Question 1

(Figure 16.8c and d) Compare the outcomes of competition between species 1 and 2 in the figure. Justify your answers.

Accepted Answer

In Figure 16.8c, the carrying capacities are outside the zero growth isoclines for each species, so the species with the largest initial population will outcompete the other species. In Figure 16.8d, the carrying capacities are within the zero growth isoclines for each species, so the species will coexist.

Question 2

Question: You want to perform a field experiment to determine whether green frog and bullfrog tadpoles that were laid as eggs in the same pond will coexist or one species will drive the other to extinction. You determine that a bullfrog tadpole consumes 5 times more algae than a green frog tadpole. You then determine the carrying capacity of the pond for each species based on intraspecific competition of both species: the carrying capacity for bullfrog tadpoles is 100 individuals, and the carrying capacity for green frog tadpoles is 150 individuals. You take a census of the pond and find that there are 50 bullfrog tadpoles and 200 green frog tadpoles living in the pond. Based on this information and assuming that no factors other than competition influence these populations, how will they affect each other? Will the two species coexist, or will one of these species drive the other to extinction? Explain your answer.

Accepted Answer

In this pond, bullfrog tadpoles will persist and drive green frog tadpoles to extinction. This will happen because the bullfrog tadpole population in the pond is below its carrying capacity, so their numbers will increase. In contrast, the green frog tadpole population is greater than its carrying capacity, which will cause this population to decrease to extinction.

Question 3

Competition coefficients can be used to

Accepted Answer

A)  identify which limiting resource two species compete for. 
B)  determine the time it takes for the competitive exclusion principle to operate. 
C)  determine whether species are likely to coexist. 
D)  convert between the number of individuals of one species and the number of individuals of another species. 
A)  identify which limiting resource two species compete for. 
B)  determine the time it takes for the competitive exclusion principle to operate. 
C)  determine whether species are likely to coexist. 
D)  convert between the number of individuals of one species and the number of individuals of another species. D

Question 4

What type of competition is allelopathy?

Accepted Answer

A)  exploitative 
B)  interference 
C)  apparent 
D)  scramble 
A)  exploitative 
B)  interference 
C)  apparent 
D)  scramble

Question 5

When an individual drives down a resource to a point where another individual cannot persist, it is called

Accepted Answer

A)  interference competition. 
B)  allelopathy. 
C)  apparent competition. 
D)  exploitative competition. 
A)  interference competition. 
B)  allelopathy. 
C)  apparent competition. 
D)  exploitative competition.

Question 6

If an individual of species 2 has a greater effect on species 1 than the reverse, which of the following would be true?

Accepted Answer

A) α = 1; β = 1 B) α 1; β > 1 D) α 1 E) α > 1; β < 1 A) α = 1; β = 1 B) α 1; β > 1 D) α 1 E) α > 1; β < 1

Question 7

The mathematical models for competition between species are based on the _____ equation.

Accepted Answer

A)  energy balance 
B)  exponential population growth 
C)  logistic population growth 
D)  life table 
A)  energy balance 
B)  exponential population growth 
C)  logistic population growth 
D)  life table

Question 8

When organisms use chemicals to suppress competitors, it is called

Accepted Answer

A)  exploitative competition. 
B)  interference competition. 
C)  apparent competition. 
D)  allelopathy. 
A)  exploitative competition. 
B)  interference competition. 
C)  apparent competition. 
D)  allelopathy.

Question 9

Darwin argued that closely related species are more likely to compete because

Accepted Answer

A)  they almost always live close together. 
B)  they are the same size. 
C)  they face the same predators. 
D)  they have similar traits and consume similar resources. 
A)  they almost always live close together. 
B)  they are the same size. 
C)  they face the same predators. 
D)  they have similar traits and consume similar resources.

Question 10

Tansley's experiments with bedstraw (Galium) showed that when two closely related species of bedstraw are grown together,

Accepted Answer

A)  one is always the superior competitor regardless of habitat. 
B)  bedstraw in its preferred soil type is always the superior competitor. 
C)  bedstraw in its preferred soil type is the better competitor for soil nitrogen. 
D)  one was a better competitor for light and the other for water, depending on soil type. 
A)  one is always the superior competitor regardless of habitat. 
B)  bedstraw in its preferred soil type is always the superior competitor. 
C)  bedstraw in its preferred soil type is the better competitor for soil nitrogen. 
D)  one was a better competitor for light and the other for water, depending on soil type.

Question 11

Which of the following equations is a zero growth isocline?

Accepted Answer

A)  N2 = K1 ÷ α 
B)  N2 = α ÷ K2 
C)  N1 = α ÷ K1 
D)  N2 = K1 ÷ α. 
A)  N2 = K1 ÷ α 
B)  N2 = α ÷ K2 
C)  N1 = α ÷ K1 
D)  N2 = K1 ÷ α.

Question 12

In Lotka-Volterra competition models, what does the term α1,2 N2 represent?

Accepted Answer

A)  instantaneous rate of population increase of species 1 
B)  carrying capacity of the environment for species 1 
C)  reduction of species 1's carrying capacity by individuals of species 1 
D)  reduction of species 1's carrying capacity by individuals of species 2 
A)  instantaneous rate of population increase of species 1 
B)  carrying capacity of the environment for species 1 
C)  reduction of species 1's carrying capacity by individuals of species 1 
D)  reduction of species 1's carrying capacity by individuals of species 2

Question 13

Researchers have determined that common reed damages roots of other species by secreting gallic acid. This is an example of _____ competition.

Accepted Answer

A)  passive 
B)  exploitative 
C)  interference 
D)  apparent 
A)  passive 
B)  exploitative 
C)  interference 
D)  apparent

Question 14

In the logistic growth equation , the variable r represents

Accepted Answer

A)  the carrying capacity. 
B)  the intrinsic growth rate. 
C)  the size of the population. 
D)  the competition coefficient. 
A)  the carrying capacity. 
B)  the intrinsic growth rate. 
C)  the size of the population. 
D)  the competition coefficient.

Question 15

In the example of competition dynamics with longleaf pine (Pinus palustris) and other woody plants, fire suppression

Accepted Answer

A)  caused increases in important herbivore predators of longleaf pine. 
B)  allowed the persistence of superior competing species that would otherwise be eliminated by fire. 
C)  allowed increased growth of wiregrass (Aristida beyrichiana). 
D)  decreased germination of longleaf pine, which requires heat from fire. 
A)  caused increases in important herbivore predators of longleaf pine. 
B)  allowed the persistence of superior competing species that would otherwise be eliminated by fire. 
C)  allowed increased growth of wiregrass (Aristida beyrichiana). 
D)  decreased germination of longleaf pine, which requires heat from fire.

Question 16

Topic: competition for a single resource
Difficulty: medium
The resource requirements of two plant species, A and B, have been carefully studied. Researchers have determined the levels of a particular resource that will support equilibrium levels of each species. Species A needs more of this resource to maintain equilibrium than does species B. When these two species are set in competition (under conditions in which this resource is limiting), what is likely to happen to the populations of species A and B?

Accepted Answer

A)  Species A will displace species B. 
B)  Species B will displace species A. 
C)  Species A and B will continue to coexist. 
D)  There is not enough information to determine the outcome. 
A)  Species A will displace species B. 
B)  Species B will displace species A. 
C)  Species A and B will continue to coexist. 
D)  There is not enough information to determine the outcome.

Question 17

In the study of seed-eating rodents and ants in the American Southwest deserts, it was originally thought that rodents and ants would not compete for resources because

Accepted Answer

A)  rodents often consume ants, thereby keeping ant densities very low. 
B)  ants are predators, and the rodents are herbivores. 
C)  rodents are much larger than ants. 
D)  rodents were active during the day and ants were active at night. 
A)  rodents often consume ants, thereby keeping ant densities very low. 
B)  ants are predators, and the rodents are herbivores. 
C)  rodents are much larger than ants. 
D)  rodents were active during the day and ants were active at night.

Question 18

The result of a chi-square test gives χ2 = 35.95, χ2 critical = 14.98. What is the conclusion of the analysis?

Accepted Answer

A)  null hypothesis retained 
B)  alternative hypothesis not supported 
C)  null hypothesis rejected 
D)  There is not enough information to make a determination. 
A)  null hypothesis retained 
B)  alternative hypothesis not supported 
C)  null hypothesis rejected 
D)  There is not enough information to make a determination.

Question 19

Intraspecific competition occurs

Accepted Answer

A)  when any two species compete for a limited resource. 
B)  when two species of hummingbird compete for nectar. 
C)  when bald eagles compete for fish out of the same lake. 
D)  only among plant species. 
A)  when any two species compete for a limited resource. 
B)  when two species of hummingbird compete for nectar. 
C)  when bald eagles compete for fish out of the same lake. 
D)  only among plant species.

Question 20

If a plant is primarily limited by nitrogen and secondarily by phosphorus, according to Leibig's law of the minimum, under which circumstances would adding phosphorus increase the plant's growth rate?

Accepted Answer

A)  if nitrogen and phosphorus are added together 
B)  if the phosphorus is added to alleviate limitation before the nitrogen is added 
C)  if the nitrogen is added to alleviate limitation before phosphorus is added 
D)  Phosphorus would never increase the growth rate because the primary limitation is nitrogen. 
A)  if nitrogen and phosphorus are added together 
B)  if the phosphorus is added to alleviate limitation before the nitrogen is added 
C)  if the nitrogen is added to alleviate limitation before phosphorus is added 
D)  Phosphorus would never increase the growth rate because the primary limitation is nitrogen.

(Figure 16.8c and d) Compare the outcomes of competition between species 1 and 2 in the figure. Justify your answers.

Competition coefficients can be used to

What type of competition is allelopathy?

When an individual drives down a resource to a point where another individual cannot persist, it is called

If an individual of species 2 has a greater effect on species 1 than the reverse, which of the following would be true?

The mathematical models for competition between species are based on the _____ equation.

When organisms use chemicals to suppress competitors, it is called

Darwin argued that closely related species are more likely to compete because

Tansley's experiments with bedstraw (Galium) showed that when two closely related species of bedstraw are grown together,

Which of the following equations is a zero growth isocline?

In Lotka-Volterra competition models, what does the term α₁_,2 N₂ represent?

Researchers have determined that common reed damages roots of other species by secreting gallic acid. This is an example of _____ competition.

In the logistic growth equation , the variable r represents

In the example of competition dynamics with longleaf pine (Pinus palustris) and other woody plants, fire suppression

In the study of seed-eating rodents and ants in the American Southwest deserts, it was originally thought that rodents and ants would not compete for resources because

The result of a chi-square test gives χ² = 35.95, χ² critical = 14.98. What is the conclusion of the analysis?

Intraspecific competition occurs

If a plant is primarily limited by nitrogen and secondarily by phosphorus, according to Leibig's law of the minimum, under which circumstances would adding phosphorus increase the plant's growth rate?

Introduction: Ecology, Evolution, and the Scientific Method

Adaptations to Aquatic Environments

Adaptations to Terrestrial Environments

Adaptations to Variable Environments

Climates and Soils

Terrestrial and Aquatic Biomes

Evolution and Adaptation

Life Histories

Reproductive Strategies

Social Behaviours

Population Distributions

Population Growth and Regulation

Population Dynamics Over Space and Time

Predation and Herbivory

Parasitism and Infectious Diseases

Community Structure

Community Succession

Movement of Energy in Ecosystems

Movement of Elements in Ecosystems

Landscape Ecology, Biogeography, and Global Biodiversity

Global Conservation of Biodiversity

Filters

Exam 16: Competition

(Figure 16.8c and d) Compare the outcomes of competition between species 1 and 2 in the figure. Justify your answers.

Competition coefficients can be used to

What type of competition is allelopathy?

When an individual drives down a resource to a point where another individual cannot persist, it is called

If an individual of species 2 has a greater effect on species 1 than the reverse, which of the following would be true?

The mathematical models for competition between species are based on the _____ equation.

When organisms use chemicals to suppress competitors, it is called

Darwin argued that closely related species are more likely to compete because

Tansley's experiments with bedstraw (Galium) showed that when two closely related species of bedstraw are grown together,

Which of the following equations is a zero growth isocline?

In Lotka-Volterra competition models, what does the term α1,2 N2 represent?

Researchers have determined that common reed damages roots of other species by secreting gallic acid. This is an example of _____ competition.

In the logistic growth equation , the variable r represents

In the example of competition dynamics with longleaf pine (Pinus palustris) and other woody plants, fire suppression

In the study of seed-eating rodents and ants in the American Southwest deserts, it was originally thought that rodents and ants would not compete for resources because

The result of a chi-square test gives χ2 = 35.95, χ2 critical = 14.98. What is the conclusion of the analysis?

Intraspecific competition occurs

If a plant is primarily limited by nitrogen and secondarily by phosphorus, according to Leibig's law of the minimum, under which circumstances would adding phosphorus increase the plant's growth rate?

Introduction: Ecology, Evolution, and the Scientific Method

Adaptations to Aquatic Environments

Adaptations to Terrestrial Environments

Adaptations to Variable Environments

Climates and Soils

Terrestrial and Aquatic Biomes

Evolution and Adaptation

Life Histories

Reproductive Strategies

Social Behaviours

Population Distributions

Population Growth and Regulation

Population Dynamics Over Space and Time

Predation and Herbivory

Parasitism and Infectious Diseases

Community Structure

Community Succession

Movement of Energy in Ecosystems

Movement of Elements in Ecosystems

Landscape Ecology, Biogeography, and Global Biodiversity

Global Conservation of Biodiversity

Filters

In Lotka-Volterra competition models, what does the term α₁_,2 N₂ represent?

The result of a chi-square test gives χ² = 35.95, χ² critical = 14.98. What is the conclusion of the analysis?