Question 1

Which of the following best describes the difference between a fundamental niche and a realized niche?

Accepted Answer

A fundamental niche is the full range of abiotic and biotic conditions a species can tolerate, while a realized niche is the portion actually occupied due to interactions such as competition.

Question 2

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

Accepted Answer

One species will outcompete and exclude the other from the niche.

Question 3

Which of the following is an example of resource partitioning?

Accepted Answer

Two lizard species use different parts of the same tree to avoid direct competition.

Question 4

Which of the following best explains why intermediate levels of disturbance often lead to the highest species diversity?

Accepted Answer

Intermediate disturbance allows both competitive and colonizing species to coexist, preventing competitive exclusion and local extinction.

Question 5

Which of the following is a prediction of the equilibrium model of island biogeography?

Accepted Answer

Species richness increases with increasing island size and decreases with increasing distance from the mainland.

Question 6

A volcanic eruption creates a new island with no soil or life. What type of succession will occur?

Accepted Answer

Primary succession

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

Which of the following interactions is correctly matched with its effect on the two species involved?

Accepted Answer

Parasitism: one species benefits, the other is harmed

Question 9

A forest is cleared by fire, but the soil remains intact. What type of ecological process will most likely follow?

Accepted Answer

Secondary succession

Question 10

Which of the following mechanisms of succession involves early colonists making the environment less suitable for later-arriving species?

Accepted Answer

Inhibition

Question 11

Which equation best represents the species-area relationship in island biogeography?

Accepted Answer

$$S = cA^z$$

Question 12

Which of the following is NOT a reason why tropical communities tend to have higher species diversity than temperate ones?

Accepted Answer

Tropical regions experience more frequent glaciation events.

Question 13

Which of the following best describes the process of facilitation in ecological succession?

Accepted Answer

Early colonists modify the environment, making it more suitable for later species.

Question 14

A small, isolated island far from the mainland is likely to have:

Accepted Answer

Low species richness due to high extinction rates and low immigration rates.

Question 15

Which of the following is an example of mimicry as a defense against predation?

Accepted Answer

A butterfly with wing patterns that resemble the eyes of an owl.

Question 16

Which of the following best defines species evenness?

Accepted Answer

The relative abundance of each species in a community.

Question 17

Which of the following scenarios best illustrates the concept of a keystone predator?

Accepted Answer

A predator that preys on the dominant species, allowing less competitive species to persist and increasing overall diversity.

Question 18

Which of the following is most likely to occur in a community with very low disturbance?

Accepted Answer

Low species diversity due to competitive exclusion by dominant species.

Question 19

Which of the following best describes the climax community in ecological succession?

Accepted Answer

A stable community that represents the final stage of succession.

Question 20

Which of the following is a real-world example of primary succession?

Accepted Answer

Colonization of bare rock after a volcanic eruption.

Community Ecology: Structure, Interactions, and Diversity

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