Which statement best exemplifies the biodiversity of an ecosystem?

Question

A small pond has about 1,300 organisms and 26 different species living in it.
A small forest supports a population of 35 elephants.
A desert receives some rainfall, which supports several species of plants.
A pond is home to animals that are able to live in the polluted water.

Answer 1

The statement that best exemplifies the biodiversity of an ecosystem is:

A small pond has about 1,300 organisms and 26 different species living in it.

This statement highlights both the number of individual organisms and the variety of species present, which are key components of biodiversity.

Answer 2

Which statement best describes how biodiversity supports the sustainability of an ecosystem?

Biodiversity allows laws to be passed in order to protect species.
Biodiversity prevents habitats from being destroyed by people.
Maintaining diversity allows species to use up the resources in an ecosystem.
Maintaining diversity ensures that species can continue to depend on one another.

Answer 3

The statement that best describes how biodiversity supports the sustainability of an ecosystem is:

Maintaining diversity ensures that species can continue to depend on one another.

This statement highlights the interconnectedness of species within an ecosystem and emphasizes that a diverse array of species can support various ecological roles and functions, which contributes to the overall stability and sustainability of the ecosystem.

Answer 4

Which factors tend to promote higher biodiversity in an ecosystem? Check all that apply.

low rainfall
diversity of niches
short growing seasons
large area
warm climate

Answer 5

The factors that tend to promote higher biodiversity in an ecosystem are:

• Diversity of niches: A variety of niches allows for different species to coexist, promoting biodiversity.
• Large area: Larger areas can support more species and provide varied habitats, leading to higher biodiversity.
• Warm climate: Generally, warmer climates can support a wider range of species and contribute to greater biodiversity.

Low rainfall and short growing seasons typically do not promote high biodiversity, as they can limit the types of plants and animals that can thrive in those conditions.

Answer 6

Elephants are valued by some people because their tusks are made of ivory. Although it is illegal, people kill elephants, take the ivory, and sell it to make a variety of objects like jewelry and sculptures. This activity is an example of which threat to biodiversity?

poaching
habitat destruction
pollution
nonnative species

Answer 7

This activity is an example of poaching. Poaching refers to the illegal hunting or capturing of wild animals, often for their valuable parts, such as tusks, fur, or horns. In this case, the illegal killing of elephants for their ivory clearly falls under poaching.

Answer 8

Why are nonnative species a threat to biodiversity? Check all that apply.

They provide more niches for animals to live in.
They do not have natural predators to regulate their population growth.
They cause the climate in an area to become cooler.
They provide food resources to native organisms.
They compete with native organisms for resources.

Answer 9

Nonnative species are a threat to biodiversity for the following reasons:

• They do not have natural predators to regulate their population growth: Without natural predators, nonnative species can rapidly reproduce and increase in number, potentially harming native species.

• They compete with native organisms for resources: Nonnative species can compete with native species for food, space, and other resources, often leading to declines in native populations.

The other options do not correctly represent how nonnative species impact biodiversity:

• They provide more niches for animals to live in: This is typically not true, as nonnative species can disrupt existing niches and alter habitats.

• They cause the climate in an area to become cooler: This statement is not accurate in the context of nonnative species and their impact on biodiversity.

• They provide food resources to native organisms: While nonnative species may occasionally become part of the food web, they usually disrupt existing relationships and can lead to negative effects rather than support for biodiversity.

Answer 10

The illegal killing or capturing of wild animals is called_____

2. Meg researched the biodiversity in four water ecosystems.

W - low niche diversity and warm water temperatures
X - low niche diversity and cold water temperatures
Y - high niche diversity and cold water temperatures
Z - high niche diversity and warm water temperatures

Which ecosystem likely has the highest biodiversity?

W
X
Y
Z

3. Which statements describe the relationship between the area and the biodiversity of an ecosystem? Check all that apply.

Large ecosystems always have higher biodiversity than smaller ecosystems.
A large area of a forest will likely have higher biodiversity than a smaller area of the same forest.
A half acre of rainforest would likely have greater biodiversity than a full acre of desert.
Small ecosystems always have low biodiversity.
The same area of two different types of ecosystems will have the same biodiversity.

4. Although it is against the law, people hunt and capture mountain gorillas in Africa. They sell the baby gorillas for large sums of money.

This is an example of which factor that affects biodiversity?

pollution
nonnative species
habitat destruction
poaching

5. The chart shows information about four ecosystems.

Ecosystem Data
Ecosystem Average Year-Round Temperature (°F) Niche Diversity Size (square miles)
W 35 medium 140
X 74 high 100
Y 46 high 75
Z 87 low 60
Based on the information in the chart, which ecosystem most likely has the highest biodiversity?

W
X
Y
Z

6. In zoos, scientists study panda bears and attempt to have them reproduce. They hope to someday release the pandas into the wild.

This is an example of____________

7. Several years ago, fish from Asia were introduced into ponds in the United States. They have rapidly grown in numbers and use up a lot of the food and habitats of other fish that are natural to the United States.

This is an example of which factor that affects biodiversity?

pollution
nonnative species
habitat destruction
poaching

8. Kenny made a chart to summarize two ways of protecting biodiversity.

Protecting Biodiversity
X Y
has the goal of releasing animals into the wild
often occurs in zoos and wildlife preserves
includes the Endangered Species Act
does not allow products from certain organisms to be sold
Which headings best complete the chart?

X: Laws
Y: Habitat Preservation
X: Habitat Preservation
Y: Captive Breeding
X: Laws
Y: Captive Breeding
X: Captive Breeding
Y: Laws

9. Which are examples of habitat destruction? Check all that apply.

poaching
deforestation
captive breeding
wildfires
pollution

10. A scientist is studying the biodiversity of an ecosystem that has a cool climate. The scientist counts the number and types of organisms in a 5 foot by 5 foot area. She finds that the ecosystem has very low biodiversity. Another scientist studies the same ecosystem. He counts the number and types of organisms in a 1,000 foot by 1,000 foot area and finds that the ecosystem has high biodiversity.

What likely caused these different results?

The scientist who found high biodiversity observed fewer niches.
The scientist who found high biodiversity observed more plants than animals.
The scientist who found low biodiversity studied the ecosystem on cold days.
The scientist who found low biodiversity studied too small of an area.

Answer 11

Here are the answers to your questions:

1. The illegal killing or capturing of wild animals is called poaching.

2. The ecosystem likely to have the highest biodiversity is Z (high niche diversity and warm water temperatures). Warm water and high niche diversity typically promote greater biodiversity.

3. The statements that describe the relationship between the area and the biodiversity of an ecosystem are:

   • A large area of a forest will likely have higher biodiversity than a smaller area of the same forest.
   • A half acre of rainforest would likely have greater biodiversity than a full acre of desert.

   The other statements are either too absolute or misleading.

4. This is an example of poaching.

5. Based on the information in the chart, the ecosystem that most likely has the highest biodiversity is X (74°F, high niche diversity, 100 square miles).

6. This is an example of captive breeding.

7. This is an example of nonnative species.

8. The headings that best complete the chart are:

   • X: Captive Breeding
   • Y: Laws

9. The examples of habitat destruction are:

   • Deforestation
   • Wildfires
   • Pollution

   (Poaching does not directly cause habitat destruction, and captive breeding is a conservation method, not destruction.)

10. The likely cause of the different results is: The scientist who found low biodiversity studied too small of an area. A larger area typically includes more niches and a greater diversity of organisms.