Parasite growth rate (r) is a function of both reproduction and infectivity D) Parasite growth rate (r) is only a function of reproduction
C) Parasite growth rate (r) is a function of both reproduction and infectivity
When graphing density-independent birthrate, the slope of the line showing the relationship between population density and birthrate should be A) Straight with a slope of 1 B) Straight with a slope of -1 C) Straight with a slope of 0 D) Curved Downward E)CurvedUpward
C) Straight with a slope of 0
R(0) or reproductive capacity measures:
C) The average number of progeny born to an individual initially in the cohort
The proportion of occupied patches is constant when: A) c=e B) p=0.5 C) cP(1-P) = eP
C) cP(1-P) = eP
All else being equal, which one of the following will decrease species diversity? A) increasing resource range B) increasing niche overlap C) increasing niche breadth D) decreasing environmental hardness
C) increasing niche breadth
The LV model for predator prey dynamics predicts which, if any of the following? Pick all that apply. A) A stable equilibrium # of prey B) a stable equilibrium # of predators C) neutrally stable oscillations D) a finite number of prey can support an infinite number of predators E) a finite number of predators can control an infinite number of prey
C) neutrally stable oscillations D) a finite number of prey can support an infinite number of predators E) a finite number of predators can control an infinite number of prey
When N is very small relative to K for a population growing according the logistic equation, A) population will not grow B) growth of the population will approach zero C) population growth approximates r D)population size will soon be at carrying capacity E) B and D
C) population growth approximates r
Population growth rates for discrete population growth (lambda), exponential or logistic growth (r), and estimates from life tables (R0) all indicate a shrinking population if they are less than A) 1 B) 0 C) 1, 1, 0 respectively D) 1, 0, 1 respectively E) 0, 1, 1 respectively
D) 1, 0, 1 respectively
In which of the following situations would you not want to calculate r? A) A population of rabbits B) A population of coral reef fish C) A population of warblers D) A population of annual plants (adults die in the fall, the next generation born in the spring)
D) A population of annual plants (adults die in the fall, the next generation born in the spring)
Species distribution (or, the species found in a given area) can be limited by many 'filters'. What are they? A) Dispersal/immigration B) Abiotic Factors C) Species interactions (Biotic) D) All of the above
D) All of the above
The goal of biological control is to produce predator prey cycles with the following properties? Check all that apply, if any. A) Predator and prey abundance both fluctuate continuously B) Pests are driven to extinction C) Pest populations are reduced to the point where the predator is no longer necessary D) Both populations survive and are constant, with a low but abundance of pests
D) Both populations survive and are constant, with a low but abundance of pests
Which of the following statements about parasite reproduction is true? A) Greater reproduction always leads to greater growth rate B) It is not detrimental to the host C) It occurs outside the host D) It can evoke host defenses
D) It can evoke host defenses
Which of the following are true about top-down regulation? Check all that apply. A) The primary biotic mechanism is competition B) Changes in top predator abundance only affects the level immediately below them C) Adding basal resources will increase the abundance of all higher trophic levels D) It is predicated on predators having the ability to strongly control prey abundance
D) It is predicated on predators having the ability to strongly control prey abundance
Recent efforts to save the Rhino have included deliberate efforts to increase population growth.Which of the following interventions would not directly support these efforts? A) Reducing the Allee effect in populations B) Assuring a population size is at MVP C) Protections/Sanctions on hunting of Rhinos D) Migrations between nearby populations E) Breeding programs between populations
D) Migrations between nearby populations
In looking at endangered species, we see that many of the species which are rapidly declining are K-selected. Which of the following is not a potential reason for this pattern?a.Long gestation periods B) Short dispersal capabilities C) Few offspring per individual D) Selective human poaching
D) Selective human poaching
In a standard life table, lx*mx describes A) The average number of progeny born to those individuals that survive to adulthood B)The time between the birth of parents and their offspring per each age class (cohort) C) The average number of surviving progeny born to an individual initially in the cohort D) The average number of progeny produced per individual in each cohort, taking survival into account
D) The average number of progeny produced per individual in each cohort, taking survival into account
lx*mx describes A) The average number of progeny born to those individuals that survive to adulthood B) The time between the birth of parents and their offspring C) The average number of surviving progeny born to an individual initially in the cohort D) The average number of progeny produced per original individual in each cohort
D) The average number of progeny produced per original individual in each cohort
Two species interact with overlapping niches. Which is not a way the species could co-exist? A) broadening their resource use (using more resources) B) by each species becoming extremely specialized C) by shifting when foraging and other resource use occurs D) by one species choosing to disperse to a new area
D) by one species choosing to disperse to a new area
A population of annual plants can best be described as growing when: A) r>1 B) r>0 C) λ>0 D) λ>1 E) none of the above
D) λ>1
Which of the following indicates a population is growing? A) r = 0.1 B) λ = 1 C) λ > 1 D) A and B E) A and C
E) A and C
Which of the following statements about r is true? A) It is the rate of increase of a population with non-overlapping generations B) It is equal to the total number of births - total number of deaths C) It indicates the population is shrinking when it is 0 D) Can only be computed over one specifically defined interval E) All are false
E) All are false
Which of the following biological conditions would violate the simple metapopulation growth model? A) Patches that vary in size B) Patches that vary in quality C) Non-equidistant patches D) Rates of C and E that lag in time E) All of the above
E) All of the above
Which of these statements about mutualism is true? A) Provide a +/+ fitness benefit between interacting species. B) May be facultative. C) May be obligate. D) Can drive co-evolution. E) All of the above are correct.
E) All of the above are correct.
Which of the following is not a form of Interference Competition? A) Overgrowth Competition B) Chemical Competition C) Defending Competition D) Encounter Competition E) All of the above are forms of interference competition
E) All of the above are forms of interference competition
A population of 20 yeast cells is growing at r=0.15 continuously each day. Predict the size of the population after 12 days A).602 B)128) C) 1204 D) 1.9 million E) None of the above
E) None of the above (121)
The factors that affect species diversity (in order) are: A) Abiotic factors, abundance, species interactions B) Dispersal, abiotic factors, abundance C) Species interactions, abiotic factors, resource range D) Dispersal, abiotic factors, niche overlap E) None of these
E) None of these
Under logistic growth, a population's per-capita growth rate _____ with population size, but under exponential growth, the per-capita growth rate _____ with population size. A) Decreases; is constant B) increases; is constant C) is constant; decreases D) is constant; increases E) none of the above
E) none of the above
dN/dt = 0 when N=0 and when N =
K
When dN/dt is at it's maximum (the rate of population change is highest), then N =
K/2
What is alpha?
The per capita effect of one species on another
Why might studying populations of plants be easier for when studying metapopulations?
They don't move
Which of the following distributional patterns is least likely to be a function of dispersal?
Uniform
Which of the following affect both large scale and small scale patterns of distribution of a species?
behavior, interactions with other species, dispersal, the physical environment
The order of priority (first to last) for how the following effects influence small scale distributions is the following:
dispersal, abiotic, biotic
What traits, if any, suggest the checkerspot fits a metapopulation model?
population variation, extinction
What model property do you think environmental variability changes?
prey capture rate
