Question

1. which statement best explains why biodiversity increases stability?

a. it reduces competition completely
b. it eliminates predators
c. multiple species can fill similar roles if one declines
d. it increases available energy

1. which is a density - dependent limiting factor?

a. drought
b. flood
c. disease
d. temperature drop

1. what is the best definition of carrying capacity?

a. the number of predators in a biome
b. the maximum population an environment can support
c. the number of species in a habitat
d. the rate a population reproduces

1. which pair best describes primary succession?

a. fire → regrowth
b. bare rock → lichens/moss → soil development
c. forest → grassland
d. stable community → extinction

1. which statement best supports the importance of producers?

a. they recycle nutrients
b. they introduce energy into food webs
c. they are the top predators
d. they increase carrying capacity directly

Explanation:

Question 10

• Option A: Biodiversity doesn't reduce competition completely; competition still exists among species.
• Option B: Biodiversity doesn't eliminate predators; predators are part of ecosystems.
• Option C: In a biodiverse ecosystem, if one species declines, others with similar ecological roles can fill in, maintaining ecosystem functions and stability.
• Option D: Biodiversity doesn't directly increase available energy; energy flow is related to trophic levels and productivity.

• Density - dependent limiting factors depend on population density. Disease spreads more easily in dense populations.
• Option A (Drought), B (Flood), and D (Temperature drop) are density - independent as they affect populations regardless of density.

• Option A: Carrying capacity is not about the number of predators.
• Option B: Carrying capacity is defined as the maximum number of individuals of a species (or population) that an environment can sustainably support.
• Option C: It's not about the number of species in a habitat.
• Option D: It's not about the reproduction rate of a population.

Answer:

C. Multiple species can fill similar roles if one declines

Question 11