Environmental Studies · Biology

Biodiversity and Conservation

4,050 Questions

Biodiversity and conservation focus on protecting species, maintaining natural habitats, and managing ecological balance. It covers essential themes like wildlife corridors, marine ecosystems, and genetic diversity. This topic is heavily tested in environmental studies sections across multiple competitive exams.

Ecosystem conservationWildlife sanctuariesEndangered species managementGenetic diversityEnvironmental ethics

Biodiversity and Conservation Questions

Multiple choice

We need to conserve our forests and wildlife:

  1. to preserve the ecological diversity

  2. to preserve the genetic diversity

  3. for maintenance of aquatic biodiversity

  4. so that we are able to over-extract plant and animal species
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Multiple choice

Theodore Roosevelt's stance toward conservation?

  1. Private business should protect and preserve resources

  2. Unlimited access to resources is important to the economy

  3. States (not fed govt) should protect and preserve resources

  4. Govt. should protect and preserve natural resources
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Theodore Roosevelt believed that the federal government had a responsibility to manage and protect natural resources for the benefit of future generations, rather than allowing their unchecked exploitation.

Multiple choice

Wetlands are important ecosystems because they

  1. make good habitats

  2. filter water

  3. hold water

  4. all of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Wetlands are highly productive ecosystems that provide vital services, including water filtration, flood control (holding water), and habitat for diverse species.

Multiple choice

What is the management of vegetation harvest by grazing or browsing animals to achieve desired objectives?

  1. Prescribe Grazing

  2. Brush Management

  3. Prescribed Fire
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Prescribed grazing uses livestock to control vegetation, reduce invasive species, and achieve ecological goals. It is a planned management practice where timing, intensity, and duration of grazing are carefully controlled to meet specific objectives.

Multiple choice

NRCS Rangelands conservation practices recommended?

  1. Prescribed Grazing

  2. Brush Management

  3. Prescribed Fire

  4. all of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

NRCS (Natural Resources Conservation Service) promotes various rangeland conservation practices, including prescribed grazing, brush management, and prescribed fire.

Multiple choice

One way humans can promote the survival of organisms in an ecosystem is to

  1. decrease diversity in a plant habitats

  2. introduce new consumers to control autotrophs

  3. release extra CO2 into the atmosphere to help autotrophs

  4. learn about the interaction of populations
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Understanding population interactions allows humans to make informed decisions about conservation and resource management. The other options involve activities that generally harm or disrupt natural ecosystem balance.

Multiple choice

Why should humans care for/ take action against degradation of coral reefs?

  1. constant sites of tourism which helps economy

  2. hold some of the world's greatest biodiversity

  3. removal CO2 from atmosphere

  4. all of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Coral reefs provide multiple benefits: they generate tourism revenue, support exceptional biodiversity, and help remove CO2 from the atmosphere through calcification. Their degradation would mean losing these critical ecological and economic services.

Multiple choice

Why are Mangrove Forests important ecological systems?

  1. provide ecological/ economic services

  2. they are not important because of low biodiversity

  3. they are closest to shore so they act as filter

  4. a and c
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Mangrove forests are vital because they provide numerous ecological and economic services, such as storm protection and nursery habitats. Additionally, their location near the shore allows them to act as natural filters for runoff.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is a way in which coral reefs provide ecological/economic services?

  1. act as barriers for erosion of land near the shore

  2. help moderate atmospheric temperatures by removing CO2

  3. support important fishing and tourism industries

  4. all of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Coral reefs provide essential ecological services, including coastal protection from erosion, carbon sequestration, and support for biodiversity which sustains fishing and tourism.

Multiple choice

Choose a disadvantage of ex situ conservation.

  1. Illegal harvesting of timber and other plant products

  2. Expensive to maintain suitable environmental conditions

  3. Area can act as a 'honeypot' to poachers and ecotourists

  4. Animals can be exposed to a wide range of expectations
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Ex situ conservation (like zoos or botanical gardens) is expensive because it requires maintaining specific, artificial environmental conditions to keep the organisms alive and healthy.

Multiple choice

Choose an advantage of ex situ conservation.

  1. Organisms are unprotected from predation and poaching

  2. Health of individuals can be monitored

  3. Can decrease the numbers of an endangered species

  4. Improve and restore the ecological integrity of the area
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

A major advantage of ex situ conservation is the ability to closely monitor the health of individuals, provide veterinary or botanical care, and manage breeding programs.

Multiple choice

Identify 2 areas that are involved with ex situ conservation of plants.

  1. Botanic gardens and seed banks

  2. National parks and national nature reserves (NNR)

  3. Marine conservation zones and zoos

  4. Seed banks and zoos
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Ex situ conservation involves protecting species outside their natural habitat. Botanic gardens and seed banks are primary examples for plant conservation.