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ECOLOGY > chapter 21 - decomposition, nutrient cycling > Flashcards

chapter 21 - decomposition, nutrient cycling Flashcards

1
Q

A predatory wasp that feeds exclusively on herbivorous ants would be an example of a(n) _______ that is part of the _______ trophic level.

  1. herbivore; second
  2. omnivore; third
  3. carnivore; second
  4. carnivore; third
A

4.carnivore; third

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2
Q

Within trophic levels, detritivores are grouped with _______ because _______.

  1. autotrophs; detritus is waste made during energy production
  2. autotrophs; detritus is part of the first trophic level
  3. primary carnivores; all “vores” consume animals
  4. herbivores; detritus is part of the first trophic level
A

herbivores; detritus is part of the first trophic level

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3
Q

A leaf from a deciduous forest that falls into a large stream and is consumed by insects would be a source of _______ energy for the stream ecosystem.

  1. allochthonous
  2. autochthonous
  3. apichthonous
  4. assimilation
A

allochthonous

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4
Q

Which statement about the second law of thermodynamics is true?

  1. It predicts that trophic biomass pyramids can never be inverted.
  2. It states that entropy tends to decrease during energy transfers.
  3. It states that some energy will be lost in any transfer of energy.
  4. It states that as energy is transferred, some energy remains with the original trophic level.
A

It states that as energy is transferred, some energy remains with the original trophic level. ?

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5
Q

Which pyramid is most likely to be inverted?

  1. An energy pyramid in a terrestrial ecosystem
  2. An energy pyramid in an aquatic ecosystem
  3. A biomass pyramid in a terrestrial ecosystem
  4. A biomass pyramid in an aquatic ecosystem
A

4.A biomass pyramid in an aquatic ecosystem

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6
Q

If a cow with an assimilation efficiency of 10% and a production efficiency of 20% eats 50 kg of grass, the expected increase in biomass of the cow would be

  1. 200 g.
  2. 500 g
  3. .1 kg
  4. .10 kg.
A

1 kg

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7
Q

In which sequence are the organisms’ expected production efficiencies correctly ranked from highest to lowest?

  1. Mouse > fox > beetle
  2. Fox > mouse > beetle
  3. Beetle > mouse > fox
  4. Beetle > fox > mouse
A

Beetle > mouse > fox

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8
Q

Compared to carnivores, herbivores tend to have _______ assimilation energies because _______.

  1. lower; they are larger in size
  2. lower; plants contain many substances, such as cellulose, that are not easily digested
  3. higher; they are smaller in size
  4. higher; plants contain many substances, such as cellulose, that are not easily digested
A

lower; plants contain many substances, such as cellulose, that are not easily digested

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9
Q

In bottom-up control, energy flow through the ecosystem is determined primarily by the

  1. supply of resources limiting NPP.
  2. production efficiencies of herbivores.
  3. assimilation efficiencies of herbivores.
  4. abundance of carnivores.
A

supply of resources limiting NPP

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10
Q

Decreases in _______ tend to increase the number of trophic levels in an ecosystem.

  1. NPP
  2. trophic efficiency
  3. disturbance frequency
  4. ecosystem area
A

disturbance frequency

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11
Q

Which statement about the limitations of food webs is false?

  1. In most cases, food webs cannot be used as conceptual tools for understanding the dynamics of energy flow in ecosystems.
  2. Food webs often ignore the critical role of microorganisms.
  3. Most food webs fail to account for mutualisms.
  4. Food webs are static, and actual trophic interactions may change over time.
A

In most cases, food webs cannot be used as conceptual tools for understanding the dynamics of energy flow in ecosystems.

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12
Q

In his studies of ecosystems in the rocky intertidal zone, Paine emphasized that

  1. interaction strengths may vary among different pairs of species.
  2. pollination mutualisms should not be neglected in food web studies.
  3. some organisms may change their feeding patterns as they mature.
  4. keystone species exercise minimal influence on marine ecosystems.
A

interaction strengths may vary among different pairs of species.

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13
Q

Which statement about keystone species is false?
1.If a species acts as a keystone species in one part of its range, it must act as such in all parts of its range.

  1. Keystone species have larger effects on community composition than would be predicted based on their biomass or abundance.
  2. Keystone species tend to be predators at higher trophic levels, but are not restricted to this group.
  3. The keystone species concept implies that protecting the keystone species may also help protect the species that depend on it.
A

If a species acts as a keystone species in one part of its range, it must act as such in all parts of its range.

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14
Q

Higher trophic levels often have _______ concentrations of toxins due to the process of _______.

  1. higher; bioremediation
  2. higher; biomagnification
  3. lower; bioaccumulation
  4. lower; biomagnifications
A

higher; biomagnification

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15
Q

In which human communities would one be most likely to find the highest concentrations of PCBs?
1.Communities in the Arctic that eat mainly whale meat

  1. Communities in the Arctic that eat mainly herbivorous caribou
  2. Communities in the Arctic that eat mainly a vegetarian diet
  3. Communities in southern Canada that eat mainly a vegetarian diet
A

Communities in the Arctic that eat mainly whale meat

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16
Q

Which of the following factors has NOT been proposed as a factor that controls the number of trophic levels in an ecosystem?

  1. amount of primary production in the ecosystem
  2. frequency of disturbance
  3. area of an ecosystem
  4. species diversity of an ecosystem
A

species diversity of an ecosystem

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17
Q

In his studies of ecosystems in the rocky intertidal zone, Robert Paine found that

  1. removal of sea stars increased species diversity of the ecosystem
  2. top down control helped maintain species diversity in the ecosystem
  3. bottom up control helped maintain species diversity of the ecosystem
  4. Mytilus mussels acted as keystone species in the ecosystem
A

top down control helped maintain species diversity in the ecosystem

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18
Q

Which of the following aspects of an organism’s physiology is most likely to reduce its production efficiency?

  1. Endothermy
  2. Egg laying
  3. Low metabolic rate
  4. Digestive systems adapted to herbivory
A

Endothermy

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19
Q

The large dead zone that forms in the Gulf of Mexico each summer is caused by

a. phytoplankton.
b. zooplankton.
c. algae.
d. archaebacteria.

A

c. algae.

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20
Q

What is the largest pool of water on earth?

a. wetlands
b. underground aquifers
c. oceans
d. lakes
e. glaciers

A

c. oceans

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21
Q

The energy required for evapotranspiration is provided by

a. photosynthesis.
b. the Sun.
c. wind.
d. plant respiration.

A

b. the Sun.

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22
Q

Chose a logical path for a molecule of water starting and ending in the atmosphere.

a. precipitation, evaporation, infiltration, condensation
b. infiltration, precipitation, condensation, evaporation
c. evaporation, infiltration, condensation, precipitation
d. precipitation, infiltration, evaporation, condensation

A

d. precipitation, infiltration, evaporation, condensation

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23
Q

In the hydrologic cycle, infiltration refers to

a. water evaporating from the environment and condensing into water vapor.
b. plants taking up water from the soil.
c. the change of water from a liquid to a gas.
d. the change of water from a gas to a liquid.
e. water from precipitation becoming part of the groundwater.

A

e. water from precipitation becoming part of the groundwater.

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24
Q

Which statement is TRUE about the global hydrologic cycle?

a. Precipitation is greater than evaporation in terrestrial ecosystems.
b. Evaporation is greater than precipitation in terrestrial ecosystems.
c. Precipitation and evaporation are about equal in terrestrial ecosystems.
d. Precipitation exceeds evaporation in aquatic ecosystems.
e. Precipitation and evaporation are about equal in aquatic ecosystems.

A

c. Precipitation and evaporation are about equal in terrestrial ecosystems.

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25
Q

What is the ultimate destination of water in the hydrologic cycle?

a. deep aquifers
b. oceans
c. lakes, rivers, and streams
d. the atmosphere

A

b. oceans

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26
Q

When terrestrial ecosystems are paved over, for example to construct a parking lot, how is the hydrologic cycle affected?

a. Infiltration is decreased and runoff is increased.
b. Infiltration is increased and runoff is decreased.
c. Evapotranspiration is increased and runoff is decreased.
d. Evapotranspiration is increased and precipitation is decreased.

A

a. Infiltration is decreased and runoff is increased.

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27
Q

What are the six types of transformations in the carbon cycle?

a. photosynthesis, respiration, combustion, infiltration, sedimentation, burial
b. combustion, precipitation, respiration, aeration, photosynthesis, exchange
c. respiration, aeration, condensation, photosynthesis, exchange, extraction
d. extraction, exchange, respiration, photosynthesis, sedimentation and burial, combustion
e. sedimentation and burial, photosynthesis, respiration, exchange, mineralization, combustion

A

d. extraction, exchange, respiration, photosynthesis, sedimentation and burial, combustion

28
Q

The carbon cycle in ecosystems mostly follows the same paths as the movement of

a. water.
b. nitrogen.
c. phosphorus.
d. energy.
e. heat.

A

d. energy.

29
Q

In waterlogged conditions, anaerobic metabolism of carbon compounds can cause the production of the greenhouse gas

a. hydrogen sulfide (H2S).
b. methane (CH4).
c. ozone (O3).
d. nitrous oxide (N2O).
e. carbon dioxide (CO2).

A

b. methane (CH4).

30
Q

Which of the following reactions describes how some species of archaea produce carbon dioxide under anaerobic conditions?

a. 3 CH3OH → CO2 + 6 H2O + 3 CH4
b. 4 CH3OH → CO2 + 2 H2O + 3 CH4
c. CO2 + H2O + 3 CH4→ 2 CH3OH
d. 3 CH3OH + O2 → CO2 + H2O2 + 2 CH4

A

b. 4 CH3OH → CO2 + 2 H2O + 3 CH4

31
Q

Carbon dioxide exchange between the atmosphere and aquatic ecosystems occurs

a. unidirectionally from atmosphere to aquatic ecosystems, with net gain to aquatic ecosystems.
b. unidirectionally from aquatic ecosystems to the atmosphere, with net gain to the atmosphere.
c. bidirectionally, with net gain to aquatic ecosystems.
d. bidirectionally and nearly equally.
e. bidirectionally, with net gain to the atmosphere.

A

d. bidirectionally and nearly equally.

32
Q

Current atmospheric carbon dioxide levels are approximately

a. 256 ppm.
b. 410 ppm.
c. 394 ppm.
d. 385 ppm.

A

c. 394 ppm.

33
Q

From 1958 to 2012, atmospheric carbon dioxide measurements at Mauna Loa have risen approximately

a. 35 percent.
b. 10 percent.
c. 15 percent.
d. 25 percent.
e. 55 percent.

A

d. 25 percent.

34
Q

Global climate change is primarily caused by increased levels of _____ in the atmosphere.

a. ozone
b. carbon dioxide
c. water vapor
d. methane

A

b. carbon dioxide

35
Q

The chemical process NH4+ → NO2− → NO3−, is known as

a. assimilation.
b. mineralization.
c. nitrification.
d. nitrogen fixation.
e. ammonification.

A

c. nitrification.

36
Q

Nitrogen mineralization is the process by which

a. producers take up soil nitrogen and incorporate it into their tissues.
b. primary consumers ingest producers in the soil and absorb or excrete nitrogen from their tissues.
c. soil microbes produce organic nitrogen compounds from inorganic soil nitrogen.
d. soil microbes break down organic nitrogen into inorganic nitrogen.
e. nitrogen waste products in the soil are converted to atmospheric nitrogen by soil microbes.

A

d. soil microbes break down organic nitrogen into inorganic nitrogen.

37
Q

Denitrification is described by

a. NO → N2O → N2.
b. N2O → NO → N2.
c. NO → N2 → N2O.
d. N2 → NO → N2O.
e. N2 → N2O → NO.

A

a. NO → N2O → N2.

38
Q

Denitrification occurs under _____ conditions.

a. aerobic
b. anaerobic
c. both aerobic and anaerobic
d. neither aerobic nor anaerobic

A

b. anaerobic

39
Q

Nitrogen fixation in the soil is carried out by

a. anaerobic bacteria.
b. aerobic bacteria.
c. mycorrhizal fungi.
d. cyanobacteria.
e. archaebacteria.

A

d. cyanobacteria.

40
Q

Nitrogen mineralization in the soil is primarily carried out by

a. producers.
b. consumers.
c. decomposers.
d. cyanobacteria.
e. nitrogen-fixing plants.

A

c. decomposers.

41
Q

Nitrogen-fixing plants such as soybeans are able to convert

a. soil nitrate and ammonium to gaseous nitrogen.
b. atmospheric nitrogen to nitrate and ammonium.
c. atmospheric nitric oxide to ammonium.
d. ammonia gas to nitrate.
e. soil ammonium to gaseous nitrogen.

A

b. atmospheric nitrogen to nitrate and ammonium.

42
Q

What is the largest pool of nitrogen in the global nitrogen cycle?

a. terrestrial biomass
b. oceans
c. the atmosphere
d. soil

A

c. the atmosphere

43
Q

Which is NOT an example of a major human alteration to the global nitrogen cycle?

a. animal waste from agriculture
b. combustion of fossil fuels
c. production of nitrogen fertilizers
d. planting of nitrogen-fixing crops

A

a. animal waste from agriculture

44
Q

The burning of fossil fuels affects the nitrogen cycle by increasing atmospheric

a. nitrous oxide.
b. nitric oxide.
c. nitrate.
d. ammonia.
e. nitrite.

A

b. nitric oxide.

45
Q

What form of nitrogen reacts with water in the air to form nitrates that fall to the ground during precipitation?

a. nitrous oxide
b. ammonia
c. nitric acid
d. nitric oxide

A

c. nitric acid

46
Q

Where does phosphorus originate in the phosphorus cycle?

a. the atmosphere
b. ocean sediments
c. wastewater
d. rocks containing phosphate
e. aqueous phosphate

A

d. rocks containing phosphate

47
Q

Which of the following is NOT a critical phosphorus-containing structure for organisms?

a. bones
b. nucleic acids
c. ATP
d. lipids
e. teeth

A

d. lipids

48
Q

In what form does phosphorus move through the environment?

a. Ca(H2PO4)2
b. H3PO4
c. PO33−
d. PO43−
e. PH3

A

d. PO43−

49
Q

Phosphatizing bacteria convert phosphorus compounds into

a. phosphate ions.
b. phosphite ions.
c. calcium phosphate.
d. phosphoric acid.

A

a. phosphate ions.

50
Q

What is the main avenue by which phosphorus returns to the ocean?

a. dissolved in rainwater
b. surface runoff
c. wastewater
d. dust

A

b. surface runoff

51
Q

Dead zones are formed when rivers that empty into oceans carry excess phosphorus and nitrate runoff. These dead zones are caused by

a. precipitates of nitrate and phosphorus forming in the water.
b. bacterial blooms.
c. algal blooms.
d. nitrate and phosphorus poisoning.
e. increased acidity due to nitrates and phosphorus.

A

c. algal blooms.

52
Q

Weathering is important to the input of

a. nitrogen.
b. carbon.
c. phosphorus.
d. water.

A

c. phosphorus.

53
Q

How do terrestrial ecosystems replace nongaseous nutrients lost to leaching and runoff?

a. weathering of bedrock and soil
b. atmospheric fixation
c. precipitation
d. decomposition of organic matter

A

a. weathering of bedrock and soil

54
Q

Which organisms are primarily responsible for terrestrial decomposition?

a. bacteria and insects
b. fungi and insects
c. detritivores and fungi
d. bacteria and fungi

A

d. bacteria and fungi

55
Q

Which of the following does NOT significantly affect terrestrial decomposition rates?

a. pH
b. phosphorus content of litter
c. moisture
d. temperature

A

b. phosphorus content of litter

56
Q

Decomposition is more rapid in _____ forests because of _____.

a. temperate; increased temperature and precipitation
b. temperate; increased pH and elevated potassium levels
c. tropical; increased temperature and precipitation
d. tropical; lower nutrient contents and low pH

A

c. tropical; increased temperature and precipitation

57
Q

The leaf decomposition in a tropical forest

a. increases with increasing leaf solubility.
b. decreases with increasing leaf solubility.
c. is unaffected by leaf solubility.
d. increases with soil pH.

A

a. increases with increasing leaf solubility.

58
Q

What is lignin?

a. cellulose
b. silica deposits that resist decomposition in leaves
c. material that makes up thorns on plant stems
d. woody component of plant tissues

A

d. woody component of plant tissues

59
Q

Leaf litter with a _____ lignin composition should _____ k.

a. high; increase
b. high; decrease
c. low; increase
d. low; decrease

A

b. high; decrease

60
Q

In the study of leaf decomposition in a stream in Germany using leaf litter enclosed in either fine- or large-mesh bags, researchers found that decomposition was strongly affected by

a. invertebrates and lignin content.
b. vertebrates and lignin content.
c. nitrogen and phosphorus.
d. lignin and phosphorus.

A

a. invertebrates and lignin content.

61
Q

In aquatic ecosystems, most nutrients regenerate in

a. surface waters.
b. algal biomass.
c. deep waters.
d. sediments.

A

d. sediments.

62
Q

Stratification of lake waters is due to differences in

a. salinity.
b. temperature.
c. pH.
d. nutrients.

A

b. temperature.

63
Q

Stratification occurs in all of the following aquatic systems EXCEPT

a. temperate oceans.
b. tropical streams.
c. polar lakes.
d. coastal estuaries.

A

c. polar lakes.

64
Q

Where does most decomposition occur in aquatic systems?

a. surface waters
b. equally throughout the water levels
c. sediments
d. stream and river banks

A

c. sediments

65
Q

In the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest, researchers found a 90 percent reduction in nitrates leaving the watershed over a 5-year period. To what did they attribute the majority of this reduction?

a. changes in species composition
b. recovery from past disturbances
c. increased soil pH
d. climate change

A

b. recovery from past disturbances

ECOLOGY (10 decks)

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