Community Ecology: Interactions, Dynamics, and Biodiversity

Question 1

Which type of species interaction involves one species gaining benefits without impacting the other?

Accepted Answer

Commensalism

Answer

Competition

Answer

Mutualism

Answer

Predation

Question 2

Which of the following is NOT a type of interaction between species?

Accepted Answer

Neutralism

Answer

Competition

Answer

Predation

Answer

Symbiosis

Question 3

Which of the following demonstrates a mutualistic relationship?

Accepted Answer

Pollination of a flower by a bee

Answer

Hunting of a zebra by a lion

Answer

Infection of a host by a parasite

Answer

Attachment of a commensal organism to another organism

Question 4

What is the primary function of organisms that initiate food chains, known as primary producers?

Accepted Answer

Converting sunlight into energy

Answer

Consuming other organisms

Answer

Breaking down organic matter

Answer

Regulating the abundance of herbivores

Question 5

Which type of species interaction benefits one species while harming the other?

Accepted Answer

Predation

Answer

Competition

Answer

Mutualism

Answer

Commensalism

Question 6

What is the defining characteristic of a keystone species?

Accepted Answer

It significantly influences the community relative to its population size.

Answer

It is the most abundant species in the community.

Answer

It is the top predator in the community.

Answer

It has no significant impact on the community.

Question 7

Which type of symbiotic relationship involves both species benefiting?

Accepted Answer

Mutualism

Answer

Predation

Answer

Parasitism

Answer

Commensalism

Question 8

Define the concept of carrying capacity in ecology.

Accepted Answer

The maximum population size an area can stably support.

Answer

The minimum population size required for a species' survival.

Answer

The rate of population growth.

Answer

The number of individuals that can be added without detrimental effects.

Question 9

Define the ecological niche, highlighting its importance in understanding how species coexist and assemble within communities.

Accepted Answer

The ecological niche encompasses the specific resources and environmental conditions required for a species to survive and reproduce.

Answer

The ecological niche is limited to the physical space an organism occupies in its habitat.

Answer

Ecological niches are fixed and do not adjust to changing environmental conditions.

Answer

The ecological niche concept is irrelevant in understanding species coexistence within ecological communities.

Question 10

According to the competitive exclusion principle, which of the following is true?

Accepted Answer

Species with identical ecological niches cannot coexist stably within a community

Answer

Competition is the primary driving force behind the evolution of species

Answer

Communities with high species diversity are inherently more stable

Answer

Predation is generally a more significant factor in community dynamics than competition

Question 11

Species richness in an ecological community is a measure of:

Accepted Answer

Biodiversity

Answer

Community stability

Answer

Species abundance

Answer

Trophic complexity

Question 12

The trophic structure of an ecological community primarily refers to:

Accepted Answer

The feeding relationships and energy flow between different species

Answer

The spatial distribution of species within a habitat

Answer

The abundance of different species relative to each other

Answer

The rate of nutrient cycling within the community

Question 13

Niche partitioning in ecological communities refers to:

Accepted Answer

The process by which species divide resources to reduce competition

Answer

The process by which species adapt to unique environmental conditions

Answer

The process by which species coexist with similar ecological niches

Answer

The process by which species evolve to occupy different geographical areas

Question 14

The scientific study of ecological communities is primarily known as:

Accepted Answer

Community ecology

Answer

Ecosystem ecology

Answer

Population ecology

Answer

Conservation biology

Question 15

Why is biodiversity crucial for maintaining the stability and resilience of ecosystems?

Accepted Answer

Biodiversity ensures functional redundancy.

Accepted Answer

Biodiversity reduces susceptibility to environmental changes.

Answer

Biodiversity increases competition among species.

Answer

Biodiversity slows down ecosystem processes.

Question 16

Which type of species interaction involves individuals of two different species competing for the same limited resources?

Accepted Answer

Competition

Answer

Mutualism

Answer

Parasitism

Answer

Predation

Question 17

Which of the following measures the number of different species within a community?

Accepted Answer

Species richness

Answer

Community stability

Answer

Species abundance

Answer

Ecosystem productivity

Question 18

Which of the following is a benefit of maintaining a high level of species diversity within a community?

Accepted Answer

Enhanced ecosystem stability

Answer

Reduced nutrient availability

Answer

Lower overall productivity

Answer

Increased competition among species

Question 19

Which characteristic is NOT typical of a climax community?

Accepted Answer

High species turnover

Answer

High biodiversity

Answer

Low nutrient availability

Answer

Adaptability to changing conditions

Question 20

Which of the following is an example of a species that plays a keystone role in its community?

Accepted Answer

Sea otter

Answer

Deer

Answer

Earthworm

Answer

Dandelion

Question 21

Which of the following is a primary benefit of conserving biodiversity within an ecosystem?

Accepted Answer

Maintaining ecosystem services

Answer

Reducing air pollution

Answer

Improving public health

Answer

Boosting agricultural yield

Question 22

Which tool is used to evaluate the probable effects of human activities on a community?

Accepted Answer

Environmental impact assessment

Answer

Population viability analysis

Answer

Phylogenetic analysis

Answer

Species distribution modeling