Ecosystems and Biodiversity: Interactive Learning Quizzes for Sustainability Studies

Question 1

The process by which plants utilize sunlight to synthesize energy is called:

Accepted Answer

Photosynthesis

Answer

Respiration

Answer

Decomposition

Answer

Transpiration

Question 2

Identify the most significant threat to biodiversity:

Accepted Answer

Habitat destruction

Answer

Climate change

Answer

Pollution

Answer

Invasive species

Question 3

Which of the following best describes a trophic level?

Accepted Answer

An organism's position within a food chain

Answer

The number of offspring an organism produces

Answer

The amount of energy stored in an organism

Answer

The genetic diversity within a population

Question 4

Which category represents the most severe level of threat to species?

Accepted Answer

Critically endangered

Answer

Vulnerable

Answer

Near threatened

Answer

Conservation dependent

Question 5

What is the term for an ecosystem's ability to recover from disturbances?

Accepted Answer

Resilience

Answer

Stability

Answer

Productivity

Answer

Diversity

Question 6

Which of the following is a key role played by keystone species in ecosystems?

Accepted Answer

Regulating populations of other species

Answer

Dispersing seeds

Answer

Pollinating plants

Answer

Decomposing organic matter

Question 7

Which characteristic is NOT typical of an ecosystem?

Accepted Answer

Isolation from the surrounding environment

Answer

Interdependence of organisms

Answer

Energy flow

Answer

Matter cycling

Question 8

Which conservation strategy focuses specifically on protecting individual species?

Accepted Answer

Species protection

Answer

Habitat conservation

Answer

Ecosystem management

Answer

Sustainable use

Question 9

The term 'ecosystem services' refers to:

Accepted Answer

Benefits obtained by humans from ecosystems

Answer

Processes that occur naturally within ecosystems

Answer

Human activities that affect ecosystems

Answer

Interactions among different species in an ecosystem

Question 10

Which of the following is an example of a renewable resource?

Accepted Answer

Water

Answer

Fossil fuels

Answer

Minerals

Answer

Soil

Question 11

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

Accepted Answer

Sustainable agricultural practices

Answer

Habitat loss and fragmentation

Answer

Invasive species

Answer

Climate change

Question 12

The concept of a keystone species refers to:

Accepted Answer

A species that has a disproportionate impact on its ecosystem relative to its abundance

Answer

A species that is highly abundant and contributes significantly to ecosystem function

Answer

A species that is highly threatened and requires specific conservation efforts

Answer

A species that is found only in specific habitats

Question 13

The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment emphasizes the importance of ecosystems for:

Accepted Answer

Human well-being and prosperity

Answer

Economic growth and development

Answer

Political stability and security

Answer

Cultural heritage and identity

Question 14

Ecosystem resilience refers to:

Accepted Answer

The ability of an ecosystem to recover from disturbances and maintain its structure and function

Answer

The level of biodiversity within an ecosystem

Answer

The productivity of an ecosystem

Answer

The stability of an ecosystem

Question 15

In the context of sustainable development, which of the following is a key consideration?

Accepted Answer

Meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs

Answer

Maximizing economic growth at any cost

Answer

Conserving natural resources for future use only

Answer

Ignoring the environmental impacts of development

Question 16

Which of the following is NOT an advantage offered by ecosystems?

Accepted Answer

Depleting natural resources

Answer

Providing food and clean water

Answer

Regulating climate and purifying air and water

Answer

Supporting recreational and cultural activities

Question 17

What is the network of organisms within an ecosystem, including their relationships and interactions, known as?

Accepted Answer

Food web

Answer

Community structure

Answer

Trophic levels

Answer

Ecological niche

Question 18

What is the process by which atmospheric nitrogen is converted into a usable form for plants called?

Accepted Answer

Nitrogen fixation

Answer

Denitrification

Answer

Ammonification

Answer

Nitrification

Question 19

What is the term for the region where two or more ecosystems overlap in characteristics?

Accepted Answer

Ecotone

Answer

Transition zone

Answer

Buffer zone

Answer

Convergence zone

Question 20

The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) primarily aims to:

Accepted Answer

Protect and sustainably manage biodiversity

Answer

Reduce greenhouse gas emissions

Answer

Promote economic development

Answer

Advance scientific research

Question 21

Which conservation strategy involves protecting and restoring critical habitats?

Accepted Answer

Land conservation and acquisition

Answer

Species translocation and captive breeding

Answer

Education and public awareness campaigns

Answer

Policy advocacy and regulation

Question 22

The concept of a keystone species refers to a species that:

Accepted Answer

Has a disproportionately large impact on its ecosystem relative to its abundance

Answer

Is the most common species in its ecosystem

Answer

Is endangered and requires urgent conservation efforts

Answer

Is found exclusively in a particular ecosystem

Question 23

The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) included a specific target related to:

Accepted Answer

Protecting and sustainably managing biodiversity

Answer

Reducing maternal and child mortality

Answer

Promoting gender equality and women's empowerment

Answer

Combating HIV/AIDS and other diseases

Question 24

Which feature is NOT characteristic of a healthy ecosystem?

Accepted Answer

Rapid species turnover

Answer

High biodiversity

Answer

Efficient energy flow

Answer

Balanced nutrient cycling

Question 25

What is the primary ecological function of keystone species?

Accepted Answer

Maintaining ecosystem stability and resilience

Answer

Composing the majority of an ecosystem's biomass

Answer

Decomposing organic matter

Answer

Providing food for top predators

Question 26

What is the primary goal of establishing protected areas in biodiversity conservation?

Accepted Answer

To preserve critical habitats and protect endangered species

Answer

To provide sustainable opportunities for natural resource use

Answer

To facilitate outdoor recreation and tourism activities

Answer

To monitor and research ecological processes

Question 27

Which of the following describes a symbiotic relationship in which both species benefit?

Accepted Answer

Mutualism between ants and acacia trees

Answer

Commensalism between barnacles and whales

Answer

Parasitism of ticks on deer

Answer

Predation of lions on zebras

Question 28

What is the term for the cyclical movement of chemical elements and compounds through an ecosystem?

Accepted Answer

Biogeochemical cycling

Answer

Photosynthesis

Answer

Decomposition

Answer

Succession

Question 29

Which of the following characteristics does NOT apply to ecosystems?

Accepted Answer

Absence of biotic interactions

Answer

Energy flow

Answer

Nutrient cycling

Answer

Interdependence of organisms

Question 30

Biodiversity encompasses:

Accepted Answer

The variety of life forms on Earth

Answer

Exclusively the diversity of plant species

Answer

The richness of specific ecosystems

Answer

The density of populations

Question 31

Identify the example of a food chain:

Accepted Answer

Grass → Grasshopper → Bird → Hawk

Answer

Water → Fish → Plankton → Bacteria

Answer

Tree → Bird → Insect → Tree

Answer

Fungus → Bacteria → Soil → Plant

Question 32

Which characteristic is NOT indicative of a healthy ecosystem?

Accepted Answer

Low species diversity

Answer

Resilience to disturbances

Answer

High productivity

Answer

Efficient nutrient cycling

Question 33

Which biome is characterized by scarce vegetation, extreme temperature variations, and limited rainfall?

Accepted Answer

Desert

Answer

Forest

Answer

Grassland

Answer

Tundra

Question 34

Which species serves as an example of a keystone species?

Accepted Answer

Sea otter

Answer

Lion

Answer

Butterfly

Answer

Dolphin

Question 35

Which process describes the gradual adaptation of organisms to changing environmental conditions?

Accepted Answer

Natural selection

Answer

Genetic drift

Answer

Mutualism

Answer

Succession

Question 36

What term describes the complex network of living organisms in an ecosystem?

Accepted Answer

Food web

Answer

Biosphere

Answer

Community

Answer

Ecosystem

Question 37

Which of the following is a type of symbiotic relationship where both organisms benefit?

Accepted Answer

Mutualism

Answer

Parasitism

Answer

Commensalism

Answer

Predation

Question 38

What is the name of the international agreement that aims to protect endangered species?

Accepted Answer

CITES

Answer

Ramsar Convention

Answer

IUCN Red List

Answer

Kyoto Protocol