In a temperate forest ecosystem, the energy flow begins with sunlight, which is captured by primary producers like plants and algae through photosynthesis. These primary producers serve as the base of the food chain. Herbivores like deer feed on the plants, and in turn, are consumed by carnivores such as wolves. Decomposers like fungi and bacteria break down dead organic matter, returning nutrients to the soil, completing the cycle.
The primary source of energy for the ecosystem described in the case study is:
Answer: B) Sunlight
The transfer of energy from primary producers to herbivores in the food chain is an example of:
Answer: A) Trophic transfer
The role of decomposers in the forest ecosystem is:
Answer: B) To break down dead organisms and recycle nutrients
If herbivores were removed from the ecosystem, the most likely consequence would be:
Answer: B) A decrease in the number of carnivores
In a grassland ecosystem, plants like grasses and shrubs absorb nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus from the soil. Herbivores like rabbits consume the plants, while carnivores like foxes prey on the herbivores. When plants, herbivores, and carnivores die, decomposers like bacteria and fungi break down the organic matter, returning essential nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus to the soil, ensuring the continuity of the ecosystem's nutrient cycle.
The process by which decomposers recycle nutrients back into the soil is known as:
Answer: C) Nutrient cycling
In the grassland ecosystem, herbivores obtain nitrogen primarily through:
Answer: B) Feeding on primary producers (plants)
The primary function of plants in the ecosystem is to:
Answer: B) Capture solar energy and convert it into chemical energy
Which of the following elements is most likely to be cycled in the nutrient cycle described in the case study?
Answer: B) Nitrogen
In a marine ecosystem, the primary producers are phytoplankton, which are consumed by small herbivorous zooplankton. These zooplankton are, in turn, eaten by small fish like anchovies, which are preyed upon by larger fish such as tuna. At the top of the food chain are apex predators like sharks. When any of these organisms die, decomposers like bacteria break down their bodies, returning nutrients to the water, ensuring a continuous cycle of energy and nutrient flow.
The primary producers in the marine ecosystem are:
Answer: B) Phytoplankton
The role of zooplankton in the marine food web is to:
Answer: A) Consume primary producers (phytoplankton)
Apex predators, like sharks, in the food web are:
Answer: B) At the top of the food chain and regulate the population of lower trophic levels
The breakdown of dead organic material by decomposers in the marine ecosystem primarily results in the recycling of:
Answer: B) Nitrogen and phosphorus
The tropical rainforest biome is characterized by high levels of biodiversity and year-round warmth with abundant rainfall. Plants like trees, shrubs, and vines form dense vegetation layers. The ecosystem supports a variety of animals, including monkeys, birds, insects, and reptiles. These forests play a crucial role in maintaining the Earth’s climate by absorbing carbon dioxide. The tropical rainforest is a dynamic ecosystem that is influenced by both biotic and abiotic factors.
The tropical rainforest is characterized by:
Answer: B) High biodiversity and consistent warmth with abundant rainfall
The role of tropical rainforests in the Earth's climate is most directly related to their ability to:
Answer: B) Absorb carbon dioxide and produce oxygen
Which of the following is the most likely abiotic factor that influences the biodiversity in tropical rainforests?
Answer: A) Temperature
The dense vegetation in the tropical rainforest provides:
Answer: A) Shelter and food for herbivores
A new pond is formed in a region that was previously dry land. Initially, small organisms such as algae and bacteria colonize the pond. As the ecosystem develops, aquatic plants like water lilies and aquatic grasses begin to grow. Over time, larger plants, amphibians, and fish inhabit the pond, and it reaches a more stable state. The process through which the pond ecosystem evolves from bare substrate to a mature community is an example of ecological succession.
The initial colonizers of the new pond ecosystem are most likely:
Answer: C) Algae and bacteria
The process described in the case study is known as:
Answer: A) Ecological succession
In the pond ecosystem, the arrival of aquatic plants signifies:
Answer: B) The establishment of a more complex community
The stable and mature community that the pond ecosystem reaches is referred to as:
Answer: B) Climax community