Energy Flow in Ecosystems - Section 2.1 Quiz

Why is the seemingly simple process of a fungus slowly breaking down and digesting a dead leaf important?
1. It is simple processes like this, repeated over and over again, that allows energy and nutrients to flow through ecosystems
2. Fungi are an important renewable resource found in forests
3. Without consumers like fungi, energy and nutrients would not be passed along to lower trophic levels
4. Fungi and dead leaves have a symbiotic relationship, allowing each to function within their own niche
An ecologist estimates that there is an average of 27.3 kg/m² of plant growth within a British Columbia forest. What is the ecologist measuring?
1. Biomass
2. Niche
3. Trophic level
4. Food web potential
Which of the following lists the organisms correctly from lowest trophic level to highest?
1. Seeds, chipmunk, weasel, hawk
2. Hawk, weasel, chipmunk, seeds
3. Seeds, chipmunk, hawk, weasel
4. Chipmunk, weasel, seeds, hawk
Which of the following statements is false?
1. Krill are generally in the first trophic level
2. Grasshoppers are primary consumers on land
3. Krill are primary consumers in oceans
4. Grasshoppers are generally in the second trophic level
Which of the following would never be a primary consumer?
1. Osprey
2. Bear
3. Mouse
4. Moose
Which of the following organisms could be considered a tertiary consumer?
1. Osprey
2. Weasel
3. Mouse
4. Moose
The following illustration shows a typical terrestrial food web.

What percentage of the initial food energy would be available at the tertiary food level?
1. 0.1 %
2. 1 %
3. 10 %
4. 100 %
The following illustration shows a typical terrestrial food web.

What is the only tertiary consumer in this food web, according to this illustration?
1. Red-tailed hawk
2. Grizzly bear
3. Grouse
4. Marmot
What is the main difference between a food chain and a food pyramid?
1. Food chains show the flow of energy from one organism to the next, while food pyramids show the loss of energy from one organism to the next
2. Food chains show the flow of energy from one organism to the next, while food pyramids show many interconnect food chains
3. Food chains show the loss of energy from one organism to the next, while food pyramids show the flow of energy from one organism to the next
4. Food chains show many interconnect food pyramids, while food pyramids show the loss of energy from one organism to the next
The following diagram represents a food web.

At which letter would you find the greatest biomass?
1. Z
2. X
3. W
4. S