WI Forward - Wisconsin Forward Science: Life and Environmental Questions and Answers

Question 1

A disease suddenly eliminates most of the deer population in a Wisconsin forest ecosystem.
The food web includes oak trees, deer, squirrels, hawks, and wolves.
Deer and squirrels eat acorns from oak trees, while wolves prey on deer and hawks prey on squirrels.
Which of the following is the most likely immediate effect?

Accepted Answer

The wolf population will likely decrease due to a loss of their primary food source.

Answer

The squirrel population will increase due to less competition for acorns.

Answer

The number of oak trees will decrease because of the disease.

Answer

The hawk population will increase to take advantage of the weakened ecosystem.

Question 2

Which of the following is an invasive insect species that poses a significant threat to Wisconsin's ash trees by burrowing under the bark and disrupting nutrient transport?

Accepted Answer

Emerald ash borer

Answer

White-tailed deer

Answer

American badger

Answer

Sandhill crane

Question 3

A student is studying a wetland ecosystem in Wisconsin. Which of the following lists contains only abiotic factors the student might observe?

Accepted Answer

Water pH, soil composition, and sunlight

Answer

Cattails, dragonflies, and water temperature

Answer

Frogs, algae, and nutrient levels in the soil

Answer

Annual rainfall, fish, and decaying leaves

Question 4

A scientist places a healthy green plant inside a sealed, transparent container with adequate water and light. Over several hours, how will the concentration of gases inside the container most likely change?

Accepted Answer

Oxygen will increase, and carbon dioxide will decrease.

Answer

Oxygen will decrease, and carbon dioxide will increase.

Answer

Both oxygen and carbon dioxide will increase.

Answer

Both oxygen and carbon dioxide will decrease.

Question 5

What is the name of the process in the water cycle where water vapor in the atmosphere cools and changes back into liquid water droplets, forming clouds?

Accepted Answer

Condensation

Answer

Evaporation

Answer

Transpiration

Answer

Precipitation

Question 6

Which of the following describes a behavioral adaptation, rather than a physical or physiological one, for an animal surviving a Wisconsin winter?

Accepted Answer

A flock of sandhill cranes migrating to a warmer climate.

Answer

A white-tailed deer growing a thick, hollow-haired coat.

Answer

A wood frog's body producing a glucose-based antifreeze to allow it to freeze solid.

Answer

A badger having long claws for digging a deep burrow (sett).