EOC Reviewer # 7: Ecology

If you were a water droplet in a cloud, what process would you use to move directly to the ocean?

• Transpiration

• Evaporation

• Condensation

• Precipitation

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

A Biologist compares how different ecosystems undergo succession. She divides the series of events that happen during primary and secondary succession into three distinct stages. Which feature might be used to determine secondary succession from primary succession?

• The presence of pioneer species in the second stage

• The presence of pioneer species in the final stage

• The presence of trees and large plants in the final stage

• The presence of soil and organic matter in the first stage

Virginia’s Great Dismal Swamp is essentially a red maple forest. Previously, the area had more bald cypress and white cedar trees. Tree cutting, extensive draining, and the prevention of natural forest fires have changed the balance of tree species. Why has the balance shifted, considering these actions?

• Preserved the amount of soil in the swamp

• Decreased the amount of sunlight needed by cypress

• Increased the rate of cellular respiration in cedar

• Altered the pattern of succession in the swamp

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

The diagram below shows how an area progresses over time after a forest fire. What process is illustrated after the forest fire in boxes 4 through 8 of Figure 1?

• Pioneer speciation

• Primary succession

• Secondary succession

• Ecosystem boundaries

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

An energy pyramid is shown below: How much of the energy by the worm will likely be available to the frog in Figure 1-2?

• 0.1%

• 1%

• 10%

• 100%

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

The burning of forests and fossil fuels releases carbon into the carbon cycle. How could this impact an ecosystem?

• The amount of organic carbon in the soil could increase.

• The amount of carbon dioxide dissolved in water could increase.

• The amount of organic carbon in the atmosphere could decrease.

• The amount of carbon dioxide available for photosynthesis could decrease.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS3-4

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

In the diagram labeled "Figure 1-3," which represents a marine ecosystem, Point X indicates something that is being lost to the environment at each of the trophic levels of the marine ecosystem. As you move up the pyramid, there is less and less energy present. What is it that is being lost to the environment?

• Nutrients from the soil

• Living space for the organisms

• Food sources

• Heat

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

A tall wetland plant, purple loosestrife, was brought from Europe to the USA in the early 1800s. The plant's growth is now so widespread across the USA that it is crowding out several native plants. What is this situation an example of?

• The result of adding new nutrients to the soil

• An unintentional effect of introducing an invasive species to an ecosystem

• The recycling of nutrients through an aquatic ecosystem

• The flow of energy present in all ecosystems in the biosphere.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-2

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

Which of the following will most likely result if all primary consumers are removed from the ecosystem in Figure 1-5?

• Prairie rattlesnakes will become herbivores

• Golden eagle and kit fox populations will decrease

• Sagebrush grasshoppers will consume soil bacteria

• Silk grass and sand sagebrush populations will decrease

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

NGSS.MS-LS2-2

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

Scientists exploring causes of climate change report that measurable reductions in the release of greenhouse gases can be achieved in the future. Which example provides the strongest evidence to support this conclusion?

• Air pollution experts report much lower releases of greenhouse gases in rural areas than in urban areas.

• A coal-burning power plant that installs filters in its smokestacks records a significant drop in its carbon dioxide emissions.

• An automotive trade group reports that consumer concerns about climate change have led to rapidly increasing interest in electric vehicles.

• Historical and geological data suggest that significantly lower levels of greenhouse gases were found in Earth’s atmosphere before the Industrial Revolution.

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS3-5