Question 1

Which of the following best describes the main goal of ecology as a scientific discipline?

Accepted Answer

To understand the distribution and abundance of organisms and the impacts of humans on the environment

Question 2

Rachel Carson’s book 'Silent Spring' was significant in ecology because it:

Accepted Answer

Linked the use of DDT pesticides to the decline of bird populations through ecological connections

Question 3

Bioaccumulation of DDT in aquatic food webs results in:

Accepted Answer

Higher concentrations of DDT in top predators compared to lower trophic levels

Question 4

Which of the following is an example of a question asked at the community level of ecological study?

Accepted Answer

How do interactions between different species affect the diversity of a forest?

Question 5

Which abiotic factor is primarily responsible for the difference in climate between the tropics and the poles?

Accepted Answer

Solar radiation per unit area, which declines with increasing latitude

Question 6

Hadley cells are responsible for which of the following climate patterns?

Accepted Answer

High rainfall in the tropics and dry conditions at 30° latitude

Question 7

Why do coastal areas generally have more moderate climates than inland areas?

Accepted Answer

Water has a high specific heat capacity, moderating temperature changes

Question 8

Which terrestrial biome is characterized by low temperatures, low moisture, and the presence of permafrost?

Accepted Answer

Arctic tundra

Question 9

A population of Drosophila with a high density is more likely to favor which foraging allele, and why?

Accepted Answer

Rover allele, because it increases the chance of finding unused food patches

Question 10

Which of the following best explains why the tropics are more moist than regions at 30° latitude?

Accepted Answer

Hadley cells cause warm, moist air to rise and cool, dropping rain in the tropics

Question 11

Which aquatic biome is defined by shallow water, saturated soils, and the presence of emergent vegetation?

Accepted Answer

Wetlands

Question 12

Why are carnivorous plants most likely to be found in bogs rather than swamps or marshes?

Accepted Answer

Bogs have low nutrient availability, so plants supplement with animal prey

Question 13

Which of the following is a proximate cause for why male starlings sing in the spring?

Accepted Answer

Day length triggers hormonal changes that lead to singing

Question 14

Which of the following is an ultimate cause for why animals migrate?

Accepted Answer

Migration increases survival and reproductive success by tracking seasonal food availability

Question 15

Which of the following best describes the littoral zone in a lake?

Accepted Answer

The area where flowering plants are rooted and light penetrates to the bottom

Question 16

Which of the following factors does NOT directly affect the distribution and abundance of aquatic organisms?

Accepted Answer

Soil type

Question 17

A mountain range causes a rain shadow effect. Which side of the mountain is most likely to have a desert biome, and why?

Accepted Answer

The east side, because dry air descends and absorbs moisture after crossing the mountain

Question 18

Which navigation strategy involves using familiar landmarks to find a location?

Accepted Answer

Piloting

Question 19

Which biome is characterized by moderate temperatures, moderate moisture, and dominance of deciduous trees?

Accepted Answer

Temperate forest

Question 20

Which of the following best explains why the distribution of cattle and tsetse flies in Africa have little overlap?

Accepted Answer

Biotic factors such as predation and disease limit the distribution of cattle where tsetse flies are present

Introduction to Ecology and Behavioural Ecology: Study Guide

Study Guide - Practice Questions