SB5A: Biodiversity

The graph provided shows the population of an organism introduced to a new environment, as well as how the population changed over 60 days.

After the sharp rise, there was a leveling off of the population. What does this indicate?

• The life expectancy of the organisms in this population is about 30 days.

• This environment has only enough resources to support 250-300 individuals of this species.

• This organism needs 30 days to reach maturity before it can reproduce.

• This species is unable to reproduce in any habitat beyond a population of around 300 individuals.

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Which of the following observations would lead to the classification of gopher tortoises as a keystone species in Georgia? Gopher tortoises–

• create habitats for hundreds of other species by digging underground burrows.

• maintain a diet that consists of a variety of native grasses, fruits, and legumes.

• can only reproduce at a rate of about six hatchlings every 10 years.

• live in forested regions where plenty of sunlight can reach the forest floor.

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The three-spined stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus) is a small fish that lives in freshwater.

Which of the following would be a limiting factor affecting the population of Gasterosteus aculeatus?

• The average incubation period of three-spined stickleback eggs

• The population of similar organisms in nearby habitats

• The volume of water in the body of water in which the fish lives

• The seasonal variation in the amount of daylight

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The populations of four species introduced into a new ecosystem are plotted on the graph provided.

Which species reached carrying capacity first?

• Species 1

• Species 2

• Species 3

• Species 4

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Which of the following environmental changes will most likely lead to the greatest loss of biodiversity in a habitat?

• Loss of a top predator in a savannah

• Deforestation in a rainforest

• Periodic reduction of rainfall in a marsh

• Particularly severe winter in a mountain habitat

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A system comprising of all the living and nonliving factors in an area and all of the interactions among them

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Living and nonliving factors that restrict the growth of a population: _________ factors

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Factors that are living

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The maximum number of organisms an ecosystem can support

Factors that are nonliving

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