Ecology Review Worksheet
Grading Rubric
1. Energy in an ecosystem is captured by producers
during the process of photosynthesis. Explain
what percent of energy is transferred from one
trophic level to another and the three ways the
energy is lost and/or used within the trophic level.
1. Energy in an ecosystem is captured by producers
during the process of photosynthesis. Explain
what percent of energy is transferred from one
trophic level to another and the three ways the
energy is lost and/or used within the trophic level.
10% is transferred
1. Given off as heat
2. Growth and reproduction
3. Some excreted as waste
2. List and define the five levels of organization in
Ecology.
2. List and define the five levels of organization in
Ecology.
Organism (species)
Population
Community
Ecosystem
Biome
3. Explain the role of a producer and a
decomposer, and how they cycle biotic and
abiotic matter through the ecosystem.
3. Explain the role of a producer and a
decomposer, and how they cycle biotic and
abiotic matter through the ecosystem.
Producer (autotroph)get their energy from
nonliving resources
(make their own food)
Decomposers- break
down organic matter
into simpler compounds
4. A habitat is where an organism lives, the niche is
the job that it performs; explain what happens
when a non-native species is introduced into an
environment where a native species already
occupies the niche.
4. A habitat is where an organism lives, the niche is
the job that it performs; explain what happens
when a non-native species is introduced into an
environment where a native species already
occupies the niche.
It may out compete and drive the native species out
and take over the niche
5. What is symbiosis, and what are the three
different types of symbiosis
5. What is symbiosis, and what are the three
different types of symbiosis
symbiosis- close ecological relationship between
two or more organisms of different species that
live in direct contact with one another
1. Mutualism- both species benefit from one
another
2. Commensalism- one receives an ecological
benefit from another, while the other neither
benefits nor is harmed.
3. Parasitism- similar to predation in that one
organism benefits while the other is harmed
6. What group of organisms is responsible for
running the nitrogen cycle?
6. What group of organisms is responsible for
running the nitrogen cycle?
Bacteria
1. Nitrogen fixation- converting gaseous nitrogen
into ammonia (NH3) (used by certain bacteria)
2. Denitrifying bacteria- convert nitrogen
compounds back to nitrogen gas
7. How is carbon stored in the biosphere?
7. How is carbon stored in the biosphere?
Carbon dioxide gas in atmosphere
Living things
Coal, oil, natural gas
Dissolved in ocean
8. What are the two main human activities that
disrupt the carbon cycle?
8. What are the two main human activities that
disrupt the carbon cycle?
Burning fossil fuels
Cutting down forests
9. Explain how carbon is cycled between
photosynthesis and cellular respiration.
9. Explain how carbon is cycled between
photosynthesis and cellular respiration.
Photosynthesis uses carbon dioxide and cellular
respiration produces it
10. What is the greenhouse effect, and how is the
burning of fossil fuels affecting related to this
concept?
10. What is the greenhouse effect, and how is the
burning of fossil fuels affecting related to this
concept?
The build-up of greenhouse gasses (CO2, H2O,
Methane) trap heat. The burning of fossil fuels
releases green house gasses into the
atmosphere.
11. Differentiate between primary and secondary
succession.
11. Differentiate between primary and secondary
succession.
Primary- start from “scratch”. NO SOIL (like after
volcanic eruption-bare rock)
Secondary- Soil still intact. Re-grows much faster.
12. List the main distinguishing characteristic of the
following biomes: tundra, tropical rainforest,
temperate deciduous forest
12. List the main distinguishing characteristic of the
following biomes: tundra, tropical rainforest,
temperate deciduous forest
Tundra- Far northern latitudes with long winters (10
months) limited precipitation, permafrost
Tropical Rain Forest Biome- warm temperatures,
abundant precipitation all year, lush forests
Temperate Forests- Include deciduous forests and
rain forests. Temperate deciduous forests have
hot summers and cold winters. Deciduous trees
are the dominant plant species
13. Define the following terms; birth rate, death
rate, immigration, emigration, carrying
capacity, exponential growth
13. Define the following terms; birth rate, death
rate, immigration, emigration, carrying
capacity, exponential growth
Birth rate = increase
Death rate = decrease
Immigration = increase
Emigration = decrease
14. Differentiate between a density-dependent
factor and a density-independent factor.
14. Differentiate between a density-dependent
factor and a density-independent factor.
density-dependent: depends on the number of
individuals
density-independent: Does not depend on how
many there are in an area
15. What is biological magnification and how is
DDT related to this concept?
15. What is biological magnification and how is
DDT related to this concept?
Toxins are magnified as they move up a food chain
and can lead to severe problems with top level
consumers
16. What is climate and what characteristic of the
earth forms the different climate zones.
16. What is climate and what characteristic of the
earth forms the different climate zones.
Weather- day to day conditions
Climate- long term pattern of weather conditions
17. Explain how urbanization affects the water
cycle.
17. Explain how urbanization affects the water
cycle.
Covering land with houses, concrete, and asphalt
increases runoff and decreases the amount of
water that soaks into the ground.
18. What is the pH of normal rainfall?
18. What is the pH of normal rainfall?
pH = 5.6
19. Draw a simple food chain and label each
trophic level.
19. Draw a simple food chain and label each
trophic level.
20. What is the difference between renewable and
nonrenewable resources? Give examples of
each.
20. What is the difference between renewable and
nonrenewable resources? Give examples of
each.
Renewable- can be replaced in our lifetime
nonrenewable resources- cannot be replaced in a
short period of time (oil, coal, natural gas, old
growth timber)