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
Which of the following is an example of an ecosystem service provided by biodiversity?
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Pollination of crops and wild plants.
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Regulation of climate and weather patterns.
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Purification of air and water.
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All of the above.
D
Correct answer
Explanation
Biodiversity provides a wide range of ecosystem services that are essential for human well-being. These services include pollination of crops and wild plants, regulation of climate and weather patterns, purification of air and water, and support for recreation and tourism.
What is the concept of 'ecosystem services', and how do they relate to biodiversity?
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Ecosystem services are the benefits that humans derive from ecosystems.
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Biodiversity is essential for the provision of ecosystem services.
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Ecosystem services include clean air, water, and food.
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All of the above.
D
Correct answer
Explanation
Ecosystem services are the benefits that humans derive from ecosystems, such as clean air, water, and food. Biodiversity is essential for the provision of ecosystem services, as it supports the functioning of ecosystems and the processes that generate these benefits.
Which of the following is NOT considered a cultural service provided by ecosystems?
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Spiritual fulfillment
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Food production
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Water purification
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Religious fulfillment
B
Correct answer
Explanation
Food production is a provisioning service, not a cultural service.
What is the term for the interconnectedness and interdependence of all living things in an ecosystem?
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Biodiversity
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Symbiosis
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Ecology
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Food chain
C
Correct answer
Explanation
Ecology is the study of the interactions between organisms and their environment, including the relationships between different species and the physical and chemical factors that influence their survival. It emphasizes the interconnectedness and interdependence of all living things within an ecosystem.
What is the term used to describe the point at which the predator population is at its highest and the prey population is at its lowest?
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Peak predator
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Peak prey
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Predator-prey equilibrium
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Carrying capacity
A
Correct answer
Explanation
Peak predator is the point in a predator-prey cycle when the predator population is at its highest and the prey population is at its lowest.
What is the term used to describe the point at which the prey population is at its highest and the predator population is at its lowest?
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Peak predator
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Peak prey
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Predator-prey equilibrium
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Carrying capacity
B
Correct answer
Explanation
Peak prey is the point in a predator-prey cycle when the prey population is at its highest and the predator population is at its lowest.
What is the term used to describe the maximum population size that an environment can support?
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Peak predator
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Peak prey
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Predator-prey equilibrium
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Carrying capacity
D
Correct answer
Explanation
Carrying capacity is the maximum population size that an environment can support, based on the available resources.
What is the term used to describe the variety of life on Earth, including the diversity of species, ecosystems, and genetic variation?
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Biodiversity
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Ecosystem Diversity
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Genetic Diversity
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Species Richness
A
Correct answer
Explanation
Biodiversity encompasses the entire spectrum of life on Earth, including the variety of species, ecosystems, and genetic variations within species.
Which of the following is NOT a regulating service provided by ecosystems?
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Climate regulation
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Water purification
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Pollination
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Food production
D
Correct answer
Explanation
Food production is a provisioning service, not a regulating service.
Which of the following is NOT a provisioning service provided by ecosystems?
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Food
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Water
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Timber
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Biodiversity
D
Correct answer
Explanation
Biodiversity is not a provisioning service, but rather a supporting service that underpins the functioning of ecosystems and the provision of all other ecosystem services.
Which landscape metric is used to quantify the amount of edge habitat in a fragmented landscape?
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Patch Density
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Edge Density
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Mean Patch Size
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Landscape Connectivity
B
Correct answer
Explanation
Edge density is a measure of the amount of edge habitat in a landscape, calculated as the total length of all edges divided by the total area of the landscape.
What does the term 'fractal dimension' represent in the context of habitat fragmentation?
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The complexity of habitat edges
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The degree of habitat connectivity
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The number of habitat patches
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The size of the largest habitat patch
A
Correct answer
Explanation
Fractal dimension is a measure of the complexity of habitat edges, quantifying their irregularity and sinuosity.
Which landscape metric is used to quantify the isolation of habitat patches?
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Isolation Index
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Proximate Patch Index
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Aggregation Index
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Interspersion and Juxtaposition Index
A
Correct answer
Explanation
The isolation index measures the degree to which habitat patches are isolated from each other, considering both the distance between patches and the amount of intervening habitat.
The concept of 'core habitat' in the context of habitat fragmentation refers to:
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Habitat patches with high connectivity
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Habitat patches with low edge density
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Habitat patches with high species richness
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Habitat patches with large size
B
Correct answer
Explanation
Core habitat refers to habitat patches with low edge density, providing interior conditions with reduced exposure to edge effects.
Which measure quantifies the total amount of habitat in a fragmented landscape?
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Patch Density
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Total Edge Length
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Total Habitat Area
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Mean Patch Size
C
Correct answer
Explanation
Total habitat area is a measure of the total amount of habitat in a fragmented landscape, regardless of patch size or configuration.