Question 1

Which of the following best describes the Competitive Exclusion Principle?

Accepted Answer

No two species can occupy the same niche; one will drive the other to extinction or resource partitioning will occur.

Question 2

A zebra and a wildebeest both graze on the savanna. How do they avoid direct competition despite eating similar foods?

Accepted Answer

They feed at different times of day and prefer different parts of the plant.

Question 3

Which equation represents Simpson's Diversity Index, a measure of biodiversity in a community?

Accepted Answer

$$D = 1 - \sum \left( \frac{n_i}{N} \$$right)^2$$

Question 4

In the context of community interactions, which relationship is correctly matched with its effect?

Accepted Answer

Parasitism: (+/-)

Question 5

A bear catching a fish is an example of which type of community interaction?

Accepted Answer

Predation

Question 6

If two species of birds live on the same lake and eat fish, but one hunts in shallow water and the other in deep water, what is this an example of?

Accepted Answer

Resource partitioning

Question 7

What is the likely effect of reintroducing wolves to an ecosystem with an overpopulation of deer?

Accepted Answer

Decrease in deer population, increase in plant diversity, and restoration of ecosystem balance.

Question 8

Which of the following is an example of commensalism?

Accepted Answer

A remora fish attaching to a shark for transportation.

Question 9

Why might some people object to the reintroduction of top-level predators like wolves?

Accepted Answer

Concerns about livestock safety and human-wildlife conflict.

Question 10

Which of the following best describes a flagship species?

Accepted Answer

A species with widespread popular appeal used to promote conservation efforts.

Question 11

What does the Endangered Species Act (ESA) prohibit regarding listed animals?

Accepted Answer

Any action that harasses, harms, pursues, hunts, shoots, wounds, kills, traps, captures, or collects the animal.

Question 12

Which scenario illustrates intraspecific competition?

Accepted Answer

Two deer fighting for territory.

Question 13

If the value of Simpson's Diversity Index ($$D) $$for a community is close to 1, what does this indicate?

Accepted Answer

High diversity in the community.

Question 14

Which of the following is a plausible consequence of having too many deer in a forest ecosystem?

Accepted Answer

Reduced plant diversity, soil degradation, and decreased populations of other animals.

Question 15

Which of the following is NOT a factor used to determine if a species is endangered?

Accepted Answer

The species' popularity among humans.

Question 16

Which graph best illustrates the outcome of competitive exclusion between two species?

Accepted Answer

One species' population increases while the other's declines to near zero.

Question 17

Which of the following is an example of mutualism?

Accepted Answer

A bee pollinating a flower.

Question 18

Which term describes the number of different kinds of organisms living in a community?

Accepted Answer

Biodiversity

Question 19

Which of the following is a threatened species?

Accepted Answer

A species likely to become endangered within the foreseeable future.

Question 20

Which of the following best describes resource partitioning?

Accepted Answer

Similar species use different resources or use the same resource in different ways to reduce competition.

Community Ecology: Structure, Interactions, and Conservation

Study Guide - Practice Questions