Fundamentals of Ecology Quiz

Primary producers create energy from sunlight through photosynthesis.

Biodiversity refers to the richness and variety of life forms on Earth.

Soil is an abiotic factor, not a living organism, in an ecosystem.

Precipitation is the process of water falling from the atmosphere to the Earth's surface in various forms such as rain, snow, sleet, or hail.

Greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and methane trap heat in the Earth's atmosphere, contributing to the greenhouse effect.

Carrying capacity is the maximum population size that an environment can sustainably support.

Population, Community, Ecosystem, and Biosphere represent levels of ecological organization from smallest to largest, respectively.

An organism's niche refers to its specific role or position in its environment.

Taiga, also known as boreal forest, is characterized by cold climates and coniferous trees.

The carbon cycle is the process by which carbon moves between living organisms, the atmosphere, oceans, and the Earth's crust.

Predation is a relationship in which one organism kills and consumes another, not a symbiotic relationship.

Nitrogen fixation is the process by which certain bacteria convert atmospheric nitrogen into ammonia or other compounds that plants can use.

Decomposers like mushrooms break down organic matter into simpler substances, aiding in nutrient recycling.

A keystone species, like the sea otter, plays a crucial role in maintaining the structure and function of its ecosystem.

Pioneer species like grass are the first to colonize barren environments, initiating ecological succession.

Succession is the process of ecological change over time, leading to the establishment of a stable community after a disturbance.

An organism's niche defines its specific role, including its interactions with other organisms and its environment, within its community.