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

A pond represents:

  1. a biome

  2. an ecosystem

  3. a community

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

A pond is a self-contained unit consisting of biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living) components interacting with each other, which defines an ecosystem.

Multiple choice

The conservation of the organisms within their habitat is called

  1. in situ

  2. ex situ

  3. in vivo

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

In situ conservation refers to the conservation of species in their natural habitats, such as in national parks or wildlife sanctuaries. Ex situ refers to conservation outside their natural habitat (e.g., zoos).

Multiple choice

Manipulation zone in a biosphere reserve is called

  1. core zone

  2. buffer zone

  3. transition zone

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

A biosphere reserve consists of three zones: the core zone (protected), the buffer zone (limited activity), and the transition zone (manipulation/human activity allowed).

Multiple choice

The term 'biodiversity' refers to

  1. species diversity

  2. genetic diversity

  3. ecosystem diversity

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

Biodiversity is the variety of different types of life found on earth. It is a measure of the variety of organisms present in different ecosystems. This can refer to genetic variation, ecosystem variation, or species variation (number of species)[1] within an area, biome, or planet. 

Multiple choice

Which of the following criteria is/are used for classification of biomes?

  1. Availability of soil
  2. Availability of water
  3. Availability of vegetation cover

  1. Only 3

  2. Only 2 and 3

  3. 1, 2 and 3

  4. Only 1 and 3
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

In ecology, a biome is a major regional group of distinctive plant and animal communities best adapted to the region's physical natural environment, latitude, altitude and terrain. A biome is made up of communities at stable steady state and all associated transitional, disturbed, or degraded, vegetation, fauna and soils, but can often be identified by the climax vegetation type. A fundamental classification of biomes is into: Terrestrial (or continental) biomes, and Aquatic biomes. The criteria used for classification of biomes are:

  1. Availability of soil
  2. Availability of water
  3. Availability of vegetation cover
Multiple choice

Why does the author think that coral reefs face an uncertain future?

Directions: Read the passage below and answer the question that follows.

Passage 1
Coral reefs are one of the Earth’s most beautiful, ancient and complex ecosystems. They play an essential role in sustaining life in the sea and serve as a source of food and protection for human communities. But coral reefs face an uncertain future. As a result of growing human and environmental assaults, reefs are among the most threatened ecosystems on earth. Ecological research provides information fundamental to understanding and combating this trend. Corals are actually animals with plants living inside them. A coral structure is actually composed of hundreds or thousands of tiny animals growing together as a colony which make a coral. Several polyps make a coral which together form a reef.
Coral reefs are the most diverse and productive marine communities on the planet. They play a critical role as habitat and nursery grounds for 10 to 20% of the world’s fisheries. They are intimately connected to other marine communities such as mangrove forests, sea grass beds, and the open seas as water currents transport larvae, plants, animals, nutrients, and organic materials. They play a significant role in the development of other ecosystems such as mangroves and wetlands and protect coastlines from wave and storm damage and erosion.

  1. Because they are a source of food for marine communities

  2. Because reefs are among the most threatened ecosystems on earth

  3. Because they are animals with plants inside them

  4. Because they protect coastlines from wave and storm damage

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

The second part of the fourth sentence of the passage gives the answer to this, ‘As a result of growing human and environmental assaults, reefs are among the most threatened ecosystems on earth.’.

Multiple choice

Which of the following words is opposite in meaning to the word ‘significant’?

Directions: Read the passage below and answer the question that follows.

Passage 1
Coral reefs are one of the Earth’s most beautiful, ancient and complex ecosystems. They play an essential role in sustaining life in the sea and serve as a source of food and protection for human communities. But coral reefs face an uncertain future. As a result of growing human and environmental assaults, reefs are among the most threatened ecosystems on earth. Ecological research provides information fundamental to understanding and combating this trend. Corals are actually animals with plants living inside them. A coral structure is actually composed of hundreds or thousands of tiny animals growing together as a colony which make a coral. Several polyps make a coral which together form a reef.
Coral reefs are the most diverse and productive marine communities on the planet. They play a critical role as habitat and nursery grounds for 10 to 20% of the world’s fisheries. They are intimately connected to other marine communities such as mangrove forests, sea grass beds, and the open seas as water currents transport larvae, plants, animals, nutrients, and organic materials. They play a significant role in the development of other ecosystems such as mangroves and wetlands and protect coastlines from wave and storm damage and erosion.

  1. Common

  2. Serious

  3. Valid

  4. Important

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

The meaning of significant is important or uncommon. Its antonym is common.

Multiple choice

Coral reefs are made up of which of the following?

Directions: Read the passage below and answer the question that follows.

Passage 1
Coral reefs are one of the Earth’s most beautiful, ancient and complex ecosystems. They play an essential role in sustaining life in the sea and serve as a source of food and protection for human communities. But coral reefs face an uncertain future. As a result of growing human and environmental assaults, reefs are among the most threatened ecosystems on earth. Ecological research provides information fundamental to understanding and combating this trend. Corals are actually animals with plants living inside them. A coral structure is actually composed of hundreds or thousands of tiny animals growing together as a colony which make a coral. Several polyps make a coral which together form a reef.
Coral reefs are the most diverse and productive marine communities on the planet. They play a critical role as habitat and nursery grounds for 10 to 20% of the world’s fisheries. They are intimately connected to other marine communities such as mangrove forests, sea grass beds, and the open seas as water currents transport larvae, plants, animals, nutrients, and organic materials. They play a significant role in the development of other ecosystems such as mangroves and wetlands and protect coastlines from wave and storm damage and erosion.

  1. Tiny plants

  2. Animals

  3. Plants with animals living inside them

  4. Animals with plants living inside them

  5. .
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The sixth sentence of the passage gives the answer. Corals are actually animals with plants living inside them.

Multiple choice

In the passage, what is the phrase ‘this trend’ referring to?

Directions: Read the passage below and answer the question that follows.

Passage 1
Coral reefs are one of the Earth’s most beautiful, ancient and complex ecosystems. They play an essential role in sustaining life in the sea and serve as a source of food and protection for human communities. But coral reefs face an uncertain future. As a result of growing human and environmental assaults, reefs are among the most threatened ecosystems on earth. Ecological research provides information fundamental to understanding and combating this trend. Corals are actually animals with plants living inside them. A coral structure is actually composed of hundreds or thousands of tiny animals growing together as a colony which make a coral. Several polyps make a coral which together form a reef.
Coral reefs are the most diverse and productive marine communities on the planet. They play a critical role as habitat and nursery grounds for 10 to 20% of the world’s fisheries. They are intimately connected to other marine communities such as mangrove forests, sea grass beds, and the open seas as water currents transport larvae, plants, animals, nutrients, and organic materials. They play a significant role in the development of other ecosystems such as mangroves and wetlands and protect coastlines from wave and storm damage and erosion.

  1. Being a habitat and nursery ground for fisheries

  2. The role of corals in developing other communities

  3. Uncertain future due to human and ecological assaults

  4. Ecological research on reefs

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

The trend refers to the uncertain future of coral reefs due to human and ecological assaults. The third and fourth sentences of the passage refer to this.

Multiple choice

Which of the following statements is/are correct?

a. A Biosphere Reserve is a unique and representative ecosystem of terrestrial and coastal areas which are internationally recognised within the framework of UNESCO’s MAB programme. b. There are fifteen biosphere reserves in India. c. Thirteen biosphere reserves in India have been recognised by UNESCO on World Network of Biosphere Reserves.

  1. a only

  2. b only

  3. c only

  4. a, b and c

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

This is the correct answer as this statement is correct. A biosphere reserve is a unique and representative ecosystem of terrestrial and coastal areas, which are internationally recognised within the framework of UNESCO’s Man and Biosphere programme.

Multiple choice

Which of the following correctly defines an ecosystem?

  1. It is a biotic community.

  2. Its environment forms an interacting entity.

  3. Both 1 and 2

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

An ecosystem is defined as a complex of living organisms (biotic community) interacting with their physical environment. Therefore, both statements A and B are correct.