Ecosystems and Biodiversity: Online Learning Quizzes for Environmental Science

Question 1

Which of the following accurately describes the hierarchical organization of ecosystems, starting from the smallest unit?

Accepted Answer

Population, Community, Ecosystem, Biome, Biosphere

Answer

Biosphere, Biome, Ecosystem, Community, Population

Answer

Population, Ecosystem, Community, Biome, Biosphere

Answer

Community, Population, Ecosystem, Biome, Biosphere

Question 2

What is the term used to describe the cycling of nutrients through an ecosystem?

Accepted Answer

Biogeochemical cycle

Answer

Food chain

Answer

Homeostasis

Answer

Nutrient cascade

Question 3

Which ecosystem is characterized by abundant rainfall, consistently warm temperatures, and dense, multi-layered vegetation?

Accepted Answer

Tropical rainforest

Answer

Desert

Answer

Tundra

Answer

Temperate woodland

Question 4

Which human activity poses the most significant threat to global biodiversity?

Accepted Answer

Habitat destruction and fragmentation

Answer

Climate change

Answer

Pollution

Answer

Overexploitation

Question 5

Which of the following is a conservation strategy specifically aimed at protecting endangered species?

Accepted Answer

Captive breeding programs

Answer

Sustainable harvesting

Answer

Habitat restoration

Answer

Pollution control

Question 6

What is the scientific term that describes the gradual change of organisms over time in response to their environment?

Accepted Answer

Evolution

Answer

Genetic drift

Answer

Adaptation

Answer

Natural selection

Question 7

Which of the following interactions between species benefits both participants?

Accepted Answer

Mutualism

Answer

Commensalism

Answer

Competition

Answer

Parasitism

Question 8

What is the term used to describe the physical surroundings and resources that support a particular species?

Accepted Answer

Habitat

Answer

Niche

Answer

Ecosystem

Answer

Biotope

Question 9

Which human activity is a significant contributor to the emission of greenhouse gases, leading to climate change?

Accepted Answer

Burning of fossil fuels

Answer

Deforestation

Answer

Agriculture

Answer

Industrial processes

Question 10

Which of these is NOT a benefit that ecosystems provide to humans?

Accepted Answer

Mining coal and oil

Answer

Cleaning water

Answer

Controlling climate

Answer

Helping plants reproduce

Question 11

Which of the following is an example of a keystone species that plays a disproportionate role relative to their abundance within an ecosystem?

Accepted Answer

Sea otter

Answer

Elephant

Answer

Tiger

Answer

Polar bear

Question 12

What is widely recognized as the main threat to global biodiversity, contributing significantly to species decline and extinction?

Accepted Answer

Habitat loss

Answer

Climate change

Answer

Pollution

Answer

Invasive species

Question 13

Which of the following indices is commonly used to measure the diversity of species within an ecosystem, taking into account both species richness and evenness?

Accepted Answer

Shannon Diversity Index

Answer

Population density

Answer

Evenness

Answer

Species richness

Question 14

In an ecosystem, decomposers primarily fulfill which ecological role?

Accepted Answer

Breaking down dead organisms and releasing nutrients back into the environment

Answer

Regulating the population of prey species

Answer

Producing food for primary consumers

Question 15

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of a healthy and balanced ecosystem?

Accepted Answer

Low biodiversity

Answer

Balanced nutrient cycling

Answer

Stable population dynamics

Answer

High productivity

Question 16

In a marine ecosystem, which group of organisms is primarily responsible for initiating the food chain by converting sunlight into energy through photosynthesis?

Accepted Answer

Phytoplankton

Answer

Zooplankton

Answer

Fish

Answer

Sea urchins

Question 17

What is identified as the predominant cause of the global decline and bleaching of coral reefs, leading to widespread ecosystem damage?

Accepted Answer

Rising sea temperatures

Answer

Destructive fishing practices

Answer

Overfishing

Answer

Pollution

Question 18

Which of the following is a recognized benefit of high biodiversity in ecosystems?

Accepted Answer

Increased ecosystem resilience to environmental disturbances and fluctuations

Answer

Enhanced disease susceptibility within populations

Answer

Lower food production and availability

Answer

Reduced competition for resources among species

Question 19

In ecology, what is the term used to describe the process of introducing non-native species into an ecosystem, where they may disrupt the ecological balance and cause harm?

Accepted Answer

Invasive species introduction

Answer

Climate change

Answer

Deforestation

Answer

Habitat fragmentation

Question 20

Which of the following is NOT a component of an ecosystem?

Accepted Answer

Individual organism

Answer

Energy flow

Answer

Abiotic factors

Answer

Biotic factors

Question 21

The scientific study of the interactions between organisms and their environment is called:

Accepted Answer

Ecology

Answer

Biology

Answer

Environment Science

Answer

Natural History

Question 22

Which of the following species is an example of a keystone species?

Accepted Answer

Sea otter

Answer

Lion

Answer

Dolphin

Answer

Shark

Question 23

The measure of the variety of life forms within an ecosystem is referred to as:

Accepted Answer

Biodiversity

Answer

Ecosystem diversity

Answer

Species richness

Answer

Genetic diversity

Question 24

The primary cause of habitat loss globally is:

Accepted Answer

Human activities

Answer

Overpopulation

Answer

Natural disasters

Answer

Climate change

Question 25

Which of the following is a strategy commonly used in conservation efforts?

Accepted Answer

Establishing protected areas

Answer

Encouraging deforestation

Answer

Increasing pollution levels

Answer

Introducing invasive species

Question 26

The role of biodiversity in ecosystems includes:

Accepted Answer

Enhances stability and resilience

Answer

Reduces the need for human intervention

Answer

Makes ecosystems more vulnerable to disturbances

Answer

Increases competition for resources

Question 27

Which of the following biomes is currently facing significant threats and is considered endangered?

Accepted Answer

Coral reefs

Answer

Deserts

Answer

Forests

Answer

Grasslands

Question 28

The process by which organisms adapt to changes in their environment over generations is known as:

Accepted Answer

Evolution

Answer

Adaptation

Answer

Acclimatization

Answer

Natural selection

Question 29

Which of the following is NOT a recognized level of ecological organization?

Accepted Answer

Cell

Answer

Ecosystem

Answer

Population

Answer

Community

Question 30

Identify the statement that is NOT a characteristic of an ecosystem:

Accepted Answer

Ecosystems are closed systems with no interaction with the surrounding environment.

Answer

Ecosystems consist of living organisms and their non-living environment.

Answer

Ecosystems maintain stability through self-regulation.

Question 31

What is the term used to describe the variety of living organisms found within an ecosystem?

Accepted Answer

Biodiversity

Answer

Species richness

Answer

Biotic diversity

Question 32

Which of the following is NOT considered a benefit of biodiversity?

Accepted Answer

Reduced resistance to disease outbreaks in both humans and wildlife.

Answer

Enhanced soil quality and water filtration.

Answer

Increased resilience to environmental change.

Question 33

What is the term for the gradual loss of genetic variation within a population?

Accepted Answer

Genetic erosion

Answer

Inbreeding depression

Answer

Habitat fragmentation

Answer

Genetic drift

Question 34

Identify the largest biome on Earth:

Accepted Answer

Oceanic

Answer

Desert

Answer

Grassland

Answer

Forest

Question 35

What is the term used to describe a group of organisms of the same species that reside together and reproduce?

Accepted Answer

Population

Answer

Habitat

Answer

Community

Answer

Ecosystem

Question 36

Which of the following is NOT a type of ecological succession?

Accepted Answer

Tertiary succession

Answer

Gradual succession

Answer

Cyclic succession

Answer

Primary succession

Question 37

What is the term for the process by which ecosystems are restored to their original state after a disturbance?

Accepted Answer

Ecological restoration

Answer

Habitat conservation

Answer

Ecological succession

Answer

Environmental remediation

Question 38

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of a healthy ecosystem?

Accepted Answer

Static and unchanging

Answer

Made up of biotic and abiotic components

Answer

Dynamic and constantly changing

Answer

Interconnected through relationships

Question 39

What is the process called where plants use sunlight to create energy?

Accepted Answer

Photosynthesis

Answer

Transpiration

Answer

Decomposition

Answer

Respiration

Question 40

Which factor is considered the most significant driver of the current biodiversity crisis?

Accepted Answer

Habitat loss and destruction

Answer

Overexploitation of resources

Answer

Pollution

Answer

Climate change

Question 41

Which of the following actions is considered a conservation measure?

Accepted Answer

Creating protected areas for wildlife

Answer

Introducing non-native species

Answer

Increasing pollution levels

Answer

Hunting endangered species

Question 42

What is the process of breaking down dead organic matter called?

Accepted Answer

Decomposition

Answer

Transpiration

Answer

Respiration

Answer

Photosynthesis

Question 43

What is a way to measure the biodiversity of an ecosystem?

Accepted Answer

Species richness (the number of different species)

Answer

Productivity (amount of energy produced)

Answer

Biomass (total weight of organisms)

Answer

Population size of a single species

Question 44

What does 'carrying capacity' refer to in an ecosystem?

Accepted Answer

The maximum population size that an environment can sustainably support

Answer

The number of species in an ecosystem

Answer

The rate at which a population grows