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 biology interdependence in living beings - plants and animals animals as consumers scavengers and decomposers interdependence between plants and animals

The decomposers in an ecosystem

  1. Convert inorganic material to simpler forms.

  2. Convert organic material to inorganic forms.

  3. Convert inorganic materials into organic compounds.

  4. Do not breakdown organic compounds.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Most important characteristics of an ecosystem are unidirectional flow of energy and cycling of material. The cycling of material is directly dependent on the activity of decomposers. These organisms, also called as detritivores, feed on detritus ie dead and decaying matter and release the nutrients locked up in dead bodies of plants and animals and excreta of animals. Thus, converting organic material into inorganic nutrients.

Therefore, the correct answer is option B.

Multiple choice general knowledge resources of india and world animal husbandry and fishery green and white revolution agriculture in indian economy

Transfer of energy from one organism to another in an ecosystem takes place in a __________.

  1. linear manner

  2. hierarchical manner

  3. discrete manner

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

Energy flow in an ecosystem is often described as cyclic in terms of nutrient movement, though energy itself flows linearly. However, in the context of general ecological cycles, 'cyclic' is the standard term for the movement of matter and energy through trophic levels.

Multiple choice general knowledge resources of india and world animal husbandry and fishery green and white revolution agriculture in indian economy

The niche of an animal is best defined as ____________.

  1. the number of individuals of the species, the environment will support.

  2. the same as its habitat.

  3. all the ways an animal fits into its environment.

  4. the specific part for which organism is best suited.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

An ecological niche describes the functional role of an organism in its environment, including how it uses resources and interacts with other species, essentially the 'part' it plays in the ecosystem.

Multiple choice zoology human population population ecology population size population and how it changes

The maximum possible number of individuals that a habitat can support is called its _________________.

  1. fecundity

  2. surviving ability

  3. carrying capacity

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

In nature, a given habitat has resources to support a certain number of individuals of a population, beyond which no further growth is possible. This limit is called as nature's carrying capacity (K) for that species in that habitat 

Multiple choice zoology human population population ecology population size population and how it changes

The population size that an environment can sustain is called the 

  1. Maximum population

  2. Habitat

  3. Exponential limit

  4. Logistic goal

  5. Carrying capacity
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
E Correct answer
Explanation

The carrying capacity of an environment is the maximum population it can support with available resources. Carrying capacity is one of the limiting factors for population increase.

So, the correct answer is 'Carrying capacity'

Multiple choice zoology human population population ecology population size population and how it changes

Each environment can support a limited population depending upon its 

  1. Biotic potential

  2. Carrying capacity

  3. Natality

  4. Reproductive potential
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation
  • Biotic potential is the maximum reproductive capacity of an organism under optimum environmental conditions.
  • Natality is the ratio of the number of births to the size of the population; birth rate.
  • The carrying capacity of a biological species in an environment is the maximum population size of the species that the environment can sustain indefinitely, given the food, habitat, water, and other necessities available in the environment.

So, the correct answer is 'Carrying capacity'.
Multiple choice evs weather, climate and adaptation of animals to different climates climate and weather weather, climate and adaptations of animals to climate atmosphere and its components

Temperature of a particular region determines the 

  1. Distribution of flora

  2. Distribution of fauna

  3. Texture of soil

  4. Both A and B
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Temperature is a critical environmental factor that dictates the survival, distribution, and metabolic rates of both flora (plants) and fauna (animals).

Multiple choice evs life in water aquatic plant adaptations pollination through water aquatic adaptation extreme adaptations

Phosphorous usually becomes a limiting factor at certain times of the year in which ecosystem? 

  1. Aquatic ecosystem

  2. Grassland ecosystem

  3. Forest ecosystem

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

Generally, phosphorus is the limiting nutrient in freshwater aquatic systems. That is, if all phosphorus is used, plant growth will cease, no matter how much nitrogen is available. Phosphorus functions as the growth-limiting factor because it is usually present in very low concentrations. The natural scarcity of phosphorus can be explained by its attraction to organic matter and soil particles. Any unattached or free phosphorus is quickly removed from the aquatic system by algae and larger aquatic plants. Excessive concentrations of phosphoruscan quickly cause extensive growth of aquatic plants and algal blooms. Several detrimental consequences may result. Excessive algae and plant growth can lead to depletion of the oxygen, that is dissolved in the water. 

Multiple choice evs life in water aquatic plant adaptations pollination through water aquatic adaptation extreme adaptations

Standing water 'ecosystem' is known as

  1. Running water ecosystem

  2. Lentic aquatic ecosystem

  3. Lotic ecosystem

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

Lentic ecosystems are standing water bodies like lakes and ponds with minimal flow. Lotic refers to running water ecosystems (streams, rivers). 'Running water ecosystem' is a description, not a formal term. 'Lakes ecosystem' is too specific - lentic includes ponds too.

Multiple choice botany energy flow in an ecosystem biogeochemical cycle nutrient cycles species, communities and ecosystems

Which one of the following is not one of the three aspects studied in biogeochemical cycling?

  1. The nature and size of natural reservoir

  2. The rate of movement between reservoirs

  3. Interaction between different biogeochemical cycles

  4. Creation of their own biogeochemical cycles by new species
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation
The cyclic movement of the elements from the abiotic system to the biotic system and back again is the biogeochemical cycle. These chemicals form the compounds of food, so these are also known as nutrient cycles.
Some of the important biogeochemical cycles are carbon cycle, Oxygen cycle nitrogen cycle, Phosphorus cycle.
Following aspect are studied in biogeochemical cycling-
The nature and size of the natural reservoir
The rate of movement between reservoirs
The interaction between different biogeochemical cycles
The correct option is the 'creation of their own biogeochemical cycles by new species'
Multiple choice botany energy flow in an ecosystem biogeochemical cycle nutrient cycles species, communities and ecosystems

Study of biogeochemical cycles is called as biogeochemistry, it involves

  1. Cycling of energy

  2. Cycling of gases

  3. Cycling of nutrients

  4. Cycling of water
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The term biogeochemical cycle is used for exchange or circulation of biogenetic nutrients between living and nonliving components of biosphere. Cycling of biogenetic nutrients is an important characteristic of an ecosystem. 

Multiple choice botany energy flow in an ecosystem biogeochemical cycle nutrient cycles species, communities and ecosystems

Cycling of elements in an ecosystem is called as

  1. Chemical cycle

  2. Geochemical cycle

  3. Biogeochemical cycle

  4. Geological cycle
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation
The term biogeochemical cycle is used for exchange or circulation of biogenetic nutrients between living and non living components of biospheres. The biogenetic nutrients are essential elements required by organisms for their body-building and metabolism which are provided by earth and returned to earth after the death of organisms and/or through excreta of animals
So, the correct answer is 'Biogeochemical cycle'
Multiple choice botany energy flow in an ecosystem biogeochemical cycle nutrient cycles species, communities and ecosystems

Which of the following cycle would be affected if decomposers of an ecosystem vanish?

  1. Producer's cycle

  2. Consumer's cycle

  3. Decomposer's cycle

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

The term biogeochemical cycles is used for exchange or circulation of biogenetic nutrients between living and nonliving components of biosphere. Biogenetic nutrients are essential elements required by organisms for their body building and metabolism, which are provided by earth and returned to earth after their death by the decomposition activity of decomposers. If decomposition is not carried out then biogenetic nutrients will slowly become locked up in the bodies of plants and animals and ultimately the biogeochemical cycles will stop.

Multiple choice botany energy flow in an ecosystem biogeochemical cycle nutrient cycles species, communities and ecosystems

Which one of the following is not a gaseous biogeochemical
cycle in ecosystem

  1. Sulphur cycle

  2. Phosphorus cycle

  3. Nitrogen cycle

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

Biogeochemical cycles like carbon, nitrogen, and sulphur have gaseous phases where elements circulate through the atmosphere. The phosphorus cycle is different - it's a sedimentary cycle that moves through soil, water, and rock but doesn't have a significant atmospheric gaseous phase.

Multiple choice botany energy flow in an ecosystem biogeochemical cycle nutrient cycles species, communities and ecosystems

Cycling of elements in an ecosystem is called

  1. Chemical cycle

  2. Geochemical cycle

  3. Biogeochemical cycle

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

Biogeochemical cycles refer to the movement of chemical elements between living organisms and the non-living environment (atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere). The term combines 'bio' (living organisms), 'geo' (earth/rocks), and 'chemical' (chemical processes).