Organisms Interact in Ecosystems

The graph here shows the populations, over several years, for two animals that share a habitat. Foxes are mammals that hunt for food, and grouse are birds, a common prey animal of foxes. According to the data, in which year did the population of foxes show a decrease that is most likely the result of a decrease in the availability of a source of food?

• 2003

• 2008

• 2005

• 2012

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NGSS.MS-LS2-1

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

An increase in the population of an organism would most likely be associated with which of the following?

• An increase in animals that prey on the organism

• A series of severe weather events in the habitat

• A decrease in necessary resources available

• An expansion of suitable living space

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NGSS.MS-LS2-1

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

What data would be most helpful to support the claim that the population of a certain plant is dependent on the rainfall in its habitat?

• The amount of water retained in the soil in the area where the plants live

• Rainfall amounts and number of these plants in a certain habitat over several years

• The heights and number of leaves produced by these plants under different moisture conditions

• The average amount of water absorbed by the roots and given off by the leaves of these plants

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NGSS.MS-LS2-1

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

The milkweed plant serves an important role in the life cycle of the monarch butterfly. Adult monarchs lay their eggs on milkweed, and then caterpillars eat that same plant during their development. Based on the relationship between monarchs and milkweed, which of the following trends would be predicted when looking at data on the populations of these two organisms?

• Population of milkweed should remain constant when monarch butterfly population increases.

• Population of monarch butterflies should remain constant when milkweed population decreases.

• Population decrease in monarch butterflies should follow after a population decrease in milkweed.

• Population increase in monarch butterflies should follow after a population decrease in milkweed.

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NGSS.MS-LS2-1

NGSS.MS-LS2-2

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

A carrying capacity is the maximum number of individuals of a given species that can be supported by the resources available in a particular environment. What is the carrying capacity of Bird Population 2?

• 40

• 33

• 41

• 50

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

NGSS.MS-LS2-4