Question

Disturbances in Ecosystems Quick Check

What is the function of a top predator in an ecosystem?(1 point)

-It helps increase the number of prey.
-It creates imbalance in the ecosystem.
-It increases the food for other predator species.
-It maintains other populations.

Which is considered a top predator in the ocean?(1 point)

-a sea lion
-a bird
-a small whale
-a shark

What happens to an ecosystem during normal seasonal flooding?(1 point)

-The biodiversity of the area stays the same.
-The biodiversity of the area reaches equilibrium.
-The biodiversity of the area decreases.
-The biodiversity of the area increases.

How is the impact of seasonal flooding different from damming a river?(1 point)

-Seasonal flooding is not considered an ecological disturbance like damming.
-Seasonal flooding does not impact biodiversity for as long term as damming.
-Seasonal flooding helps balance biodiversity, but damming does not.
-Seasonal flooding increases biodiversity, but damming does not.

Would a long-term increase in the average temperature of a region be considered a significant disturbance in the ecosystem?(1 point)

-No, because it would not create large-scale changes in the environment.
-Yes, because any slight change in temperature is considered a disruption.
-Yes, because such a change could have a large-scale impact on wildlife.
-No, because increases and decreases in average temperatures are normal.

Please help and thank you.

Answer 1

1: It maintains other populations

2: A shark

3: The biodiversity of the area increases

4: Seasonal flooding does not impact biodiversity for as long term as damming.

5: Yes, because such a change could have a large-scale impact on wildlife.

Answer 2

D / D / D / B / C

Step-by-step explanation:

I just took the quick check myself, got all of them right :)

1 ) Top predators do not increase the number of prey, neither do they create imbalance or increase the food for other predator species. This is common knowledge, so ruling those out you are left with D. As they do in fact maintain the rest of the food chains populations.

2) A top predator in the ocean is a shark. Of course some might mistake a small whale to be a top predator, but sharks are actually known to hunt whales- the small ones anyway. A sea lion fish or a bird wouldn't exactly be a candidate for the top of the food chain either.

3) During seasonal flooding, to an area such as a river, water gets added to the existing pool, and many biotics and abiotics take this to their advantage. As a result- biodiversity actually increases during these times, but once season flooding is over it goes back to being the same.

4) The impact difference of seasonal flooding from damming a river is actually quite big. Seasonal flooding is.. well.. seasonal.. while damming for the most part is permanent, or will be there for much longer time span than season flooding is. Seasonal flooding increases biodiversity, but damming does not. This is becuase of the long term increase of water, the environment has to readapt, as plants that were once there drowned, and the known species most likely ran off to find better environment. Here it takes a while but eventually new abiotic and biotic species adapt and reclaim the dammed area of the environment.

5) Yes, a long term increase in the average temperature would disturb the ecosystem. Even if it's for a little bit, it's still something the environment wouldn't be used to, meaning the plants and animals there would have to learn to adapt for the time being- even if its temporary.