Environmental Studies · Biology

Ecology and Biodiversity

1,739 Questions

Ecology and biodiversity are vital topics in environmental studies, covering ecosystem structures, species diversity, and environmental impacts. These concepts are frequently tested in competitive examinations for civil services and state selections. The questions cover carrying capacity, ecological succession, and conservation fundamentals.

Species richness measurementTypes of ecological diversityBiome distribution factorsCarrying capacity conceptEcosystem servicesEnvironmental Impact Assessment

Ecology and Biodiversity Questions

Multiple choice

Community is:

  1. a group of independent and interacting population of different species

  2. a group of independent and interacting population of same species

  3. a group of independent and interacting population of same species in a specific area

  4. a group of independent and interacting population of different species in a specific area

  5. none of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Community is a group of independent and interacting population of different species in a specific area.

Multiple choice

Term ecosystem was given by:

  1. Odum

  2. Koestler

  3. Tansley

  4. Modius and Forbes

  5. Robert Brown
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The term ‘ecosystem’ was first used in a publication by British ecologist Arthur Tansley. Tansley devised the concept to draw attention to the importance of transfers of materials between organisms and their environment.

Multiple choice

Which of the following statements is correct about biomes?

  1. They are terrestrial ecosystems.

  2. They include all the living components of Earth.

  3. They include lakes, ponds, streams, marshes and bogs.

  4. They are the interrelated components in an ecosystem.

  5. They are the physical and chemical factors that constitute the general environment.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Terrestrial ecosystem can be classified into ‘biomes’. A biome is a plant and animal community that covers a large geographical area.

Multiple choice

In which of the following does flow of energy, i.e. transfer of energy, take place?

  1. The total assemblage of plant and animal species interacting within specific conditions

  2. The process of a foodchain from one level to another

  3. The interrelated biotic as well as abiotic factors

  4. The movement of organisms that can move freely from one realm to another

  5. The interactions of biosphere with land, air and water
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

This is the correct answer. Transfer of energy occurs during the process of a foodchain from one level to another and is known as flow of energy.

Multiple choice

Which of the following statements are correct?

a. Biotic factors interacting with abiotic factors within a particular habitat are called ecological systems. b. German zoologist Ernst Haeckel was the first person to use the term ‘ecology’. c. A habitat is the totality of the physical and chemical factors that constitute the general environment. d. Ecological interdependence is the existence of different types of ecosystems with varying ranges of environmental conditions.

  1. a, b, c and d

  2. a, b and c

  3. a, b and d

  4. a, c and d

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

This is the correct answer as statements a, b and c are correct.

Multiple choice

MAB is

  1. Man and Botany

  2. Man and Biosphere

  3. Man and Biotic community

  4. Man, Antibiotics and Bacteria
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

MAB stands for Man and Biosphere Programme, launched by UNESCO in 1971. It promotes interdisciplinary approaches to conserve biodiversity and ecosystem services while supporting sustainable development. The programme establishes Biosphere Reserves worldwide.

Multiple choice

Biosphere is used for a zone containing living beings

  1. in lithosphere, hydrosphere and atmosphere

  2. in lithosphere and Hydrosphere

  3. in hydrosphere

  4. on Lithosphere
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The biosphere encompasses all living organisms and their environments across Earth's three physical spheres - lithosphere (land), hydrosphere (water), and atmosphere (air). Life exists in all three spheres - from deep underground and ocean floors to high in the atmosphere.

Multiple choice

Which of the following statements is/are correct about different types of biodiversity?

a. Genetic diversity is essential for a healthy breeding of population of species. b. Species diversity relates to the number of species in a defined area. c. Areas rich in ecosystem diversity are called hotspots of diversity.

  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
D Correct answer
Explanation

Statement c is incorrect as biodiversity hotspots are geographic areas that contain high levels of species diversity, but are threatened with extinction.

Multiple choice

Which of the following statements is/are incorrect?

a. Biodiversity helps in understanding how life functions and the role of each species in sustaining ecosystems. b. Biodiversity guides us about how life evolved and how it will continue to evolve. c. An ecosystem with more species becomes unstable.

  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
C Correct answer
Explanation

This is the correct answer as this statement is incorrect. The more the variety of species in an ecosystem, the more stable the ecosystem is likely to be.

Multiple choice

Autoecology deals with the relationship of an organism with its environment, whereas synecology deals with

  1. microbial ecology

  2. ecosystem ecology

  3. terrestrial ecology

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

Autoecology studies individual species' relationship with their environment, while synecology studies communities and ecosystems - groups of interacting species in their environment. Synecology focuses on higher organizational levels like community composition, ecosystem dynamics, and interspecies relationships.

Multiple choice

Which of the following factors is included in an ecological niche of the organism?

  1. Habitat of the organism

  2. Breeding behavior of the organism

  3. Status of the organism

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

An ecological niche encompasses all aspects of an organism's existence: its habitat (where it lives), breeding behavior (how it reproduces), status (its position in food web/community), trophic relationships, environmental tolerances, and resource requirements. The niche concept includes both physical space (habitat) and functional role (status and behavior).

Multiple choice

Edaphic factors of abiotic community pertains to

  1. water

  2. air

  3. soil

  4. temperature
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Edaphic factors specifically refer to soil-related abiotic factors including soil texture, pH, organic matter content, water-holding capacity, and nutrient availability. These directly influence plant growth and distribution.

Multiple choice

____________ is not an example of an ecosystem.

  1. Aquarium

  2. Pond

  3. Desert

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

An ecosystem requires both living (biotic) and non-living (abiotic) components that interact with each other. Air is only an abiotic component, not a complete ecosystem. Aquariums, ponds, and deserts all contain both biotic and abiotic components functioning together.