Ecology Practice Questions
AP (Advanced Placement) · AP Biology · 148 free MCQs with instant results and detailed explanations.
148
Total
44
Easy
76
Medium
28
Hard
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Sample Questions from Ecology
Here are 10 sample questions. Start a quiz to get randomized questions with scoring.
Q1
Easy
Which of the following biomes is characterized by the presence of trees that lose their leaves seasonally?
A.
Tropical rainforest
B.
Savanna
C.
Temperate deciduous forest
D.
Taiga
Show Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: C
Temperate deciduous forests are known for trees that shed their leaves in the fall, adapting to seasonal changes. This distinguishes them from tropical rainforests, savannas, and taiga, which have different plant adaptations.
Q2
Easy
In a food web, which of the following groups would be classified as primary consumers?
A.
Grass
B.
Frogs
C.
Snakes
D.
Eagles
Show Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: B
Primary consumers are organisms that eat primary producers. In this case, frogs consume plants (grass), making them primary consumers, while snakes and eagles are secondary and tertiary consumers respectively.
Q3
Easy
Which factor is most likely to influence the carrying capacity of a population in a given habitat?
A.
Availability of sunlight
B.
Predation rates
C.
Nutrient availability
D.
All of the above
Show Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: D
All of the listed factors—sunlight for photosynthesis, predation rates affecting population dynamics, and nutrient availability for growth—contribute to the carrying capacity, making option D the most comprehensive answer.
Q4
Medium
In a certain ecosystem, the primary producer has a net primary productivity (NPP) of 1500 kg C/ha/year. If the primary consumer biomass is 300 kg C/ha/year, what is the efficiency of energy transfer between the primary producers and primary consumers?
A.
20%
B.
30%
C.
50%
D.
10%
Show Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: A
Efficiency is calculated as (biomass of consumers / NPP of producers) * 100. Here, (300/1500) * 100 = 20%.
Q5
Medium
A population of rabbits in a closed habitat has a carrying capacity of 1000 individuals. If the current population size is 800 and the birth rate is 0.1 per individual per month while the death rate is 0.05 per individual per month, what will be the change in population size over one month?
A.
Increase of 20 individuals
B.
Increase of 40 individuals
C.
Decrease of 20 individuals
D.
No change
Show Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: B
Net change = (birth rate - death rate) * population size = (0.1 - 0.05) * 800 = 40 individuals increase.
Q6
Medium
Which of the following best describes the concept of ecological succession?
A.
A process where species in an ecosystem are replaced over time due to environmental changes.
B.
The interaction between two species that leads to the extinction of one.
C.
The increase in species diversity within a stable ecosystem.
D.
A stable community that undergoes little change over time.
Show Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: A
Ecological succession is characterized by the gradual replacement of one community by another due to environmental changes and species interactions.
Q7
Medium
Which biome is characterized by high temperatures, seasonal rainfall, and is known for its diverse plant and animal life, particularly large herbivores?
A.
Desert
B.
Tundra
C.
Savanna
D.
Temperate Forest
Show Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: C
The savanna biome has high temperatures and distinct wet and dry seasons, supporting a variety of life, including many large herbivores.
Q8
Hard
In a certain ecosystem, a keystone predator has been removed. Which of the following outcomes is most likely to occur as a result of this removal?
A.
Increase in biodiversity among species.
B.
Decrease in populations of herbivores.
C.
Increase in populations of prey species.
D.
Stabilization of the population dynamics.
Show Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: C
Removing a keystone predator typically leads to an increase in the populations of its prey species due to reduced predation pressure. This can result in overgrazing or depletion of resources, hence the correct answer is that prey species populations will increase.
Q9
Hard
In a given ecosystem, if the population of primary consumers increases significantly, what is the likely impact on the producer population over time?
A.
The producer population will increase due to more herbivores.
B.
The producer population will decrease due to higher consumption rates.
C.
The producer population will remain unchanged.
D.
The producers will evolve to become larger.
Show Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: B
An increase in the population of primary consumers typically leads to higher grazing pressure on producers, resulting in a decrease in the producer population over time as they are consumed more rapidly.
Q10
Hard
A researcher is studying a pond ecosystem and measures the following: 100 aquatic plants, 50 small fish, and 10 large fish. If the energy transferred from plants to small fish is 10% and from small fish to large fish is 20%, how much energy from the plants is ultimately available to the large fish?
A.
1 unit of energy
B.
2 units of energy
C.
0.5 units of energy
D.
5 units of energy
Show Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: B
The energy transfer from plants to small fish is 10%, meaning 10 units from 100 plants are available to small fish. Then, 20% of that (2 units) is transferred to the large fish, resulting in a total of 2 units of energy available to the large fish.
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Ecology — AP (Advanced Placement) AP Biology Practice Questions Online
This page contains 148 practice MCQs for the chapter Ecology in AP (Advanced Placement) AP Biology. The questions are organized by difficulty — 44 easy, 76 medium, 28 hard — so you can choose the right level for your preparation.
Every question includes a detailed explanation to help you understand the concept, not just memorize answers. Take a timed quiz to simulate exam conditions, or practice at your own pace with no time limit.