Threats to Biodiversity: Causes and Consequences

Question 1

Which human activity poses the most significant cause of habitat destruction:

Accepted Answer

Agricultural practices

Answer

Mining and extraction

Answer

Urban expansion

Answer

Tourism and recreation

Question 2

Within aquatic ecosystems, which type of contamination poses the greatest threat:

Accepted Answer

Water pollution

Answer

Air pollution

Answer

Soil pollution

Answer

Noise pollution

Question 3

Provide an example of an invasive species:

Accepted Answer

Asian tiger mosquito

Answer

Native oak tree

Answer

Endemic blue whale

Answer

Common ladybird

Question 4

What type of pollution is caused by the release of harmful chemicals into the environment?

Accepted Answer

Chemical pollution

Answer

Air pollution

Answer

Water pollution

Answer

Noise pollution

Question 5

How do invasive species threaten biodiversity?

Accepted Answer

Both (a) and (c)

Answer

They compete with native species for resources

Answer

They introduce diseases to native species

Answer

They alter ecosystems and reduce biodiversity

Question 6

Identify the option that is NOT considered a significant threat to biodiversity.

Accepted Answer

Conservation efforts

Answer

Conversion of natural habitats for human use

Answer

Pollution

Answer

Invasive species

Question 7

Which human activity is primarily responsible for habitat loss?

Accepted Answer

Deforestation and mining

Answer

Urban development and agriculture

Answer

Pollution and climate change

Answer

Tourism and recreation

Question 8

Can invasive species potentially offer advantages?

Accepted Answer

Yes, they can provide new food sources or enhance ecosystem resilience.

Answer

No, they always have negative impacts on biodiversity.

Answer

Yes, but only in specific circumstances.

Answer

No, never.

Question 9

What are the ethical responsibilities of individuals and society in preserving biodiversity?

Accepted Answer

Both individuals and society have ethical responsibilities to conserve biodiversity for its own sake and for the benefits it provides to humans.

Answer

Individuals have no ethical obligation to protect biodiversity.

Answer

Society's main ethical responsibility is to prioritize economic growth over biodiversity conservation.

Question 10

Which of the following is NOT a major threat to biodiversity?

Accepted Answer

Renewable energy development

Answer

Habitat loss

Answer

Pollution

Answer

Invasive species

Question 11

Identify the primary cause of habitat loss worldwide.

Accepted Answer

Deforestation

Answer

Climate change

Answer

Invasive species

Answer

Pollution

Question 12

Which of the following species is considered invasive?

Accepted Answer

Asian carp

Answer

Polar bear

Answer

European robin

Answer

Blue whale

Question 13

Which gas is primarily responsible for trapping heat in the Earth's atmosphere, contributing to global warming?

Accepted Answer

Carbon dioxide

Answer

Oxygen

Answer

Nitrogen

Answer

Helium

Question 14

What term describes the gradual increase in the average temperature of the Earth's atmosphere?

Accepted Answer

Global warming

Answer

Climate change

Answer

Greenhouse effect

Answer

Ozone depletion

Question 15

What is the ecological significance of keystone species?

Accepted Answer

They have a disproportionate impact on their ecosystems relative to their abundance.

Answer

They are the most common species in their ecosystems.

Answer

They are only found in one specific type of ecosystem.

Answer

They are the only species capable of photosynthesis.

Question 16

Which of the following types of pollution poses the greatest threat to aquatic ecosystems?

Accepted Answer

Water pollution

Answer

Air pollution

Answer

Soil pollution

Answer

Noise pollution

Question 17

What is the primary mechanism by which invasive species can negatively affect native species?

Accepted Answer

Competition for resources

Answer

Predation

Answer

Disease

Answer

Hybridization

Question 18

Which of the following is NOT considered a primary threat to biodiversity?

Accepted Answer

Urban sprawl

Answer

Habitat loss

Answer

Pollution

Answer

Climate change

Question 19

Deforestation is a significant example of:

Accepted Answer

Habitat loss

Answer

Pollution

Answer

Overexploitation

Answer

Invasive species

Question 20

Which of the following pollutants is a major contributor to acid rain and air pollution?

Accepted Answer

Sulphur dioxide

Answer

Carbon dioxide

Answer

Nitrous oxide

Answer

Methane

Question 21

What is considered the primary cause of habitat loss globally?

Accepted Answer

Agriculture

Answer

Urbanization

Answer

Mining

Answer

Logging

Question 22

Which of the following is an example of an invasive species in the United Kingdom?

Accepted Answer

Japanese knotweed

Answer

Native bee

Answer

Hedgehog

Answer

Red fox

Question 23

Which conservation strategy focuses on protecting particular species rather than entire ecosystems?

Accepted Answer

Captive breeding programs

Answer

Habitat restoration

Answer

Reducing pollution

Answer

Invasive species management

Question 24

Which of the following is NOT a significant threat to biodiversity in the United Kingdom?

Accepted Answer

Deforestation

Answer

Climate change

Answer

Invasive species

Answer

Overfishing

Question 25

How does habitat fragmentation lead to a decrease in biodiversity?

Accepted Answer

Reduced genetic diversity due to isolated populations

Answer

Increased habitat connectivity and species dispersal

Answer

Enhanced ecosystem stability and resilience

Question 26

How does overexploitation directly contribute to the endangerment of species?

Accepted Answer

By reducing population size

Answer

By causing habitat fragmentation

Answer

By introducing invasive species

Answer

By altering interspecies relationships

Question 27

Which of the following is NOT a potential consequence of biodiversity loss?

Accepted Answer

Enhanced food production

Answer

Diminished ecosystem functionality

Answer

Economic losses due to declining ecosystem services

Answer

Increased risk of natural disasters

Question 28

What is the distinction between in-situ and ex-situ conservation?

Accepted Answer

In-situ conservation protects species within their natural habitats, while ex-situ conservation involves preserving species in controlled environments.

Answer

In-situ conservation focuses on protecting individual species, while ex-situ conservation focuses on protecting entire ecosystems.

Answer

In-situ conservation is more expensive than ex-situ conservation.

Answer

Ex-situ conservation is more effective than in-situ conservation.

Question 29

Which of the following is NOT considered a major threat to biodiversity?

Accepted Answer

Sustainable agriculture

Answer

Climate change

Answer

Habitat loss

Answer

Pollution

Question 30

What is the primary cause of habitat loss worldwide?

Accepted Answer

Urbanization and agriculture

Answer

Climate change

Answer

Overpopulation

Answer

Invasive species

Question 31

How can artificial reefs help to reduce the effects of habitat loss on the variety of marine life?

Accepted Answer

Artificial reefs can help by providing new homes for sea creatures and improving damaged habitats.

Answer

Artificial reefs can harm marine life by upsetting the natural balance and bringing in invasive species.

Answer

Artificial reefs are not a good way to stop habitat loss because they cannot completely take the place of natural habitats.

Answer

Artificial reefs only help some types of sea creatures and do not help the overall variety of marine life.

Question 32

How does habitat fragmentation affect genetic diversity within a population?

Accepted Answer

Reduces genetic diversity by limiting gene flow between subpopulations.

Answer

Increases genetic diversity by promoting new gene combinations.

Answer

Has no significant impact on genetic diversity.

Question 33

Deforestation is a specific example of which type of threat to biodiversity?

Accepted Answer

Habitat loss

Answer

Overexploitation

Answer

Pollution

Answer

Invasive species

Question 34

Which of the following is a potential consequence of habitat loss?

Accepted Answer

Population decline of native species

Answer

Increased genetic diversity

Answer

Reduced water pollution

Answer

Improved air quality

Question 35

Invasive species can threaten biodiversity primarily through:

Accepted Answer

Competition with native species for resources

Answer

Increasing genetic diversity

Answer

Reducing pollution levels

Answer

Improving soil fertility

Question 36

Which of the following human activities contributes to climate change?

Accepted Answer

Burning fossil fuels

Answer

Planting trees

Answer

Recycling paper

Answer

Conserving water

Question 37

How can climate change impact biodiversity?

Accepted Answer

By altering habitats, disrupting species distributions, and increasing extinction risk

Answer

By increasing the rate of photosynthesis

Answer

By improving water quality

Question 38

Sustainable practices can help protect biodiversity primarily by:

Accepted Answer

Minimizing human impact on ecosystems and reducing threats to biodiversity

Answer

Guaranteeing the extinction of certain species

Answer

Having no effect on biodiversity conservation

Question 39

Which of the following is NOT recognized as a benefit associated with biodiversity?

Accepted Answer

Increased vulnerability to pests and diseases

Answer

Improved air and water quality

Answer

Increased ecosystem resilience

Answer

Enhanced food security

Question 40

What is the overarching goal of biodiversity conservation efforts?

Accepted Answer

To maintain the variety and integrity of ecosystems for current and future generations

Answer

To eradicate climate change

Answer

To eliminate all invasive species

Question 41

Which of the following helps protect biodiversity rather than being a threat?

Accepted Answer

Conservation efforts

Answer

Habitat destruction

Answer

Introduction of invasive species

Answer

Pollution from factories and vehicles

Question 42

What is the main cause of habitat loss, particularly deforestation and urbanization?

Accepted Answer

Human activities

Answer

Long-term cycles of the Earth's climate

Answer

Climate change and its effects

Answer

Natural events like earthquakes or volcanoes

Question 43

Which form of pollution poses the most significant threat to life in our oceans?

Accepted Answer

Plastic pollution

Answer

Noise pollution from ships and sonar

Answer

Air pollution from factories and cars

Answer

Light pollution from cities and towns

Question 44

What makes a species a 'keystone species' in its ecosystem?

Accepted Answer

They have a big impact on the ecosystem despite their relatively small numbers.

Answer

They are the most common species found in that ecosystem.

Answer

They are at the very top of the food chain, like apex predators.

Answer

They are often the largest animals or plants in that ecosystem.

Question 45

Which of the following is a direct threat to biodiversity?

Accepted Answer

Habitat destruction

Answer

Sustainable farming

Answer

Renewable energy

Answer

Protected nature reserves

Question 46

Which pollutant is the main cause of ocean acidification, harming marine life?

Accepted Answer

Carbon dioxide dissolving from the atmosphere

Answer

Sewage and wastewater released into the ocean

Answer

Oil spills from ships and offshore drilling

Answer

Plastic waste accumulating in the ocean

Question 47

How do invasive species negatively impact native species in an ecosystem?

Accepted Answer

They compete for resources and spread diseases.

Answer

They provide a new source of food for predators.

Answer

They increase genetic diversity within the ecosystem.

Answer

They can help with pollination of native plants.

Question 48

How might climate change impact the distribution of plant and animal species?

Accepted Answer

Species will shift their ranges to find suitable climates.

Answer

It will improve air quality by reducing pollution.

Answer

It will lead to increased agricultural productivity worldwide.

Answer

It will reduce the risk of natural disasters like floods and droughts.

Question 49

What is a crucial strategy for reducing the threats to biodiversity worldwide?

Accepted Answer

Protecting existing habitats and restoring degraded ones

Answer

Legalizing the trade of endangered species and their products

Answer

Encouraging rapid population growth in urban areas

Answer

Increasing carbon emissions from factories and vehicles

Question 50

Which of the following organizations is responsible for assessing the conservation status of species?

Accepted Answer

International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)

Answer

United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)

Answer

World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF)

Question 51

What is the concept of an 'umbrella species' in conservation?

Accepted Answer

A species that protects many other species by conserving its habitat

Answer

A species that is highly endangered and requires specific protection measures

Answer

A species that competes with invasive species for resources

Question 52

What is the role of public awareness in mitigating threats to biodiversity?

Accepted Answer

Educating people about the importance of biodiversity

Answer

Enforcing environmental regulations

Answer

Lobbying governments to increase conservation funding