REN2200 - EXAM Flashcards
M1 (summary) - Ecology is the study of _________?
Relationships between living organisms and living and non-living factors in the environment. It deals with the distribution and abundance of living organisms, their inter-relationships and relationships to physical and chemical environments.
M1 (summary) - Explanation is a _____?
Search for knowledge in the pure scientific tradition, possibly involving proximal or ultimate explanations
M1 (summary) - Prediction is an _____?
Attempt to determine what may happen to an organism, population, community or ecosystem in a given circumstance.
M1 (summary) - Ecological hierarchy is an extension of _____?
Biological complexity (organisation), which provides a framework for studying organisms and the environment.
M1 (summary) - What are the 3 common underlying themes in ecology?
i) Unity: fundamental similarity of living organisms
ii) Diversity: Variability in form structure
iii) Evolution: Provides explanation for why processes occur in biological world.
M1 (summary) - What are the 7 basic steps in the scientific method?
i) Observation
ii) Question
iii) Null hypothesis
iv) Design
v) Experiment
vi) Analysis
vii) Conclusions
M1 (summary) - What is fitness?
The measure of an organisms ability to produce viable offspring - stronger offspring are the result of individuals with higher fitness (leading to natural selection).
M1 (summary) - What is adaptation?
Any heritable trait that aids survival or reproduction. It is the result of natural selection acting on differing fitness).
M1 (summary) - What are the 3 types of selection operating on phenotypic characters?
i) Directional
ii) Stabilising
iii) Disruptive
M1 (summary) - Fill in the blanks:
Reproductive isolation of _____ of the same species can result in the development of a new species (_____) due to _____ or ______operating on an isolated population.
Reproductive isolation of populations of the same species can result in the development of a new species (speciation) due to natural selection or genetic drift operating on an isolated population.
M1 (summary) - When divergence occurs simultaneously across a number of populations and species, it may result in _______?
Adaptive radiation
M1 (summary) - What is convergent evolution?
It occurs when members of distantly related species occupy similar niches and resemble each other, due to evolutionary forces.
M1 (summary) - What is coevolution?
A change in the genetic composition of one species in response to a genetic change in another. It describes reciprocal evolutionary influences.
M2 (summary) - Most species occupy what region of geographical areas?
Small regions. All species are limited to a definable geographical range.
M2 (summary) - Which Law’s state that a species’ distribution will be limited by a specific factor or combination of factors, which represent the critical environmental limits to survival and reproduction?
i) Liebig’s Law of the Minimum
M2 (summary) - Tolerance ranges alter with _____?
Natural selection and adaptation
M2 (summary) - Whose rule states that polar species have larger geographic ranges than most subtropical species?
Rapoports rule
M2 (summary) - What kind of dispersal are species usually well adapted for?
Local dispersal. Local distribution is rarely limited by failure to disperse.
M2 (summary) - What is a key limit to broader distribution?
Dispersal barriers.
M2 (summary) - Habitat selection may be the result of:
i) A range of behavioural decisions at multiple spatial scales.
ii) Increased relative fitness of organisms in one habitat over another.
Habitat selection is unlikely to limit geographic range for a majority of species.
M2 (summary) - Globally, what are the primary limitations of the distributions of plants and animals?
Temperature and moisture
M2 (summary) - Locally, what are the primary limitations of the distributions of plants and animals?
Light, fire, pH and other chemical and physical factors
M2 (summary) - Is global warming expected to impact the geographical ranges of species?
Yes, as they’re currently limited by moisture and temperature.
M2 (summary) - Is the a positive or negative relation between distribution and abundance? Why?
Positive, as widespread species tend to be more abundant than those with limited geographic ranges.
What is a population and why is their study important?
A group of animals or plants of the same species occupying a defined space.
Understanding and managing pest and disease outbreaks as well as endangered and beneficial species.
M3 (summary) - How can we class population attributes?
i) Primary - relate to populations spatial structure (ie distribution, density and dispersion)
ii) Secondary - describe the makeup of individuals which comprise population, such as sex ratio, age distribution, dispersal of individuals, social attributes (behaviour) and genetic make up.
M3 (summary) - What is population growth dependent on?
i) Immigration and emigration
ii) Natality and mortality
M3 (summary) - Life tables summarise by age the ______ and _______ of individuals in a population, and can be either cohort or time-specific.
Life tables summarise by age the survivorship and fecundity of individuals in a population, and can be either cohort or time-specific.
M3 (summary) - What are survivorship curves?
Graphical representations of survival over the lifespan of a species.
M4 (summary) - Population growth can be modelled as either ______-______ or ______-______.
Population growth can be modelled as either density-dependent or density-independent.
M4 (summary) - What do density-independent population growth models assume?
Only birth and death influence population growth, and that resources are infinite.
Under these assumptions, population growth will grow exponentially if birth rate > death rate.
M4 (summary) - Environmental resistance is the ____________?
Sum total of factors which tend to limit population growth
M4 (summary) - Density-dependent population growth models factor in a ‘K’ of the environment, related to environmental resistance. What is ‘K’?
Carrying Capacity (K)
M4 (summary) - What kind of growth curve does density-dependent population growth result in?
Sigmoidal
M4 (summary) - What are some factors that can contribute to environmental resistance?
Climate, living places, food, parasites, predators, pathogens and social interactions.
These can be categorised as density-dependent or density-independent.
M5 (summary) - List each of the types of interactions among species and whether they are positive / negative interactions.
i) Commensalism: +, 0
ii) Mutualism: +, +
iii) Amensalism -, 0
iv) Predation: +, -
v) Competition: -, -
M5 (summary) - What are the three types of mutualistic interactions?
i) Trophic mutualism
ii) Defensive mutualism
iii) Dispersive mutualism
M5 (summary) - What does the evolutionary theory predict about mutualism?
That it will evolve where the benefits of mutualism exceed the costs.
Keeler’s model expect mutualism to evolve and persist in a population when mutualistic individuals (including successful and unsuccessful ones) have higher fitness than non-mutualistic individuals.
M6 (summary) - _____ is beneficial to one organism and detrimental to the other, and can include herbivory and parasitism.
Predation
M6 (summary) - Which 2 factors affect what prey predators choose to pursue
i) Dietary preferences
ii) Prey abundance
M6 (summary) - Optimal foraging theory provides a fundamental platform for ________?
Interpreting and predicting foraging behaviour of all animals
M6 (summary) - What does the diet width model describe?
It mathematically describes the problem faced by an optimal forager when deciding whether to expand its diet width to include a particular prey item.
It also predicts that quick handlers but slow searchers should eat a broader variety of prey, while good searchers but poor handlers should be diet specialists.
M6 (summary) - What are 3 types of functional responses that predators can exhibit to prey density?
i) Type 1 - constant rate of consumption up to a limit
ii) Type 2 - rate of consumption rises rapidly with prey density , but decreases at high density
iii) Type 3 - rate of consumption rises rapidly with prey density after a brief lag but decreases at high prey densities.
M6 (summary) - What does the Marginal Value Theorem describe?
The point at which optimal foragers should leave aggregations of prey and move to another aggregation.
M6 (summary) - What do the ideal free distributions describe?
The way in which animals distribute themselves amongst patches of resources.
The number of individual animals that will aggregate in various patches is proportional to the amount of resources available in each.
M6 (summary) - What does the Lotka-Volterra model describe?
The idealised relationship between predator and prey populations in a two-species system.
M6 (summary) - Environmental disturbance causes the model to exhibit erratic cycles which lead to system extinction, but _____ and ______ functional responses and the provision of prey refugia can result in stable cycles.
Environmental disturbance causes the model to exhibit erratic cycles which lead to system extinction, but type 2 and type 3 functional responses and the provision of prey refugia can result in stable cycles.
M7 (summary) - What are the driving forces of competitive interactions between individuals?
i) Limited resource availability
ii) Similarities in species resource requirements
M7 (summary) - Competition for a resource may lead to a reduction in_______:?
i) Individual survivorship
ii) Individual growth and reproduction
iii) Population growth
M7 (summary) - Competitive interactions can be divided into_____:?
i) Interspecific competition
ii) Intraspecific competition
M7 (summary) - What are the 2 types of competition?
i) Resource competition - Organisms of the same or different species compete for a common limited resource
ii) Interference competition - An organism causes direct harm to another in seeking a resource
M7 (summary) - The Lotka-Volterra model describes competition in terms of its results. What is an example of this?
The impacts on abundance of two species.
M7 (summary) - What does Tilman’s model of competition predict?
The outcome of competition as a function of resource availability and rate of consumption
M7 (summary) - In natural communities, the effects of competition are difficult to identify definitively. What have lab experiments indicated about competition in simple ecosystems?
They have demonstrated competition.
M7 (summary) - What are equilibrium and non-equilibrium models of communities?
i) Equilibrium: Competition is the overriding structural force and coexistence occurs as a result of resource partitioning and niche differentiation.
ii) Non-equilibrium: Focus on the importance of climatic fluctuation and habitat patchiness
M8 (summary) - What is a community?
An identifiable assemblage (predictable association) of interacting species in space and time.
M8 (summary) - What is the continuum concept?
Views communities as units that exhibit gradual replacement of species along some environmental gradient.
M8 (summary) - Collective properties of communities include:
i) Species interactions
ii) Species richness and diversity
iii) Community biomass
M8 (summary) - Emergent properties relate to:
i) Community structure
ii) Complexity
iii) Stability
iv) Change
M8 (summary) - What is the difference species richness and diversity?
Species richness is the list of species present in a community.
Diversity is an indicative measure of community evenness in relation to abundances of component species.
M8 (summary) - What is relative abundance?
An informative representation of community equitability that provides information on the sharing / partitioning of resources.
M8 (summary) - What is community development?
The change (appearance and disappearance) of species over time, synthesised.
M8 (summary) - What is succession?
Non-seasonal, directional and continuous patterns of colonisation and extinction in community development, and implies temporal changes in conditions, resources and biotic interactions.
M8 (summary) - What is primary succession and secondary succession?
Primary succession: Community development on sites on which there is no previous influence of organisms.
Secondary succession: Community re-development on previously occupied sites.
M8 (summary) - 4 models of succession relate to the role of earlier successional stages to the development of later stages. What are they?
i) Facilitation
ii) Inhibition
iii) Tolerance
iv) Random colonisation
M8 (summary) - What is the climax community?
A stable, self-perpetuating community in equilibrium with the physical environment.
M9 (summary) - Communities are largely organised by processes of _______, _______ &_________?
Competition, predation and mutualism.
M9 (summary) - What are the two primary models of community organisation? Explain.
i) Equilibrium model: Focuses on community stability and biotic coupling
ii) Non-equilibrium model: Focuses on stochastic effects and species independence
M9 (summary) - What are food webs?
Length of food chains, predator-prey ratios and connectance.
They remain relatively constant regardless of the number of species involved.
M9 (summary) - What are species guilds?
Competitive webs of similar species exploiting a common resource base.
M9 (summary) - What are keystone species?
Species that play a fundamentally important role in community organisation.
M9 (summary) - If a communities recovery times exceed the frequency of disturbance, then they are not:
In equilibrium
M9 (summary) - Disturbances, caused by ______ / ______ factors can lead to variability in the physical environment and temporal / spatial variability in communities.
Physical and biotic factors
M9 (summary) - What happens when communities exhibit multiple stable states?
Disturbances move them from one state to another
M10 (summary) - What is ecosystem productivity?
A collective property of ecosystems and refers to rate of generation of biomass in an ecosystem
M10 (summary) - What is ecosystem metabolism?
A measure of the balance between the input of energy / use of materials and the losses resulting from their use for growth, metabolism and reproduction by all component organisms.
M10 (summary) - Trophic levels in the food web are sustained by _____ energy processed and fixed by green plants through the process of _____.
Trophic levels in the food web are sustained by solar energy processed and fixed by green plants through the process of photosynthesis.
M10 (summary) - What is plants overall photosynthetic ratio?
Between 3% and 6% of solar radiation
M10 (summary) - What limits primary production in:
a) Aquatic environments?
b) Terrestrial environments?
a) Nutrient availability (usually N and Fe)
b) Temperature, moisture and nutrients (usually N and P)
M10 (summary) - Where does energy fixed by green plants go?
Herbivores (3-4% in forest ecosystems, rest to detritus; >20% in aquatic ecosystems) or detritivores.
M10 (summary) - How do homeotherms maintain body temperature?
Over 98% of ingested energy maintains body temperature.
Poikilotherms (ie insects) are much more efficient.
M10 (summary) - Secondary production is limited by ______ production and the ______ law of thermodynamics.
Secondary production is limited by primary production and the second law of thermodynamics (no energy transfer is completely efficient).
M10 (summary) - What sort of ecosystems tend to have higher nutrient use efficiency?
Low-nutrient ecosystems.
M10 (summary) - What are some human alterations of nutrient cycles?
i) Acid rain (N and S cycles)
ii) Nutrient depletion (harvesting / removal of vegetation)
iii) Nutrient addition (eutrophication)
M10 (summary) - Will ecosystems responses to global warming be uniform and easy to predict?
No. They will be complex and varied.
Predicting ecosystem response requires an integrated multidisciplinary approach involving monitoring, experimentation and modelling.
M11 (summary) - What does the Farquhar model describe?
The response of photosynthesis to atmospheric CO2 concentration
M11 (summary) - Biological systems possess a degree of natural adaptive capacity. What is one key driver as to why contemporary climate change may threaten biodiversity?
The extraordinarily rapid rate of climate change
M11 (summary) - How does ocean acidification threaten coral?
It is associated with Co2 enrichment, and reduces calcification of corals, leading to bleaching events.
M12 (summary) - What type of population growth is displayed by humans?
Exponential
M12 (summary) - What are the 5 main human-induced factors leading to extinction of species?
i) Habitat loss
ii) Fragmentation
iii) Exotic species
iv) Over-exploitation of animals
v) Pollution / climate change
M12 (summary) - What is extinction?
The irrevocable loss or elimination of species and is a normal ecological process (when not influenced by humans)
M12 (summary) - What are the main factors that make species vulnerable to extinction?
i) Small populations
ii) Species with a narrow geographic range
iii) Habitat specialists
Other factors include:
iv) Populations that fluctuate significantly
v) Species in symbiotic relationships
vi) Large-bodied species
vii) Species with low reproductive rates
viii) Species with poor dispersal rates
ix) Island species
M12 (summary) - What is the small population paradigm?
Knowing what is causing small populations to go extinct. These include stochastic factors such as genetic, demographic and environmental stochasticity.
M12 (summary) - What is the declining population paradigm?
Knowing what processes are causing populations to become small. These include systematic (deterministic) processes acting on the population life history and structure.
M12 (summary) - What is the extinction vortex?
The problem faced by small populations through effects of reduction in genetic variability and demographic process where a reduction in the size of the population will lead to loss of genetic variability and further reductions in population size.
M12 (summary) - What is the patch-corridor matrix?
A suitable model for conceptualising and representing the elements in a categorical map pattern.
The maximum reproductive capacity of a population if resources are unlimited is called the
Select one:
a. cohort
b. biotic potential
c. carrying capacity
d. survivorship
e. community
biotic potential
See the cyclic population fluctuations of lynx and snowshoe hare below. If we consider the logistic equation of lynx, dN/dt = rN(K-N)/K, which factor best accounts for the effect on the snowshoe hare population?
a. r
b. rN
c. dt
d. K
e. N
K
The generalisation that there is a positive relationship between distribution and abundance, such that abundant species have wide geographical ranges is known as ….
Select one:
a. Lieberg’s Law
b. Darwin’s Rule
c. Rapoport’s Rule
d. Ecological specialisation model
e. Hanski’s Rule
Hanski’s Rule
Which of the following best describes natural selection?
a. individuals in a species which have highest fitness will contribute more significantly to next generation
b. None of the options
c. the longer-term processes shaping the genetic make-up of organisms and therefore their abilities to adapt to changes
d. the measure of ability of individual to produce viable offspring and contribute to future generations
e. the fundamental explanation as to why certain species patterns or behaviour exist
a. individuals in a species which have highest fitness will contribute more significantly to next generation
Proximal explanations are those that seek to describe evolutionary mechanisms and are essentially speculative in nature.
Select one:
True
False
False
Which factor(s) will change a population’s genetic structure?
Select one:
a. Dispersal
b. Change in the age structure
c. The natality to mortality ratio
d. Recombination of alleles
e. None of the other
Recombination of alleles
Which curve best describes survivorship in elephants?
Select one:
a. A
b. B
c. C
d. D
e. E
A
What causes a Logistic growth curve to level off?
Select one:
a. the population stops reproducing
b. the age pyramid of the population changes
c. the population reaches its environmental carrying capacity
d. individuals emigrate out of the population
e. mortality decreases in the population
the population reaches its environmental carrying capacity
Under appropriate conditions, adaptation can lead to speciation (the development of a new species).
Select one:
True
False
True
Rapoport’s Rule states that
Select one:
a. geographic ranges reflect the competitive interactions between species
b. generalist species exploit a wide range of food/habitat resources which are abundant and widespread
c. geographic ranges increase from poles to equator
d. there is a positive relationship between distribution and abundance
e. geographic ranges decrease from poles to equator
geographic ranges decrease from poles to equator
In the following, define the population attribute in terms of primary or secondary attribute.
behaviour
age structure
dispersal
Behaviour: secondary
Age structure: secondary
Dispersal: secondary
A cohort life table is an age-specific summary of the mortality rates operating on a cohort of individuals.
Select one:
True
False
True
In the following, match the type of physiological state in relation to temperature (endo-/ectothermy) in animals to the appropriate response.
limited activity in unfavourable temperatures
lower energetic demands
metabolism primary source of body heat
limited activity in unfavourable temperatures = ecothermy
lower energetic demands = ectothermy
metabolism primary source of body heat = endothermy
In the following, match the level of ecological organisation (‘ecological hierarchy’) to the best description.
assemblages of interacting species
all members of a particular species
complex network of organisms and environment
indidual organism
assemblages of interacting species → community,
all members of a particular species → population,
complex network of organisms and environment → ecosystem,
indidual organism → individual
Which of the following is not considered a possible explanation of why distribution and abundance may be correlated as described by Hanski’s Rule.
Select one:
a. local population model
b. competition model
c. sampling model
d. ecological specialisation model
competition model
Ecologists call the phenomenon “speciation” when two populations of a single species become separated for a long period of time and, as a result, two species eventually form as these two subgroups respond to different ecological pressures.
Select one:
True
False
True
What are the two approaches considered in the study of population dynamics?
Select one:
a. none of the choices
b. graphical approach and mathematical analysis
c. dynamics analysis and attribute analysis
d. key factor analysis and experimental analysis
e. natality and mortality analysis
key factor analysis and experimental analysis
The three types of selection acting on phenotypic characters in populations are:
Select one:
a. sympatric, parapatric and coevolution selection
b. directional, stabilizing and disruptive selection
c. directional, destabilizing and disturbance selection
d. adaptation, evolution and natural selection
e. sympatric, parapatric and allopatric selection
directional, stabilizing and disruptive selection
While population size increases towards carrying capacity:
Select one:
a. birth rate increases
b. death rate increases
c. both birth rate and death rate increase
d. none of choices are true
e. death rate decreases
death rate increases
Match the following terms relating to modes of dispersal with the appropriate definition
Secular dispersal
Diffusion
Jump dispersal
Secular dispersal → the geographic range expansion over evolutionary time-scales with concurrent evolutionary change due to natural selection processes,
Diffusion → the gradual spread of a species through suitable habitat over several generations,
Jump dispersal → the rapid movement of organisms over large distances, usually across unsuitable habitat
The mechanism whereby some organisms may alter the environment to prevent other species from using it, typically with toxins or antibiotics, is known as ….
Select one:
a. allelopathy
b. predation
c. exclusion
d. succession
e. interference
allelopathy
Natality is defined as the rate of increase of females in a population.
Select one:
True
False
False
The pattern of which dispersion is described by the Poisson distribution?
Select one:
a. clumped distribution
b. random distribution
c. regular distribution
d. none of the other
random distribution
Which population is in the process of decreasing?
Select one:
a. II
b. I and II
c. I
d. II and III
e. III
II
The potential for population growth under ideal conditions is called:
Select one:
a. sustainable growth threshold
b. Intrinsic rate of natural increase
c. exponential growth
d. density-independent growth rate
Intrinsic rate of natural increase
Coevolution occurs when:
Select one:
a. the pressures of convergent evolution mean that two unrelated species have similar attributes
b. a trait of species A and species B evolved in response to changes environmental conditions over a longer period of time
c. a trait of species A evolved in response to a trait of species B, which evolved in response to the trait in species A
d. environmental pressures are such that two closely related species diverge
e. a trait of species A evolved in response to a trait of species B, which evolved in response to the trait in species C
a trait of species A evolved in response to a trait of species B, which evolved in response to the trait in species A
Population attributes that describe the make-up of individuals, such as sex ratio, age distribution, social attributes and genetic make-up are referred to as primary attributes
Select one:
True
False
False
A Type III survivorship curve is most likely to be found in:
Select one:
a. An invertebrate species
b. An equilibrial species
c. A species that is territorial
d. An opportunistic species
e. A species that undergoes periodic molting
An opportunistic species
Which of the following graphs illustrates the population growth curve of single yeast growing in a large flask of ideal medium (with unlimited availability of resources) at optimum temperature over a 24-hour period?
Select one:
a. a
b. b
c. c
d. d
e. e
e (be aware graph may not be labelled the same)
Diapause (dormancy) is best defined as:
Select one:
a. none of the choices
b. large annual migration in response to seasonal conditions and availability of food resources
c. over-wintering in favourable refugia
d. condition of lowered body temperature and inactivity to reduce metabolic rate and energy demand
e. resting state in which water is chemically bound or reduced to prevent freezing or overheating
resting state in which water is chemically bound or reduced to prevent freezing or overheating
In the illustration below, which of the images represents sympatric speciation?
Select one:
a. III
b. I, II and III
c. None of the choices
d. I
e. II
II
With reference to the following diagram, indicate which mortality rate (dx) curve (I, II or III) best corresponds to a Type 3 survivorship curve in populations.
Select one:
a. I and II
b. III
c. I
d. II
e. II and III
II
Evolution refers to changes in any attribute of a population over time
Select one:
True
False
True
Which of the following is not an element of the scientific method?
Select one:
a. anecdotal observations
b. hypothesis
c. theory
d. observation
e. communication with other scientists
anecdotal observations
In the following, match the mechanism for speciation with the best description.
reduced flow of genes to a population entering a new habitat
population is isolated by a geographic barrier and diverge
reproductive isolation occurs within the range of a population
reduced flow of genes to a population entering a new habitat → parapatric speciation,
population is isolated by a geographic barrier and diverge → allopatric speciation,
reproductive isolation occurs within the range of a population → sympatric speciation
Coevolution describes the reciprocal evolutionary influences organisms may have on each other
Select one:
True
False
True
The generalisation that geographic range sizes decrease as one moves from polar to equatorial latitudes, such that range sizes are smaller in the tropics is known as ….
Select one:
a. Darwin’s Rule
b. Lieberg’s Law
c. Rapoport’s Rule
d. Hanski’s Rule
e. Ecological specialisation model
Rapoport’s Rule
Which of the following best describes the general nature of ecology?
Select one:
a. Hierarchical, complex, qualitative, variance
b. Maniacal, complex, quantitative, variable
c. Hierarchical, descriptive, quantitative, variation
d. Hierarchical, experimental, value-laden, predictive
e. Hierarchical, complex, quantitative, variable
Hierarchical, complex, quantitative, variable
Distribution in ecology refers to the
Select one:
a. the random movement of animals throughout their habitat
b. none of the other options
c. the limits imposed on an organism by the environment
d. spatial pattern of abundance
e. the temporal pattern in dispersal
spatial pattern of abundance
Population is a group of organisms of the same species occupying a defined space.
Select one:
True
False
True
An ecologist recorded 435 white oaks (Quercus alba) in an one hectare plot and 267 red oaks (Quercus rubra) on the same plot. What was the ecologist comparing? Select one: a. range b. carrying capacity c. density d. dispersion e. quadrats
density
“Time specific” life tables sample individuals born within the same time interval.
Select one:
True
False
False
In the following, match the mode of dispersal to the best description.
geographic range expansion over evolutionary time-scales
gradual spread through suitable habitat over generations
rapid movement of individuals over large distances
geographic range expansion over evolutionary time-scales → secular dispersal,
gradual spread through suitable habitat over generations → diffusion,
rapid movement of individuals over large distances → jump dispersal
With reference to the following diagram, indicate which survivorship curve (I, II or III) best corresponds to a Type 3 relationship in populations.
survivorship
Select one:
a. III
b. II and III
c. I
d. II
e. I and II
I (be aware may be labelled diferently)
What is the population growth pattern in the figure termed?
Select one:
a. exponential growth
b. density-dependent growth
c. geometric growth
d. logistic growth
e. density-independent decline
Geometric growth (staircase)
The mortality rate of organisms following a type III survivorship curve is
Select one:
a. unrelated to age
b. fairly constant throughout life
c. lower after the organisms become established
d. higher in post-reproductive years
lower after the organisms become established
Match the following terms relating to population sex ratios with the most appropriate definition/explanation
monogamy
promiscuous
polygamy
monogamy → lasting bond formed between one male and one female,
promiscuous → mating at large with a population, without lasting pair bonding,
polygamy → more than one mate per individual
A cosmopolitan species is one that
Select one:
a. is only found in urban areas
b. maintains high population numbers in the face of disturbance
c. overlaps with the distribution of others
d. has a restricted geographic ranges isolated to a small area
e. has an extensive geographic range stretching over several continents
has an extensive geographic range stretching over several continents
The points labelled (2) on the following figure representing environmental tolerance limits for an organism are:
Select one:
a. zones where species is absent
b. physiological optimum
c. the upper and lower tolerance limits
d. optimum points
e. zones of physiological stress
the upper and lower tolerance limits
In terms of models of population growth, a model that predicts one exact outcome given certain (known) initial conditions is known as a stochastic (probabilistic) model.
Select one:
True
False
False
The tropical to polar (latitudinal) gradient in species diversity is where there is greater diversity in the tropics that at higher latitudes.
True or false?
True
Ecesis in primary succession is ….
Select one:
a. associated increases in soil N (mineralisation)
b. the process of species elimination by stronger competitors
c. the successful establishment of a plant or animal species in a habitat
d. the initial exposure of new substrate
e. the dispersal of propagules from surrounding areas
the successful establishment of a plant or animal species in a habitat
Clements proposed an ‘individualist’ concept of an ecological community where organisms behave as individuals.
Select one:
True
False
False
Which description about ideal free distributions is incorrect? (choose one)
Select one:
a. Profitable patches will attract more predators and thus decline more quickly in profitability
b. all predators are assumed to be equal
c. all patches end up with the same profitability
d. Predators tend to leave less profitable patches and move to more profitable patches
e. none of the others
none of the others
The idea of gradual species replacement along environmental gradients is known as:
Select one:
a. an ecotone
b. primary succession
c. the continuum concept of communities
d. community replacement concept
e. the redundancy hypothesis
c. the continuum concept of communities
The figure below shows the minimum requirement of species A (blue) and species B (green) for resources 1 and 2 in Tilman’s competition model. The dark red vectors in the figure respectively show the rate of resource depletion for species A and B. In which zone will species A and B coexist?
Select one:
a. 1
b. 3
c. 2
d. none of the others
2
Match the following interactions and the effects between two species
Commensalism
Amensalism
Parasitism
Commensalism → benefits one species and has no harm to the other species,
Amensalism → neutral to one species but does harm to the other species,
Parasitism → benefits one species but does harm to the other species
Lotka-Volterra’s model addresses the mechanism (resource depletion) that affects populations
Select one:
True
False
False
Which of the following pairs of terms and descriptions is correct? (choose one)
Select one:
a. Parasitism / The interaction of parasites typically results in the death of the host
b. Competition / An interaction usually only found among herbivores
c. Pollination / Herbivores feed on the leaves and flowers of plants
d. Mutualism / Bacteria that make vitamins or assist in digestion in the human intestine
e. Predation / Most preys have little defense against predators
d. Mutualism / Bacteria that make vitamins or assist in digestion in the human intestine
Many plants have nitrogen-fixing bacteria that live in their root nodules. This is an example of …
Select one:
a. commensalism
b. none of the choices
c. competition
d. ecological communities
e. mutualism
mutualism
A predator-prey response where the rate of consumption by the predator rises rapidly with prey density but decreases at high prey densities is ….
Select one:
a. a type II response
b. uncommon
c. a type I response
d. a type III response
e. interference competition
type II response
In the redundancy model describing inter-connections within communities, most species within a community have little to do with each other and a proportion of species and ecological processes are redundant.
True or false?
true
The assumptions of optimal foraging theory include:
Select one:
a. all of the others
b. the experimental circumstances used to test optimal foraging theory reflect the natural situation
c. high fitness is primarily associated with high energy intake
d. the past optimal behaviour of the predator is the same as the present optimal behaviour
all of the others
In the rivet model describing inter-connections within communities, each species in a community is part of what holds the network together and loss of any species may have cascading effects on other species.
Select one:
True
False
True
In a grassland, when tall grasses shade out short, shade-intolerant species, ecologists call this interaction …
Select one:
a. predation
b. habitat fragmentation
c. commensalism
d. mutualism
e. competition
Competition
Which type(s) of functional responses exhibit density-dependence at high levels of prey numbers?
Select one:
a. Type II
b. Type III
c. Type I
d. Type II and Type III
e. Type I and Type III
Type II and type III
Two species of birds found on two different islands in an archipelago have identically-sized beaks and eat similar seeds. What would you predict about the evolution of beak size if you transplanted both of these two species to a new island that was uninhabited by similar birds?
Select one:
a. One of the species would go extinct.
b. There would be no change in the beaks of either species.
c. The beak sizes of both species would diverge from each other and from their original sizes.
d. The beak size of one of the species would change, becoming either larger or smaller on average.
The beak sizes of both species would diverge from each other and from their original sizes.
Which description about equilibrium models of stable communities is not true? (choose one)
Select one:
a. competition is the overriding structuring force of the community
b. there is a stable equilibrium point for population densities of coexisting species
c. besides competition, no other species interactions are considered
d. none of the others
e. coexistence occurs as a result of resource partitioning and niche differentiation
besides competition, no other species interactions are considered
Non-equilibrium theories of community organization focus on the importance of disturbance and environmental heterogenity, e.g. climate fluctuation and habitat patchness.
Select one:
True
False
‘True’
Species richness can be best described as …
Select one:
a. a measure of evenness in a community
b. a measure of gamma diversity across ecosystems
c. relative abundance of species in a community or ecosystem
d. a count or list of species present in a community
e. an indicator of dominance within communities
a count or list of species present in a community
The two models that describe the potential importance of inter-connections within communities are:
Select one:
a. the non-directional (cyclic) and directional (succession) models
b. the rivet and redundancy models
c. the collective and emergent models
d. the Clemenstian and Gleasonian models
e. the facilitation and inhibition models
the rivet and redundancy models
Non-directional change in communities is known as ‘succession’.
Select one:
True
False
False
Which description about competition is wrong?
Select one:
a. competition can decrease the population growth
b. competition is driven by limited resource availability and similarities in species’ resource requirement
c. competition does not happen between organism whose activities are temporally partitioned
d. there is no competition for superabundant resources
e. competition can decrease individual survivorship, growth, and reproduction
competition does not happen between organism whose activities are temporally partitioned
Secondary succession is the redevelopment of a community starting with organic components remaining at a site from a previous occupation.
Select one:
True
False
True
In the figure below showing Lotka-Volterra predator-prey functional responses match the figure (a, b or c) with the appropriate response.
(a) → type II
(b) → type III
(c) → type I
The figure below shows the minimum requirement of species A (blue) and species B (green) for resources 1 and 2 in Tilman’s competition model. What will be the outcome of competition between species A and species B in this case?
Select one:
a. both species coexist in a stable equilibrium
b. both species coexist in an unstable equilibrium
c. species A becomes extinct
d. species B becomes extinct
Species B becomes extinct (See p159 of module guide to check, as have got these wrong)
Competition is an interaction between individual organisms as a result of a shared requirement of one or more resources.
Select one:
True
False
True
Match the following interactions and the effects between two species
Competition
Predation
Mutualism
Competition → detrimental to both species,
Predation → benefits one species but does harm to the other species,
Mutualism → benefits both species
In terms of rank abundance, species-poor homogeneous communities tend to demonstrate what type of characteristic distribution?
Select one:
a. log-normal
b. none of the choices
c. linear
d. broken stick
e. geometric
geometric
The two schools of ecological thought regarding the concept of a community that emerged in the 19th and early 20th centuries were:
Select one:
a. the facilitation and inhibition schools
b. the collective and emergent schools
c. the Clemenstian and Gleasonian schools
d. the non-directional (cyclic) and directional (succession) schools
e. the rivet and redundancy schools
the Clemenstian and Gleasonian schools
Which of the following is not considered a direct measure of biological structure in communities?
Select one:
a. all are considered direct measures of biological structure
b. rank abundance
c. diversity
d. species richness
e. resilience
resilience
A new kitten is added to a home with an established older cat. The older cat is observed to gobble up its food as well as that of the younger cat. This behaviour is best described as Select one: a. mutualism b. interspecies competition c. resource competition d. interference competition e. amensalism
interference competition
Traditionally, the four main characteristics of communities recognised are: growth form and physical structure, diversity, relative abundance and dominance; and, trophic structure.
Select one:
True
False
True
In terms of rank abundance, the majority of ecological communities demonstrate what type of characteristic distribution?
Select one:
a. linear
b. log-normal
c. broken stick
d. geometric
e. none of the choices
log normal
Which predator functional response does the Lynx show to its major prey, the snowshoe hare?
Select one:
a. Type II
b. Type I
c. none of the others
d. Type III
e. I and III
Type II
According to non-equilibrium theories, what is most likely to be the major force to shape the community organization?
Select one:
a. Disturbance
b. Primary productivity
c. Predation
d. Dispersal
e. Competition
Disturbance
Which of the following is not an example of a symbiotic relationship between organisms?
Select one:
a. parasitism
b. all of the other choices are examples of a symbiotic relationship
c. competition
d. mutualism
e. commensalism
competition
Which of the following schematics illustrates the tolerance model of secondary succession?
Select one:
a. (c)
b. none of the choices
c. (b)
d. (d)
e. (a)
(a)
Which of the following is not considered a significant factor in determining diversity patterns in natural systems? (choose one)
Select one:
a. climate
b. history
c. local extinction
d. productivity
e. competition
Local extinction
Which factors tend to prompt a predator to take a next-most-profitable prey that is immediately available?
Select one:
a. the next-most-profitable prey has high energy content
b. searching for another prey is time consuming
c. all of the choices
d. the handling time of this next-most-profitable prey is short
all of the choices
The monoclimax theory states that every region has ultimately only one stable endpoint determined by climate toward which all communities are developing.
Select one:
True
False
True
Commensalism is the biotic interaction between two species where
Select one:
a. there is a negative effect on both interacting species
b. both interacting species benefit
c. both species suffer a reduction in productivity
d. one species derives a benefit from the relationship and the second species is unaffected by it
e. one species is consumed by another
one species derives a benefit from the relationship and the second species is unaffected by it
Optimal foraging theory predicts that foragers will seek to optimize the net energy return from feeding by minimising costs of searching and handling prey and maximizing energy intake.
Select one:
True
False
True
Acacia trees and ants have a well developed mutualism where ants provide protection from insect herbivores and the tree provides a food source for the ant. Which biological properties of acacia tree is the least likely to promote selection favouring mutualism?
Select one:
a. there is high herbivory pressure in the habitat of acacia tree
b. the accommodation and food prepared by acacia tree are attractive to ants
c. the investment needed to attract ants is low
d. acacia tree has very effective chemical defense against herbivory
e. ants are efficient in terms of defensing acacia tree from herbivory
acacia tree has very effective chemical defense against herbivory
The current view of communities is close to the individualistic concept of Gleason.
Select one:
True
False
True
The monoclimax theory states that many different climax communities can exist in a given area due to a range of controlling factors.
Select one:
True
False
False
Both algae and fungi can live independently in favourable environments. Why is the mutualism between algae and fungus in lichen considered obligate?
Select one:
a. because neither of them can survive independently in the adverse environment which lichen can live
b. because the fungus needs the help of algae for dispersal in the adverse environment in which lichen live
c. none of the other answers
d. because algae need to protection of fungus from dehydration
e. because algae provide fungi food while fungus provide algae nutrients
because neither of them can survive independently in the adverse environment which lichen can live
A pioneer community in relation to community development is …
Select one:
a. a community exhibiting change towards the climax stage
b. the initial seral stage
c. each distinct community in a sequence
d. a unit of succession
e. the final seral stage
the initial seral stage
In the following schematic illustrating the complex successional sequence associated with secondary succession, what is the stage labelled (a)?
Select one:
a. climax stage
b. seral stages
c. sub-climax stage
d. pioneer seral stage
e. dynamic equilibrium
pioneer seral stage
Which of the following is not considered a main characteristic of communities contributing to community structure? (choose one)
Select one:
a. trophic structure
b. relative abundance
c. diversity
d. growth form
e. population life history
population life history
In the following possible landscape configurations, which is better from a conservation perspective?
large vs small reserves
fragmented vs contiguous reserves
clustered vs dispersed
large vs small reserves → large,
fragmented vs contiguous reserves → contiguous,
clustered vs dispersed → clustered
Match the following terms with appropriate descriptions in relation to the patch-corridor-matric model describing landscapes
corridor
matrix
patch
corridor → link between patches,
matrix → dominant land use or vegetation type surrounding patch,
patch → areas of suitable habitat
Which of the following changes has not been observed in relation the cryosphere?
Select one:
a. increased volcanic activity in Greenland
b. sea level rises of about 1.7 mm during the period 1900-1990
c. sea level rises of about 3 mm per year since 1993
d. reduction in glaciers and Greenland ice sheet cover
e. reduction in snow cover and Arctic sea ice cover
Increase volcanic activity in Greenland
In marine ecosystems, light is a principle factor limiting primary production at depth.
Select one:
True
False
True
The addition of nutrients such as phosphorus and nitrogen to freshwater systems from wastes generated by humans and resultant increases in algal concentrations is known as …
Select one:
a. putrification
b. precipitation
c. eutrofication
d. oligotrophism
e. nutrification
Eutrophification
Only about 1% of the solar energy reaching the Earth is converted into net primary productivity by plants and algae.
Select one:
True
False
True
The greenhouse effect is a natural process that warms the Earth by the heat trapped in the atmosphere by water vapour and gases.
Select one:
True
False
True
Photosynthetic efficiency is …
Select one:
a. the proportion of food energy taken into the gut of consumers and which is assimilated across the gut wall
b. he efficiency at which light energy is captured by plants and converted to organic forms
c. the rate of production of new biomass by all heterotrophs
d. a measure of the amount of activity by living organisms within any trophic level
e. total amount of energy fixed by plants through photosynthesis minus the energy lost to respiration
he efficiency at which light energy is captured by plants and converted to organic forms
Based on population growth rates since the 1800s, what is the approximate doubling time for the global human population?
Select one:
a. 130 years
b. 40 years
c. 60 years
d. 20 years
e. 100 years
40 years
A key source (reservoir) for the nutrient phosphorus in terms of global nutrient cycles is:
Select one:
a. calcium phosphate minerals weathered from rock
b. wastes form animals
c. plants fixing phosphorus
d. release by decomposers
e. atmosphere deposition
calcium phosphate minerals weathered from rock
The energetics hypothesis predicts shorter food chains in less predictable habitats.
Select one:
True
False
False
The dynamic stability hypothesis predicts shorter food chains in less predictable habitats.
Select one:
True
False
True
System productivity is a collective property of ecosystems
Select one:
True
False
True
In the following diagram representing the stages of fragmentation identified by Forman, what is the component labelled (IV)?
fragmentation
Select one:
a. fragmentation
b. perforation
c. shrinkage/attrition
d. dissection
Perforation (bottom right, 2 white squares within green)
The essential nutrients, nitrogen and phosphorus, are often limiting primary production in oceans.
Select one:
True
False
True
The irrevocable loss or elimination of a species is best described as …
Select one:
a. pollution
b. species extinction
c. environmental degradation
d. evolution
e. an ecological footprint
Species extinction
The release of sulphur dioxide (SO2) into the atmosphere through the burning of fossil fuels can lead to acid rain.
Select one:
True
False
True
Which of the following is not an advantage in the use of guilds?
Select one:
a. species’ niche within the community becomes more apparent
b. species are grouped according to their ecological role within the community rather than their taxonomic identity
c. analysis of community structure is refined
d. keystone species are easily recognised
e. communities can be compared on the basis of specific functional groups
keystone species are easily recognised
In the diagram below, representing the reaction of photosynthesis, what is the component labelled (2)?
photosynthesis reaction
Select one:
a. chlorophyll
b. carbohydrate (sugar)
c. carbon dioxide
d. water
e. light energ
Light energy (after 12H2O)
Which of the following best describes ‘chains of extinction’?
Select one:
a. secondary extinctions due to loss of closely-associated species
b. extinctions caused by species introductions
c. a domino effect of extinctions across a landscape due to habitat loss
d. loss of entire food chains
e. none of the choices
secondary extinctions due to loss of closely-associated species
A freshwater lake that is characterised by high primary production and little light penetration can be described as …
Select one:
a. dynamic
b. oligotrophic
c. polytrophic
d. eutrophic
e. static
Eutrophic
Gross secondary productivity is ……
Select one:
a. the rate of energy fixation (CO2 conversion to organic carbon) by photosynthesis
b. the amount of assimilated energy derived from the previous trophic level
c. total amount of energy fixed by plants through photosynthesis (GPP) minus the energy lost to respiration
d. the rate of production of new biomass by all heterotrophs
e. a measure of the amount of activity by living organisms within any trophic level
the amount of assimilated energy derived from the previous trophic level
Which of the following theories argues that community structure is predominantly controlled by competition for limiting resources?
Select one:
a. classical competition theory
b. competition-spatial patchiness theory
c. habitat selection-competition theory
d. competition-predation theory
e. none of the choices
classical competition theory
The primary factors limiting net primary productivity in terrestrial environments are …
Select one:
a. temperature, evaporation and nutrients
b. soil nutrients and biotic interactions
c. evaporation and temperature
d. none of the choices
e. light, temperature and moisture
light, temperature and moisture
In the diagram below, representing the reaction of cellular respiration, what is the component labelled (4)?
respiration reaction
Select one:
a. water
b. energy
c. carbohydrate
d. carbon dioxide
e. chlorophyll
energy
Island biogeography theory predicts smaller islands contain a higher diversity of species due to their isolation
Select one:
True
False
False’.
Correct Mark 1.00 out of 1.00 Not flaggedFlag question Question text Which of the following theories recognises environmental patchiness in resource availability, different stable equilibria and variation in species composition between patches?
Select one:
a. competition-predation theory
b. habitat selection-competition theory
c. none of the choices
d. classical competition theory
e. competition-spatial patchiness theory
competition-spatial patchiness theory
The equilibrium model of community organisation holds that communities are relatively constant in composition and resilient to disturbances.
Select one:
True
False
True
According to the IUCN Red Lists for threatened species, habitat loss has been described as the main threat to 85% of species listed.
Select one:
True
False
True
In the following diagrams illustrating stable states in communities, which exhibits a ‘robust’ system?
stability graphs
Select one:
a. I, II and III
b. I
c. II and III
d. II
e. III
II
In the following graph of colonisation and extinction of species on islands, what is ‘S’?
colonisation-extinction
Select one:
a. the mean number of species
b. steady-state number of species
c. local community stability
d. secondary productivity of the system
e. coefficient of species stability
steady-state number of species
Approximately, what proportion of solar energy from the sun is reflected directly back into space?
Select one:
a. three-quarters
b. all solar energy readches the Earth’s surface
c. two-thirds
d. 20%
e. one-third
One third
Only about 3-4% of primary production in forests is consumed by herbivores.
Select one:
True
False
True
In the following diagram representing the stages of fragmentation identified by Forman, what is the component labelled (III)?
fragmentation
Select one:
a. fragmentation
b. dissection
c. perforation
d. shrinkage/attrition
shrinkage / attrition
In the diagram below, representing the reaction of photosynthesis, what is the component labelled (3)?
photosynthesis reaction
Select one:
a. chlorophyll
b. carbohydrate (sugar)
c. light energy
d. carbon dioxide
e. water
Carbohydrates (sugar)
Match the following greenhouse gases with their approximate contribution to the greenhouse effect
water vapour
carbon dioxide
methane
ozone
water vapour → 36-70%,
carbon dioxide → 9-26%,
methane → 4-9%,
ozone → 3-7%
Match the following terms to the most appropriate description in relation to community stability
resilience
constancy
persistence
resilience → ability of a system to recover from disturbance events,
constancy → ability of a system to maintain size,
persistence → a system that demonstrates a stable composition in time (i.e. resistance to alteration)
Which of the following are the two principle models of community organisation recognised?
Select one:
a. none of the choices
b. equilibrium and non-equilibrium models
c. equilibrium and calibration models
d. abundance and distribution models
e. diversity and distribution models
equilibrium and non-equilibrium models
Background extinction is …
Select one:
a. all of the choices
b. the rate of species extinction that goes on regardless of human population growth impacts
c. the significantly higher rate of species extinction experienced at various periods in geological history
d. the base rate of species extinction over most of the history of life on Earth
e. the rate of enhanced species extinction due to human impacts
the base rate of species extinction over most of the history of life on Earth
Secondary productivity is ……
Select one:
a. the rate of energy fixation (CO2 conversion to organic carbon) by photosynthesis
b. the rate of production of new biomass by all heterotrophs
c. the proportion of food energy taken into the gut of consumers and which is assimilated across the gut wall
d. total amount of energy fixed by plants through photosynthesis (GPP) minus the energy lost to respiration
e. a measure of the amount of activity by living organisms within any trophic level
the rate of production of new biomass by all heterotrophs
Which of the following reactions best describes photosynthesis?
Select one:
a. carbon dioxide + water + light energy (in the presence of chlorophyll) gives a sugar (carbohydrate) + oxygen
b. carbon dioxide + oxygen (in the presence of chlorophyll) gives a sugar (carbohydrate) + water + energy
c. a sugar + oxygen+ light energy (in the presence of chlorophyll) gives carbon dioxide + water
d. (a) water + oxygen + light energy (in the presence of chlorophyll) gives a sugar (carbohydrate) + carbon dioxide
e. (a) carbon dioxide + chlorophyll gives a sugar (carbohydrate) + oxygen + water
carbon dioxide + water + light energy (in the presence of chlorophyll) gives a sugar (carbohydrate) + oxygen
The net primary productivity of the ocean is roughly twice that of the land.
Select one:
True
False
False
Since 1900, global temperatures have risen by about how much?
Select one:
a. 1 degree Celsius
b. 6 degrees Celsius
c. global temperature have not risen
d. 4 degrees Celsius
e. 8 degrees Celsius
1 degree
Net primary productivity (NPP) is ……
Select one:
a. the rate of energy fixation (CO2 conversion to organic carbon) by photosynthesis
b. a measure of the amount of activity by living organisms within any trophic level
c. the rate of production of new biomass by all heterotrophs
d. total amount of energy fixed by plants through photosynthesis (GPP) minus the energy lost to respiration
e. the proportion of food energy taken into the gut of consumers and which is assimilated across the gut wall
total amount of energy fixed by plants through photosynthesis (GPP) minus the energy lost to respiration
Dominance in communities is most probably the result of a combination of competitive exclusion, physiological tolerances and/or predation pressure on potential competitors.
Select one:
True
False
True
Which of the following is not considered a major threat to biodiversity?
Select one:
a. over-exploitation
b. urban expansion
c. pollution
d. species introductions
e. habitat loss and fragmentation
Urban expansion
The current equilibrium model for community organisation incorporates competition, predation and spatial heterogeneity
Select one:
True
False
True
Which of the following reactions best describes the biochemical reaction of respiration?
Select one:
a. a sugar + oxygen gives carbon dioxide + water + energy
b. carbon dioxide + oxygen (in the presence of chlorophyll) gives a sugar (carbohydrate) + water + energy
c. carbon dioxide + water + light energy (in the presence of chlorophyll) gives a sugar (carbohydrate) + oxygen
d. (a) carbon dioxide + chlorophyll gives a sugar (carbohydrate) + oxygen + water
e. (a) water + oxygen + light energy (in the presence of chlorophyll) gives a sugar (carbohydrate) + carbon dioxide
a sugar + oxygen gives carbon dioxide + water + energy
Match the following major theories of community organisation under equilibrium and their description
competition-predation theory
classical equilibrium theory
competition-spatial patchiness theory
competition-predation theory → both predation and competition are key biological interactions governing community organisation,
classical equilibrium theory → community structure is primarily controlled by competition for limiting resources,
competition-spatial patchiness theory → recognises environmental patchiness in resource availability and different stable equilibria and variation in species composition between patches
Neighbourhood (local) stability within communities refers to …
Select one:
a. where a system is unable to return to its former position following a disturbance
b. where there are no disturbances acting on the community
c. where a system is able to return to its former position following a small temporary disturbance
d. where a system is able to return to its former position following a large disturbance
e. the degree to which a variable (e.g. species abundance or diversity) is changed following a perturbation
where a system is able to return to its former position following a small temporary disturbance
Which of the options best provides a suitable working definition of ecology?
Select one:
a. the scientific study of nature and the interactions that determine the distribution & abundance of organisms
b. the scientific study of the relationships between living organisms and the living (biotic) and non-living (abiotic) factors in the environment
c. the study of the genetic relationships between organisms
d. the study of organisms and their immediate environment
the scientific study of the relationships between living organisms and the living (biotic) and non-living (abiotic) factors in the environment
Which is not an assumption of mark-recapture method?
Select one:
a. the survival chance of marked individuals would not be affected, at least in short term
b. the probability of catching a marked and unmarked individual is the same
c. the species must have a random distribution in the studied area
d. the marked individuals would thoroughly mix with other members of the population
the species must have a random distribution in the studied area
In the following, match the type of physiological state in relation to temperature (endo-/ectothermy) in animals to the appropriate response.
higher energetic demands
enable activity in unfavourable temperatures
environment primary source of body hea
higher energetic demands → endothermy,
enable activity in unfavourable temperatures → endothermy,
environment primary source of body heat → ectothermy
Small group sizes is most likely to be associated with which habitat?
Select one:
a. savannah
b. grassland
c. woodland
d. all of the options
e. forest
Forest
A trout cannot live in a slow, warm stream because the oxygen concentration in the water is too low. In this case, the oxygen concentration is …
Select one:
a. none of the options
b. a limiting factor
c. a niche
d. a range of tolerance
e. a delineating factor
A limiting factor
A Type II survivorship curve is characterised by:
Select one:
a. high mortality in middle life
b. none of the choices
c. roughly constant mortality rate regardless of age
d. greatest mortality is experienced early on in life, with relatively low rates of death for those surviving the early period
e. high survival in early and middle life, followed by a rapid decline in survivorship in later life
roughly constant mortality rate regardless of age
The three types of speciation identified are:
Select one:
a. endopatric, palleopatric and synpatric speciation
b. allopatric, parapatric and sympatric speciation
c. directional, stabilizing and disruptive speciation
d. elastic, monopatric and polypatric speciation
e. adjusted, competitive and coevolution speciation
allopatric, parapatric and sympatric speciation
In the illustration below, which of the images represents directional selection?
selection
Select one:
a. I
b. I and II
c. II
d. I and III
e. III
II (may be different in different pic. II represents a curve partially shaded on one side)
Generally we can expect an organism to be most abundant where conditions for its growth and reproduction are at an optimum
Select one:
True
Falseq
True
Which factor(s) may cause the sex ratio of some species deviate from 1:1?
Select one:
a. one gender is more costly to produce
b. one gender have a lower chance of reproducing itself
c. polygamy
d. all of above
all of above
During exponential growth, a population always
Select one:
a. grows by thousands of individuals
b. loses some individuals to emigration
c. cycles through time
d. grows at its maximum per capita rate
e. quickly reaches its carrying capacity
grows at its maximum per capita rate
It is possible in ecology to have prediction without extensive explanation (understanding)
Select one:
True
False
True
In the following, match the level of ecological organisation (‘ecological hierarchy’) to the best description.
assemblages of interacting species
indidual organism
that part of the Earth inhabited by organisms
all members of a particular species
assemblages of interacting species → community,
individual organism → individual,
that part of the Earth inhabited by organisms → biosphere,
all members of a particular species → population
Good environment conditions will increase the average fitness of individuals in a population.
Select one:
True
False
False
Water is generally considered the most important factor affecting the ecology of terrestrial organisms
Select one:
True
False
True
A population of koalas has an annual per capita birth rate of 0.06 and an annual per capita death rate of 0.02. Estimate the number of individuals added to (or lost from) a population of 1000 individuals in one year.
Select one:
a. 80 individuals added
b. 40 individuals added
c. 120 individuals added
d. 20 individuals lost
e. 60 individuals added
40 individuals added
In the following, match the type of selection operating on phenotypic characters with the best description.
selection favours phenotypes at two extremes with intermediate types becoming less common in gene pool
narrowing of phenotypes where phenotypes near the mean are fitter
phenotypes at one extreme of range is selected against
selection favours phenotypes at two extremes with intermediate types becoming less common in gene pool → disruptive selection,
narrowing of phenotypes where phenotypes near the mean are fitter → stabilising selection,
phenotypes at one extreme of range is selected against → directional selection
In the following, define the population attribute in terms of primary or secondary attribute.
population density
sex ratio
spatial structure
population density → primary,
sex ratio → secondary,
spatial structure → primary
Which group mentioned below is not a population?
Select one:
a. Koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus) in Australian Zoo
b. All human beings (Homo sapiens) in the world
c. The only black swan (Cygnus atratus) couple living in the pond of Japanese Garden at USQ
d. All kangaroos species (Macropus spp.) living on Kangaroo Island
All kangaroos species (Macropus spp.) living on Kangaroo Island
hich of the following is not a part of an organism’s environment?
Select one:
a. all the plants and animals that the organism interacts with during its lifetime
b. temperature
c. climate
d. the flow of energy necessary to maintain the organism
e. all of these factors are part of the organism’s environment
all of these factors are part of the organism’s environment
With reference to the following diagram, indicate which mortality rate (dx) curve (I, II or III) best corresponds to a Type 1 survivorship curve in populations.
mortalility
Select one:
a. I and II
b. II and III
c. I
d. II
e. III
III
‘r-strategy’ (r-selection) organisms tend to have
Select one:
a. stable natality and mortality
b. few offspring
c. sigmoid growth curves (like logistic curve)
d. little parental care
e. none of the other
Little parental care
Which of the following is not a plant adaptation to low water availability
Select one:
a. reduced evaporative water loss by having small leaves
b. enhanced water uptake by rapid root growth
c. torpor
d. the storage of water within special structures
e. mycorrhizal associations
torpor
The number of individuals that a particular place can support indefinitely is called the
Select one:
a. survivorship
b. cohort
c. community
d. carrying capacity
e. biotic potential
carrying capacity
What is the mathematical expression of population growth rate?
Select one:
a. dK/dt
b. N
c. dN
d. dN*dt
e. dN/dt
dN/dt
An ecosystem is best described as:
Select one:
a. an assemblage of species and the non-living environment
b. all members of a particular species
c. an assemblage of species
d. that part of earth & atmosphere inhabited by living organisms
e. an assemblage of biotic communities
an assemblage of species and the non-living environmen
K-selected species ([k-strategy) tend to reproduce early in their life history.
Select one:
True
False
‘False’.
Convergent evolution occurs when:
Select one:
a. members of distantly related species occupy similar ecological niches and resemble each other due to similar evolutionary forces
b. environmental pressures are such that two closely related species diverge
c. a trait of species A and species B evolved in response to changes environmental conditions over a longer period of time
d. a trait of species A evolved in response to a trait of species B, which evolved in response to the trait in species A
e. two groups of a population diverge and each group follows an independent and gradual process of evolutionary change
members of distantly related species occupy similar ecological niches and resemble each other due to similar evolutionary forces
Shelford’s Law of Tolerance states that
Select one:
a. factors in combination impact on the rate of biological processes in ecosystems
b. organisms have an optimum range in terms of resource use
c. energy requirements for organisms will be lowest at night
d. the rate of biological processes is limited by that factor in least amount relative to its requirements
e. the distribution of a species will be controlled by that environmental factor for which the species has the narrowest range of tolerance
the distribution of a species will be controlled by that environmental factor for which the species has the narrowest range of tolerance
In ecology, the process of more successful individuals surviving and reproducing larger numbers of offspring than unsuccessful individuals can reproduce is called …
Select one:
a. natural selection
b. predation
c. mutualism
d. none of the choices
e. speciation
natural selection
With reference to the following diagram, indicate which survivorship curve (I, II or III) best corresponds to a Type 1 relationship in populations.
survivorship
Select one:
a. II and III
b. I and II
c. III
d. I
e. II
II
Which of the following best represents the ecological hierarchy in order of increasing ecological complexity?
Select one:
a. Population, Community, Landscape, Ecosystem, Biosphere
b. Organism, Population, Landscape, Community, Ecosystem, Biosphere
c. Organism, Population, Community, Landscape, Ecosystem, Biota
d. Organism, Population, Community, Ecosystem, Landscape, Biosphere
e. Molecules, Organelles, Cells, Tissues, Organs, Organ Systems, Individuals (Organisms)
Organism, Population, Community, Ecosystem, Landscape, Biosphere
In the following, match the population attribute to the appropriate life strategy (r- or k-selected species).
variable and unpredictable natality and mortality
small body size
late maturity and delayed reproduction
long life span
variable and unpredictable natality and mortality → r-strategy,
small body size → r-strategy,
late maturity and delayed reproduction → k-strategy,
long life span → k-strategy
The distribution of populations is not influenced by which of the following?
Select one:
a. interactions with other species
b. the species’ limit to tolerance
c. presence/ absence of suitable habitat conditions
d. opportunities for dispersal
e. the shape of survivorship curve of this species
the shape of survivorship curve of this species
The hypothetico-deductive approach involves testing of hypotheses through deductive reasoning
Select one:
True
False
True
The zone labelled (3) on the following figure representing environmental tolerance limits for an organism is:
Select one:
a. zone of physiological stress
b. upper tolerance limit
c. optimum zone
d. zone of lower tolerance
e. zone where species is absent
optimum zone
In the illustration below, which of the images represents allopatric speciation?
speciation
Select one:
a. III
b. II
c. I
d. I, II and III
e. None of the choices
III
In terms of models of population growth, a model that predicts one exact outcome given certain (known) initial conditions is known as a deterministic model.
Select one:
True
False
True
Match the following terms relating to evolution and adaptation with the most appropriate definition / explanation
natural selection individuals in a species which have highest fitness will contribute more significantly to next generation
any heritable trait which aids survival and/or reproduction in a particular environment
long term process shaping the genetic make-up of populations
natural selection individuals in a species which have highest fitness will contribute more significantly to next generation → natural selection,
any heritable trait which aids survival and/or reproduction in a particular environment → adaptation,
long term process shaping the genetic make-up of populations → evolution
Many plants have nitrogen-fixing bacteria that live in their root nodules. This is an example of …
Select one:
a. mutualism
b. commensalism
c. none of the choices
d. competition
e. ecological communities
Mutualism
Lotka-Volterra’s model addresses the mechanism (resource depletion) that affects populations
Select one:
True
False
False
There is little empirical support for the productivity hypothesis regarding patterns in species diversity
Select one:
True
False
True
Commensalism occurs when both species that interact are benefited and the relationship is obligatory
Select one:
True
False
False
In the redundancy model describing inter-connections within communities, most species within a community have little to do with each other and a proportion of species and ecological processes are redundant.
Select one:
True
False
True
Which type of functional responses can give rise to stable limit cycles of predator and prey populations?
Select one:
a. Type III
b. Type I and Type III
c. Type II
d. Type I
e. Type II and Type III
Type II and Type III
In the following, match the types of interaction indicated by the following relationships.
ephiphytes and host tree
Algae and fungus that form lichen to colonize very adverse environment
barnacles that attach to the whale for a free ride
Oxpecker that eats ticks on giraffe
ephiphytes and host tree → commensalism,
Algae and fungus that form lichen to colonize very adverse environment → mutualism,
barnacles that attach to the whale for a free ride → commensalism,
Oxpecker that eats ticks on giraffe → mutualism
A ‘seral stage’ in relation to community development is …
Select one:
a. the final seral stage
b. the initial seral stage
c. a unit of succession
d. a community exhibiting change towards the climax stage
e. each distinct community in a sequence
each distinct community in a sequence
The figure below shows the minimum requirement of species A (blue) and species B (green) for resources 1 and 2 in Tilman’s competition model. The dark red vectors in the figure respectively show the rate of resource depletion for species A and B. In which zone will species A and B coexist?
Select one:
a. 3
b. 2
c. none of the others
d. 1
12
Spatial patchiness and environmental complexity help to maintain the coexistence of predator and prey.
Select one:
True
False
True
What are the assumptions of Marginal Value Theorem?
Select one:
a. the prey will maximize the overall energy intake during foraging
b. resources in a patch deplete over time
c. the predator only hunts the optimum prey in the patch
d. a and b
e. a and c
a and b
Which of the following schematics illustrates the tolerance model of secondary succession?
Select one:
a. (a)
b. none of the choices
c. (d)
d. (c)
e. (b)
a
Marginal Value Theorem proposes that the optimal stay-time in a patch for a predator depends on the rate of energy extraction by the predator at the time it leaves the patch.
Select one:
True
False
True
Which predator functional response does the Lynx show to its major prey, the snowshoe hare?
Select one:
a. none of the others
b. Type II
c. Type III
d. I and III
e. Type I
Type II
Optimal foraging theory predicts that foragers will seek to optimize the net energy return from feeding by minimising costs of searching and handling prey and maximizing energy intake.
Select one:
True
False
True
In a grassland, when tall grasses shade out short, shade-intolerant species, ecologists call this interaction …
Select one:
a. commensalism
b. competition
c. mutualism
d. habitat fragmentation
e. predation
Competition
Non-directional change in communities is known as ‘succession’.
Select one:
True
False
False
In terms of rank abundance, the majority of communities demonstrate a ‘broken-stick’ distribution.
Select one:
True
False
False
Which of the following is not an assumption of classic equilibrium theories to explain the role of competition in structuring communities? (choose one)
Select one:
a. environment is spatially and temporally homogeneous
b. migration is unimportant
c. the genetic structure of studied populations is stable
d. inter-specific competition is the only important biological interaction
e. resources are limiting
the genetic structure of studied populations is stable
Amensalism is an interaction that is detrimental to one organism but beneficial to the other.
Select one:
True
False
False
Which factor is the least likely to lead to a lag in the increase of prey consumption rate at low prey density?
Select one:
a. prey’s behaviour to search and use refugia
b. prey has low reproduction rate at low density
c. predator’s low hunting efficiency due to the lack of practice
d. predator may switch to alternative food sources
e. predator’s low searching efficiency due to the lack of search image
prey has low reproduction rate at low density
Competition is an interaction between individual organisms as a result of a shared requirement of one or more resources.
Select one:
True
False
True
Non-equilibrium theories of community organization focus on the importance of disturbance and environmental heterogenity, e.g. climate fluctuation and habitat patchness.
Select one:
True
False
True
Match the following factors explaining broad diversity patterns with their associated hypothesis
disturbance
history
productivity
disturbance → intermediate disturbance hypothesis,
history → stability-time hypothesis,
productivity →productivity hypothesis
In the following schematic illustrating the complex successional sequence associated with secondary succession, what is the stage labelled (a)?
Select one:
a. seral stages
b. sub-climax stage
c. pioneer seral stage
d. dynamic equilibrium
e. climax stage
pioneer seral stage
The competitive exclusion principle implies that
Select one:
a. Coexisting species cannot eat exactly the same things.
b. Coexisting species can use the same resources.
c. Coexisting species cannot have identical ecological interactions.
d. Coexisting species cannot be closely related to one another.
e. Coexisting species cannot be exactly the same size.
Coexisting species cannot have identical ecological interactions.
Gause’s competitive exclusion principle states that
Select one:
a. two species of approximately the same resource requirements are not likely to remain balance in numbers
b. two species can not eat the same type of food
c. if two species have very similar niche, one will out-compete the other
d. a and c
e. b and c
a and c
Identify which type of mutualism the following relationships are
mistletoe bird and grey mistletoe
yellow-brown algae living in coral polyp
ants and acacia trees
mistletoe bird and grey mistletoe → dispersive mutulism,
yellow-brown algae living in coral polyp → trophic mutualism,
ants and acacia trees → defensive mutualism
Which statement is incorrect for diffuse competition? (choose one)
Select one:
a. Diffuse competition is indirect
b. It means that it is difficult to measure the impact of one species on another.
c. It means the effect of one species on another is generally weak
d. Diffuse competition is the combined effect of competitive interactions with many species on a given species.
e. It suggests that competition can occur between many species and rarely takes the form of exclusively pair-wise interactions
Diffuse competition is indirect
In Huffaker’s experiment, he found refugia for prey can stabilize cyclic predator-prey relationships.
Select one:
True
False
True
In the diagram below, representing the reaction of photosynthesis, what is the component labelled (2)?
photosynthesis reaction
Select one:
a. carbohydrate (sugar)
b. carbon dioxide
c. water
d. chlorophyll
e. light energy
Light energy
In the diagram below, representing the reaction of cellular respiration, what is the component labelled (1)?
respiration reaction
Select one:
a. chlorophyll
b. water
c. energy
d. carbon dioxide
e. carbohydrate
Carbohydrate
Gross secondary productivity is ……
Select one:
a. a measure of the amount of activity by living organisms within any trophic level
b. total amount of energy fixed by plants through photosynthesis (GPP) minus the energy lost to respiration
c. the amount of assimilated energy derived from the previous trophic level
d. the rate of energy fixation (CO2 conversion to organic carbon) by photosynthesis
e. the rate of production of new biomass by all heterotrophs
the amount of assimilated energy derived from the previous trophic level
Which of the following are the two principle models of community organisation recognised?
Select one:
a. equilibrium and calibration models
b. equilibrium and non-equilibrium models
c. diversity and distribution models
d. none of the choices
e. abundance and distribution models
equilibrium and non-equilibrium models
Photosynthetic efficiency is …
Select one:
a. he efficiency at which light energy is captured by plants and converted to organic forms
b. total amount of energy fixed by plants through photosynthesis minus the energy lost to respiration
c. a measure of the amount of activity by living organisms within any trophic level
d. the proportion of food energy taken into the gut of consumers and which is assimilated across the gut wall
e. the rate of production of new biomass by all heterotrophs
he efficiency at which light energy is captured by plants and converted to organic forms
A freshwater lake that is characterised by high primary production and little light penetration can be described as …
Select one:
a. polytrophic
b. static
c. eutrophic
d. oligotrophic
e. dynamic
Eutrophic
In the past 25 years, global temperatures have risen on average per decade by …
Select one:
a. 1 degrees Celsius
b. global temperature have not risen
c. 2 degrees Celsius
d. 0.52 degrees Celsius
e. 0.18 degrees Celsiu
0.18 degrees Celsius
The ‘energetics hypothesis’ of Elton (1927) regarding the length of food chains in communities proposes that the length of food chains is limited by inefficiencies of energy transfer along the chain.
Select one:
True
False
True
Methane and nitrous oxides are in the highest concentrations among all natural greenhouse gases.
Select one:
True
False
False
Which of the following reactions best describes photosynthesis?
Select one:
a. carbon dioxide + oxygen (in the presence of chlorophyll) gives a sugar (carbohydrate) + water + energy
b. (a) water + oxygen + light energy (in the presence of chlorophyll) gives a sugar (carbohydrate) + carbon dioxide
c. (a) carbon dioxide + chlorophyll gives a sugar (carbohydrate) + oxygen + water
d. a sugar + oxygen+ light energy (in the presence of chlorophyll) gives carbon dioxide + water
e. carbon dioxide + water + light energy (in the presence of chlorophyll) gives a sugar (carbohydrate) + oxygen
carbon dioxide + water + light energy (in the presence of chlorophyll) gives a sugar (carbohydrate) + oxygen
The irrevocable loss or elimination of a species is best described as …
Select one:
a. evolution
b. species extinction
c. an ecological footprint
d. environmental degradation
e. pollution
Species extinction
Which of the following is not an advantage in the use of guilds?
Select one:
a. species are grouped according to their ecological role within the community rather than their taxonomic identity
b. species’ niche within the community becomes more apparent
c. keystone species are easily recognised
d. communities can be compared on the basis of specific functional groups
e. analysis of community structure is refined
keystone species are easily recognised
Match the following mass extinction events with their occurrence
Ordovician
Devonian
Cretaceous
Permian
Ordovician → 440-450 million years ago,
Devonian → ~360 million years ago,
Cretaceous → ~65 million years ago,
Permian → ~250 million years ago
Net primary productivity (NPP) is ……
Select one:
a. the rate of energy fixation (CO2 conversion to organic carbon) by photosynthesis
b. the rate of production of new biomass by all heterotrophs
c. total amount of energy fixed by plants through photosynthesis (GPP) minus the energy lost to respiration
d. a measure of the amount of activity by living organisms within any trophic level
e. the proportion of food energy taken into the gut of consumers and which is assimilated across the gut wall
total amount of energy fixed by plants through photosynthesis (GPP) minus the energy lost to respiration
Match the following in relation to the principles of community organisation
equilibrium model
non-equilibrium model
equilibrium model → focus is on community stability and biotic coupling,
non-equilibrium model → focus is on stochastic effects and species independence
A freshwater lake that is characterised by high light penetration but little primary productivity can be described as …
Select one:
a. dynamic
b. oligotrophic
c. eutrophic
d. static
e. polytrophic
oligotrophic
Which of the following is not generally recognised as a factor limiting secondary productivity in grassland ecosystems
Select one:
a. spatial and temporal heterogeneity of plant/prey availability
b. water availability
c. all of these can limit secondary productivity
d. nutrients critical to animal growth an reproduction
e. plant/prey defences against herbivory/predation
all of these can limit secondary productivity
Human activities add about the same amount of nitrogen to the biosphere as natural processes.
Select one:
True
False
True
Match the following predictions regarding the length of food chains in communities and the relevant hypothesis
longer food chains in more productive habitats
shorter food chains in less predictable habitats
longer food chains in more productive habitats → Elton’s (1927) energetics hypothesis,
shorter food chains in less predictable habitats → dynamic stability hypothesis
The equilibrium community model proposes that where physical conditions are relatively stable or vary in a predictable fashion …
Select one:
a. population processes will operate in a density-dependent fashion
b. a community will be saturated with species
c. all of the choices
d. species composition and species abundances will be relatively constant in time
all of the choices
System productivity is a collective property of ecosystems
Select one:
True
False
True
In the following possible landscape configurations, which is better from a conservation perspective?
connected vs isolated
high vs low edge ratio
linear vs clustered
connected vs isolated → connected,
high vs low edge ratio → low edge ratio (circle),
linear vs clustered → clustered
Which of the following theories argues that community structure is predominantly controlled by competition for limiting resources?
Select one:
a. habitat selection-competition theory
b. classical competition theory
c. competition-spatial patchiness theory
d. none of the choices
e. competition-predation theory
classical competition theory
In the following diagram representing the extinction vortex, what is the component labelled (II)?
extinction vortex
Select one:
a. reduction in geographic range
b. higher mortality
c. random genetic drift or inbreeding
d. bottleneck
e. reduction in fitness
random genetic drift or inbreeding
In the following diagram representing the extinction vortex, what is the component labelled (III)?
extinction vortex
Select one:
a. random genetic drift
b. higher mortality
c. inbreeding
d. reduction in fitness
e. reduction in geographic range
reduction in fitness
Which of the following is not a major theory explaining community organisation under equilibrium conditions?
Select one:
a. competition-spatial patchiness theory
b. classical competition theory
c. none of the choices
d. competition-predation theory
e. habitat selection-competition theory
habitat selection-competition theory
In the following diagram representing the stages of fragmentation identified by Forman, what is the component labelled (III)?
fragmentation
Select one:
a. shrinkage/attrition
b. fragmentation
c. perforation
d. dissection
shrinkage/attrition
The following graph of colonisation and extinction of species on islands is a demonstration of which ecological theory?
colonisation-extinction
Select one:
a. the theory of colonisation and extinction
b. C-E theory
c. island biogeography theory
d. competitive exclusion theory
e. competition-predation theory
Island biogeography theory
Nitrogen fixation is the reaction where …
Select one:
a. nitrogen gas is converted to ammonia
b. nitrogen compounds are reacted to give off oxygen
c. carbon is fixed into nitrogenous compounds
d. ammonia is converted to nitrogen gas
e. ammonia is converted to nitrite
nitrogen gas is converted to ammonia
Which of the following changes has not been observed in relation the cryosphere?
Select one:
a. sea level rises of about 1.7 mm during the period 1900-1990
b. sea level rises of about 3 mm per year since 1993
c. reduction in glaciers and Greenland ice sheet cover
d. increased volcanic activity in Greenland
e. reduction in snow cover and Arctic sea ice cover
increased volcanic activity in Greenland
The figure below shows the “zero growth isocline” of species 1 (blue) and species 2 (green) in a Lotka-Volterra competition model.
What will be the outcome of competition between species 1 and species 2 in this case?
Select one:
a. species 1 becomes extinct
b. both species coexist in a stable equilibrium
c. both species coexist in an unstable equilibrium
d. species 2 becomes extinct
Species 1 becomes extinct (blue line and green line both angle down, with gap widening as they get lower)
(See p159 of module guide)
In following diagram representing characteristic rank abundance within communities, what is the distribution indicated by (I)?
geometric
The figure below shows the minimum requirement of species A (blue) and species B (green) for resources 1 and 2 in Tilman’s competition model. What will be the outcome of competition between species A and species B in this case?
Select one:
a. both species coexist in an unstable equilibrium
b. species A becomes extinct
c. species B becomes extinct
d. both species coexist in a stable equilibrium
Species B becomes extinct (See p159 of module guide to check, as have got these wrong)
The idea of gradual species replacement along environmental gradients is known as:
continuum concept of communities
Intraspecific competition is asymmetric among different individuals in the same population, e.g. older and more experienced individuals often get advantages over younger ones. Which one of the following consequences of this asymmetric competition is not true?
Select one:
a. it will decrease the whole population size
b. it will decrease the reproductive rate of the young
c. it will decrease the survivorship of the young
d. none of the others
e. it will decrease the fitness of the young and thus change the genetic structure of the population
it will decrease the fitness of the young and thus change the genetic structure of the population
True predation differs from herbivory and parasitism in that (choose best answer)
Select one:
a. the prey organism is always killed during or shortly after and attack
b. usually many prey organisms are consumed in a predator’s lifetime
c. true predation refers to the interaction between carnivorous animals/plants and their preys
d. a, b and c
e. a and b
f. b and c
a, b and c
Which of the following best represents two main characteristics of communities contributing to community structure?
Select one:
a. growth form and trophic structure
b. collective and emergent properties
c. population life history and reproductive effort
d. natality and mortality
e. organism size and fecundity
growth form and trophic structure
Which type(s) of functional responses exhibit density-dependence at high levels of prey numbers?
Select one:
a. Type II and Type III
b. Type III
c. Type II
d. Type I
e. Type I and Type III
Type II and Type III
The figure below exhibits which Lotka-Volterra predator-prey functional responses?
lotka-volterra
Select one:
a. type II
b. type III
c. type I
d. type IV
Type III (bottom left to top right diagonal if linear, but shown with a curve)
Correct Mark 1.00 out of 1.00 FlaggedRemove flag Question text Which of the following would be considered true predation?
Select one:
a. a koala eating eucalypt leaves
b. all of the choices
c. a wedge-tailed eagle killing and consuming a rabbit
d. disease-causing bacteria invading human lung tissue
e. a wallaby nibbling on grass shoots
a wedge-tailed eagle killing and consuming a rabbit
Diversity indices attempt to take into account both relative abundance of populations and overall richness of community.
Select one:
True
False
True
In following diagram representing characteristic rank abundance within communities, what is the distribution indicated by (III)?
rank abundance
Select one:
a. geometric
b. broken stick
c. binomial
d. log-normal
e. exponential
Broken stick
Sutherland’s modification on the ideal free distribution predicts that when there is no interference among predators, all predators will go to the patch with the highest prey density.
Select one:
True
False
True
The definition of ‘community’ as an identifiable assemblage of interacting species in space and time is supported by the study of community variation along single or multiple environmental gradients, known as:
Select one:
a. collective properties
b. species association analysis
c. tolerance analysis
d. community continua
e. gradient analysis
Gradient analysis
The definition of ‘community’ as an identifiable assemblage of interacting species in space and time is supported by the study of community variation along single or multiple environmental gradients, known as:
Select one:
a. collective properties
b. species association analysis
c. tolerance analysis
d. community continua
e. gradient analysis
Gradient analysis
Cyclic change in communities refers to the …
Select one:
a. non-directional, non-cyclical changes
b. non-seasonal and continuous pattern of change in community structure
c. non-directional changes and species inter-relations within a community dictated by the life cycles of dominant organisms affecting the overall community
d. the seasonal and directional pattern of colonization/immigration and extinction of species
e. on-seasonal, directional and continuous pattern of colonization/immigration and extinction of species and changes in relative abundances of species populations at a particular location
non-directional changes and species inter-relations within a community dictated by the life cycles of dominant organisms affecting the overall communit
Which of the following schematics illustrates the facilitation model of secondary succession?
Select one:
a. (b)
b. (d)
c. (a)
d. (c)
e. none of the choices
b (see graphics cards)
The pattern of maximum diversity at intermediate levels of disturbance in known as the intermediate disturbance hypothesis.
Select one:
True
False
True
In the inhibition model of community secondary succession species replacement is inhibited previous residents.
Select one:
True
False
True
The idea that many different climax communities can exist in a given area due to a range of controlling factors is known as …
Select one:
a. the polyclimax theory
b. the monoclimax theory
c. a transient climax
d. climatic climax theory
e. equilibrium succession
Polyclimax theory
A climax community in relation to community development is …
Select one:
a. the final seral stage
b. the initial seral stage
c. each distinct community in a sequence
d. a single unit of succession
e. a unit of succession
The final seral stage
A ‘community’ can be defined as:
Select one:
a. interacting species along an environmental gradient
b. that part of the Earth containing life
c. an identifiable assemblage of interacting species in space and time
d. groups of species in close association
e. the whole complex of species and populations
an identifiable assemblage of interacting species in space and time
Interspecific competition is the biotic interaction between two different species
Select one:
True
False
True
The current view of communities is close to the organismic concept of Clements.
Select one:
True
False
False
A plot of log abundance of species in order the most to least abundant is referred to as a …
Select one:
a. life history plot
b. plot of ecological continua
c. species response curve
d. rank abundance plot
e. trophic response plot
Rank abundance plot
The figure below exhibits which Lotka-Volterra predator-prey functional responses?
Select one:
a. type I
b. type IV
c. type III
d. type II
Type II (bottom left to top right with curved shape)
The graph below best describes which of the following hypotheses regarding patterns in diversity?
diversity graph
Select one:
a. niche partitioning hypothesis
b. intermediate disturbance hypothesis
c. productivity hypothesis
d. spatial heterogeneity hypothesis
e. stability-time hypothesis
Intermediate disturbance hypothesis (line starts left, shapes upwards then curves down to bottom right)
Intraspecific competition is the biotic interaction between two different species
Select one:
True
False
False
In terms of rank abundance, communities with mostly intermediate species abundances and only a few very high or very low abundances demonstrate what type of characteristic distribution?
Select one:
a. linear
b. none of the choices
c. broken stick
d. geometric
e. log-normal
Log-normal
In the following schematic illustrating the complex successional sequence associated with secondary succession, what is the stage labelled (d)?
Select one:
a. climax stage
b. seral stages
c. dynamic equilibrium
d. pioneer seral stage
e. sub-climax stage
Climax stage (furthers to right / last stage)
he figure below exhibits which Lotka-Volterra predator-prey functional responses?
Select one:
a. type IV
b. type II
c. type I
d. type III
Type I (starts bottom left, straight diagonal line towards top right, then evens out and line becomes flat)
Good searchers but poor handlers tend to be generalists.
Select one:
True
False
False
Which description is wrong for the following statement?
Lotka-Volterra’s predator-prey population models …
Select one:
a. assume predation is random
b. are a theoretical simulation that has not been observed even in controlled conditions
c. are very difficult to demonstrate due to the complications in real world
d. suggest populations can be impacted by an environmental perturbation
e. predict populations will oscillate in an unchanging cycle
are a theoretical simulation that has not been observed even in controlled conditions
Succession is ….
Select one:
a. the seasonal, non-directional and cyclic pattern of colonization/immigration and extinction of species
b. species inter-relations within a community dictated by the life cycles of dominant organisms affecting the overall community
c. seasonal and continuous pattern of change in community structure
d. non-directional, non-cyclical changes
e. on-seasonal, directional and continuous pattern of colonization/immigration and extinction of species and changes in relative abundances of species populations at a particular location
on-seasonal, directional and continuous pattern of colonization/immigration and extinction of species and changes in relative abundances of species populations at a particular location
Which description about ideal free distributions is incorrect? (choose one)
Select one:
a. all predators are assumed to be equal
b. all patches end up with the same profitability
c. Profitable patches will attract more predators and thus decline more quickly in profitability
d. Predators tend to leave less profitable patches and move to more profitable patches
e. none of the others
none of the others
Which of the following statements best describes competition?
Select one:
a. Coexisting species adapt to competition by evolving to use slightly different resources
b. Competition always involves one species benefiting and the other being harmed by the interaction
c. Competition for resources always involves aggression
d. Members of different species never compete for resources
e. Competition always results in the disappearance of one of the competing species
Coexisting species adapt to competition by evolving to use slightly different resources
Which of the following is not a major category of interspecific or intraspecific interaction among organisms? (choose one)
Select one:
a. speciation
b. symbiosis
c. competition
d. all of the others
e. predation
speciation
Diversity indices attempt to …
Select one:
a. measure community resilience
b. take into account both relative abundance of populations and overall richness of a community
c. incorporate population attributes into community patterns
d. consider rank abundance only
e. measure successional sequences in communities
take into account both relative abundance of populations and overall richness of a community
The facilitation model of community succession maintains that species replacement is not affected by previous residents.
Select one:
True
False
False
As a predator, humans have a polyphagous diet
Select one:
True
False
True
A close physical association between organisms, such as the association of mycorrhizal fungi with the roots of plants in forests, which is beneficial to both species, is known as which of the following?
Select one:
a. a food web
b. parasitism
c. mutualism
d. pollination
e. competition
Mutualism
Collective properties of communities include which of the following:
Select one:
a. community structure
b. competition, mutualism and parasitism
c. ecological continua
d. species population levels
e. community stability, change and complexity
competition, mutualism and parasitism
Match the following terms regarding extinction to the appropriate definition
ecologically extinct
extirpation
extant
extinct in wild
Answer 4
individuals remain, but only in captivity/under cultivation
ecologically extinct → species is so rare that it’s ecological role and ability to reproduce is negligible,
extirpation → local extinction,
extant → living specie s(not extinct),
extinct in wild → individuals remain, but only in captivity/under cultivation
In the following diagrams illustrating stable states in communities, which exhibits a ‘resilient’ system?
stability graphs
Select one:
a. I, II and III
b. II
c. III
d. I
e. II and III
I (a line shaped with a double curve and a moutain like peak in the middle of the two depressions - the ball is on the left side of the mountain)
The rate of movement of nutrients between compartments within global nutrient cycles is called the flux rate
Select one:
True
False
True
Which of the following greenhouse gas has been recognised by the IPCC (2007) as causing the most significant contributions to anthropogenic climate change in terms of radiative forcing?
Select one:
a. ozone
b. carbon dioxide
c. nitrogen
d. nitrous oxides
e. methane
CO2
Removal of a keystone species may result in significant changes in the relative abundance of other organisms within that community.
Select one:
True
False
True
Global variation in primary production appears limited by nutrient availability.
Select one:
True
False
True
Nutrients, such as phosphorus, that contain a significant sedimentary component of their nutrient cycles …
Select one:
a. are usually more available for uptake by organisms
b. cycle relatively quickly compared with nutrients with atmospheric cycles
c. are considerably depleted by losses to the atmosphere
d. cycle very slowly compared with nutrients with atmospheric cycles
e. are prone to be washed into the seas and oceans by runoff
cycle very slowly compared with nutrients with atmospheric cycles
The phenomenon of higher ambient carbon dioxide concentrations leading to increased production of plant biomass, which in turn leads to increased carbon sequestration is known as …
Select one:
a. CO2 fertilisation
b. the carbon cycle
c. global dimming
d. global warming
e. the butterfly effect
CO2 fertilisation
Which of the following is not regarded as a factor making species more vulnerable to extinction?
Select one:
a. small population size
b. habitat generalists
c. small geographic range
d. large body size
e. poor dispersers
Habitat generalists
Which of the following is not an example of a stochastic factor affecting small populations?
Select one:
a. random differences among individuals in survival and reproduction
b. cyclone
c. selection
d. variations in birth and death rates in response to weather
e. habitat destruction
Habitat destruction
Twenty-five percent of the world’s population consumes about 80% of the world’s energy.
Select one:
True
False
True
Which of the following is not an example of a deterministic factor affecting small populations?
Select one:
a. habitat fragmentation
b. cyclone
c. disease
d. inability to find a mate
e. habitat destruction
cyclone
Global stability within communities refers to …
Select one:
a. where a system is able to return to its former position following a large disturbance
b. where there are no disturbances acting on the community
c. the degree to which a variable (e.g. species abundance or diversity) is changed following a perturbation
d. where a system is unable to return to its former position following a disturbance
e. where a system is able to return to its former position following a small temporary disturbance
where a system is able to return to its former position following a large disturbance
A keystone species is always the most abundant within a community.
Select one:
True
False
False
Which factor below is least likely to be a density-dependent factor?
Select one:
a. parasitism
b. the amount of shelter available
c. a cold snap
d. epidemic disease
e. water availability
A cold snap
A predator-prey response where there is a constant rate of consumption by the predator (up to limit) is ….
Select one:
a. a type III response
b. a type I response
c. interference competition
d. uncommon
e. a type II response
A Type I Response
The distribution of species along an environmental gradient in the diagram below suggests what sort of community structure?
Select one:
a. an ecotone
b. a closed community as predicted by the Gleasonian view
c. a open community as predicted by the Gleasonian view
d. a closed community as predicted by the Clementsian view
e. a open community as predicted by the Clementsian view
Gleasonian view (open).
In these questions, check the graph word document and realise that Gleasonian are open, Clementsian are closed.
The figure below shows the “zero growth isocline” of species 1 (blue) and species 2 (green) in a Lotka-Volterra competition model.
What will be the outcome of competition between species 1 and species 2 in this case?
Select one:
a. both species coexist in an unstable equilibrium
b. species 1 becomes extinct
c. species 2 becomes extinct
d. both species coexist in a stable equilibrium
both species coexist in a stable equilibrium (See p159 of module guide to check, as have got these wrong)
