1. Sand dunes along the coast are formed of bare sand. Eventually, grasses take root on the dunes. Over time, larger plants such as shrubs and trees are able to grow at the edge of the sand dune ecosystem. This gradual change in plant communities of a sand dune ecosystem can result in —
Answer: Greater species diversity
2. Which statement best describes how bacteria recycle matter in an ecosystem? *
Answer: Bacteria are decomposers that help to transfer organic material to the soil.
3. In an experiment, two plants are grown together for a time and then separated. Plant 2 is a parasite of Plant 1. Which graph best predicts the growth of Plant 1 and Plant 2 during the experiment?
Answer: Plant 1 Increases while plant 2 decreases
4. Overfishing is causing the decline of fish populations, such as Eastern Atlantic bluefin tuna in the Mediterranean. Eastern Atlantic bluefin tuna are caught faster than they can reproduce. Which statement describes the most likely effect that overfishing will have on this ecosystem?
Answer: Overfishing decreases the stability of the ecosystem by disrupting food chains.
5. A farmer is struggling to control the population of a certain insect on his farm. After researching population control techniques, he discovers that a particular bird is a predator of this insect. The farmer purchases a number of these birds and releases them onto his farm. How might the farmer’s action most likely have a negative impact on the ecosystem?
Answer: The birds will consume beneficial insects, as well as the pest species.
1. Ah, the sand dunes and their plant communities. It's like a fashion show for plants. First, you have the bare sand models all confident and strutting their stuff. But then, bam! The grasses come in, like the cool kids taking over the runway. And as time goes on, the dunes become a hot spot for shrubs and trees, like the A-list celebrities of the plant world. This gradual change in plant communities brings about greater species diversity, like having more celebrities attending the Met Gala. It's like an ecosystem makeover!
2. Ah, the bacteria, the masters of recycling in the ecosystem. They're like the ultimate environmentalists, reducing, reusing, and recycling all day long. These little decomposers work their magic, helping to break down organic material and transfer it back to the soil. They're like the sanitation workers of the ecosystem, making sure nothing goes to waste and everything gets a second chance. So, let's give a round of applause to these bacteria for their recycling talents. Bravo!
3. Picture this: Two plants growing together, living side by side, like the most mismatched roommates you can imagine. Plant 2, the sneaky parasite, sucking the life out of Plant 1. It's like a horror movie, but for plants. Now, if we plot their growth on a graph, we'll see Plant 1 increasing while Plant 2 decreases. It's like Plant 1 finally realizing it doesn't need that toxic roommate anymore and kicking it out. So, sorry Plant 2, but it looks like you're going down while Plant 1 thrives. Better luck next time!
4. Oh no, the Eastern Atlantic bluefin tuna in the Mediterranean are swimming into troubled waters. Overfishing is like taking the last slice of pizza at a party without considering if anyone else wants a bite. Those tuna are being caught faster than they can reproduce, and that's a recipe for disaster. The most likely effect of overfishing on this ecosystem is a decline in fish populations, including the beloved bluefin tuna. It's like losing the star of the show, leaving the ecosystem out of balance and its food chains in disarray. Time to show some fishing restraint, people!
5. Ah, the farmer's battle against the insects. Nature's version of FarmVille, but with extra challenges. So, the farmer decides to bring in some bird warriors to fight the insect pests. But wait, hold on, there's a comedic twist. These birds, being hungry little fellows, don't just feast on pests. Oh no, they also go after beneficial insects, like eating the good guys along with the bad guys. It's like a case of mistaken identity, and the farmer unintentionally becomes the clown of the ecosystem. So, let's hope those birds don't cause more harm than good. Oops, did someone say pest problem?
Correct! The release of birds onto the farm to control the insect population can have a negative impact on the ecosystem because the birds may also consume beneficial insects along with the pest species, disrupting the balance of the ecosystem.
To answer these questions and understand the concepts behind them, here's an explanation for each question:
1. The gradual change in plant communities of a sand dune ecosystem can result in greater species diversity because as larger plants like shrubs and trees grow at the edge of the sand dune ecosystem, they provide different habitats and conditions for various species to thrive. This leads to a wider range of plant species, which in turn supports a greater diversity of animals and other organisms.
2. Bacteria recycle matter in an ecosystem as decomposers. Bacteria break down dead organic material, such as dead plants and animals, into simpler forms, releasing nutrients back into the environment. These nutrients can then be used by other organisms, such as plants, to grow and function. This process helps transfer organic material to the soil, making it available for other organisms in the ecosystem.
3. In an experiment where two plants are grown together and then separated, with Plant 2 being a parasite of Plant 1, the growth of Plant 1 increases while the growth of Plant 2 decreases. This is because the parasite, Plant 2, obtains nutrients and resources from Plant 1, which negatively affects Plant 1's growth. Therefore, as time goes on, Plant 1 grows better without the parasitic presence of Plant 2, while Plant 2 struggles without its host.
4. Overfishing, which refers to catching fish faster than they can reproduce, can have a significant impact on the ecosystem, such as the decline of fish populations like Eastern Atlantic bluefin tuna in the Mediterranean. The most likely effect of overfishing on this ecosystem is that it decreases the stability of the ecosystem by disrupting food chains. When fish populations decrease due to overfishing, it can lead to imbalances in the food chain, disrupting the interactions between different organisms in the ecosystem and potentially causing cascading effects on other species in the ecosystem.
5. Releasing birds as predators of a certain insect population on a farm might have a negative impact on the ecosystem because the birds will consume not only the pest species but also beneficial insects. Birds may not differentiate between pest insects and other beneficial insects in the ecosystem, and their predation can lead to a reduction in the populations of beneficial insects as well. This can disrupt the balance of the ecosystem and affect the interactions between different species, potentially leading to unintended consequences.