Ecosystem Dynamics in Yellowstone National Park

Mr. Anderson discusses ecosystems, focusing on the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. He explains the concept of primary productivity, food chains, and food webs, using examples from Lake Ontario. The video also covers population growth, carrying capacity, and the impact of human activities on ecosystems, highlighting the effects of climate change on species like the White Park Pine and grizzly bears.

What is the primary reason Yellowstone National Park was originally established?

• To protect the geothermal features

• To promote tourism in the area

• To establish a research center for ecology

• To conserve the grizzly bear population

What does primary productivity measure in an ecosystem?

• The number of species present

• The biomass produced by producers

• The diversity of plant life

• The amount of energy consumed by predators

Which of the following best describes a food web?

• A linear sequence of organisms each feeding on the next

• A diagram showing only the top predators in an ecosystem

• A complex network of interconnected food chains

• A chart of the energy flow from the sun to producers

In a food chain, what does the direction of the arrow represent?

• The speed at which organisms move

• The flow of energy from predator to prey

• The flow of energy from prey to predator

• The size difference between organisms

What is the term for the maximum population size that an environment can sustain?

• Population density

• Logistic growth

• Carrying capacity

• Exponential growth

What was the primary prey of wolves reintroduced into Yellowstone Park?

• Bison

• Moose

• Elk

• Deer

What is the relationship between wolves and elk in Yellowstone Park?

• Elk are a primary food source for wolves

• Wolves are prey for elk

• Wolves and elk do not interact

• Elk help wolves find food

How does climate change affect the white bark pine in Yellowstone?

• It has no significant impact on the trees

• It increases the growth rate of the trees

• It causes the trees to produce more pine nuts

• It leads to a decline in the white bark pine population

What role do squirrels play in the ecosystem involving white bark pine and grizzly bears?

• They create middens that are raided by grizzly bears

• They disperse seeds to new areas

• They act as primary consumers of pine nuts

• They compete with grizzly bears for food

What is a potential consequence of human-induced climate change on ecosystems?

• Decreased primary productivity

• Rapid changes leading to species extinction

• Stabilization of food webs

• Increased biodiversity