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 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

Which biodiversity hotspot is home to the greatest number of endemic mammal species?

  1. Madagascar

  2. Philippines

  3. Sundaland

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

Madagascar is home to over 100 endemic mammal species, more than any other biodiversity hotspot.

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.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is NOT a method for measuring functional diversity?

  1. Trait-based approaches

  2. Phylogenetic approaches

  3. Community-weighted mean traits

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

Species richness is a measure of the number of species in a community, while functional diversity is measured using trait-based or phylogenetic approaches.

Multiple choice

What is functional redundancy?

  1. The overlap in functional traits among species

  2. The number of species that perform the same function

  3. The degree to which different species contribute to ecosystem functioning

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

Functional redundancy refers to the overlap in functional traits among species within a community, indicating that multiple species may perform similar ecological functions.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is NOT a challenge in measuring functional diversity?

  1. Data limitations

  2. Trait selection

  3. Trait measurement

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

Species identification is not typically considered a challenge in measuring functional diversity, as it is a prerequisite for any ecological study.

Multiple choice

What is the term used to describe the loss of functional diversity within a community?

  1. Functional homogenization

  2. Functional redundancy

  3. Functional divergence

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

Functional homogenization refers to the loss of functional diversity within a community, often due to factors such as habitat loss, pollution, or climate change.