Ecological Communities: Interactions, Dynamics, and Succession

Question 1

Which of the following is not a key type of symbiotic relationship?

Accepted Answer

Amensalism

Answer

Mutualism

Answer

Commensalism

Answer

Parasitism

Question 2

What is the primary factor influencing the nature of species interactions within a community?

Accepted Answer

Availability of resources

Answer

Temperature

Answer

pH level

Answer

Light intensity

Question 3

What is the fundamental difference between primary and secondary succession?

Accepted Answer

Primary succession starts on bare ground, while secondary succession follows a disturbance

Answer

Primary succession is slower than secondary succession

Answer

Secondary succession is more diverse than primary succession

Answer

Primary succession creates new soil, while secondary succession does not

Question 4

What is the gradual change in species composition of a community over time called?

Accepted Answer

Ecological succession

Answer

Community dynamics

Answer

Species turnover

Answer

Habitat fragmentation

Question 5

What is the term for a symbiotic relationship where both species mutually benefit?

Accepted Answer

Mutualism

Answer

Commensalism

Answer

Parasitism

Answer

Symbiosis

Question 6

Which of the following species is a well-known example of a keystone species?

Accepted Answer

Sea otters

Answer

Elephants

Answer

Lions

Answer

Bacteria

Question 7

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

Accepted Answer

Carrying capacity

Answer

Population density

Answer

Birth rate

Answer

Death rate

Question 8

Which of the following is a characteristic of pioneer species in primary succession?

Accepted Answer

Intolerant of harsh conditions

Answer

Slow-growing

Answer

Long-lived

Answer

Dependent on other species

Question 9

What type of interaction involves one species killing and consuming another?

Accepted Answer

Predation

Answer

Competition

Answer

Mutualism

Answer

Commensalism

Question 10

What is the term for ecological succession that occurs after a disturbance, such as a fire or flood?

Accepted Answer

Secondary succession

Answer

Primary succession

Answer

Community dynamics

Answer

Ecological disturbance

Question 11

Which type of species interaction benefits one species at the expense of another?

Accepted Answer

Predation

Answer

Mutualism

Answer

Competition

Answer

Symbiosis

Question 12

Which is NOT a characteristic of a keystone species?

Accepted Answer

Is often common and abundant

Answer

Disproportionate impact on its community relative to its abundance

Answer

Essential for maintaining community structure

Answer

Typically a high trophic level species

Question 13

Which is an example of a symbiotic relationship where both species benefit?

Accepted Answer

Lichen

Answer

Parasitism

Answer

Commensalism

Answer

Competition

Question 14

Which research method is most appropriate to investigate the effects of pollution on a river ecosystem?

Accepted Answer

Experimental study

Answer

Observational study

Answer

Modelling

Answer

Historical data analysis

Question 15

Which fundamental concept plays a crucial role in shaping the dynamics of ecological communities?

Accepted Answer

Interactions between different species

Answer

Influence of non-living factors on organisms

Answer

Genetic diversity within populations

Answer

Benefits derived from ecosystems

Question 16

Competition between species can lead to a specific outcome. Which of the following is a potential consequence of competition?

Accepted Answer

Partitioning of resources among species

Answer

Formation of mutually beneficial relationships

Answer

Predatory behaviour between species

Answer

Symbiotic associations between species

Question 17

Identify an example of a predator-prey relationship within an ecological community.

Accepted Answer

Lions hunting zebras

Answer

Trees providing shelter to fungi

Answer

Bees pollinating flowers

Answer

Bacteria being inhibited by antibiotics

Question 18

Ecological succession is a key process in shaping communities over time. What is a distinguishing characteristic of ecological succession?

Accepted Answer

Predictable changes in species composition and community structure

Answer

Stable and unchanging community structure

Answer

Random fluctuations in population sizes

Answer

Absence of competition and predation

Question 19

Climax communities represent a relatively stable stage in ecological succession. Which of the following best describes the characteristics of a climax community?

Accepted Answer

High species diversity and long-term stability

Answer

Dominance of pioneer species and rapid change

Answer

Low primary productivity

Answer

Absence of competition and predation

Question 20

Ecological communities are influenced by both living and non-living factors. Which of the following options represents an example of an abiotic factor?

Accepted Answer

Sunlight availability

Answer

Competition between species

Answer

Predation by one species on another

Answer

Symbiotic relationships between species

Question 21

Conservation efforts often prioritize the protection of keystone species. Why are keystone species considered crucial for maintaining ecological communities?

Accepted Answer

They have a disproportionate impact on the community relative to their abundance.

Answer

They are the most numerous species in the community.

Answer

They occupy the top trophic level in the food chain.

Answer

They are rare and endangered species.

Question 22

The gradual and predictable change in the composition of species within a community over time is known as:

Accepted Answer

Ecological succession

Answer

Competition

Answer

Predation

Answer

Symbiosis

Question 23

Which of the following factors is NOT a key driver of competition between species?

Accepted Answer

Symbiotic interactions

Answer

Overlapping resource use

Answer

Similar niche requirements

Answer

Aggressive behavior

Question 24

The principle of competitive exclusion states that:

Accepted Answer

No two species can coexist in the same ecological niche indefinitely

Answer

Competition between species is always zero-sum

Answer

Predator-prey relationships are always mutually beneficial

Answer

Symbiosis is the most common type of species interaction

Question 25

Which of the following is an example of a species that plays a disproportionately large role in maintaining the stability and function of its ecosystem?

Accepted Answer

Sea otters

Answer

Lions

Answer

Whales

Answer

Trees

Question 26

The concept of a food web emphasizes the:

Accepted Answer

Interconnections and interdependence of species within an ecosystem

Answer

Relative abundance of different trophic levels

Answer

Importance of keystone species

Answer

Role of competition in shaping community structure

Question 27

The process by which predators and prey species evolve to adapt to each other is known as:

Accepted Answer

Coevolution

Answer

Adaptative radiation

Answer

Convergent evolution

Answer

Natural selection

Question 28

The concept of ecological balance refers to:

Accepted Answer

A dynamic equilibrium where species populations fluctuate around an average

Answer

A stable and unchanging state of an ecosystem

Answer

A situation where competition between species is completely absent

Answer

A rapid shift in community composition due to an external disturbance

Question 29

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of a climax community?

Accepted Answer

Rapid rate of biomass production

Answer

High species diversity

Answer

Stable population sizes

Answer

Mature soil development

Question 30

Competition between two species for a limited resource is most likely to occur when the species:

Accepted Answer

Have high niche overlap.

Answer

Are from different trophic levels.

Answer

Occupy different habitats.

Answer

Have low reproductive rates.

Question 31

Which of the following interactions is an example of mutualism?

Accepted Answer

A bee pollinating a flower

Answer

A hawk preying on a sparrow

Answer

A tapeworm living in a human intestine

Answer

A fungus parasitizing an oak tree

Question 32

The gradual change in the composition of a community over time is known as:

Accepted Answer

Ecological succession

Answer

Primary succession

Answer

Secondary succession

Answer

Climax succession

Question 33

The process by which organisms modify their environment is known as:

Accepted Answer

Ecosystem engineering

Answer

Bioremediation

Answer

Bioaccumulation

Answer

Environmentalism

Question 34

Which characteristic is a defining feature of a climax community?

Accepted Answer

Stable species composition over time

Answer

Rapid species turnover rate

Answer

Dominance by early successional plant species

Question 35

Which characteristic is NOT typical of a climax community?

Accepted Answer

Rapid rate of change

Answer

High species diversity

Answer

Mature soil profile

Question 36

Which type of interaction benefits both species involved?

Accepted Answer

Mutualism

Answer

Predator-prey

Answer

Commensalism

Question 37

Which of the following describes the correct sequence of stages in ecological succession?

Accepted Answer

Pioneer species establish, then a subclimax community, and finally the climax community develops.

Answer

A climax community arises first, followed by a subclimax community and then pioneer species.

Answer

Pioneer species establish, then the climax community, and finally the subclimax community emerges.

Answer

Subclimax communities establish first, then pioneer species, and finally the climax community develops.

Question 38

How do keystone species play a crucial role in maintaining the equilibrium of ecological communities?

Accepted Answer

Ensuring ecosystem stability and resilience

Answer

Intensifying competition between species

Answer

Enhancing biodiversity within the community

Question 39

Which type of symbiotic relationship benefits one organism while harming the other?

Accepted Answer

Parasitism

Answer

Commensalism

Answer

Mutualism

Answer

Amensalism

Question 40

Which factor primarily determines the maximum population size that an ecosystem can support?

Accepted Answer

Carrying capacity

Answer

Disease

Answer

Resource availability

Answer

Predation

Question 41

Which type of succession occurs when a community establishes on a previously barren or severely disturbed area?

Accepted Answer

Primary succession

Answer

Secondary succession

Answer

Climax succession

Answer

Cyclic succession

Question 42

Which characteristic is distinctive of a climax community?

Accepted Answer

High species diversity and relative stability

Answer

Dominance by pioneer species

Answer

Rapid species turnover

Answer

Low species diversity

Question 43

Which concept is central to the study of community ecology?

Accepted Answer

Niche differentiation

Answer

Gene flow

Answer

Genetic drift

Question 44

Which type of competition occurs when individuals of the same species compete for the same resources?

Accepted Answer

Intraspecific competition

Answer

Exploitation competition

Answer

Apparent competition

Answer

Interference competition

Question 45

Which of the following is a potential consequence of intense interspecific competition?

Accepted Answer

Character displacement

Answer

Genetic drift

Answer

Speciation

Answer

Adaptive radiation

Question 46

Which type of predation involves the predator killing and consuming its prey?

Accepted Answer

Consumptive predation

Answer

Amensalistic predation

Answer

Exploitative predation

Answer

Mutualistic predation

Question 47

Which of the following is NOT a primary category of species interactions within an ecological community?

Accepted Answer

Facilitation

Answer

Mutualism

Answer

Predation

Answer

Competition

Question 48

Which factor is the primary determinant of the carrying capacity of an environment?

Accepted Answer

Resource availability

Answer

Symbiotic relationships

Answer

Climate

Answer

Species competition

Question 49

Which of the following is a defining characteristic of pioneer species?

Accepted Answer

Rapid growth and high reproductive rates

Answer

Dependence on mature forests

Answer

Slow growth and longevity

Answer

Tolerance to competition

Question 50

Which of the following exemplifies a symbiotic relationship where one species benefits and the other is harmed?

Accepted Answer

Parasitism

Answer

Competition

Answer

Commensalism

Answer

Mutualism

Question 51

Which of the following is a potential ecological consequence of habitat fragmentation?

Accepted Answer

Increased risk of species extinction

Answer

Increased population growth

Answer

Enhanced ecosystem services

Answer

Improved species genetic diversity

Question 52

Which of the following types of ecological succession occurs in newly formed or disturbed environments?

Accepted Answer

Primary succession

Answer

Hydrosere succession

Answer

Cyclic succession

Answer

Secondary succession

Question 53

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

Accepted Answer

Beaver

Answer

Hare

Answer

Fox

Answer

Deer