Environmental Studies ยท 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

What is the concept of 'natural capital' in environmental economics?

  1. The stock of natural resources and ecosystems that provide benefits to humans

  2. The value of natural resources and ecosystems in monetary terms

  3. The ability of natural resources and ecosystems to generate economic growth

  4. None of the above
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A Correct answer
Explanation

Natural capital refers to the natural assets that provide essential services and benefits to human societies, such as clean air, water, and biodiversity.

Multiple choice

What are provisioning services?

  1. The tangible benefits that humans receive from ecosystems

  2. The processes that occur within ecosystems

  3. The interactions between different species in an ecosystem

  4. The physical components of an ecosystem
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A Correct answer
Explanation

Provisioning services are the tangible benefits that humans receive from ecosystems, such as food, water, and shelter. These services are essential for human survival and well-being.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is NOT a provisioning service?

  1. Food

  2. Water

  3. Shelter

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

Biodiversity is not a provisioning service because it is not a tangible benefit that humans receive from ecosystems. Provisioning services are the tangible benefits that humans receive from ecosystems, such as food, water, and shelter.

Multiple choice

The term 'biodiversity' refers to:

  1. The variety of life on Earth

  2. The number of species on Earth

  3. The genetic diversity within a species

  4. The distribution of species across the globe
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A Correct answer
Explanation

Biodiversity refers to the variety of life on Earth, including the diversity of species, ecosystems, and genetic variation within species.

Multiple choice

The term 'ecosystem services' refers to:

  1. The benefits that ecosystems provide to humans

  2. The costs associated with maintaining ecosystems

  3. The value of ecosystems in monetary terms

  4. The impact of human activities on ecosystems
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Ecosystem services are the various benefits that ecosystems provide to humans, such as clean air, water, food, and pollination.

Multiple choice

What is the term used to describe the interconnectedness of species and their roles in an ecosystem?

  1. Biodiversity

  2. Ecological balance

  3. Symbiosis

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

Ecological balance refers to the interconnectedness of species and their roles in an ecosystem, highlighting the delicate equilibrium that maintains the stability and functioning of the natural world.

Multiple choice

What is the term used to describe the interconnectedness of species and their roles in an ecosystem, often represented as a network of interactions?

  1. Food web

  2. Ecological network

  3. Species interaction network

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

Food web, ecological network, and species interaction network all refer to the interconnectedness of species and their roles in an ecosystem, often represented as a network of interactions.

Multiple choice

What is biodiversity?

  1. The variety of life on Earth

  2. The number of different species on Earth

  3. The genetic diversity within a species

  4. The distribution of species across the Earth
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Biodiversity is the variety of life on Earth, including the number of different species, the genetic diversity within species, and the distribution of species across the Earth.

Multiple choice

What are ecosystem services?

  1. The benefits that humans derive from ecosystems

  2. The processes that occur in ecosystems

  3. The components of ecosystems

  4. The interactions between organisms in ecosystems
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Ecosystem services are the benefits that humans derive from ecosystems, such as clean air and water, food, shelter, and recreation.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is an example of an ecosystem service?

  1. Pollination of crops by bees

  2. Decomposition of organic matter by bacteria

  3. Cycling of nutrients through the food web

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

All of the above are examples of ecosystem services. Pollination of crops by bees helps to ensure food production, decomposition of organic matter by bacteria helps to recycle nutrients, and cycling of nutrients through the food web helps to maintain the health of ecosystems.

Multiple choice

What is the difference between biodiversity and ecosystem services?

  1. Biodiversity is the variety of life on Earth, while ecosystem services are the benefits that humans derive from ecosystems

  2. Biodiversity is the number of different species on Earth, while ecosystem services are the processes that occur in ecosystems

  3. Biodiversity is the genetic diversity within a species, while ecosystem services are the interactions between organisms in ecosystems

  4. Biodiversity is the distribution of species across the Earth, while ecosystem services are the components of ecosystems
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Biodiversity is the variety of life on Earth, including the number of different species, the genetic diversity within species, and the distribution of species across the Earth. Ecosystem services are the benefits that humans derive from ecosystems, such as clean air and water, food, shelter, and recreation.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is not an example of an ecosystem service?

  1. Pollination of crops by bees

  2. Decomposition of organic matter by bacteria

  3. Cycling of nutrients through the food web

  4. Production of oxygen by plants
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Production of oxygen by plants is not an example of an ecosystem service because it is a natural process that occurs regardless of human activity. Ecosystem services are the benefits that humans derive from ecosystems, such as clean air and water, food, shelter, and recreation.

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
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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
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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.