Question 1

What is the primary distinction between ecology and environmentalism?
A) Both are fields of scientific inquiry that generate knowledge about the natural world; they simply use different tools.
B) Ecology places more emphasis on the biotic world and environmentalism on the abiotic world.
C) Ecology places more emphasis on the abiotic world and environmentalism on the biotic world.
D) Environmentalism focuses on human concerns, including economics and public policy; ecology focuses on scientific inquiry.
E) Environmentalism focuses on details in all levels of organization; ecology tends to be more generalized.

Accepted Answer

The primary distinction between ecology and environmentalism is that environmentalism focuses on human concerns, including economics and public policy, while ecology focuses on scientific inquiry about the natural world. While both fields generate knowledge about the natural world, they differ in their emphasis and goals.

Question 2

A rapidly flowing river is dammed for a hydroelectric project.Describe what happens to the water, in terms of oxygen, temperature, and sediment, as it changes from a flowing stream to a still body of water.

Accepted Answer

The answer of A rapidly flowing river is dammed for...

Question 3

Refer to the figure below.  Using the figure as a guide, describe how temperature, light, and pressure vary in the coastal and ocean zones.Include variations based on depth in the two zones, and explain how the differences affect ocean life.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Refer to the figure below.  Using...

Question 4

Describe the interconnection of different spatial and temporal scales of species diversity, giving an example of each level of scale.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Describe the interconnection of different spatial and...

Question 5

An ecologist is studying the relationship between human population growth and loss of habitat in a specific region of a rainforest.Which statement best expresses how this modern-day study differs from historical ecological studies?
A) It recognizes that humans should not exploit natural systems.
B) It studies the rainforest, which is a pristine system.
C) It is designed to figure out how people can exploit rainforests.
D) It recognizes that we must understand how humans are changing nature.
E) It is more precise than past studies because it considers a specific region of rainforest.

Accepted Answer

This statement best represents how modern-day ecological studies differ from earlier studies. Earlier studies did not always recognize the impact that humans can have on natural systems, whereas modern studies recognize that understanding how humans are changing nature is essential to conservation efforts.

Question 6

An ecologist's goal is to maintain the health of an aquatic ecosystem by identifying potentially damaging factors before they cause problems.In her research on a pristine lake ecosystem, she would be most likely to study which topic in the natural setting rather than in a laboratory?
A) The effect of a chemical pollutant on a fish species
B) The short-term effects of genetic manipulation of algal photosynthesis
C) The changing community structure of the lake over time
D) The effects of introducing a new top predator into the lake
E) The effect of algal blooms caused by excess nutrients on lake biochemistry

Accepted Answer

C) The changing community structure of the lake over time is a topic that would most likely be studied in its natural setting rather than in a laboratory because it involves observing and analyzing long-term, complex interactions within the entire ecosystem, which are difficult to replicate accurately in a controlled environment.

Question 7

Which topic would be categorized as environmentalism, rather than ecology?
A) Measuring the impacts of pollution on coral reefs
B) Observing predator-prey relationships in the Serengeti
C) Studying the distribution of frogs relative to rainfall patterns
D) Observing the movements of butterflies in relation to spring temperatures
E) Developing a government policy for managing aquatic ecosystems

Accepted Answer

Developing a government policy for managing aquatic ecosystems falls under the category of environmentalism, as it involves human intervention and decision-making in the preservation and management of the environment. Ecology, on the other hand, is the scientific study of the interactions between organisms and their environment, without necessarily involving human intervention or policy-making. The other options (A, B, C, and D) involve observations and scientific study of ecological phenomena without direct policy or intervention.

Question 8

Refer to the graph below.  Consider the information in the graph.How does it relate to the type of information obtained by early explorers as they observed plant and animal distribution around the world? Do their observations still hold true today? Why or why not?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Refer to the graph below.  Consider...

Question 9

Scientists want to learn more about the ecology of a specific geographical region.In a study of the region, an ecologist is likely to do all of the following except
A) document the species diversity.
B) analyze the economic impact of land use changes.
C) study the impact of fire on plants.
D) study the germination success of plants.
E) develop a regimen to germinate seeds of a rare plant.

Accepted Answer

Analyzing the economic impact of land use changes is not directly related to studying the ecology of a geographical region. It may be useful information, but it is not essential for understanding the ecosystem and its interactions.

Question 10

An ecologist is applying the theory of island biogeography to understand the result of fragmentation in an agricultural area, where the original prairie has been mostly replaced by cornfields and only a few small, isolated fragments of prairie remain.Is the ecologist justified in applying this theory? Why or why not?

Accepted Answer

The answer of An ecologist is applying the theory of...

Question 11

An ecologist is studying predator-prey and competition interactions in a forest.He is working at the _______ level of organization.
A) population
B) community
C) ecosystem
D) landscape
E) biosphere

Accepted Answer

The ecologist is studying interactions between multiple species (predator and prey) in a specific geographic location (forest), indicating that they are studying the community level of organization. Population level would focus on a single species, ecosystem level would include abiotic factors, landscape level would include multiple ecosystems, and biosphere level would include the entire planet.

Question 12

Scientists have proposed three hypotheses to explain patterns of species diversity at different latitudes.Using the tropics as an example, explain how more than one of the proposed hypotheses might account for species diversity in this region.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Scientists have proposed three hypotheses to explain...

Question 13

The ultimate "snowbird" might be an American who spends the American winter in Australia, or an Australian who spends the Australian winter in the United States.What is responsible for the opposite seasons in these two countries?

Accepted Answer

The answer of The ultimate "snowbird" might be an American...

Question 14

On the East Coast of the United States, a deciduous forest was cut down to build a city, now home to 1.5 million people.Discuss the likely impacts this had on climate, topography, and ecosystems in the region.

Accepted Answer

The answer of On the East Coast of the United...

Question 15

Refer to the figure below.  How is species diversity likely to differ on the four types of islands shown on the map? Explain your answer.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Refer to the figure below.  How...

Question 16

In the Amazon rainforest, experiments show that, after deforestation, bird species diversity declines more slowly in larger forest fragments.Discuss the likely implications for species diversity in these fragments for small, nonflying rainforest species, such as frogs, lizards, and tree-dwelling mammals.

Accepted Answer

The answer of In the Amazon rainforest, experiments show that,...

Question 17

An ecologist is studying the growth rate of fish populations in the most pristine, untouched coral reef she can find.The reef is located in a protected natural area where no fishing or other human activities are allowed.What is the most scientifically appropriate way for her to make her study more modern, or "use-inspired"?
A) Relocate the study to an area where fishing is allowed.
B) Do the study in a laboratory setting instead of in nature.
C) Measure mortality rate rather than growth rate.
D) Keep the same study design, but periodically remove fish from the population.
E) Set up a second study site in a fished area, and compare growth rates in the two areas.

Accepted Answer

Setting up a second study site in a fished area and comparing growth rates in the two areas would allow the ecologist to evaluate the impact of fishing on the growth rate of fish populations. This would provide more comprehensive data and allow the ecologist to make a more informed conclusion about the effects of human activity on coral reef ecosystems. Additionally, this approach aligns with the "use-inspired" concept in ecological research by providing practical information that can inform policy and management decisions.

Question 18

A group of scientists wants to figure out how climate change has affected global precipitation rates in the past 50 years and then correlate this information with changes in global primary productivity.This study would be conducted at which level of organization?
A) Population
B) Community
C) Ecosystem
D) Landscape
E) Biosphere

Accepted Answer

The study involves analyzing global precipitation rates and their effects on global primary productivity, which encompasses the entire Earth. This level of organization is best described as the biosphere, as it includes all ecosystems and living organisms on the planet, interacting with the physical environment.

Question 19

A hummingbird conservation group wants to find out more about the birds' ecology.Which hummingbird study would best be described as a landscape-level study?
A) Doing a summer count of hummingbirds within a single town
B) Studying the feeding habits of a summer hummingbird population in a garden
C) Studying the reproductive success of hummingbirds at several sites in the same town
D) Marking dates of hummingbird arrival and departure at the organization's home office
E) Correlating dates of hummingbird arrival with dates of flowering along a migration corridor

Accepted Answer

Correlating dates of hummingbird arrival with dates of flowering along a migration corridor would involve studying the hummingbirds and their ecology at a landscape-level, as it would require looking at their interactions with the plants and flowers along their entire migration route.

Question 20

When ecologists speak of clear-cutting in the Amazon Basin as the "largest experiment on Earth," they are referring to significant and irreversible effects.They are primarily concerned about the ultimate effect of deforestation on
A) annual rainfall.
B) local economies.
C) global biodiversity.
D) human habitats.
E) loss of lumber resources.

Accepted Answer

Ecologists are primarily concerned about the ultimate effect of deforestation on global biodiversity. The Amazon Rainforest is home to numerous species, many of which are found nowhere else on Earth. Deforestation destroys the habitats of these species and leads to their extinction, reducing global biodiversity. This loss of biodiversity can have significant and irreversible effects on the long-term health of the planet.

Quiz 53: The Physical Environment and Biogeography of Life

What is the primary distinction between ecology and environmentalism?

A rapidly flowing river is dammed for a hydroelectric project.Describe what happens to the water, in terms of oxygen, temperature, and sediment, as it changes from a flowing stream to a still body of water.

Refer to the figure below. Using the figure as a guide, describe how temperature, light, and pressure vary in the coastal and ocean zones.Include variations based on depth in the two zones, and explain how the differences affect ocean life.

Describe the interconnection of different spatial and temporal scales of species diversity, giving an example of each level of scale.

An ecologist is studying the relationship between human population growth and loss of habitat in a specific region of a rainforest.Which statement best expresses how this modern-day study differs from historical ecological studies?

An ecologist's goal is to maintain the health of an aquatic ecosystem by identifying potentially damaging factors before they cause problems.In her research on a pristine lake ecosystem, she would be most likely to study which topic in the natural setting rather than in a laboratory?

Which topic would be categorized as environmentalism, rather than ecology?

Refer to the graph below. Consider the information in the graph.How does it relate to the type of information obtained by early explorers as they observed plant and animal distribution around the world? Do their observations still hold true today? Why or why not?

Scientists want to learn more about the ecology of a specific geographical region.In a study of the region, an ecologist is likely to do all of the following except

An ecologist is studying predator-prey and competition interactions in a forest.He is working at the _______ level of organization.

Scientists have proposed three hypotheses to explain patterns of species diversity at different latitudes.Using the tropics as an example, explain how more than one of the proposed hypotheses might account for species diversity in this region.

The ultimate "snowbird" might be an American who spends the American winter in Australia, or an Australian who spends the Australian winter in the United States.What is responsible for the opposite seasons in these two countries?

On the East Coast of the United States, a deciduous forest was cut down to build a city, now home to 1.5 million people.Discuss the likely impacts this had on climate, topography, and ecosystems in the region.

Refer to the figure below. How is species diversity likely to differ on the four types of islands shown on the map? Explain your answer.

A group of scientists wants to figure out how climate change has affected global precipitation rates in the past 50 years and then correlate this information with changes in global primary productivity.This study would be conducted at which level of organization?

A hummingbird conservation group wants to find out more about the birds' ecology.Which hummingbird study would best be described as a landscape-level study?

When ecologists speak of clear-cutting in the Amazon Basin as the "largest experiment on Earth," they are referring to significant and irreversible effects.They are primarily concerned about the ultimate effect of deforestation on