Question 1

The number of trophic levels in an ecosystem is limited by

Accepted Answer

A)  the number of tertiary consumers. 
B)  the loss of energy with each transfer between trophic levels. 
C)  the gain of energy with each transfer between trophic levels. 
D)  the rate at which organisms can recycle energy within the ecosystem. 
E)  the rate at which secondary consumers consume their prey. 
A)  the number of tertiary consumers. 
B)  the loss of energy with each transfer between trophic levels. 
C)  the gain of energy with each transfer between trophic levels. 
D)  the rate at which organisms can recycle energy within the ecosystem. 
E)  the rate at which secondary consumers consume their prey. B

Question 2

The total amount of energy fixed by autotrophs in an ecosystem is called ________.

Accepted Answer

gross primary production

Question 3

Carnivores that feed on herbivores (or on detritivores) are referred to as

Accepted Answer

A)  primary producers. 
B)  primary consumers. 
C)  secondary consumers. 
D)  parasitoids. 
E)  keystone species. 
A)  primary producers. 
B)  primary consumers. 
C)  secondary consumers. 
D)  parasitoids. 
E)  keystone species. C

Question 4

Among lakes, primary productivity seems to be mainly controlled by levels of

Accepted Answer

A)  light. 
B)  pollutants. 
C)  temperature. 
D)  nutrients. 
E)  None of the choices are correct. 
A)  light. 
B)  pollutants. 
C)  temperature. 
D)  nutrients. 
E)  None of the choices are correct.

Question 5

The low productivity of arctic tundra ecosystems results

Accepted Answer

A)  entirely because tundra has low evapotranspiration. 
B)  entirely because tundra soils are low in nutrients. 
C)  entirely because tundra soils retain water poorly. 
D)  because tundra soils have low nutrients and retain water poorly. 
E)  because tundra has low evapotranspiration and low-nutrient soils. 
A)  entirely because tundra has low evapotranspiration. 
B)  entirely because tundra soils are low in nutrients. 
C)  entirely because tundra soils retain water poorly. 
D)  because tundra soils have low nutrients and retain water poorly. 
E)  because tundra has low evapotranspiration and low-nutrient soils.

Question 6

The "trophic cascade hypothesis" emphasizes the role of

Accepted Answer

A)  nutrients in controlling primary productivity. 
B)  nutrients in controlling primary consumption. 
C)  consumers in controlling primary productivity. 
D)  grazing by herbivores in controlling ecosystem nutrient levels. 
E)  primary productivity in controlling primary and secondary consumption. 
A)  nutrients in controlling primary productivity. 
B)  nutrients in controlling primary consumption. 
C)  consumers in controlling primary productivity. 
D)  grazing by herbivores in controlling ecosystem nutrient levels. 
E)  primary productivity in controlling primary and secondary consumption.

Question 7

Nitrogen stable isotopes are useful tools for the study of food web structure because isotope ratios

Accepted Answer

A)  change in predictable ways across trophic levels. 
B)  often vary among alternative food sources for a consumer. 
C)  for a predator exactly match the isotope ratio in its prey. 
D)  both change in predictable ways across trophic levels and often vary among alternative food sources for a consumer. 
A)  change in predictable ways across trophic levels. 
B)  often vary among alternative food sources for a consumer. 
C)  for a predator exactly match the isotope ratio in its prey. 
D)  both change in predictable ways across trophic levels and often vary among alternative food sources for a consumer.

Question 8

Actual evapotranspiration rates are highest in ________ climates.

Accepted Answer

A)  warm, moist 
B)  cold, moist 
C)  warm, dry 
D)  cold, dry 
E)  actual evapotranspiration rate is not affected by climate 
A)  warm, moist 
B)  cold, moist 
C)  warm, dry 
D)  cold, dry 
E)  actual evapotranspiration rate is not affected by climate

Question 9

In Stephen Carpenter and colleagues' manipulations of lake food webs, increased densities of adult largemouth bass led to

Accepted Answer

A)  increased rates of grazing on phytoplankton by zooplankton. 
B)  decreased rates of grazing on phytoplankton by zooplankton. 
C)  increased population sizes of planktivorous fish. 
D)  increased consumption of zooplankton by planktivorous fish. 
E)  no noticeable effects on food web structure. 
A)  increased rates of grazing on phytoplankton by zooplankton. 
B)  decreased rates of grazing on phytoplankton by zooplankton. 
C)  increased population sizes of planktivorous fish. 
D)  increased consumption of zooplankton by planktivorous fish. 
E)  no noticeable effects on food web structure.

Question 10

Experimental fertilizations in the Baltic Sea suggest that primary productivity there is normally limited by

Accepted Answer

A)  phosphorus. 
B)  nitrogen. 
C)  iron. 
D)  potassium. 
E)  temperature. 
A)  phosphorus. 
B)  nitrogen. 
C)  iron. 
D)  potassium. 
E)  temperature.

Question 11

The terrestrial ecosystems with highest primary production are usually those that are

Accepted Answer

A)  warm and wet. 
B)  warm and dry. 
C)  cool and wet. 
D)  cool and dry. 
E)  intermediate in both temperature and moisture. 
A)  warm and wet. 
B)  warm and dry. 
C)  cool and wet. 
D)  cool and dry. 
E)  intermediate in both temperature and moisture.

Question 12

Bowman and his colleagues, who added nutrients to the alpine tundra on Niwot Ridge, Colorado, found

Accepted Answer

A)  phosphorus is the main nutrient limiting primary production in all meadows. 
B)  nitrogen is the main nutrient limiting primary production in all meadows. 
C)  phosphorus is the main nutrient limiting primary production in dry meadows. 
D)  nitrogen is the main nutrient limiting primary production in wet meadows. 
E)  nitrogen and phosphorus jointly limit primary production in wet meadows. 
A)  phosphorus is the main nutrient limiting primary production in all meadows. 
B)  nitrogen is the main nutrient limiting primary production in all meadows. 
C)  phosphorus is the main nutrient limiting primary production in dry meadows. 
D)  nitrogen is the main nutrient limiting primary production in wet meadows. 
E)  nitrogen and phosphorus jointly limit primary production in wet meadows.

Question 13

The rate of primary production on the Serengeti grassland is positively correlated with

Accepted Answer

A)  rainfall. 
B)  moderate grazing. 
C)  high-intensity grazing. 
D)  both rainfall and moderate grazing. 
E)  both rainfall and high-intensity grazing. 
A)  rainfall. 
B)  moderate grazing. 
C)  high-intensity grazing. 
D)  both rainfall and moderate grazing. 
E)  both rainfall and high-intensity grazing.

Question 14

The major source of nutrients in surface waters of the open ocean is

Accepted Answer

A)  mixing of subsurface with surface waters. 
B)  deposition from the atmosphere. 
C)  addition by ocean currents bringing nutrients from nearshore waters. 
D)  decomposition of dead organic material. 
E)  photosynthesis by planktonic algae. 
A)  mixing of subsurface with surface waters. 
B)  deposition from the atmosphere. 
C)  addition by ocean currents bringing nutrients from nearshore waters. 
D)  decomposition of dead organic material. 
E)  photosynthesis by planktonic algae.

Question 15

Functional diversity is an important component of biodiversity.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 16

Which of the following is the correct relationship between gross primary production (GPP), net primary production (NPP), and respiration (RESP)?

Accepted Answer

A)  GPP = NPP - RESP 
B)  RESP = GPP + NPP 
C)  NPP = GPP - RESP 
D)  NPP = GPP + RESP 
E)  None of the choices are correct. 
A)  GPP = NPP - RESP 
B)  RESP = GPP + NPP 
C)  NPP = GPP - RESP 
D)  NPP = GPP + RESP 
E)  None of the choices are correct.

Question 17

Liebig's "Law of the Minimum" stated that

Accepted Answer

A)  the lowest primary productivity occurs in the coldest ecosystems. 
B)  primary productivity is typically controlled entirely by climate. 
C)  primary productivity is typically controlled by both climate and soil nutrients. 
D)  a single soil nutrient typically limits primary productivity. 
E)  the highest primary productivity occurs at the lowest trophic level. 
A)  the lowest primary productivity occurs in the coldest ecosystems. 
B)  primary productivity is typically controlled entirely by climate. 
C)  primary productivity is typically controlled by both climate and soil nutrients. 
D)  a single soil nutrient typically limits primary productivity. 
E)  the highest primary productivity occurs at the lowest trophic level.

Question 18

Match the evidence

-Higher algal diversity

Accepted Answer

A)  Higher lake productivity 
B)  Tree diversity 
A)  Higher lake productivity 
B)  Tree diversity

Question 19

Among marine systems, primary productivity is highest in tropical portions of the major oceans, far from terrestrial influences.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 20

Primary producers make up the first, or basal, ________ in most food webs.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Primary producers make up the first, or...

Exam 18: Primary Production and Energy Flow

The number of trophic levels in an ecosystem is limited by

The total amount of energy fixed by autotrophs in an ecosystem is called ________.

Carnivores that feed on herbivores (or on detritivores) are referred to as

Among lakes, primary productivity seems to be mainly controlled by levels of

The low productivity of arctic tundra ecosystems results

The "trophic cascade hypothesis" emphasizes the role of

Nitrogen stable isotopes are useful tools for the study of food web structure because isotope ratios

Actual evapotranspiration rates are highest in ________ climates.

In Stephen Carpenter and colleagues' manipulations of lake food webs, increased densities of adult largemouth bass led to

Experimental fertilizations in the Baltic Sea suggest that primary productivity there is normally limited by

The terrestrial ecosystems with highest primary production are usually those that are

Bowman and his colleagues, who added nutrients to the alpine tundra on Niwot Ridge, Colorado, found

The rate of primary production on the Serengeti grassland is positively correlated with

The major source of nutrients in surface waters of the open ocean is

Functional diversity is an important component of biodiversity.

Which of the following is the correct relationship between gross primary production (GPP), net primary production (NPP), and respiration (RESP)?

Liebig's "Law of the Minimum" stated that

Match the evidence -Higher algal diversity

Among marine systems, primary productivity is highest in tropical portions of the major oceans, far from terrestrial influences.

Primary producers make up the first, or basal, ________ in most food webs.

Introduction to Ecology: Historical Foundations and Developing Frontiers

Life on Land

Life in Water

Population Genetics and Natural Selection

Temperature Relations

Water Relations

Energy and Nutrient Relations

Social Relations

Population Distribution and Abundance

Population Dynamics

Population Growth

Life Histories

Competition

Exploitative Interactions: Predation, Herbivory, Parasitism, and Disease

Mutualism

Species Abundance and Diversity

Species Interactions and Community Structure

Nutrient Cycling and Retention

Succession and Stability

Landscape Ecology

Geographic Ecology

Global Ecology

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