Environmental Studies ยท Biology

Ecology and Biodiversity

1,737 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

What is the relationship between biodiversity and ecosystem services?

  1. Biodiversity is essential for the provision of ecosystem services

  2. Ecosystem services are essential for the maintenance of biodiversity

  3. Biodiversity and ecosystem services are independent of each other

  4. None of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Biodiversity is essential for the provision of ecosystem services because the variety of species and their interactions with each other help to maintain the functioning of ecosystems. For example, pollinators such as bees and butterflies are essential for the reproduction of many plants, and decomposers such as bacteria and fungi are essential for the recycling of nutrients.

Multiple choice

According to Bronfenbrenner's Ecological Systems Theory, which level of influence is closest to the individual?

  1. Microsystem

  2. Mesosystem

  3. Exosystem

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

In Bronfenbrenner's Ecological Systems Theory, the microsystem represents the immediate environment in which an individual lives, including family, peers, and school, and is the level of influence closest to the individual.

Multiple choice

What is the term for the belief that the Earth is a living organism and that humans are part of a larger web of life?

  1. Gaia Theory

  2. Biocentrism

  3. Ecocentrism

  4. Deep Ecology
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Gaia Theory, proposed by James Lovelock, suggests that the Earth is a self-regulating system in which all living beings play a role.

Multiple choice

What is the term used to describe the variety of life on Earth, including the diversity of species, genes, and ecosystems?

  1. Biodiversity

  2. Ecosystem Health

  3. Conservation Biology

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

Biodiversity encompasses the variety of life on Earth at all levels, from genes to species to ecosystems.

Multiple choice

What is the term used to describe the variety of living organisms in a forest?

  1. Forest diversity

  2. Forest heterogeneity

  3. Forest biodiversity

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

Forest biodiversity refers to the variety of living organisms found in a forest, including plants, animals, fungi, and microorganisms.

Multiple choice

What are provisioning services in the context of ecosystem services?

  1. Services that provide food, water, and raw materials for human use

  2. Services that regulate climate and air quality

  3. Services that support biodiversity and habitat conservation

  4. Services that provide cultural and recreational benefits
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Provisioning services are those ecosystem services that directly provide tangible goods or resources for human consumption or use, such as food, water, timber, and fiber.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is NOT a common provisioning service provided by ecosystems?

  1. Food (crops, livestock)

  2. Water (drinking, irrigation)

  3. Timber (for construction, furniture)

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

Carbon sequestration is a regulating service provided by ecosystems, as it involves the removal of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and its storage in terrestrial or marine ecosystems.

Multiple choice

What is the term used to describe the ability of an ecosystem to maintain its structure and function over time?

  1. Resilience

  2. Stability

  3. Equilibrium

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

Resilience, stability, and equilibrium are all terms used to describe the ability of an ecosystem to maintain its structure and function over time.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is NOT a principle of landscape architecture?

  1. Unity

  2. Variety

  3. Balance

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

Sustainability is not a principle of landscape architecture, but rather a goal that landscape architects strive to achieve.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is NOT a key component of an ecosystem?

  1. Producers

  2. Consumers

  3. Decomposers

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

Abiotic factors, such as temperature, moisture, and pH, are not living components of an ecosystem but influence the interactions and survival of organisms.

Multiple choice

What is the term used to describe the transfer of energy from one trophic level to the next?

  1. Food chain

  2. Food web

  3. Trophic cascade

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

A trophic cascade is the transfer of energy and nutrients from one trophic level to the next, with each level representing a different group of organisms.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is an example of a positive feedback loop in an ecosystem?

  1. Increased plant growth due to increased carbon dioxide levels

  2. Decreased predator populations due to increased prey populations

  3. Increased decomposition rates due to increased temperature

  4. Decreased water availability due to increased drought
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Increased plant growth due to increased carbon dioxide levels is an example of a positive feedback loop, where the initial change (increased carbon dioxide) leads to a reinforcing effect (increased plant growth).

Multiple choice

What is the term used to describe the process by which ecosystems change over time?

  1. Ecological succession

  2. Biogeochemical cycling

  3. Trophic cascade

  4. Population dynamics
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Ecological succession is the process by which ecosystems change over time, as species composition and community structure adapt to changing environmental conditions.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is NOT a type of ecosystem service?

  1. Water purification

  2. Climate regulation

  3. Food production

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

Pollution absorption is not a recognized ecosystem service. Ecosystems provide services such as water purification, climate regulation, and food production.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is an example of a limiting factor in an ecosystem?

  1. Sunlight

  2. Water

  3. Temperature

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

Sunlight, water, and temperature can all be limiting factors in an ecosystem, depending on the specific needs of the organisms present.