Environmental Studies · Biology
Biodiversity and Conservation
2,388 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
A
Correct answer
Explanation
If environmental changes are too extreme or occur too rapidly, populations may not have the genetic variation or time necessary to adapt, which can lead to the extinction of the species.
B
Correct answer
Explanation
The impact of a large asteroid kicked up massive amounts of dust and ash into the atmosphere, blocking sunlight. This halted photosynthesis, causing the collapse of food webs and leading to a mass extinction event.
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It provides more vegetation for herbivores.
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It creates new space for plants and animals.
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It increases levels of oxygen created by plants.
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It threatens the survival of plant and animal species.
D
Correct answer
Explanation
Deforestation destroys the complex ecosystems that provide food, shelter, and breeding grounds for countless organisms. By removing these habitats, it directly threatens the survival of numerous plant and animal species, leading to biodiversity loss.
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oil drilling
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habitat loss
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air pollution
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natural predators
B
Correct answer
Explanation
Habitat loss, driven by human activities like agriculture, urbanization, and deforestation, is widely recognized as the primary threat to biodiversity and endangered species worldwide. Without a suitable place to live and find food, species cannot survive.
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decrease because the natural vegetation has been destroyed
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stay the same because organisms will adapt to new conditions
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increase because crops were planted to replace the forest
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disappear because the organisms there will become extinct
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Abiotic factors change with elevation.
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Fewer predators live at higher altitudes.
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Climate is more extreme in this area than in others.
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Species from other ecosystems move easily into this one.
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predation
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Earth's orbital cycles
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evolution
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industrial agriculture
D
Correct answer
Explanation
Industrial agriculture involves large-scale land clearing (deforestation), monoculture farming, and heavy pesticide use, all of which destroy diverse natural habitats and significantly threaten global biodiversity. Natural processes like predation and evolution actually support or maintain biodiversity.
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Those with small populations.
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Those with extensive habitats.
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Those with high reproductive rates.
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Those with short life cycles.
A
Correct answer
Explanation
Species with small populations lack genetic diversity and are extremely sensitive to environmental fluctuations or stochastic events, making them highly vulnerable to extinction. Conversely, widespread species with high reproductive rates recover much more easily.
A
Correct answer
Explanation
Overfishing depletes fish stocks, which are a primary source of protein for billions of people worldwide, thereby directly threatening global food security.
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The fish can't reproduce to recover their numbers
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The number of other fish goes up
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People eat less fish
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Nothing happens
A
Correct answer
Explanation
When a fish population is overfished, the breeding stock is depleted to levels where they cannot reproduce fast enough to sustain or recover their population size.
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The sun's rays heating the coral
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Local pollution of coral reefs
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The effect of climate change in heating our ocean
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Overfishing of coral reefs
C
Correct answer
Explanation
Coral bleaching occurs when corals experience stress, primarily from rising ocean temperatures driven by global climate change, causing them to expel the symbiotic algae (zooxanthellae) living in their tissues.
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Certain fish species
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Marine mammals like sharks, dolphins and seals
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Marine plants
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Humans
A,B,C,D
Correct answer
Explanation
Overfishing has cascading effects throughout the entire food web, impacting targeted fish species, non-target marine mammals through bycatch or food depletion, marine plants due to ecosystem imbalances, and humans who rely on fish for food and livelihoods.
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forest fires
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drought
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immigration of a new predator
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ample space in an environment
D
Correct answer
Explanation
Ample space provides more habitat and resources, which supports population growth or stability rather than causing a population crash. In contrast, forest fires, droughts, and new predators are destructive factors that can drastically reduce population sizes.
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water is scarce
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increase in amount of predators
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environment is no longer safe
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abundance of food
D
Correct answer
Explanation
An abundance of food is a favorable condition that supports population growth or maintenance, whereas scarcity of water, increased predation, and unsafe environments all lead to population decline.
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endangered
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extinction
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instinct
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prey
A
Correct answer
Explanation
Endangered species are those at risk of becoming extinct. This means there are very few individuals left in the wild.