1. Marine Ecology

Community Interactions — Quiz

Test your understanding of community interactions with 5 practice questions.

Practice Questions

Question 1

During a phytoplankton bloom, two copepod species rapidly consume a limited phytoplankton resource until it is exhausted, with both experiencing reduced growth and no direct interference. Which type of competition is illustrated?

Question 2

In an experimental removal of a keystone starfish predator from an intertidal community, species richness decreased from 18 to 10. What is the percent decrease in richness? Show calculation.

Question 3

Given a Holling Type II functional response $f(N)=\frac{aN}{1+ahN}$ with attack rate $a=0.2\,\mathrm{m}^{2}/\mathrm{day}$ and handling time $h=0.05\,\mathrm{days}$, what is the predation rate $f(N)$ at prey density $N=20\,\mathrm{individuals}/\mathrm{m}^{2}$? Show calculation.

Question 4

Which scenario exemplifies a facilitation cascade in a mangrove ecosystem?

Question 5

Which characteristic distinguishes a keystone species from a dominant species in a marine ecosystem?