Highly Likely Exam Written Questions

Compare primary and secondary succession.

Primary succession starts without soil, while secondary succession starts where soil remains after disturbance.

Explain the differences between pioneer and climax species.

Pioneer species are fast-growing colonizers, while climax species are slow-growing competitive species.

Describe how carbon, nitrogen, or phosphorus moves through an ecosystem.

Nutrients cycle between organisms and abiotic reservoirs through biological and geological processes.

Explain why phosphorus has no major atmospheric phase.

Phosphorus is primarily stored in rocks and sediments rather than as a gas.

Compare GPP and NPP.

GPP is total energy captured; NPP is energy remaining after respiration.

Explain why aquatic food chains are longer than terrestrial food chains.

Aquatic producers are consumed more efficiently, transferring more energy.

Describe a trophic cascade using the Yellowstone wolf example.

Wolves reduced elk browsing pressure, allowing vegetation and biodiversity to recover.

Compare instrumental and intrinsic values of biodiversity.

Instrumental value benefits humans; intrinsic value exists regardless of human benefit.

Explain how habitat fragmentation reduces biodiversity.

It isolates populations, increases edge effects, and raises extinction risk.

Describe the four major threats to biodiversity.

Habitat destruction, climate change, invasive species, and overconsumption.