ESL Ecology Version 2

Why does the removal of one species in an ecosystem often lead to a domino effect?

• Other species rely on it for food, shelter, or population control

• Ecosystems are built to function without any single species

• Decomposers will take over the role of the missing species

• It allows invasive species to immediately replace the missing species

How does the reintroduction of wolves in Yellowstone National Park demonstrate the importance of predators in an ecosystem?

• It showed that predators increase prey populations by forcing them to reproduce faster

• It allowed trees and shrubs to recover by controlling the elk population

• It led to the extinction of smaller predators in the area

• It reduced biodiversity by eliminating competing species

Why are omnivores considered more adaptable than strict herbivores or carnivores?

• They can switch food sources depending on availability

• They are immune to most diseases

• They reproduce faster than other species

• They require less water and shelter to survive

What is the biggest risk of invasive species in an ecosystem?

• They usually increase biodiversity and strengthen food chains

• They outcompete native species and disrupt ecological balance

• They prevent climate change from affecting native species

• They improve the soil and increase plant growth in their new environment

How does climate change directly affect predator-prey relationships in the Arctic?

• Rising temperatures force prey species to migrate, making hunting harder for predators

• Predators become herbivores due to food shortages

• Prey species reproduce more quickly, leading to overpopulation

• Ice formations grow thicker, allowing predators to hunt more easily

Why are keystone species considered crucial to their ecosystems?

• They regulate populations of other species and maintain ecological stability

• They are always at the top of the food chain

• They are the most abundant species in their environment

• They survive independently, without relying on other species

What would likely happen if decomposers disappeared from an ecosystem?

• Soil would become richer in nutrients, benefiting plant life

• Waste and dead organisms would accumulate, and nutrient cycles would break down

• Predators would become primary producers to compensate for the loss

• Herbivores would take over the role of decomposers to sustain the ecosystem

How does urbanization negatively impact ecosystems?

• It expands biodiversity by introducing new species

• It replaces natural habitats with buildings and roads, reducing available space for wildlife

• It increases food supply for wild animals, leading to population growth

What role do conservation efforts play in protecting ecosystems?

• They focus only on saving endangered species, without considering habitats

• They prevent natural disasters from affecting ecosystems

• They restore damaged ecosystems and protect biodiversity

• They remove predators to make ecosystems safer for prey species

Why is the loss of honeybees considered a major threat to global food production?

• Honeybees are the only insects capable of pollinating plants

• Many crops rely on honeybees for pollination, and their decline reduces agricultural yields

• Honeybees directly produce the nutrients plants need for growth

• Without honeybees, all plant species would become extinct