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 term used to describe the minimum amount of habitat required for a population to persist in a fragmented landscape?

  1. Minimum viable population size

  2. Carrying capacity

  3. Habitat threshold

  4. Edge effect
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Habitat threshold refers to the minimum amount of habitat required for a population to persist in a fragmented landscape, below which the population is at risk of extinction.

Multiple choice

What is the term used to describe the changes in species composition and abundance that occur at the edges of habitat fragments?

  1. Edge effect

  2. Fragmentation effect

  3. Isolation effect

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

Edge effect refers to the changes in species composition and abundance that occur at the edges of habitat fragments, where environmental conditions differ from those in the interior of the fragment.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is a key principle of permaculture?

  1. Diversity

  2. Interconnectedness

  3. Feedback loops

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

Diversity, interconnectedness, and feedback loops are all key principles of permaculture. Diversity refers to the variety of plants and animals in a system. Interconnectedness refers to the way that different elements of a system are connected and interact with each other. Feedback loops refer to the way that information flows through a system and is used to make adjustments.

Multiple choice

What is the term for a permaculture design that creates a self-sustaining ecosystem in a small space?

  1. Food forest

  2. Keyhole garden

  3. Hugelkultur

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

Food forest, keyhole garden, and hugelkultur are all permaculture designs that create self-sustaining ecosystems in small spaces. Food forests are designed to mimic the natural patterns of a forest ecosystem, and they can provide a variety of food, shelter, and other resources for humans and other organisms. Keyhole gardens are small, circular gardens that are easy to maintain and can be used to grow a variety of vegetables and herbs. Hugelkultur is a method of creating raised beds using logs and other organic materials.

Multiple choice

What is the term for a permaculture design that creates a sustainable food system?

  1. Food forest

  2. Keyhole garden

  3. Hugelkultur

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

Food forest, keyhole garden, and hugelkultur are all permaculture designs that create sustainable food systems. Food forests are designed to mimic the natural patterns of a forest ecosystem, and they can provide a variety of food, shelter, and other resources for humans and other organisms. Keyhole gardens are small, circular gardens that are easy to maintain and can be used to grow a variety of vegetables and herbs. Hugelkultur is a method of creating raised beds using logs and other organic materials.

Multiple choice

What is the term used to describe the total amount of living matter in an ecosystem?

  1. Biomass

  2. Biodiversity

  3. Carrying capacity

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

Biomass is the total amount of living matter in an ecosystem, including plants, animals, and microorganisms.

Multiple choice

What is the term used to describe the maximum population size that an ecosystem can support?

  1. Biomass

  2. Biodiversity

  3. Carrying capacity

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

Carrying capacity is the maximum population size that an ecosystem can support, based on the availability of resources such as food, water, and shelter.

Multiple choice

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

  1. Climate regulation

  2. Water purification

  3. Pollination

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

Food production is a provisioning service, not a regulating service.

Multiple choice

What is the term used to describe the interconnectedness of ecosystems and the flow of energy and matter between them?

  1. Biodiversity

  2. Ecosystem services

  3. Ecological footprint

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

Ecosystem services refer to the benefits that humans derive from ecosystems, such as clean air and water, pollination, and climate regulation, highlighting the interconnectedness of ecosystems and their importance to human well-being.

Multiple choice

What is the term used to describe the interconnectedness of life on Earth and the interdependence of species within ecosystems?

  1. Biodiversity

  2. Ecosystem services

  3. Ecological footprint

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

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

Multiple choice

Which of the following is NOT a supporting service that contributes to climate regulation?

  1. Water cycling

  2. Pollination

  3. Carbon sequestration

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

Pollination is a regulating service, not a supporting service.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is NOT a supporting service that helps regulate the Earth's climate?

  1. Water purification

  2. Pollination

  3. Soil formation

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

Biodiversity is a regulating service, not a supporting service.

Multiple choice

What is functional diversity?

  1. The variety of species within a community

  2. The range of traits exhibited by species within a community

  3. The number of different species in a community

  4. The genetic diversity within a population
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Functional diversity refers to the variety of traits and functions performed by different species within an ecological community.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is NOT a component of functional diversity?

  1. Species richness

  2. Species evenness

  3. Trait diversity

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

Species richness is a measure of the number of species in a community, while functional diversity encompasses the range of traits and functions performed by those species.

Multiple choice

What is the relationship between functional diversity and ecosystem functioning?

  1. Functional diversity has no effect on ecosystem functioning

  2. Functional diversity is negatively correlated with ecosystem functioning

  3. Functional diversity is positively correlated with ecosystem functioning

  4. The relationship between functional diversity and ecosystem functioning is unclear
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Functional diversity is often positively correlated with ecosystem functioning, as a greater variety of traits and functions can enhance the overall resilience and productivity of an ecosystem.