Question 1

Which of the following best defines a biological community?

Accepted Answer

All the populations of different species that interact in a particular area.

Question 2

Which interaction describes a relationship where one species benefits and the other is harmed?

Accepted Answer

Parasitism

Question 3

A warbler species changes its feeding location in a tree to avoid competition with another warbler species. This is an example of:

Accepted Answer

Character displacement

Question 4

According to the competitive exclusion principle, what is the likely outcome if two species occupy the exact same niche?

Accepted Answer

One species will outcompete and exclude the other.

Question 5

Which of the following is an example of Batesian mimicry?

Accepted Answer

A harmless king snake resembling a venomous coral snake.

Question 6

In a bottom-up controlled ecosystem, what would be the most likely effect of a decrease in plant nutritional quality?

Accepted Answer

Decrease in herbivore and predator populations.

Question 7

Which of the following best describes a keystone species?

Accepted Answer

A species whose impact on its community is disproportionately large relative to its abundance.

Question 8

After a volcanic eruption covers an area with ash and destroys all soil, what type of succession will occur?

Accepted Answer

Primary succession

Question 9

Which of the following is a direct effect of wolf reintroduction in Yellowstone?

Accepted Answer

Decrease in elk populations due to predation.

Question 10

According to the theory of island biogeography, which island characteristic is most strongly associated with higher species richness?

Accepted Answer

Larger island area

Question 11

Given the table, which island is an outlier with more observed species than predicted?

Accepted Answer

San Miguel

Question 12

If wolves are removed from Yellowstone, which of the following is a likely consequence based on trophic cascade theory?

Accepted Answer

Increase in elk populations, leading to overgrazing and decreased plant diversity.

Question 13

Which mimicry type involves two harmful species resembling each other to reinforce predator avoidance?

Accepted Answer

Müllerian mimicry

Question 14

Which process describes early colonizing species making the environment more suitable for later species during succession?

Accepted Answer

Facilitation

Question 15

Which of the following best explains why smaller, more distant islands tend to have fewer species?

Accepted Answer

They have lower immigration rates and higher extinction rates.

Question 16

Which equation best represents the equilibrium number of species on an island according to island biogeography theory?

Accepted Answer

$$S_{eq} is $$where the immigration rate equals the extinction rate

Question 17

Which of the following is an example of a constitutive defense?

Accepted Answer

A porcupine's quills present at all times.

Question 18

Which scenario best illustrates niche differentiation?

Accepted Answer

Two bird species feeding at different heights in the same tree.

Question 19

If a new invasive predator is introduced to the Yellowstone food web, what is a likely outcome?

Accepted Answer

Disruption of existing trophic interactions and possible decline of native species.

Question 20

Which of the following best describes the realized niche of a species?

Accepted Answer

The actual conditions and resources a species uses in the presence of competitors.

Community Ecology: Interactions, Succession, and Island Biogeography

Study Guide - Practice Questions