Ecosystem Ecology: Structure, Function, and Human Impacts

Question 1

Which characteristic is NOT typically associated with aquatic ecosystems?

Accepted Answer

Wide range of temperature variations

Answer

High concentration of dissolved oxygen

Answer

Limited light penetration

Answer

Presence of planktonic organisms

Question 2

In a food web, the organism that feeds directly on the producer is the:

Accepted Answer

Primary consumer

Answer

Secondary consumer

Answer

Tertiary consumer

Answer

Apex predator

Question 3

The measure of the total mass of living organisms in a given area is referred to as:

Accepted Answer

Biomass

Answer

Productivity

Answer

Population density

Answer

Carrying capacity

Question 4

Which of the following is defined as a species that has a disproportionately large impact on its ecosystem relative to its abundance?

Accepted Answer

Keystone species

Answer

Indicator species

Answer

Dominant species

Answer

Endangered species

Question 5

The scientific study of interactions between organisms and their environment is called:

Accepted Answer

Ecology

Answer

Biology

Answer

Environmental science

Answer

Zoology

Question 6

The concept of ecological succession describes the:

Accepted Answer

Predictable changes in the composition of an ecosystem over time

Answer

Random fluctuations in species abundance

Answer

Impact of human activities on ecosystems

Answer

Competition between species for resources

Question 7

In a food chain, which organism typically occupies the highest trophic level?

Accepted Answer

Carnivores

Answer

Herbivores

Answer

Omnivores

Answer

Decomposers

Question 8

Which of the following processes is primarily responsible for the cycling of nutrients within an ecosystem?

Accepted Answer

Decomposition

Answer

Photosynthesis

Answer

Respiration

Answer

Transpiration

Question 9

What is the ultimate source of energy for most ecosystems on Earth?

Accepted Answer

Sunlight

Answer

Chemical energy

Answer

Heat from geothermal sources

Answer

Tidal energy

Question 10

Which of the following is a characteristic of a resilient ecosystem?

Accepted Answer

High biodiversity

Answer

Low productivity

Answer

Rapid nutrient cycling

Answer

Large fluctuations in population size

Question 11

Which of the following describes a symbiotic relationship where both species benefit mutually?

Accepted Answer

Mutualism

Answer

Commensalism

Answer

Predation

Answer

Parasitism

Question 12

What is the term for the scientific discipline that investigates the interactions between organisms and their environment?

Accepted Answer

Ecology

Answer

Biology

Answer

Zoology

Answer

Botany

Question 13

What is the process called that enables nutrients to be made available to plants from organic matter?

Accepted Answer

Decomposition

Answer

Respiration

Answer

Nitrification

Answer

Transpiration

Question 14

Approximately what percentage of energy is transferred from one trophic level to the next in an ecosystem?

Accepted Answer

10%

Answer

25%

Answer

50%

Answer

75%

Question 15

Which type of symbiosis involves both species benefiting from the relationship?

Accepted Answer

Mutualism

Answer

Competition

Answer

Commensalism

Answer

Parasitism

Question 16

What is the term for the global ecosystem that encompasses all living organisms?

Accepted Answer

Biosphere

Answer

Biome

Answer

Habitat

Answer

Ecosystem

Question 17

What is the term for the process by which plants utilize sunlight and convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose?

Accepted Answer

Photosynthesis

Answer

Respiration

Answer

Decomposition

Answer

Combustion

Question 18

In an ecosystem, what is the primary role fulfilled by decomposers?

Accepted Answer

Decomposing organic matter

Answer

Producing oxygen

Answer

Consuming plant material

Answer

Fixing nitrogen

Question 19

What is the term for the transfer of energy from one trophic level to the next?

Accepted Answer

Energy flow

Answer

Productivity

Answer

Decomposition

Answer

Food chain

Question 20

What is the concept of ecological succession?

Accepted Answer

The gradual shift in the composition of a community over time

Answer

The process by which an ecosystem recovers from disturbances

Answer

The way in which species interact with each other

Answer

The transfer of energy from one trophic level to the next

Question 21

Which of the following is a key characteristic of ecosystems?

Accepted Answer

They are self-organizing and dynamic.

Answer

They are static and unchanging.

Answer

Their structure and function are determined solely by abiotic factors.

Answer

They do not exchange energy and matter with their surroundings.

Question 22

What is the primary function of producers in an ecosystem?

Accepted Answer

To convert sunlight into chemical energy through the process of photosynthesis.

Answer

To decompose organic matter and recycle nutrients.

Answer

To consume other organisms to obtain energy.

Answer

To regulate the population size of other organisms.

Question 23

What is the process by which nutrients are returned to the soil and made available to plants?

Accepted Answer

Decomposition

Answer

Predation

Answer

Respiration

Answer

Photosynthesis

Question 24

Which of the following is an example of a keystone predator?

Accepted Answer

Sea otter

Answer

Lionfish

Answer

Deer

Answer

Bacteria

Question 25

What is the process by which plants absorb water from the soil?

Accepted Answer

Root absorption

Answer

Transpiration

Answer

Photosynthesis

Answer

Respiration

Question 26

What is the primary factor that determines the distribution and abundance of different species within an ecosystem?

Accepted Answer

Competition for resources

Answer

Mutualism

Answer

Predation

Answer

Abiotic factors

Question 27

Which of the following is a type of symbiotic relationship in which one organism benefits while the other is neither harmed nor helped?

Accepted Answer

Commensalism

Answer

Mutualism

Answer

Parasitism

Answer

Amensalism

Question 28

What is the main purpose of food chains and food webs?

Accepted Answer

To represent the flow of energy through trophic levels.

Answer

To show the diversity of species in an ecosystem.

Answer

To predict the population size of different species.

Answer

To measure the productivity of an ecosystem.

Question 29

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of a stable ecosystem?

Accepted Answer

Rapid environmental change

Answer

Stable population sizes

Answer

Efficient nutrient cycling

Answer

High levels of biodiversity

Question 30

The process by which organic matter is broken down and returned to the ecosystem is called:

Accepted Answer

Decomposition

Answer

Respiration

Answer

Photosynthesis

Answer

Transpiration

Question 31

The term 'trophic level' refers to:

Accepted Answer

The feeding position of an organism in a food chain

Answer

The amount of energy transferred between trophic levels

Answer

The size of an organism's population

Answer

The distribution of organisms within an ecosystem

Question 32

The concept of 'ecological niche' refers to:

Accepted Answer

The specific role and interactions of an organism within an ecosystem

Answer

The range of conditions in which an organism can survive

Answer

The physical space occupied by an organism

Answer

The genetic makeup of an organism

Question 33

The process of primary succession occurs in:

Accepted Answer

Newly established ecosystems

Answer

Mature ecosystems

Answer

Disturbed ecosystems

Answer

Aquatic ecosystems

Question 34

The concept of 'carrying capacity' refers to:

Accepted Answer

The maximum population size that an ecosystem can support indefinitely

Answer

The rate at which a population increases

Answer

The number of individuals per unit area

Answer

The distribution of resources within an ecosystem

Question 35

The process by which nutrients are released from dead organisms and returned to the environment is known as:

Accepted Answer

Decomposition

Answer

Evaporation

Answer

Photosynthesis

Answer

Respiration

Question 36

The trophic level of an organism refers to its:

Accepted Answer

Feeding position in the food chain

Answer

Abundance in the ecosystem

Answer

Genetic diversity

Answer

Physiological adaptations

Question 37

Which type of succession occurs on newly formed or newly exposed land?

Accepted Answer

Primary succession

Answer

Secondary succession

Answer

Climax succession

Answer

Pioneer succession

Question 38

The process by which plants absorb and transform light energy into chemical energy is called:

Accepted Answer

Photosynthesis

Answer

Respiration

Answer

Chemosynthesis

Answer

Transpiration

Question 39

Which of the following is NOT a type of ecosystem service?

Accepted Answer

Oil extraction

Answer

Water purification

Answer

Climate regulation

Answer

Pollination

Question 40

The amount of energy available at each trophic level in an ecosystem is typically:

Accepted Answer

Decreased

Answer

Equal

Answer

Increased

Answer

Unpredictable

Question 41

Which of the following is NOT a fundamental characteristic of an ecosystem?

Accepted Answer

It is isolated from other ecosystems and operates independently.

Answer

It comprises a community of living organisms.

Answer

It interacts with the non-living environment.

Answer

It maintains a balance of energy and nutrients.

Question 42

The best description of energy flow through an ecosystem is:

Accepted Answer

Linear and irreversible.

Answer

Circular and continuous.

Answer

Chaotic and unpredictable.

Answer

Exclusive to the presence of decomposers.

Question 43

Which of the following is a crucial biotic factor influencing ecosystem structure and function?

Accepted Answer

Competition for limited resources

Answer

Temperature

Answer

Precipitation

Answer

Soil pH

Question 44

The process of nutrient cycling within an ecosystem is referred to as:

Accepted Answer

Biogeochemical cycling

Answer

Decomposition

Answer

Photosynthesis

Answer

Respiration

Question 45

The term 'ecological niche' refers to:

Accepted Answer

The functional role and interactions of an organism within an ecosystem.

Answer

The specific location occupied by an organism within its environment.

Answer

The range of environmental conditions in which an organism can survive.

Answer

The dynamics of interactions between different species in an ecosystem.

Question 46

What is the primary ecological role of decomposers?

Accepted Answer

Decomposing organic matter

Answer

Producing nutrients

Answer

Fixing nitrogen

Answer

Preying on herbivores

Question 47

What ecological term refers to the total quantity of organic matter present in an ecosystem at a particular time?

Accepted Answer

Biomass

Answer

Productivity

Answer

Population density

Answer

Carrying capacity

Question 48

What is the fundamental distinction between producers and consumers within an ecosystem?

Accepted Answer

Producers synthesize food using sunlight, while consumers consume other organisms

Answer

Consumers synthesize food using sunlight, while producers consume other organisms

Answer

Producers consume other organisms, while consumers synthesize food using sunlight

Answer

There is no distinction

Question 49

What ecological term describes the theoretical community composition that would exist in an area under pristine conditions, absent of human interference?

Accepted Answer

Climax community

Answer

Pioneer community

Answer

Successional community

Answer

Stable community

Question 50

What is the process by which atmospheric nitrogen is converted into a usable form for plants via bacterial action?

Accepted Answer

Nitrogen fixation

Answer

Nitrification

Answer

Denitrification

Answer

Anammox