Ecosystems and Human Impact Quiz

Which of the following best describes the role of producers in an ecosystem?

• They break down dead organisms and recycle nutrients.

• They convert sunlight into chemical energy through photosynthesis.

• They consume other organisms for energy.

• They regulate the population of predators.

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Which of the following is an example of a biotic factor affecting an ecosystem?

• Amount of sunlight

• Temperature

• Number of herbivores

• Soil pH

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A farmer adds fertilizer to a pond, causing algae to grow rapidly. What is the most likely immediate effect on the pond’s ecosystem?

• Increase in fish population

• Decrease in oxygen levels

• Decrease in water temperature

• Increase in water clarity

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Which human activity is most likely to disrupt the carbon cycle in an ecosystem?

• Planting trees

• Burning fossil fuels

• Using wind energy

• Practicing crop rotation

Which of the following best explains why removing a top predator from an ecosystem can affect the entire food web?

• It increases the amount of sunlight available.

• It can cause populations of prey species to increase, affecting other organisms.

• It decreases the amount of water in the ecosystem.

• It increases the rate of photosynthesis.

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A city plans to build a new highway through a forested area. Predict and explain one possible long-term impact this could have on the local ecosystem.

• The highway will have no effect on the ecosystem.

• The highway could fragment habitats, making it harder for animals to find food and mates.

• The highway will increase the number of trees in the area.

• The highway will decrease the amount of sunlight in the ecosystem.

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Given a food web with grass, rabbits, foxes, and hawks, what might happen if the rabbit population suddenly decreases due to disease? Use reasoning to support your answer.

• The grass population would decrease.

• The fox and hawk populations might decrease due to less available food.

• The fox and hawk populations would increase.

• The grass population would remain unchanged.

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A factory releases waste into a river, causing a decline in fish populations. What evidence would you collect to determine if the waste is responsible for the decline?

• Measure the amount of sunlight in the area.

• Test the water for pollutants and compare fish populations upstream and downstream from the factory.

• Count the number of birds near the river.

• Measure the air temperature near the river.

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Explain how introducing a non-native species to an ecosystem can lead to changes in the populations of native species.

• The non-native species will always become extinct.

• The non-native species may compete with native species for resources, causing native populations to decrease.

• The non-native species will have no effect on the ecosystem.

• The non-native species will only affect abiotic factors.

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A wetland is drained to build houses. Using your understanding of ecosystems, what is a likely consequence for the local biodiversity?

• Biodiversity will increase because more people will live there.

• Biodiversity will decrease because habitats for many species are destroyed.

• Biodiversity will remain the same.

• Biodiversity will increase because wetlands are not important habitats.

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