Regents Living Environment Test Preparation Practice Ecology

Scientists have found that although plants require light to carry on photosynthesis, very high levels of sunlight can kill some plants. This illustrates that many biochemical processes may occur*

(1) more rapidly when temperatures are very high

(2) within a specific range of conditions

(3) best in the absence of abiotic factors

(4) even if homeostasis is disrupted

Wildflowers grow and reproduce during the spring snowmelt in the desert region of Death Valley, California. Which environmental factor would most likely have the greatest influence on these activities?*

(1) percentage of nitrogen in the atmosphere

(2) number of plant species in the area

(3) variety of scavengers in the ecosystem

(4) amount of time that water is present

The diagram below represents various factors in an area.

ecology, organization of ecosystems fig: lenv12020-examw_g1.png

The diagram best represents*

(1) the recycling of energy in a forest community

(2) ecological succession after climatic changes

(3) competition for limited resources in a population

(4) the flow of materials in a forest community

Base your answers to questions 4 on the diagram below and on your knowledge of biology. The diagram represents a food web in an ecosystem.

ecology, relationships among organisms fig: lenv62013-examw_g11.png

Missing from the diagram of this ecosystem are the*

(1) biotic factors and decomposers

(2) abiotic factors and decomposers

(3) autotrophs, only

(4) heterotrophs, only

Base your answers to questions 5 on the graph below and on your knowledge of biology. The graph shows the growth of a population of rabbits in a specific ecosystem.

ecology, organization of ecosystems fig: lenv62014-examw_g10.png

Which environmental factor could have caused the change indicated at A?*

(1) increased predation by herbivores

(2) increased availability of food

(3) increased number of decomposers

(4) increased competition among carnivores

Scientists have recently discovered a community of bacteria and clams living under an ice shelf in Antarctica. These organisms live under 600 feet of ice, in the absence of sunlight, and in temperatures considered too cold for most living organisms. The location where these organisms live is unusual because*

(1) only biotic factors control the size of the populations

(2) bacteria and clams are found in the same area

(3) of the abiotic factors found in their environ- ment

(4) green plants make energy-rich compounds available

The chart below shows three ecological terms used to describe levels of organization on Earth.

ecology, organization of ecosystems fig: lenv82012-exam_g12.png

Which diagram best represents the relationship of these ecological terms?*

(1)

ecology, organization of ecosystems fig: lenv82012-exam_g8.png

(2)

ecology, organization of ecosystems fig: lenv82012-exam_g9.png

(3)

ecology, organization of ecosystems fig: lenv82012-exam_g10.png

(4)

ecology, organization of ecosystems fig: lenv82012-exam_g11.png

The organisms in a pond and the physical factors influencing them best describe*

(1) a population

(2) an ecosystem

(3) a biosphere

(4) a food chain

Forests, mountains, rivers, and marshes are examples of the wide variety of ecosystems in New York State. The diversity of these ecosys- tems is most likely the result of*

(1) the variety of abiotic conditions in these regions

(2) interactions between producers and decomposers

(3) increased efforts to protect endangered species

(4) a lack of competition between the hetero- trophs living there

Which human activity most directly causes a significant increase in the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere?*

(1) growing corn for food

(2) not using products containing plastics

(3) driving cars long distances

(4) planting large numbers of trees

In a sewage treatment facility, an optimal environment is maintained for the survival of naturally occurring species of microorganisms. These organisms can then break the sewage down into relatively harmless wastewater. For these microorganisms, the wastewater facility serves as*

(1) its carrying capacity

(2) a food chain

(3) an ecosystem

(4) an energy pyramid

Base your answers to questions 12 on the diagrams below and on your knowledge of biology. The diagrams represent how various populations interact in a forest environment.

ecology, organization of ecosystems fig: lenv12013-exam_g26.png

If this forest community experienced a severe lack of rain throughout the spring and summer seasons, state what effect this drought could have on the grouse population. Support your answer. [1]*

Base your answers to questions 13 on the chart below and on your knowledge of biology. The chart shows seasonal changes in an ecosystem and the overall carrying capacity of the ecosystem.

ecology, organization of ecosystems fig: lenv12016-examw_g17.png

State why the populations decrease between July and December. [1]*

Base your answers to questions 14 on the food web represented below and on your knowledge of biology. The food web contains some of the organisms found in Glacier National Park.

ecology, energy flow and food web, ecology, relationships among organisms fig: lenv12019-examw_g19.png

Explain why a major increase in the number of cloudy days that extends over a period of years would be expected to affect the populations of both plants and animals in this ecosystem. [1]*

Recently, the bison population in Yellowstone National Park declined significantly. This was due in part to a particularly harsh winter. State one reason why a harsh winter would have this negative effect on the bison population. [1]*