Environmental Studies · Biology

Biodiversity and Conservation

2,266 Questions

Biodiversity and conservation questions address threats to ecosystems, climate change impacts, and habitat loss. These topics are essential for environmental science sections in major competitive exams. Practicing these questions clarifies concepts regarding species extinction and ecological management.

Habitat loss consequencesClimate change impactsEcosystem degradation causesDesert biodiversity threatsForest diversity threatsResource extraction effects

Biodiversity and Conservation Questions

Multiple choice zoology biodiversity, classification and conservation biodiversity losses biodiversity loss and need for conservation environmental conservation and biodiversity

Wildlife population are decreasing due to _________

  1. Afforestation

  2. Loss of minerals

  3. Poaching

  4. Loss of sunlight
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation
  • Poaching has been defined as illegal hunting or capturing of wild animals, usually associated with land use rights. 
  • According to Encyclopædia Britannica, poaching was performed by impoverished peasants for subsistence purposes and a supplement for meagre diets.
  •  Hence, Wildlife population are decreasing due to Poaching.
  • So, the correct answer is 'Poaching'.
Multiple choice zoology biodiversity, classification and conservation biodiversity losses biodiversity loss and need for conservation environmental conservation and biodiversity

The extinction and disappearance of some species is because of the _____

  1. Destruction of habitats

  2. Planting of trees

  3. Preservation of forest

  4. Prevention of overgrazing
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The extinction and disappearance of some species from planet take place due to the destruction of their natural habitat, poaching and killing habits. Whereas, planting of more trees (afforestation), preservation of forests and prevention of overgrazing causes conservation of natural habitat thereby saving the species from extinction.

So, the correct answer is 'Destruction of habitats'.

Multiple choice zoology biodiversity, classification and conservation biodiversity losses biodiversity loss and need for conservation environmental conservation and biodiversity

The main reason for extinction of species is

  1. Hunting

  2. Destruction of habitat

  3. Pollution

  4. None of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Habitat destruction is the process in which the organisms that previously used the site are displaced or destroyed, reducing biodiversity. Habitat destruction is the greatest contributor to the extinction of many species. This destruction is ongoing in both terrestrial and aquatic biomes, with approximately 80% of all extinctions being attributed to human caused habitat destruction. Terrestrially the destruction includes forests, deserts and grasslands, but the latter may account for the greatest losses due to the agricultural and urban conversion.

Multiple choice zoology biodiversity, classification and conservation biodiversity losses biodiversity loss and need for conservation environmental conservation and biodiversity

Which one of the following may be the reason for extinction of plant species due to human activities?

  1. Earthquakes

  2. Pollution

  3. Diseases

  4. Evolution
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Extinction is the end of an organism or of a group of organisms, normally a species. Humans cause extinction of a species through over harvesting, pollution, habitat destruction, invasion of invasive species, over hunting and other influences. Although, earthquakes and diseases are the results of human activities but it does not cause any extinction of plant species. 

Therefore, the correct answer is option B.

Multiple choice zoology biodiversity, classification and conservation biodiversity losses biodiversity loss and need for conservation environmental conservation and biodiversity

Which of the following is the main reason for extinction of animals?

  1. Predation

  2. Pollution

  3. Destruction of habitat

  4. Felling of trees
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Destruction of habitat is the process in which natural habitat is rendered unable to support the species that lived in it. Increasing urbanization and industrialization has resulted in encroachment of forest areas leading to destruction of habitat. As a result, the natural flora and fauna have been endangered and some have become extinct. Thus the correct answer is option C.

Multiple choice zoology biodiversity, classification and conservation biodiversity losses biodiversity loss and need for conservation environmental conservation and biodiversity

Polar bears are just one species whose biodiversity has been affected by human activities Which of these is the greatest threat to the polar bears? 

  1. Melting ice due to global warming

  2. Organic pollutants

  3. Habitat destruction

  4. Human encroachment

  5. Habitat fragmentation
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Polar bears are found in arctic region where the ice caps are present and temperature is quite low. Hence, melting ice due to global warming is the greatest threat to the biodiversity of polar bears.

Multiple choice zoology biodiversity, classification and conservation biodiversity losses biodiversity loss and need for conservation environmental conservation and biodiversity

Anthropogenic extinction means the extinction of species from surface of Earth, that is due to

  1. Change in season

  2. Effects of meteors

  3. Human activities

  4. None of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation
Anthropogenic extinction means the extinction of species from surface of Earth, that is due to human activities.
The Holocene extinction, otherwise referred to as the Sixth extinction or Anthropocene extinction, is a name for the ongoing extinction event of species during the present Holocene epoch (since around 10,000 BCE) mainly due to human activity.
Multiple choice zoology biodiversity, classification and conservation biodiversity losses biodiversity loss and need for conservation environmental conservation and biodiversity

Which of the following is responsible for the extinction of wildlife?

  1. Hunting

  2. Destruction of habitats

  3. Pollution of air and water

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

The important causes of biodiversity losses or species extinctions, that the world is facing now, are largely due to human activities. There are four major causes -
(i) Habitat loss and fragmentation (includes deforestation and pollution).
(ii) Over-exploitation (includes hunting, fishing and other such activities).
(iii) Alien species invasions.
(iv) Co-extinctions.

Thus, the correct answer is option D.

Multiple choice zoology biodiversity, classification and conservation biodiversity losses biodiversity loss and need for conservation environmental conservation and biodiversity

The factor that destroys plant biodiversity is

  1. Biosphere reserves

  2. Vulnerable ecosystems

  3. Inaccessibility of habitats

  4. Destruction of habitats
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The factor that destroys plant biodiversity is destruction of habitats, wildlife species get extinct because of destruction of forest by deforestation.

So, the correct answer is 'Destruction of habitats'

Multiple choice zoology biodiversity, classification and conservation biodiversity losses biodiversity loss and need for conservation environmental conservation and biodiversity

Extinction of numerous wild animals is due to

  1. Hunting

  2. Deforestation

  3. Overcrowding

  4. Scarcity of food
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Deforestation refers to destruction of forest by extensive cutting of trees, since wild animals live in forests, they lose their habitat which leads to extinction of species

So, the correct answer is 'Deforestation'

Multiple choice zoology biodiversity, classification and conservation biodiversity losses biodiversity loss and need for conservation environmental conservation and biodiversity

Bald Eagle had been at high risk of extinction due to its

  1. Large size

  2. Low reproductive potential

  3. High trophic level

  4. Change in migratory route
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation
When there are no more individuals of a species (plant or animal) alive anywhere in the world, the species is said to be extinct. Extinction is also known as the process of dying out. The process is a completely natural part of evolution. But sometimes extinctions happen at a higher and a faster rate than usual. Factors such as large body size, small population, and position at a higher trophic level favour extinction.
So, the correct answer is 'High trophic level'.
Multiple choice zoology biodiversity, classification and conservation biodiversity losses biodiversity loss and need for conservation environmental conservation and biodiversity

Susceptibility to extinction is due to

  1. Large body size

  2. Small population

  3. High trophic level

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

When there are no more individuals of a species (plant or animal) alive anywhere in the world, the species is said to be extinct. Extinction is also known as the process of dying out. The process is a completely natural part of evolution. But sometimes extinctions happen at a higher and a faster rate than usual. Factors such as large body size, small population and position at a higher trophic level favour extinction.

So, the correct answer is 'All of the above'.

Multiple choice zoology biodiversity, classification and conservation biodiversity losses biodiversity loss and need for conservation environmental conservation and biodiversity

Plant species on verge of extinction due to over-exploitation is

  1. <p>Centella</p>

  2. <p>Podophyllum</p>

  3. <p>Gloriosa</p>

  4. All of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

When there are no more individuals of a species (plant or animal) alive anywhere in the world, the species is said to be extinct. A decrease in the species diversity progresses to extinction if left uncontrolled. Extinction is also known as the process of dying out. The process is a completely natural part of evolution. But sometimes extinctions happen at a higher and a faster rate than usual. Factors such as over-exploitation, large body size, small population, massive habitat loss and position at a higher trophic level favor extinction. A plant podophyllum is at the verge of extinction due to over-exploitation. So, the correct answer is 'Podophyllum'.

Multiple choice zoology biodiversity, classification and conservation biodiversity losses biodiversity loss and need for conservation environmental conservation and biodiversity

Which is mainly responsible for extinction of wildlife?

  1. Hunting of flesh

  2. Destruction of habitats

  3. Pollution of air and water

  4. All the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

When there are no more individuals of a species (plant or animal) alive anywhere in the world, the species is said to be extinct. Extinction is also known as the process of dying out. The process is a completely natural part of evolution. But sometimes extinctions happen at a higher and a faster rate than usual. Factors such as large body size, small population, massive habitat loss and position at a higher trophic level favor extinction. As forests are the main habitat for the wild animals, their loss favors the extinction of the same.

So, the correct answer is 'Destruction of habitats'.

Multiple choice zoology biodiversity, classification and conservation biodiversity losses biodiversity loss and need for conservation environmental conservation and biodiversity

Habitat loss and fragmentation, over-exploitation, alien species invasion and co-extinction are causes for

  1. Population explosion

  2. Biodiversity loss

  3. Migration pollution

  4. Ecological succession
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Biodiversity loss leads to the extinction of species. Factors such as habitat loss and fragmentation, over-exploitation, alien species invasion and co-extinction are causes for such losses. When there are no more individuals of a species (plant or animal) alive anywhere in the world, the species is said to be extinct. Extinction is also known as the process of dying out. The process is a completely natural part of evolution.
So, the correct answer is 'Biodiversity loss'.