A Local Ecosystem Topic Test
A Local Ecosystem Topic Test
A Local Ecosystem Topic Test
Name: _______________________
6. The growth curve below shows the changes in an insect population over time.
Water
Snails
Murray cod
Adult
perch
Aquatic
insects
Protozoa
Algae
The earliest effect of a sudden decrease in the adult perch population would be:
A) An increase in the Murray cod population
B) A decrease in the protozoan population
C) A decrease in the population of aquatic insects
D) An increase in the biomass of algae
8. 25 members of a fish population are captured and tagged. They are then released. Some time
later, 15 fish are recaptured. Of these, five are tagged. The best estimate for the total fish
populate would be:
A) 45
B) 40
C) 75
D) 125
9. Which of the following is not an adaptation to reduce water loss?
A) A reduced number of sweat glands
B) The production of concentrated urine
C) A small body size
D) Leaves that are narrow or reduced to spines
10. The curve below shows changes in the numbers of unicellular alga, Chlamydomonas, in
North American waters over a one-year period.
The increase in numbers of Chlamydomonas between April and August is most likely due
to:
A) An increase in herbivorous water snails
B) An increase in the amount of organic food matter
C) An increase in the temperature of surface waters during this period
D) A decrease in the amount of dissolved nutrients available
Week
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Species A
17
23
22
19
11
13
10
0
0
Species B
28
139
218
161
175
275
219
218
219
a) Draw population curves for each species by plotting these figures on the same set of
axes. (2 marks)
b) Use your graph to deduce the type of relationship that exists between species S and
species B. Give a reason for your answer. (2 marks)
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2. During your field study of a local ecosystem you measured some of its abiotic factors.
Briefly explain how you would measure the following: (1 mark each)
Temperature ______________________________________________________________
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Moisture __________________________________________________________________
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Acidity ___________________________________________________________________
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Wind speed/exposure _______________________________________________________
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3. a) Is energy cycled through an ecosystem? Explain. (2 marks)
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b) Complete the biomass pyramid for the freshwater community shown below. Assume
90% of the mass from each trophic level is lost before the next level is reached.
(2 marks)
eels: _______ kg
large fish: _______ kg
small fish: _______ kg
water snails: _______ kg
water plant: 500,000 kg
4. An ecosystem is often defined as a group of organisms interacting with each other and their
non-living surroundings. In other words, an ecosystem consists of biotic and abiotic
components.
a) Outline one way in which the distribution and abundance of a terrestrial organism is
affected by: (2 marks)
i) A named biotic factor _________________________________________________
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ii) A named abiotic factor ________________________________________________
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b) Outline one way in which the distribution and abundance of an aquatic organism is
affected by: (2 marks)
i) A named biotic factor _________________________________________________
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ii) A named abiotic factor ________________________________________________
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5. Briefly describe four ways in which humans have adversely affected natural ecosystems. (4
marks)
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6. The diagram below represents a population of native grass plants within a 100m2 area. Each
square represents a 1m2 quadrat and each cross depicts one plant. Use the quadrat method to
estimate the total plant population. Set out your results in the table provided. (4 marks)
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10. Define the following relationships and give a specific example for each. (1 mark each)
a) Mutualism _____________________________________________________________
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b) Parasitism _____________________________________________________________
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c) Commensalism _________________________________________________________
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d) Alleopathy _____________________________________________________________
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