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AP Environmental Science Practice Quiz: Invasive Species

Written by AP Content Team, Verified for 2026 AP Exams, Last updated: May 2026

Test your understanding with short quizzes. This quiz has 10 questions to check your progress.

Question 1 of 10

According to the provided text, a non-native species is officially considered 'invasive' only when it:

All Questions (10)

According to the provided text, a non-native species is officially considered 'invasive' only when it:

A) is able to survive outside of its normal habitat.

B) is introduced to a new environment by humans.

C) threatens native species.

D) reproduces very quickly.

Correct Answer: C

The text explicitly states that species are 'considered invasive when they threaten native species.' While they can live outside their normal habitat, the threat to native species is the defining characteristic of being invasive.

Which of the following characteristics are commonly associated with invasive species, contributing to their success in new environments?

A) Specialist and K-selected

B) Generalist and r-selected

C) Endemic and slow-growing

D) Native and resource-dependent

Correct Answer: B

The content states that 'Invasive species are often generalist, r-selected species.' These traits allow them to adapt to various conditions and reproduce quickly, helping them outcompete other species.

What is the primary mechanism through which invasive species cause environmental problems for native species, based on the text?

A) They introduce novel diseases that humans cannot control.

B) They form symbiotic relationships with native predators.

C) They alter the physical landscape by building large structures.

D) They outcompete the native species for available resources.

Correct Answer: D

The text specifies that a key problem is that invasive species 'may outcompete native species for resources.' This competition is a direct threat to the survival of native populations.

Based on the provided information, what is a primary method for managing the spread and impact of invasive species?

A) Allowing natural selection to resolve the competition.

B) Introducing additional non-native species to create balance.

C) Implementing a variety of human interventions.

D) Focusing solely on protecting native species without addressing the invader.

Correct Answer: C

The fourth point in the content directly states that 'Invasive species can be controlled through a variety of human interventions.'

A new species of fish is introduced into a lake. Which of the following traits would make it MOST likely to become an invasive species in this new habitat?

A) It has a very specific diet, feeding on only one type of rare algae.

B) It is a generalist, able to eat a wide variety of food sources and tolerate a range of water temperatures.

C) It reproduces very slowly, laying only a few eggs every five years.

D) It requires a specific, stable pH level to survive, which is uncommon in the lake.

Correct Answer: B

The text identifies being a 'generalist' as a key trait of invasive species. A generalist can thrive in many conditions and use various resources, giving it a competitive advantage over native species that may have more specific needs.

Which statement accurately distinguishes between a non-native species and an invasive species, according to the provided text?

A) All non-native species are invasive, but not all invasive species are non-native.

B) A non-native species can live outside its normal habitat, but it only becomes invasive when it negatively impacts native species.

C) A non-native species is r-selected, while an invasive species is K-selected.

D) A non-native species is introduced accidentally, while an invasive species is introduced intentionally.

Correct Answer: B

The text defines invasive species as those that 'can live, and sometimes thrive, outside of their normal habitat' and clarifies they are 'considered invasive when they threaten native species.' This shows that being a threat is the critical distinction.

Which of the following statements best synthesizes the information provided about the ecological role of invasive species?

A) Invasive species are r-selected organisms that can only be controlled by human intervention after they have become established.

B) As generalists, invasive species often thrive outside their normal habitats, leading to competition that threatens native populations.

C) All species that live outside their normal habitat will eventually outcompete native species for resources.

D) Human intervention is the only reason why generalist, r-selected species are able to thrive in new environments.

Correct Answer: B

This option correctly combines the key concepts from the text: being a generalist, thriving outside a normal habitat, and threatening native species through competition.

The text implies that the relationship between an invasive species and a native species that relies on the same food source is primarily one of:

A) Competition

B) Predation

C) Mutualism

D) Parasitism

Correct Answer: A

The text states that invasive species 'may outcompete native species for resources.' This describes a competitive relationship where two or more species vie for the same limited resources.

Given that invasive species are often r-selected, their strategy for outcompeting native species likely relies on their ability to:

A) invest significant parental care in a small number of offspring.

B) grow to a large individual size to intimidate competitors.

C) reproduce in large numbers and grow their population rapidly.

D) live for a very long time in a stable environment.

Correct Answer: C

The text links being 'r-selected' to the ability to 'outcompete native species.' The r-selection strategy is characterized by high reproductive rates and rapid population growth, which would allow a species to quickly dominate resources in a new environment.

An environmental manager is assessing a newly discovered, non-native plant. Based on the provided text, which question is most critical for determining if the plant should be classified as invasive?

A) How did the plant arrive in this new location?

B) Is the plant a generalist that can survive in various soil types?

C) Is there evidence that the plant is harming or displacing native plant species?

D) Can the plant be controlled with common human interventions?

Correct Answer: C

The defining characteristic of an invasive species, according to the text, is that it 'threaten[s] native species.' Therefore, assessing its impact on native populations is the most critical step in its classification.