Ecosystems Study Guide

What happens to a population when a critical abiotic factor like water is removed?

• The population increases rapidly

• Organisms develop new behaviors

• The population declines due to lack of resources

• The organisms become producers

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NGSS.MS-LS2-1

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A drought affects a grassland. Which population is likely to be impacted first?

• Wolves

• Grasses

• Hawks

• Snakes

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Which of the following is both a limiting factor and abiotic?

• Competition

• Predation

• Space

• Mutualism

Two species of birds compete for the same nesting sites. This is an example of:

• Parasitism

• Coexistence

• Abiotic limiting factor

• Competition

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NGSS.MS-LS2-2

Which change would most directly lead to a decrease in a prey population?

• More sunlight

• Fewer predators

• Increased rainfall

• Increased number of predators

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Which of these changes is most likely to cause ecosystem instability?

• An increase in rainfall

• A decrease in predators

• The removal of a keystone species

• A new mutualistic relationship forming

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NGSS.MS-LS2-4

If a forest fire destroys trees, what might happen to the herbivores in that ecosystem?

• They will become carnivores

• Their population will increase

• They may migrate or die due to loss of food and shelter

• They will begin to photosynthesize

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In a balanced ecosystem, which factor could limit a population of foxes?

• Increase in prey

• Loss of shelter due to deforestation

• New plant growth

• Decrease in decomposers

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NGSS.MS-LS2-1

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In an environment where food is scarce, which behavior is most likely?

• Mutualism between species

• Cooperation between predators

• Increased competition

• Symbiosis

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What relationship involves one organism benefiting and the other being harmed?

• Mutualism

• Commensalism

• Parasitism

• Cooperation