Unit 3: Biodiversity and conservation - Practice Quiz

CHE110 — Environmental Studies 60 Questions
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1 What does biodiversity mean?

Definition of biodiversity Easy
A. The study of rocks and minerals
B. The variety of life on Earth
C. The movement of air in an ecosystem
D. The amount of rainfall in a region

2 Which of the following is a level of biological diversity?

Levels of biological diversity Easy
A. Weather diversity
B. Chemical diversity
C. Genetic diversity
D. Mineral diversity

3 Genetic diversity refers to differences in genes among members of the same ____.

Genetic diversity Easy
A. Climate
B. Species
C. Continent
D. Ecosystem

4 What does species diversity describe?

Species diversity Easy
A. The number of genes in one organism
B. The amount of water in a habitat
C. The variety of species in an area
D. The layers of soil in a forest

5 Which example best represents ecosystem diversity?

Ecosystem diversity Easy
A. Different ages of trees
B. Different colors of flowers
C. Forests, deserts, and wetlands
D. Different breeds of dogs

6 Why is biodiversity important for ecosystems?

Importance of biodiversity Easy
A. It prevents every species from changing
B. It removes all natural disasters
C. It makes all habitats identical
D. It supports ecological balance

7 Which of the following is an ecosystem service?

Ecosystem services Easy
A. Pollination of crops
B. Manufacturing of plastic
C. Mining of metals
D. Construction of highways

8 The ecological value of biodiversity is mainly related to its role in ____.

Ecological value Easy
A. Maintaining ecosystem functions
B. Increasing building height
C. Reducing all human activities
D. Producing synthetic materials

9 Which is an example of the economic value of biodiversity?

Economic value Easy
A. Medicinal plants used in healthcare
B. Clouds forming over mountains
C. Winds moving across oceans
D. Rocks changing their color

10 The social value of biodiversity is often connected with its importance in ____.

Social value Easy
A. Planetary motion
B. Volcanic eruptions
C. Culture and traditions
D. Ocean tides only

11 The beauty of forests, flowers, and wildlife represents the ____ value of biodiversity.

Aesthetic value Easy
A. Aesthetic
B. Industrial
C. Geological
D. Mechanical

12 Biodiversity has informational value because organisms can provide knowledge for ____.

Informational value Easy
A. Fuel combustion only
B. Weather forecasting only
C. Scientific research
D. Road construction

13 A biodiversity hotspot is an area that has many unique species and faces ____.

Hot spots of biodiversity Easy
A. Very little human pressure
B. No native species
C. Only one type of ecosystem
D. Severe habitat loss

14 What is habitat loss?

Habitat loss Easy
A. Destruction or reduction of natural habitats
B. Movement of animals between habitats
C. Increase in the number of native species
D. Protection of forests from human use

15 Poaching means ____.

Poaching of wildlife Easy
A. Studying animals in their habitat
B. Legal breeding of endangered species
C. Planting trees in a national park
D. Illegal hunting or capturing of wildlife

16 A biological invasion occurs when a non-native species ____.

Biological invasions Easy
A. Spreads and harms native species
B. Provides shelter to every native species
C. Remains limited to a laboratory
D. Becomes extinct in its original habitat

17 Which situation is an example of human-wildlife conflict?

Human-wildlife conflicts Easy
A. Fish living in a clean pond
B. Trees growing in a wildlife sanctuary
C. Elephants damaging village crops
D. Birds feeding in a protected forest

18 A species is called extinct when ____.

Extinct species Easy
A. Its population is temporarily small
B. It lives only in a zoo
C. It is found in many habitats
D. No individuals remain alive

19 An endangered species is one that has a ____ risk of extinction.

Endangered species Easy
A. Completely absent
B. Seasonally changing
C. Very low
D. Very high

20 What does in-situ conservation mean?

In-situ conservation Easy
A. Storing seeds in artificial containers
B. Displaying animals in public parks
C. Protecting species in their natural habitats
D. Keeping species only in laboratories

21 A forest contains many species, several genetic varieties within each species, and different habitat types. Which concept best describes this overall variation?

Definition of biodiversity Medium
A. Population density of the forest
B. Productivity of the forest
C. Biomass of the forest
D. Biodiversity across living systems

22 A conservation plan protects distinct rice varieties, wild rice species, and rice-growing wetland habitats. Which levels of diversity are being addressed?

Levels of biological diversity Medium
A. Genetic, species, and ecosystem diversity
B. Ecosystem, geological, and atmospheric diversity
C. Genetic, behavioral, and cultural diversity
D. Species, population, and climatic diversity

23 Why is maintaining several traditional crop varieties useful when climate conditions become unpredictable?

Genetic diversity Medium
A. It increases the chance of climate-tolerant traits
B. It prevents all crop diseases permanently
C. It eliminates the need for soil nutrients
D. It makes every crop variety genetically identical

24 Two grasslands each contain 10 species. In Grassland A, one species dominates, while in Grassland B, individuals are distributed more evenly. Which statement is most accurate?

Species diversity Medium
A. Grassland A has greater species evenness
B. Both have identical species evenness
C. Neither grassland has species diversity
D. Grassland B has greater species evenness

25 A state protects mangroves, grasslands, alpine meadows, and freshwater lakes. What aspect of biodiversity does this most directly conserve?

Ecosystem diversity Medium
A. Variation within one species
B. Variation in individual body size
C. Variation among ecosystems
D. Variation in local traditions

26 A wetland reduces flooding, filters pollutants, and provides fish for nearby communities. These benefits are best classified as:

Ecosystem services Medium
A. Biogeographic barriers
B. Ecosystem services
C. Invasive characteristics
D. Genetic mutations

27 A wild plant is studied and developed into a commercially useful medicine. Which value of biodiversity is most directly demonstrated?

Economic value Medium
A. Economic value
B. Social value
C. Geological value
D. Aesthetic value

28 The decline of a pollinator causes reduced seed production in several plant species. This example shows biodiversity's:

Ecological value Medium
A. Ecological value
B. Aesthetic value
C. Informational value
D. Recreational value

29 Scientists examine the navigation of migratory birds to design improved aircraft guidance systems. This illustrates the:

Informational value Medium
A. Social value of biodiversity
B. Aesthetic value of biodiversity
C. Consumptive value of biodiversity
D. Informational value of biodiversity

30 Which combination best identifies a biodiversity hotspot?

Hot spots of biodiversity Medium
A. High rainfall and no endemic organisms
B. Low species richness and stable habitats
C. High endemism and severe habitat loss
D. Large area and few threatened species

31 A highway divides a continuous forest into isolated patches, reducing animal movement and breeding. This process is called:

Habitat loss Medium
A. Artificial selection
B. Ecological succession
C. Genetic recombination
D. Habitat fragmentation

32 A population of a large mammal declines because individuals are illegally killed for body parts. Which threat is primarily responsible?

Poaching of wildlife Medium
A. Habitat restoration
B. Poaching of wildlife
C. Natural succession
D. Mutualistic competition

33 An introduced plant spreads rapidly, displaces native plants, and changes soil conditions. Why is it considered an invasive species?

Biological invasions Medium
A. It is always larger than native species
B. It survives only in protected reserves
C. It causes ecological harm outside its native range
D. It increases native species without competition

34 After natural prey declines, elephants enter farms and damage crops. Which measure would address the underlying conflict most effectively?

Human-wildlife conflicts Medium
A. Release unrelated predators near farms
B. Remove all vegetation near villages
C. Increase disturbance inside protected forests
D. Restore habitat and secure wildlife corridors

35 A species has not been found despite repeated surveys across its former range, and no individuals remain anywhere. How should it be classified?

Extinct species Medium
A. Vulnerable
B. Endangered
C. Extinct
D. Rare

36 A species has a very small and declining population because of habitat destruction and illegal hunting. Which category best describes its conservation status?

Endangered species Medium
A. Common
B. Endangered
C. Data deficient
D. Least concern

37 A conservation program prioritizes a species that is evolutionarily unique and also highly threatened. Which category supports this priority?

EDGE species Medium
A. Flagship species only
B. Keystone species only
C. EDGE species
D. Domestic species

38 Protecting a wild orchid within the forest where it evolved allows the species to interact with its natural pollinators. This is an example of:

In-situ conservation Medium
A. Ex-situ conservation
B. Commercial cultivation
C. In-situ conservation
D. Artificial hybridization

39 A seed bank stores seeds of a threatened crop variety under controlled conditions away from its natural habitat. This is:

Ex-situ conservation Medium
A. Habitat fragmentation
B. Ex-situ conservation
C. In-situ conservation
D. Biological invasion

40 India is considered a megadiverse nation mainly because it has:

India as a mega-diversity nation Medium
A. No threatened or rare biological resources
B. Uniform climate across its entire territory
C. High species richness and many endemic species
D. Only a few ecosystems and low endemism

41 A landscape contains two genetically distinct populations of the same species, five species, and three ecosystem types. Which interpretation best reflects the definition of biodiversity?

Definition of biodiversity Hard
A. It is the proportion of endemic species in a region
B. It refers only to the number of species present
C. It includes variation within species, among species, and among ecosystems
D. It measures only ecosystem productivity and stability

42 Two forest patches contain the same number of species, but their species identities differ completely. Which statement best distinguishes their diversity patterns?

Levels of biological diversity Hard
A. They have identical gamma diversity regardless of the regional species pool
B. They may have similar alpha diversity but high beta diversity
C. They differ in alpha diversity because their species identities differ
D. They have identical beta diversity because richness is equal

43 A disease affects one crop variety severely, while a genetically diverse collection of varieties shows varying resistance. Which conservation inference is most appropriate?

Genetic diversity Hard
A. Species richness alone guarantees crop resilience
B. Genetic diversity can provide raw material for adaptation
C. Ecosystem diversity eliminates the need for seed conservation
D. Uniform varieties maximize long-term evolutionary potential

44 Community A has 10 species with equal abundances, while Community B has 10 species but one species comprises 90% of individuals. Which conclusion is most defensible?

Species diversity Hard
A. Community B has greater diversity because dominance improves stability
B. Both communities have equal species diversity in every sense
C. Community A has greater diversity when evenness is considered
D. Community B has greater evenness than Community A

45 A conservation plan protects a mangrove, coral reef, seagrass meadow, and adjacent estuary, even though some species occur in several of them. What principal dimension is being represented?

Ecosystem diversity Hard
A. Ecosystem diversity across interacting habitat types
B. Genetic diversity within a single population
C. Taxonomic diversity restricted to endemic organisms
D. Species diversity within one uniform habitat

46 A wetland reduces flood peaks, filters nutrients, supports fish nurseries, and provides recreation. Which classification is correct?

Ecosystem services Hard
A. Flood reduction is regulating and recreation is cultural
B. Fish production is cultural and recreation is supporting
C. Flood reduction is provisioning and recreation is regulating
D. Nutrient filtration is cultural and fish production is regulating

47 Removing a predator causes herbivore numbers to rise, vegetation to decline, and stream temperature to increase. Which ecological value of the predator is demonstrated?

Ecological value Hard
A. Its market value as a harvested commodity
B. Its role in maintaining trophic interactions and ecosystem functioning
C. Its symbolic value in local religious traditions
D. Its aesthetic value to visitors and photographers

48 A wild plant has no current commercial use, but screening reveals compounds that may yield future medicines. Which economic value is most directly involved?

Economic value Hard
A. Direct-use value from present household harvesting
B. Option value from preserving possible future benefits
C. Cultural value from traditional festivals
D. Existence value from knowing the plant survives

49 Why can conserving an apparently obscure species be scientifically important even without immediate economic use?

Informational value Hard
A. It makes all ecosystem services financially measurable
B. It guarantees that habitat fragmentation will be reversed
C. It may preserve unique genetic information about adaptation
D. It automatically increases the population of every species nearby

50 A region qualifies as a biodiversity hotspot only when it combines substantial endemism with which additional condition?

Hot spots of biodiversity Hard
A. Severe habitat loss relative to its original vegetation
B. Extensive remaining primary vegetation and low endemism
C. Large total area and high numbers of introduced species
D. High annual rainfall and low human population density

51 A road divides a continuous forest into isolated patches, increasing edge exposure and reducing interior habitat. Which mechanism best explains the biodiversity impact?

Habitat loss Hard
A. Edge effects eliminate invasive species from forest margins
B. Fragmentation always increases carrying capacity for specialists
C. Isolation necessarily increases effective population size
D. Fragmentation can reduce gene flow and intensify edge effects

52 A poached population still appears numerically stable, but most removed individuals are breeding adults. Why may the conservation risk be underestimated?

Poaching of wildlife Hard
A. Population counts always exclude juveniles and adults equally
B. Removing breeding adults increases demographic resilience
C. Poaching affects only species with high genetic diversity
D. Adult removal can reduce reproduction before abundance declines

53 An introduced plant initially remains localized but later expands rapidly after a disturbance removes native competitors. Which interpretation is most appropriate?

Biological invasions Hard
A. A long lag phase proves the species is ecologically harmless
B. Introduced species become invasive only when deliberately cultivated
C. Native competitors always facilitate establishment of invaders
D. Disturbance can create conditions that increase invasion success

54 Crop losses rise after a wildlife corridor is blocked, forcing animals through farms. Which intervention addresses the underlying cause most directly?

Human-wildlife conflicts Hard
A. Remove all native vegetation bordering agricultural fields
B. Relocate every animal without assessing habitat conditions
C. Restore landscape connectivity and improve preventive measures
D. Increase retaliatory killing near affected villages

55 Which statement correctly distinguishes conservation categories based on population risk?

Species of conservation concern Hard
A. Extinct species retain self-sustaining wild populations
B. Endangered species are defined only by their economic importance
C. Rare species are necessarily more threatened than endangered species
D. Vulnerable species face lower risk than species classified as endangered

56 A species has not been observed for decades despite intensive surveys across all plausible habitats, and no captive individuals remain. Which classification is most justified?

Extinct species Hard
A. Extinct, if the evidence supports the loss of the last individual
B. Endangered, because every unobserved species remains extant
C. Rare, because rarity and extinction are identical categories
D. Vulnerable, because absence of records proves population recovery

57 Which species would receive the strongest EDGE-style conservation priority?

EDGE species Hard
A. A recently introduced species with rapid population growth
B. A highly threatened species with little evolutionary distinctiveness
C. A moderately threatened species representing a unique ancient lineage
D. A common species with many close relatives

58 Why is conserving a threatened tree within its natural forest often preferable to preserving only seeds in a gene bank?

In-situ conservation Hard
A. It eliminates the need for population monitoring
B. It maintains ecological interactions and ongoing natural evolution
C. It preserves only the species name rather than its genes
D. It guarantees immunity from fire, disease, and climate change

59 A critically threatened plant produces recalcitrant seeds that cannot tolerate drying or conventional cold storage. Which ex-situ strategy is most suitable?

Ex-situ conservation Hard
A. Maintain living collections or use tissue culture and cryopreservation
B. Replace the species with a closely related crop
C. Store all seeds after extensive desiccation
D. Release stored pollen without preserving viable tissues

60 A conservation program compares the Himalaya, Western Ghats, and Andaman and Nicobar Islands. What is the main biogeographic significance of this comparison?

Biogeographic zones of India Hard
A. They represent distinct zones with different evolutionary histories and assemblages
B. They are all classified solely according to annual rainfall
C. They differ only in administrative boundaries and not biodiversity
D. They are identical zones because India has one uniform climate