Ecology, Ecosystems, and Communities

Which of the following descriptions about the organization of an ecosystem is correct?

• Communities make up species, which make up populations.

• Populations make up species, which make up communities.

• Species make up communities, which make up populations.

• Species make up populations, which make up communities.

The simplest grouping of more than one kind of organism in the biosphere is

• a population.

• a community.

• a species.

• an ecosystem

Which ecological inquiry method is an ecologist using when he or she sets up a greenhouse and measures the effects of different levels of carbon dioxide on an endangered plant species?

• questioning

• observing

• experimenting

• modeling

The total amount of living tissue within a given trophic level is called the

• biomass

• organic mass

• trophic mass

• energy mass

A bird stalks, kills, and then eats an insect. Based on its behavior, which pair of ecological terms describes the bird?

• herbivore, decomposer

• producer, heterotroph

• carnivore, consumer

• autotroph, herbivore

Each of the following is an abiotic factor in the environment EXCEPT

• plant life

• soil type

• rainfall

• temperature

Which is a biotic factor that affects the size of a population in a specific ecosystem?

• average temperature of the ecosystem

• type of soil in the ecosystem

• number and kinds of predators in the ecosystem

• concentration of oxygen in the ecosystem

What is at the base of all ecological pyramids?

• consumers

• decomposers

• producers

• scavengers

The tendency for warm air to rise and cool air to sink results in

• global wind patterns

• ocean upwelling

• the seasons

• regional precipitation

Why is an organism’s niche like a person’s occupation?

• An organism makes "money" by working in its niche.

• A niche is a "company" that the organism has to work in.

• A niche is a "factory" where organisms build things.

• An organism can "make a living" and survive in its niche.