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Succession and Extinction — Unit test Answers

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Earth scientists have concluded that the methods of harnessing energy that have been used over the past two centuries, such as the burning of fossil fuels, are causing climates around the world to change more quickly and suddenly than ever before in human history. Evidence includes increased air temperatures, rising sea levels, and the shrinking of glaciers in Greenland, Alaska, and other regions of Earth. The most complex level of organizational hierarchy that climate change could potentially affect is Earth’s

A
biosphere.
B
communities.
C
organisms.
D
populations.
3

Which best describes how an organism’s niche is determined?

A
An organism's habitat and inherited traits determine its niche by influencing how it interacts with the environment and other organisms.
B
An organism’s reproductive rate and population size determine its niche in an ecosystem.
C
An organism's physical size and strength determine its niche by helping it dominate other species.
D
An organism's location and prey determine its nice, regardless of its behaviors or traits.
4

Scientists use specific levels of organization to analyze the biosphere. The Everglades consist of a large area of subtropical wetlands in Florida. Various species of plants and animals can be found in the Everglades, including panthers, cypress trees, herons, and alligators.The group of ecosystems on Earth that feature climate, vegetation, and wildlife similar to the Everglades is

Question illustration
A
a biosphere.
B
a community.
C
a population.
D
a biome.
5

What kind of display would be the best way to represent the data below?Type of speciesCritically endangered (%)Endangered or vulnerable (%)Plants1370Invertebrates035Freshwater fish937Amphibians730Reptiles528Birds012Mammals221

A
bar graph
B
pie chart
C
line graph
D
scatter plot
6

What effect would El Niño most likely have on organisms?

A
El Niño would cause the extinction of an entire species.
B
El Niño would cause changes in the genetic makeup of organisms.
C
El Niño would cause continents to move to different parts of the planet.
D
El Niño would cause organisms to move in search of food and better conditions.
7

Review the picture below.Which would be the most accurate title for this picture?

Question illustration
A
primary succession after a controlled fire
B
primary succession after a volcanic eruption
C
secondary succession after a controlled fire
D
secondary succession after a volcanic eruption
8

The burrowing owl is found in dry, open areas such as grasslands, prairies, savannas, deserts, farmlands, golf courses, and urban areas throughout most of western United States and Florida, Central America, and most of South America. It makes its home in burrows of other animals and primarily eats insects and small rodents. As humans build more cities, nearby burrowing owl habitats change due to destruction of burrows and loss of prey. Which is the least likely outcome of the habitat changes that are described?

A
The niche of the burrowing owl may change as it adapts to the changes.
B
The niche of the burrowing owl may change as it moves to a new habitat.
C
The population of the burrowing owl may be reduced or even become extinct.
D
The population of the burrowing owl may increase in its new surroundings.
9

Which is one effect that would most likely result from a tsunami?

A
death
B
drought
C
extinction
D
genetic change
10

An ecosystem has experienced a flood. Which type of plants would you expect to see growing first after the flood?

A
shrubs
B
lichen
C
small annual plants
D
pine and oak trees
11

Which environmental change is considered short term?

A
forest fire
B
ice age
C
mountain building
D
solar energy changes
12

Which best matches objects that a scientist would include on a list describing a forest ecosystem?

A
different types of animals and plants and the forest soil
B
one animal species, the soil, water, and nutrients
C
all the living things in the forest ecosystem
D
different types of soil, rocks, and water sources in the forest
13

A hunter illegally kills a wolf in Yellowstone National Park and attempts to bring the wolf's skull back to Florida. Which law is the hunter violating?

A
the National Park System Act
B
the Lacey Act
C
EPA
D
CITES
14

Interactions between organisms and their environment impact the organism’s overall population. The jaguar Panthera onca is the largest cat in North America. It is found in areas across the Southwest, including Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas. It is a carnivore that has powerful jaws and sharp teeth and preys on fish, turtles, and many smaller mammals. Which shows the relationship between the jaguar and turtles?

A
adaptation principle
B
competitive exclusion principle
C
niche principle
D
predator-prey relationship
15

What is the difference between a community and a population?

A
A community has only one organism, while a population has many organisms.
B
A population has only one ecosystem, while a community has many ecosystems.
C
A community has only one biome, while a population has many biomes.
D
A population has only one species, while a community has many species.
16

How would an increase in nest sites affect a population of pigeons?

A
The population would decrease.
B
The population would increase.
C
The population would remain almost the same.
D
The population would be reduced the next year.
17

Which of these is an organism?

A
a herd of sheep
B
a wolf
C
a drop of water
D
a heart
18

Humans clear-cut a forest. Which is one possible way that animals would most likely be affected by this action?

A
Some animals would adapt.
B
Some animals would go extinct.
C
Some animals would evolve.
D
Some animals would be forced to migrate.
19

Which of the following could result in the extinction of a species?

A
harsh restrictions on poachers
B
increase in the habitat size of a species
C
adding a new species to the habitat
D
decrease tourism in protected areas
20

The number of rhinoceroses has decreased to near extinction. How are rhinoceroses classified under the Endangered Species Act?

A
endangered
B
threatened
C
extinct
D
pioneer

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