What type of ecosystem is the rarest on Earth, among both terrestrial and aquatic exosystems?
ocean
freshwater
grasslands
tundra
2.
If an ecosystem is considered to be highly resilient, what can be inferred about that ecosystem?
The ecosystem is in a steady state.
The ecosystem has the ability to remain in equilibrium despite disturbance.
The ecosystem recovers quickly from disturbance.
The ecosystem is exposed to disturbances.
3.
What is a re-created ecosystem in a laboratory environment known as?
mesocosm
simulation
microcosm
duplication
4.
A scientist wants to analyze how deer grazing alters plant species composition in a forest and sections off a portion of the forest for observation and analysis. What type of system is the scientist using?
mesocosm
simulation
microcosm
duplication
5.
What term describes the use of mathematical equations in the modeling of linear aspects of ecosystems?
analytical modeling
simulation modeling
conceptual modeling
microcosm modeling
6.
If a scientist constructs a flow chart to depict the interactions among species in an estuary, what kind of model is she creating?
analytical model
simulation model
conceptual model
microcosm model
7.
What are usually the primary producers in an ocean grazing food web?
plants
animals
fungi
phytoplankton
8.
Which of the following statements is true of trophic levels in an ecosystem?
Food chains are accurate representations of dynamics in an ecosystem.
In terrestrial ecosystems, primary producers commonly eat plants.
Food webs are easier to interpret than food chains.
The least amount of energy is available at the top of a food chain.
9.
Where are coral reefs found?
shallow ocean water
deep ocean water
deep ocean surfaces
shallow freshwater
10.
What is the weight of living organisms in an ecosystem at a particular point in time known as?
energy
productivity
entropy
biomass
11.
(credit: modification of work from College of Arts and Sciences, Biology, University of Miami)
The image shows how a caterpillar uses energy.
What is the net consumer efficiency (NCE) of the caterpillar shown here?
67%
50%
34%
17%
12.
What law of chemistry determines how much energy can be transferred when it is converted from one form to another?
the first law of thermodynamics
the second law of thermodynamics
the conservation of matter
the conservation of energy
13.
What is the primary factor that limits the length of food chains in ecosystems?
low energy transfer efficiency between trophic levels
too much net primary productivity
excess assimilation
low gross primary productivity
14.
What type of pyramid is considered the most representative of ecosystem structure?
biomass
energy
number of organisms
number of species
15.
Why are the numbers of primary producers smaller than the number of primary consumers in the English Channel ecosystem?
The primary consumers have a high turnover rate.
The primary producers have a low turnover rate.
The apex consumers have a low turnover rate.
The primary producers have a high turnover rate.
16.
What forms of life are found in areas where sunlight is unavailable and it is necessary to use inorganic molecules as an energy source?
photoautotrophs
chemoautotrophs
primary consumers
secondary consumers
17.
What is the process whereby nitrogen is brought into organic molecules called?
nitrification
denitrification
nitrogen fixation
nitrogen cycling
18.
Which of the following is a mechanism by which phosphorus is released into the environment?
rock weathering
decomposition of organic molecules
plant activity
geothermal vent activity
19.
What is produced by eutrophication via excess nitrogen where a hydrologic reservoir lacks normal flora and fauna?
fixation
acid rain
dead zones
nitrification
20.
What is a potential consequence of excess phosphorus and nitrogen in an ecosystem?
This could result in increased global temperatures.
Subduction can be promoted.
These elements might be fixed in excess.
A dead zone could be produced from depleted oxygen.
21.
What term is given for freshwater that flows from rain or melting ice in the hydrologic cycle?
residence time
surface runoff
evaporation
sublimation
22.
What most strongly influences how much carbon is present in a given location?
