Exam 1: The Web of Life

One ecologist is studying the genetic changes in a fish species in Africa over several decades, monitoring several populations of the species in different lakes. A second ecologist is studying changes in the same fish species throughout history, relying not only on present-day data, but on information from fossils, preserved specimens, and DNA changes over time. Both scientists are interested in how this species fits into its environment and how it's changed as its environment has changed. What is the difference in the approach of these two scientists?

Refer to the figure. The figure shows a field set up to do controlled ecological experiments, divided into 112 plots each 5 × 5 meters. Suppose 40 plots are chosen for a study, 20 as controls and 20 as experimental plots. The control plots are left untreated. The 20 experimental plots all receive the same treatment: a specific level of insecticide. These experimental plots represent

Refer to the figure. -The figure is based on Johnson's experiment on the effects of trematode parasites on tadpoles. Suppose that 60 tadpoles are exposed to 32 parasites per tadpole. Based on the results of the figure, about how many tadpoles would you expect to survive to metamorphosis?

Which statement about the movement of energy through ecosystems is true?

Which statement is not correct in regards to the basic tenets of ecology?

The ecological study of the effect of Ribeiroia and pesticides on frog populations suggests that all of these statements about the study of ecology are true except that

Create a table showing a cost and a benefit of conducting research in a lab versus in the field.

A college student is trying to choose a major and is deciding between ecology and environmental science. She enjoys delving into ecological questions, especially ones related to climate change that require detailed and concentrated research in the field and the computer lab. She is also extremely concerned about the impact of humans on world climate, loss of habitat and species, and other ecological problems, but she is often uncomfortable in social or political situations. Given this information, what would you advise this student to major in? Justify your answer.