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

Extinction of numerous wild animal 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 destroys habitats, leading to species extinction when animals lose their homes, food sources, and breeding grounds. While hunting (A) and food scarcity (D) can cause extinction, deforestation is the primary driver of widespread wildlife extinction globally due to massive habitat loss.

Multiple choice

Which of the following statements is/are correct?

a. An endangered species is a native species that faces a significant risk of extinction in the near future. b. Survival of the endangered species is not assured as their population has been greatly reduced. c. Population of endangered species can be saved by introducing exotic species in the ecosystem which will ensure natural succesion.

  1. a only

  2. b only

  3. c only

  4. a and b

  5. a, b and c
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

This is the correct answer.

Multiple choice

Which of the following sentences is/are incorrect?

a. Species that are introduced in the ecosystem are vulnerable species. b. Vulnerable species are likely to be in danger of extinction in near future if the factors threatening to their extinction continue. c. Survival of these species is not assured as their population has been greatly reduced.

  1. a only

  2. b only

  3. c only

  4. a and b

  5. a and c
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

This is the correct answer choice as this statement is incorrect. Species that are introduced in the ecosystem are exotic species.

Multiple choice

Directions: Below given is a report with four blanks. Fill those blanks with the options provided to make it a sensible one.

Endangered species are living things whose population is _(1)_ being extinct. Thousands of species are included in this category. The International union for the conservation of nature and natural resources published a list of threatened mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and plants. Plants and animals hold medicinal, agricultural, ecological, commercial and aesthetic/recreational value. Endangered _(2)_ future generations can experience their presence and value. Millions of years before the birth of humans, extinction of living things was linked to geological and climate changes, _(3)of the environment. Environmental change is still the primary cause of the extinction of animals, but now the changes are greatly accelerated by human activity. Clearing land for farms and towns, lumbering, mining, building dams, and draining wetlands; all alter the environment so extensively that ecosystems may be completely destroyed. With the _(4)__ food, shelter and clothing; and constantly demanding more energy-using devices, the temptation to exploit land for human use without regard for consequences is great.

P. the effects of which were translated into major alteration Q. decreasing so fast that they are close to R. species must be protected and saved so that the S. burgeoning human population requiring

  1. RSQP

  2. PQRS

  3. SPQR

  4. QRPS

  5. None of these
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Q completes the definition of 'endangered species' in blank 1. So, option 4 is the correct answer here.

Multiple choice

Which of these can result in mass extinction?

  1. Soil salinity

  2. Ecological collapse

  3. Greenhouse effect

  4. Evapotranspiration

  5. Carbon footprint
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Ecological collapse refers to a situation where an ecosystem suffers a drastic, possibly permanent, reduction in carrying capacity for all organisms, often resulting in mass extinction. Usually, an ecological collapse is precipitated by a disastrous event occurring on a short time scale.

Multiple choice

Extinction vertex is a combination of

  1. genetic and edaphic factors

  2. genetic and climatic factors

  3. genetic and demographic factors

  4. climatic and edaphic factors
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Extinction vertex is a combination of genetic and demographic factors.

Multiple choice

Bald Eagle has been at high risk of extinction due to

  1. large size

  2. high trophic level

  3. lower reproductive potential

  4. change in migratory route
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Bald Eagles are top predators (high trophic level), making them susceptible to bioaccumulation of toxins like DDT, which caused eggshell thinning and population decline.

Multiple choice

Susceptibility to extinction is due to

  1. large size of body

  2. small population

  3. high trophic level

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

Species with large body sizes, small populations, and high trophic levels are all more vulnerable to extinction due to various ecological and biological constraints.

Multiple choice

Biodiversity hot spots are

  1. areas where large number of different species are found

  2. hot areas where large number of different species are found

  3. areas which become hot due to large number of different species

  4. areas where large spot has been created due to death of number of species
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Biodiversity hotspots are biogeographic regions with a significant reservoir of biodiversity that is under threat from humans. They are defined by high levels of species richness and endemism.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is mentioned as the immediate cause for the destruction of plant species?

Nature is like business. Business sense dictates that we guard our capital and live from the interest. Nature’s capital is the enormous diversity of the living things. Without it, we cannot free ourselves of illness or provide industry with the raw materials for wealth creation . Professor Edward Wilson, of Harvard university says, “The folly our descendants are least likely to forgive us is the ongoing loss of genetic & species diversity. This will take millions of years to correct” Only 150 plant species have ever been widely cultivated. Yet over 75,000 edible plants are known in the wild. In a hungry world, with a population growing by 90 million each year, so much wasted potential is tragic. Medicines from the wild are worth around 40 billions dollar a year. Over 5000 species are known to yield chemical with cancer fighting potential. Scientist currently estimate that total number of species in the world is between 10 – 3 0 million with only around 1.4 million identified .The web of life is torn when mankind exploits natural resources in short – sighted ways . The trade in tropical hardwoods can destroy whole forest to extract just a few commercially attractive specimens. Bad agricultural practice triggers 24 billion tones of top soil erosion a year losing the equivalent of 9 million tones of grain output. Cutting this kind of unsuitable exploitation & instituting “sustainable utilization “will help turn the environmental crisis around.

  1. Soil erosion

  2. Destruction of habitat

  3. Cultivation

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

The answer is in the line...'The trade in tropical hardwoods can destroy whole forest to extract just a few commercially attractive specimens. '

Multiple choice

It is argued by some scientists/environmentalists that the near extinction of India's white tigers is caused by state funded and promoted real estate projects that allow tree cutting and thus, greatly reduce the species' natural habitat and privacy.

Which of the following statements most directly contradicts the conclusion drawn above?

  1. The population of white tigers in the East African Wildlife Park has remained constant for the past decade despite build-up of physical infrastructure.

  2. Tourist-friendly regulations allow access of several undesirable visitors and poachers to game reserves and natural parks.

  3. The white tiger population had not been showing positive growth even before the urgent need for housing accommodation compelled the state government to sanction tree cutting in several regions.

  4. The indiscriminate cutting of trees has also brought several bird species to near extinction.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The argument ascribes the near extinction to cutting of forests and disappearance of natural habitat of the white tiger. There is no option that directly contradicts this assertion. However, option (2) gives an alternative explanation that natural reserves earmarked for white tigers are being vandalised by providing easy access to poachers under the garb of tourists.