Ecosystems NC

Large blooms of algae on the surface of a lake keep which abiotic factor from reaching the bottom?

• water
• salt
• light
• oxygen

Mangrove trees are affected by several factors. Which is an abiotic factor contributing to the energy cycle of a mangrove ecosystem?

• bacteria
• climate
• fungi
• rocks

Scientists have developed an allergy medication from a plant that is part of the rainforest food chain. What concern might develop when producing this medication from the plant?

• overproduction of the medication
• increase in allergies in rainforest wildlife
• lack of patients to test the new medication
• decrease in a food source to rainforest wildlife

Which population would be most affected if there is a decrease in the population of aquatic insects?

• elk
• frog
• moose
• squirrel

Which description relates to an abiotic ecosystem factor?

• Plants growing in the environment provide a source of shelter for other organisms
• New organisms in the environment rely on favorable weather conditions for survival
• Animals in the environment feed on algae and rich organic material found in the water bed

Which would a drought most likely affect?

• all organisms in a particular ecosystem
• only the plants in a particular ecosytem
• only the animals in a particular ecosystem

Which would most likely limit the growth of plants living in the desert?

• lack of water
• high temperatures
• high intensity of light
• lack of photosynthesis

After a forest fire, plants come back in abundance. Which limiting factor to plant growth is removed?

• food
• shelter
• space
• water

Warm water contains less dissolved oxygen than colder water. Which population will be most affected by a long period of hot, dry days?

• fish in ponds
• fish in oceans
• plants in lakes
• plants in streams

Mice, rabbits, bobcats, and squirrels all live in a brush ecosystem. Which animal would have the most difficult time surviving if the population of the other three animals continued to decrease?

• mouse
• squirrel
• bobcat
• rabbit