Ecological Tolerance & Disturbances

What is a specialist species?

• A species that can thrive in a wide range of environmental conditions.

• A species that has a narrow ecological niche and can only thrive in specific environmental conditions.

• A species that is found in multiple ecosystems and adapts easily to changes.

• A species that is at the top of the food chain and has no natural predators.

What is an example of a natural disturbance?

• Forest fires

• Tornados

• Earthquakes

• Volcanic eruptions

How do invasive species affect ecological tolerance?

• Invasive species can enhance the ecological tolerance of native species.

• Invasive species can alter the balance of ecosystems, often reducing the ecological tolerance of native species.

• Invasive species have no effect on ecological tolerance.

• Invasive species only affect non-native species' ecological tolerance.

What is an example of a generalist species?

• Raccoons are an example of a generalist species.

• Pandas are an example of a generalist species.

• Goldfish are an example of a generalist species.

• Koalas are an example of a generalist species.

What are ecological disturbances?

• Events that significantly disrupt ecosystem structure and function, such as fires, storms, or human activities.

• Natural occurrences that enhance biodiversity in ecosystems.

• Seasonal changes that affect animal migration patterns.

• Minor changes in the environment that do not impact ecosystem health.

What role do keystone species play in an ecosystem?

• They are the most abundant species in an ecosystem.

• They have a disproportionately large impact on their environment relative to their abundance.

• They are always the largest species in an ecosystem.

• They have no significant impact on their environment.

What is ecological succession?

• The process by which ecosystems change and develop over time, often following a disturbance.

• A method of measuring biodiversity in an ecosystem.

• The study of how organisms interact with their environment.

• A technique for restoring damaged ecosystems.

What is biodiversity?

• The total number of organisms in a habitat.

• The variety of life in a particular habitat or ecosystem, including the number of different species.

• The study of how species interact with each other.

• The process of evolution in different species.

What can natural climate change cause?

• Ice ages.

• Increased volcanic activity.

• More frequent earthquakes.

• Higher sea levels.

What is the difference between periodic and episodic disturbances?

• Periodic disturbances occur at regular intervals, while episodic disturbances occur irregularly and unpredictably.

• Periodic disturbances are always harmful, whereas episodic disturbances are beneficial.

• Episodic disturbances happen at regular intervals, while periodic disturbances are unpredictable.

• Periodic disturbances are caused by human activity, while episodic disturbances are natural.