Question 1

Which of the following best describes the relationship between the carrier crab and the sea urchin, as shown in the first image?

Accepted Answer

Mutualism, because both the crab and the sea urchin benefit from the interaction.

Question 2

According to the competitive exclusion principle, what is the likely outcome if two species compete for the exact same limiting resource in the same habitat?

Accepted Answer

One species will outcompete and eliminate the other from the habitat.

Question 3

A barnacle species is found only in the upper intertidal zone when another barnacle species is present, but can occupy the entire intertidal zone when alone. What is the term for the area it actually occupies in the presence of the competitor?

Accepted Answer

Realized niche

Question 4

Which of the following is an example of resource partitioning?

Accepted Answer

Two lizard species using different parts of the same tree for perching.

Question 5

Character displacement is most likely to occur in which situation?

Accepted Answer

Two closely related species living in the same area and competing for similar resources.

Question 6

Which of the following is an example of Batesian mimicry?

Accepted Answer

A nonvenomous hawkmoth larva resembling a venomous green parrot snake.

Question 7

Which interaction is described by the following: one species benefits and the other is neither harmed nor helped?

Accepted Answer

Commensalism

Question 8

Which of the following best describes the role of a keystone species in a community?

Accepted Answer

It has a disproportionately large effect on community structure relative to its abundance.

Question 9

A beaver builds a dam, creating a pond that supports many other species. What ecological term best describes the beaver's role?

Accepted Answer

Ecosystem engineer

Question 10

Which model of community organization suggests that the abundance of nutrients controls the structure of the community from the bottom up?

Accepted Answer

Bottom-up model

Question 11

According to the intermediate disturbance hypothesis, which level of disturbance is expected to result in the highest species diversity?

Accepted Answer

Intermediate disturbance

Question 12

Which of the following equations describes the species-area relationship?

Accepted Answer

$$S = cA^z$$

Question 13

Which of the following is a likely consequence of introducing an invasive species to a new environment?

Accepted Answer

The invasive species may become dominant due to lack of natural predators.

Question 14

Which of the following best explains why tropical regions generally have higher species richness than temperate regions?

Accepted Answer

Tropical regions have experienced fewer disturbances and have longer evolutionary histories.

Question 15

Which of the following is an example of primary succession?

Accepted Answer

Vegetation colonizing bare rock exposed by a retreating glacier.

Question 16

A disease-causing microorganism that jumps from animals to humans is best described as a:

Accepted Answer

Zoonotic pathogen

Question 17

Which of the following is NOT a likely effect of increased species diversity in a community?

Accepted Answer

Decreased biomass production

Question 18

In a food web, which of the following statements is true?

Accepted Answer

A species may play a role at more than one trophic level.

Question 19

Which of the following best describes facilitation in community ecology?

Accepted Answer

A species has positive effects on another species without direct and intimate contact.

Community Ecology: Interactions, Structure, and Dynamics

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