Ecological Consequences - AP Environmental Science
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Which of the following is the best example of critical habitat?
Which of the following is the best example of critical habitat?
Critical habitat is defined as vital for sustaining endangered or threatened populations. The whooping crane is endangered and requires wetland ecosystems to sustain a population, while the other examples are situations where alternative (albeit less successful) habitat was available or the population was neither threatened nor endangered.
Critical habitat is defined as vital for sustaining endangered or threatened populations. The whooping crane is endangered and requires wetland ecosystems to sustain a population, while the other examples are situations where alternative (albeit less successful) habitat was available or the population was neither threatened nor endangered.
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What is the approximate proportion of amphibian species worldwide that are at risk of extinction?
What is the approximate proportion of amphibian species worldwide that are at risk of extinction?
Amphibians are one of the most susceptible groups of species to mass extinction, with one in three currently at risk of extinction.
Amphibians are one of the most susceptible groups of species to mass extinction, with one in three currently at risk of extinction.
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How does the 6th mass extinction significantly differ from the other 5 mass extinctions that have occurred throughout the history of Earth?
How does the 6th mass extinction significantly differ from the other 5 mass extinctions that have occurred throughout the history of Earth?
Previous extinction events can be attributed to pathology, climate change and other natural factors. The current 6th mass extinction event is largely attributed to human activities and the resulting climate change.
Previous extinction events can be attributed to pathology, climate change and other natural factors. The current 6th mass extinction event is largely attributed to human activities and the resulting climate change.
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Diversity can be calculated at various scales. Which type of diversity refers to the total number of species in a geographic region that spans multiple habitats?
Diversity can be calculated at various scales. Which type of diversity refers to the total number of species in a geographic region that spans multiple habitats?
Gamma diversity refers to the total number of species within a region. This can also be referred to as regional diversity. Gamma diversity is useful in order to investigate biodiversity from a broad scale or at the landscape level.
Gamma diversity refers to the total number of species within a region. This can also be referred to as regional diversity. Gamma diversity is useful in order to investigate biodiversity from a broad scale or at the landscape level.
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In the 1960s, Robert MacArthur and E.O. Wilson came up with one of the most prominent theories in the field of ecology—Island Biogeography Theory. This theory describes the balancing of which of the following two processes?
In the 1960s, Robert MacArthur and E.O. Wilson came up with one of the most prominent theories in the field of ecology—Island Biogeography Theory. This theory describes the balancing of which of the following two processes?
Island Biogeography Theory is related to the balancing of immigration and extinction. In short, the number of species that occurs on an island should be directly related to the rate of extinction and the rate of immigration. If the rate of immigration is higher than the rate of extinction, then the number of species will be high. If the rate of extinction is higher than the rate of immigration, then the number of species will be low.
Island Biogeography Theory is related to the balancing of immigration and extinction. In short, the number of species that occurs on an island should be directly related to the rate of extinction and the rate of immigration. If the rate of immigration is higher than the rate of extinction, then the number of species will be high. If the rate of extinction is higher than the rate of immigration, then the number of species will be low.
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The ecologist Joseph Connell studied tropical rain forests and noticed that they contain high levels of biodiversity compared to temperate zones. He noted that earthquakes and storms are important forces that continually open canopies and create new habitat for species colonization. Which of the following hypotheses best describes this phenomenon?
The ecologist Joseph Connell studied tropical rain forests and noticed that they contain high levels of biodiversity compared to temperate zones. He noted that earthquakes and storms are important forces that continually open canopies and create new habitat for species colonization. Which of the following hypotheses best describes this phenomenon?
The Intermediate Disturbance Hypothesis describes how habitats experiencing moderate levels of disturbance can support the most species. This occurs because disturbance initiates the turnover of dominant species, which allows new species to emerge. For example, a tree falling in the forest could be an example of a disturbance. Trees falls open up the canopy and allow sunlight to reach the floor of the forest and creates an open space for species to colonize.
The Intermediate Disturbance Hypothesis describes how habitats experiencing moderate levels of disturbance can support the most species. This occurs because disturbance initiates the turnover of dominant species, which allows new species to emerge. For example, a tree falling in the forest could be an example of a disturbance. Trees falls open up the canopy and allow sunlight to reach the floor of the forest and creates an open space for species to colonize.
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Beta diversity refers to the difference in species across habitats. If an area of particular interest has 8 different habitats and an average of 3.2 species occupying each habitat, then what would the beta diversity be?
Beta diversity refers to the difference in species across habitats. If an area of particular interest has 8 different habitats and an average of 3.2 species occupying each habitat, then what would the beta diversity be?
Beta diversity is calculated by taking the total number of habitats divided by the number of species in each habitat of a given environment.
Total number of habitats:
Number of species in each habitat:
Solve:
Beta diversity is calculated by taking the total number of habitats divided by the number of species in each habitat of a given environment.
Total number of habitats:
Number of species in each habitat:
Solve:
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Biological diversity is the variation between organisms in a ecosystem; both plant and animal.
What three aspects are taken into account when measuring biological diversity?
Biological diversity is the variation between organisms in a ecosystem; both plant and animal.
What three aspects are taken into account when measuring biological diversity?
Biological diversity is concerned with not only the number, variety and variability of species within ecosystems but the number of ecosystems on the Earth and genetic diversity within species.
Biological diversity is concerned with not only the number, variety and variability of species within ecosystems but the number of ecosystems on the Earth and genetic diversity within species.
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Riparian zones are important because __________.
Riparian zones are important because __________.
Riparian zones prevent erosion and are incredibly high in biodiversity. Riparian areas are thin and ribbon-like, accompanying streams and rivers, but often long and dense.
Riparian zones prevent erosion and are incredibly high in biodiversity. Riparian areas are thin and ribbon-like, accompanying streams and rivers, but often long and dense.
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Which is not a value of every species on Earth?
Which is not a value of every species on Earth?
Every species is important because of its niche in its ecosystem. Additionally, all species are potentially of scientific and medical/economic value.
Every species is important because of its niche in its ecosystem. Additionally, all species are potentially of scientific and medical/economic value.
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Imagine that there is a museum that contains every species that has ever lived on planet Earth. Of all the species that have ever existed on Earth, what percentage of those are still alive today?
Imagine that there is a museum that contains every species that has ever lived on planet Earth. Of all the species that have ever existed on Earth, what percentage of those are still alive today?
The correct response is 1%. The majority of species that have ever lived on Earth are extinct. Mass extinctions have occurred throughout geological history due to large disturbances such as meteor crashes and ice ages. Life is fragile and disturbances can cause millions of species to go extinct rather quickly - such as most recent mass extinction when the dinosaurs disappeared. Thus, the species still alive today represent a tiny portion of the variety of life that has existed throughout the geological history of Earth.
The correct response is 1%. The majority of species that have ever lived on Earth are extinct. Mass extinctions have occurred throughout geological history due to large disturbances such as meteor crashes and ice ages. Life is fragile and disturbances can cause millions of species to go extinct rather quickly - such as most recent mass extinction when the dinosaurs disappeared. Thus, the species still alive today represent a tiny portion of the variety of life that has existed throughout the geological history of Earth.
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Which of the following is the most accurate example of a biome?
Which of the following is the most accurate example of a biome?
A biome is a large geographical area that consists of flora and fauna that have adapted to local conditions. The tundra is a geographical region that consists of arctic-adapted plants and animals. The other answers are more examples of ecosystems, specific communities of plants and animals adapted to certain conditions within a biome. Other examples of biomes include (but are not limited to) desert, deciduous forest, savanna and taiga (subarctic forest).
A biome is a large geographical area that consists of flora and fauna that have adapted to local conditions. The tundra is a geographical region that consists of arctic-adapted plants and animals. The other answers are more examples of ecosystems, specific communities of plants and animals adapted to certain conditions within a biome. Other examples of biomes include (but are not limited to) desert, deciduous forest, savanna and taiga (subarctic forest).
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Which is not a primary cause of deforestation?
Which is not a primary cause of deforestation?
Though prejudice against indigenous peoples is not a primary cause of deforestation, many indigenous cultures go extinct, much like endemic species, when their lands are taken from them.
Though prejudice against indigenous peoples is not a primary cause of deforestation, many indigenous cultures go extinct, much like endemic species, when their lands are taken from them.
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Which major biome could be characterized as having the following characteristics?
- Has four distinct seasons
- Located between
North and 
South
- Dominated by broadleaf trees that lose leaves in the winter
- Annual precipitation that ranges between
and 
Which major biome could be characterized as having the following characteristics?
- Has four distinct seasons
- Located between
- Dominated by broadleaf trees that lose leaves in the winter
- Annual precipitation that ranges between
The correct answer is "temperate deciduous forest." Temperate deciduous forests typically get more precipitation than taiga, shrubland, desert, or grassland, and their flora is dominated by broadleaf trees.
The correct answer is "temperate deciduous forest." Temperate deciduous forests typically get more precipitation than taiga, shrubland, desert, or grassland, and their flora is dominated by broadleaf trees.
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Which of the following adaptations would NOT be typical of a species that inhabits a desert ecosystem?
Which of the following adaptations would NOT be typical of a species that inhabits a desert ecosystem?
Many desert species have adapted to an ecosystem with limited water and food availability with concentrated or "dry" bodily excretions, and the ability to effectively store fat. Burrowing is a common trait for desert mammals as a way to contend with the heat. Diluted urine excretions would not be advantageous in a desert ecosystem because the body would be expelling water inefficiently.
Many desert species have adapted to an ecosystem with limited water and food availability with concentrated or "dry" bodily excretions, and the ability to effectively store fat. Burrowing is a common trait for desert mammals as a way to contend with the heat. Diluted urine excretions would not be advantageous in a desert ecosystem because the body would be expelling water inefficiently.
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Corals under stress from high water temperatures and pollution expel their zooxanthellae in a process called __________.
Corals under stress from high water temperatures and pollution expel their zooxanthellae in a process called __________.
When corals eject their intracellular symbiotic organisms, their color is lost along with the zooxanthellae's photosynthetic ability. This leads to the death of the coral. Algal blooms simply involve the rapid growth of algae over a short period of time. Upwelling involves the process by which deep, nutrient-rich water rises up and gets mixed with the water higher in the ground.
When corals eject their intracellular symbiotic organisms, their color is lost along with the zooxanthellae's photosynthetic ability. This leads to the death of the coral. Algal blooms simply involve the rapid growth of algae over a short period of time. Upwelling involves the process by which deep, nutrient-rich water rises up and gets mixed with the water higher in the ground.
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Eric's home is located northward of the 60o latitude. The landscape surrounding his home contains dwarf shrubs, spongy and wet ground-cover, permafrost, and no trees. Which biome does Eric live in?
Eric's home is located northward of the 60o latitude. The landscape surrounding his home contains dwarf shrubs, spongy and wet ground-cover, permafrost, and no trees. Which biome does Eric live in?
The correct response is tundra. The tundra biome is characterized by permafrost and its lack of trees. The soil is frozen year-around, which prevents large vegetation growth. The tundra is located at high latitudes above the 60o line.
The correct response is tundra. The tundra biome is characterized by permafrost and its lack of trees. The soil is frozen year-around, which prevents large vegetation growth. The tundra is located at high latitudes above the 60o line.
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Average annual rainfall and average annual temperature are the two most important characteristics in defining a biome. Which biome has the highest average annual temperature and the highest average annual rainfall?
Average annual rainfall and average annual temperature are the two most important characteristics in defining a biome. Which biome has the highest average annual temperature and the highest average annual rainfall?
The correct response is tropical rainforest. The tropical rainforest biome has by far the highest annual precipitation (300-450 centimeters per year) and highest average temperature (25-35 C). The subtropical desert and savanna are incorrect answer choice because they have low precipitation. Boreal forest and temperate rainforests have lower temperature than tropical rainforests.
The correct response is tropical rainforest. The tropical rainforest biome has by far the highest annual precipitation (300-450 centimeters per year) and highest average temperature (25-35 C). The subtropical desert and savanna are incorrect answer choice because they have low precipitation. Boreal forest and temperate rainforests have lower temperature than tropical rainforests.
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Aquatic biomes are used to categorize specific types of aquatic resources. Measurements such as the concentration of salt and the connectivity to larger bodies of water can be used. Which aquatic biome describes a region where a freshwater river merges with an oceanic body?
Aquatic biomes are used to categorize specific types of aquatic resources. Measurements such as the concentration of salt and the connectivity to larger bodies of water can be used. Which aquatic biome describes a region where a freshwater river merges with an oceanic body?
The correct response is estuaries. An estuary supports a diverse community of species. The unique distribution of aquatic conditions caused by the mixing of a salty ocean and a freshwater river make estuaries a novel aquatic biome. The pelagic zone and coral reefs are specific to the ocean environment, so those are incorrect responses.
The correct response is estuaries. An estuary supports a diverse community of species. The unique distribution of aquatic conditions caused by the mixing of a salty ocean and a freshwater river make estuaries a novel aquatic biome. The pelagic zone and coral reefs are specific to the ocean environment, so those are incorrect responses.
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One of the goals of ecology is to understand the patterns and distributions of biological diversity. Ecologists have found that biodiversity is strongly affected along the boundary where two habitats intersect. Change in biodiversity along a habitat boundary is referred to as __________.
One of the goals of ecology is to understand the patterns and distributions of biological diversity. Ecologists have found that biodiversity is strongly affected along the boundary where two habitats intersect. Change in biodiversity along a habitat boundary is referred to as __________.
The correct response is edge effects. The edge effects specifically describe shifts in biodiversity along the edge of a habitat, or in a transition zone that contains features from two habitat types. For example, imagine you are walking on a trail that starts in a forest and leads into a grassy meadow. The transition between forest and meadow would experience edge effects. This area would have species from the forest and species from the meadow living in the same zone.
The correct response is edge effects. The edge effects specifically describe shifts in biodiversity along the edge of a habitat, or in a transition zone that contains features from two habitat types. For example, imagine you are walking on a trail that starts in a forest and leads into a grassy meadow. The transition between forest and meadow would experience edge effects. This area would have species from the forest and species from the meadow living in the same zone.
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