Question 1

The age of pollen grain is determined using

Accepted Answer

A)  carbon dating. 
B)  elemental dating. 
C)  chronosequences. 
D)  seral dating. 
A)  carbon dating. 
B)  elemental dating. 
C)  chronosequences. 
D)  seral dating.

Question 2

Primary succession

Accepted Answer

A)  begins with soil containing organic matter. 
B)  lasts much longer than secondary succession. 
C)  has rarely occurred in terrestrial environments. 
D)  usually begins with lichens and mosses. 
A)  begins with soil containing organic matter. 
B)  lasts much longer than secondary succession. 
C)  has rarely occurred in terrestrial environments. 
D)  usually begins with lichens and mosses.

Question 3

Plants _____ should be used for initial seeding of abandoned strip mines.

Accepted Answer

A)  with few large seeds 
B)  that are adapted to fire 
C)  with high tolerance to shade 
D)  with long seed viability 
E)  with high root-to-shoot ratios 
A)  with few large seeds 
B)  that are adapted to fire 
C)  with high tolerance to shade 
D)  with long seed viability 
E)  with high root-to-shoot ratios

Question 4

Why are there no spruces in the early seral stages of succession at Glacier Bay?

Accepted Answer

A)  Spruce seeds are not likely to disperse to the pioneer and low-shrub stages. 
B)  Spruce seedlings are inhibited by the presence of low shrubs. 
C)  Spruce seedlings are not tolerant to the environmental fluctuations in the pioneer stage. 
D)  There are few alder trees in the early seral stages to facilitate spruce establishment. 
A)  Spruce seeds are not likely to disperse to the pioneer and low-shrub stages. 
B)  Spruce seedlings are inhibited by the presence of low shrubs. 
C)  Spruce seedlings are not tolerant to the environmental fluctuations in the pioneer stage. 
D)  There are few alder trees in the early seral stages to facilitate spruce establishment.

Question 5

Why might direct observation of succession be easier in intertidal communities than in terrestrial communities?

Accepted Answer

A)  It is easier to see all of the organisms in an intertidal area. 
B)  Facilitation happens less easily in terrestrial communities, which makes it more difficult to see transitions among seral stages. 
C)  There are many more organisms in a forest than in an intertidal area. 
D)  Organisms in an intertidal area have shorter generation times than organisms in terrestrial communities. 
A)  It is easier to see all of the organisms in an intertidal area. 
B)  Facilitation happens less easily in terrestrial communities, which makes it more difficult to see transitions among seral stages. 
C)  There are many more organisms in a forest than in an intertidal area. 
D)  Organisms in an intertidal area have shorter generation times than organisms in terrestrial communities.

Question 6

Why must oxygen concentrations remain at low levels for pond succession to occur?

Accepted Answer

A)  High oxygen levels would cause succession to run too quickly, leaving no climax community. 
B)  High oxygen levels increase the chance of drought in areas around the pond. 
C)  Low oxygen levels allow for easier colonization of plants at the pond edge. 
D)  Low oxygen levels decrease decomposition rates, resulting in peat production. 
A)  High oxygen levels would cause succession to run too quickly, leaving no climax community. 
B)  High oxygen levels increase the chance of drought in areas around the pond. 
C)  Low oxygen levels allow for easier colonization of plants at the pond edge. 
D)  Low oxygen levels decrease decomposition rates, resulting in peat production.

Question 7

When seeds of early- and late-succession species were raised under low light conditions similar to those found in the understorey of mature forest, researchers found that species with _____ seeds had _____ seedling survivorship in shade.

Accepted Answer

A)  small; high 
B)  small; low 
C)  large; high 
D)  There was no relation between seed size and seedling survivorship. 
A)  small; high 
B)  small; low 
C)  large; high 
D)  There was no relation between seed size and seedling survivorship.

Question 8

Grazers can change climax communities because they

Accepted Answer

A)  consume palatable plants. 
B)  inhibit plants that are not resistant to trampling. 
C)  alter soil conditions with their waste. 
D)  alter natural predator-prey dynamics. 
A)  consume palatable plants. 
B)  inhibit plants that are not resistant to trampling. 
C)  alter soil conditions with their waste. 
D)  alter natural predator-prey dynamics.

Question 9

Which mechanism of succession is independent of the presence or absence of other species?

Accepted Answer

A)  inhibition 
B)  tolerance 
C)  facilitation 
D)  facilitation and tolerance 
A)  inhibition 
B)  tolerance 
C)  facilitation 
D)  facilitation and tolerance

Question 10

(Figure 19.13) Researchers in Glacier Bay, Alaska, planted Sitka spruce seeds (Picea sitchensis) in four seral stages recovering from deglaciation: pioneer stage (dominated by lichens, mosses and herbs), low-shrub stage (dominated by Dryas drummondii), alder stage (dominated by Alnus sinuate shrubs), and spruce stage (dominated by P. sitchensis). The researchers originally hypothesized that each seral state facilitates species in the subsequent stage. Do the data shown in the figure support their hypothesis? If so, explain. If not, what would explain the results? What type of successions is this area undergoing?

Accepted Answer

The data shown do not support the facili

Question 11

Suppose two species of trees are able to colonize an area disturbed by fire. One species typically grows to 5 metres, while the other species tends to stay under 2 metres in height. The two species have seeds of the same shape that are relatively light. Which one is more likely to colonize the disturbed area and why?

Accepted Answer

The tall species is more likel

Question 12

During succession, communities

Accepted Answer

A)  do not change. 
B)  always have a fixed trajectory to the climax stage. 
C)  are always changing. 
D)  are usually shaped by abiotic factors only. 
A)  do not change. 
B)  always have a fixed trajectory to the climax stage. 
C)  are always changing. 
D)  are usually shaped by abiotic factors only.

Question 13

In the Great Basin Desert, many areas are dominated by sagebrush (Artemesia tridentata). Before settlement by Europeans, these areas had a greater diversity of native plants. What might have happened to cause the dominance of sagebrush?

Accepted Answer

Cattle brought by humans avoid

Question 14

Why might a forest contain both climax tree species and a few early-succession species?

Accepted Answer

A)  Grazers ate most of the grass species in the area. 
B)  Legumes have not established everywhere in the forest. 
C)  Disturbances have produced gaps of intense sunlight. 
D)  Fire has removed most of the understorey species. 
A)  Grazers ate most of the grass species in the area. 
B)  Legumes have not established everywhere in the forest. 
C)  Disturbances have produced gaps of intense sunlight. 
D)  Fire has removed most of the understorey species.

Question 15

A climax community that is not persistent is called a _____ climax community.

Accepted Answer

A)  shifting 
B)  transient 
C)  variable 
D)  chaotic 
A)  shifting 
B)  transient 
C)  variable 
D)  chaotic

Question 16

Which of the following is NOT an example of inhibition?

Accepted Answer

A)  A species outcompetes another species. 
B)  A species suppresses other species using allelopathy. 
C)  A species casts deep shade to prevent growth of another species. 
D)  A species acts as a nurse plant and increases water available to other species. 
A)  A species outcompetes another species. 
B)  A species suppresses other species using allelopathy. 
C)  A species casts deep shade to prevent growth of another species. 
D)  A species acts as a nurse plant and increases water available to other species.

Question 17

Changes in North American forest climax communities

Accepted Answer

A)  never occur. 
B)  can occur but may happen very slowly. 
C)  don't occur unless there is a gap in the canopy. 
D)  don't occur unless there is an environmental gradient. 
A)  never occur. 
B)  can occur but may happen very slowly. 
C)  don't occur unless there is a gap in the canopy. 
D)  don't occur unless there is an environmental gradient.

Question 18

Canopy gaps change local forest composition primarily by increased

Accepted Answer

A)  nutrient supply. 
B)  coarse woody debris. 
C)  light. 
D)  soil moisture. 
A)  nutrient supply. 
B)  coarse woody debris. 
C)  light. 
D)  soil moisture.

Question 19

Can you tell what plant seral state you are in by looking at the bird species in a given area?

Accepted Answer

A)  Yes, because bird species are usually associated with a particular seral stage. 
B)  Yes, because each bird species eats only a particular type of plant. 
C)  No, because some bird species are associated with many plant seral stages. 
D)  No, because birds eat a wide variety of insects as well. 
A)  Yes, because bird species are usually associated with a particular seral stage. 
B)  Yes, because each bird species eats only a particular type of plant. 
C)  No, because some bird species are associated with many plant seral stages. 
D)  No, because birds eat a wide variety of insects as well.

Question 20

Why don't freezing and drying cycles cause primary succession to happen over and over again in vernal pools?

Accepted Answer

Although most species are kill

The age of pollen grain is determined using

Primary succession

Plants _____ should be used for initial seeding of abandoned strip mines.

Why are there no spruces in the early seral stages of succession at Glacier Bay?

Why might direct observation of succession be easier in intertidal communities than in terrestrial communities?

Why must oxygen concentrations remain at low levels for pond succession to occur?

When seeds of early- and late-succession species were raised under low light conditions similar to those found in the understorey of mature forest, researchers found that species with _ seeds had _ seedling survivorship in shade.

Grazers can change climax communities because they

Which mechanism of succession is independent of the presence or absence of other species?

During succession, communities

In the Great Basin Desert, many areas are dominated by sagebrush (Artemesia tridentata). Before settlement by Europeans, these areas had a greater diversity of native plants. What might have happened to cause the dominance of sagebrush?

Why might a forest contain both climax tree species and a few early-succession species?

A climax community that is not persistent is called a _____ climax community.

Which of the following is NOT an example of inhibition?

Changes in North American forest climax communities

Canopy gaps change local forest composition primarily by increased

Can you tell what plant seral state you are in by looking at the bird species in a given area?

Why don't freezing and drying cycles cause primary succession to happen over and over again in vernal pools?

Introduction: Ecology, Evolution, and the Scientific Method

Adaptations to Aquatic Environments

Adaptations to Terrestrial Environments

Adaptations to Variable Environments

Climates and Soils

Terrestrial and Aquatic Biomes

Evolution and Adaptation

Life Histories

Reproductive Strategies

Social Behaviours

Population Distributions

Population Growth and Regulation

Population Dynamics Over Space and Time

Predation and Herbivory

Parasitism and Infectious Diseases

Competition

Community Structure

Movement of Energy in Ecosystems

Movement of Elements in Ecosystems

Landscape Ecology, Biogeography, and Global Biodiversity

Global Conservation of Biodiversity

Filters

Exam 19: Community Succession

The age of pollen grain is determined using

Primary succession

Plants _____ should be used for initial seeding of abandoned strip mines.

Why are there no spruces in the early seral stages of succession at Glacier Bay?

Why might direct observation of succession be easier in intertidal communities than in terrestrial communities?

Why must oxygen concentrations remain at low levels for pond succession to occur?

When seeds of early- and late-succession species were raised under low light conditions similar to those found in the understorey of mature forest, researchers found that species with _____ seeds had _____ seedling survivorship in shade.

Grazers can change climax communities because they

Which mechanism of succession is independent of the presence or absence of other species?

During succession, communities

In the Great Basin Desert, many areas are dominated by sagebrush (Artemesia tridentata). Before settlement by Europeans, these areas had a greater diversity of native plants. What might have happened to cause the dominance of sagebrush?

Why might a forest contain both climax tree species and a few early-succession species?

A climax community that is not persistent is called a _____ climax community.

Which of the following is NOT an example of inhibition?

Changes in North American forest climax communities

Canopy gaps change local forest composition primarily by increased

Can you tell what plant seral state you are in by looking at the bird species in a given area?

Why don't freezing and drying cycles cause primary succession to happen over and over again in vernal pools?

Introduction: Ecology, Evolution, and the Scientific Method

Adaptations to Aquatic Environments

Adaptations to Terrestrial Environments

Adaptations to Variable Environments

Climates and Soils

Terrestrial and Aquatic Biomes

Evolution and Adaptation

Life Histories

Reproductive Strategies

Social Behaviours

Population Distributions

Population Growth and Regulation

Population Dynamics Over Space and Time

Predation and Herbivory

Parasitism and Infectious Diseases

Competition

Community Structure

Movement of Energy in Ecosystems

Movement of Elements in Ecosystems

Landscape Ecology, Biogeography, and Global Biodiversity

Global Conservation of Biodiversity

Filters

When seeds of early- and late-succession species were raised under low light conditions similar to those found in the understorey of mature forest, researchers found that species with _ seeds had _ seedling survivorship in shade.