Unit 1.3 Ecosystem Dynamics & Instability

Which of the following is an example of a human activity that can directly cause habitat loss in Texas ecosystems?

• Bird migration

• Urban development

• Natural wildfires

• Seasonal rainfall

What is biodiversity?

• The number of people living in an area

• The variety of living organisms in an ecosystem

• The amount of rainfall in a region

• The speed at which plants grow

Which of the following is considered an invasive species in Texas?

• Bluebonnet

• Zebra mussel

• White-tailed deer

• Prickly pear cactus

Which human activity is most likely to increase water pollution in Texas rivers?

• Hiking

• Industrial waste dumping

• Bird watching

• Planting native grasses

What is the main goal of habitat restoration projects?

• To introduce new species

• To return an ecosystem to its original condition

• To increase hunting opportunities

• To build more roads

Which of the following best describes an ecosystem with high biodiversity?

• Many different species living together

• Only one type of plant and animal

• No living organisms

• Only non-native species

Which of the following is a possible effect of introducing a non-native species to an ecosystem?

• Increased biodiversity

• Disruption of food webs

• Decreased water pollution

• Improved soil quality

How can overfishing affect an aquatic ecosystem?

• It increases the number of predators

• It reduces fish populations and disrupts food chains

• It causes more rainfall

• It increases plant growth

Which of the following is a direct result of decreased biodiversity in an ecosystem?

• Increased ecosystem stability

• Reduced resilience to environmental changes

• More available resources

• Higher population growth

Which activity is most likely to help restore a damaged Texas prairie ecosystem?

• Planting native grasses

• Introducing invasive insects

• Building shopping centers

• Increasing cattle grazing