Unit 3: Biodiversity and conservation - Practice Quiz

1 The term biodiversity refers to:

2 Biological diversity is commonly described at how many levels?

3 Genetic diversity refers to variation:

4 Species diversity mainly measures:

5 Which of the following is an example of ecosystem diversity?

6 Pollination of crops by insects is an example of a(n):

7 Obtaining timber, medicines, and food from biodiversity represents its:

8 Enjoying the beauty of a scenic forest or colourful birds reflects the ____ of biodiversity.

9 The role of biodiversity in maintaining balance in food chains reflects its:

10 Studying species for scientific research and new knowledge highlights the ____ of biodiversity.

11 A biodiversity hotspot is a region that:

12 Which of the following is a major threat to biodiversity?

13 Poaching refers to the:

14 An invasive species is one that:

15 Elephants raiding crops in villages near forests is an example of:

16 A species is called extinct when:

17 An endangered species is one that:

18 Which of the following is an example of in-situ conservation?

19 Ex-situ conservation involves protecting species:

20 India is called a mega-diversity nation because it:

21 A researcher studies the number and relative abundance of different bird species in a wetland, the variation in DNA among individuals of a single frog species, and the range of pond, marsh, and grassland habitats present. Which three levels of biodiversity is she examining, in that order?

22 Two isolated populations of the same medicinal plant show very different chemical profiles and disease resistance. Losing one population would most directly reduce which type of diversity?

23 Forest A has 10 species with one dominant tree making up 90% of individuals. Forest B has 10 species each contributing about 10% of individuals. Why is Forest B considered to have higher species diversity?

24 Wetlands filtering pollutants from water, forests regulating local rainfall, and bees pollinating crops are commonly grouped as ecosystem services. Pollination specifically falls under which category?

25 A pharmaceutical company screens rainforest plants for compounds that can be developed into new drugs. This use of biodiversity best illustrates which value?

26 Thousands of tourists pay to watch flamingos gather at a lake purely for the beauty of the spectacle. This benefit is best classified as which value of biodiversity?

27 Scientists study the shape of a shark's skin to design faster swimsuits and study bird flight to improve aircraft wings. This scientific and design use of biodiversity reflects which value?

28 To qualify as a biodiversity hotspot under Myers' criteria, a region must meet two conditions. Which pair is correct?

29 Which of the following biodiversity hotspots is NOT recognized within India's territory?

30 Draining a large marsh to build farmland fragments the remaining wetland into small isolated patches. Beyond direct loss of area, why does fragmentation additionally threaten species?

31 Rhino populations decline sharply despite living inside protected reserves. Poaching is suspected. Which factor most directly drives this illegal killing?

32 The introduction of the water hyacinth into Indian lakes led to oxygen depletion and loss of native aquatic life. This is an example of a threat caused by:

33 As forest cover shrinks near a village, elephants increasingly raid crops and occasionally injure people, and villagers retaliate by harming the elephants. This situation is best described as:

34 A species has undergone a very high risk of extinction in the wild, with its population declining rapidly and only a few thousand individuals surviving in shrinking habitat. Under IUCN categories this species is most likely classified as:

35 Which statement best distinguishes a Vulnerable species from an Endangered one in the IUCN system?

36 The Dodo and the Indian Cheetah (in the wild) are cited in textbooks as examples relating to which conservation category?

37 The EDGE program prioritizes species that are both Evolutionarily Distinct and Globally Endangered. Why is evolutionary distinctiveness given weight in setting conservation priorities?

38 Setting up a tiger reserve to protect tigers along with their prey and habitat, rather than moving them elsewhere, is an example of:

39 A rare orchid is preserved by storing its seeds in a refrigerated seed bank and growing specimens in a botanical garden. This strategy is a form of ex-situ conservation mainly because:

40 India is called one of the world's mega-diversity nations. Which reasoning best supports this status?

41 Two isolated populations of a fish species occupy separate lakes. Both have identical species counts, but Lake A shows far higher allele frequency variation across individuals. If a novel pathogen sweeps through both lakes, which outcome is most consistent with diversity theory?

42 Community X has 100 individuals across 5 species distributed as 96, 1, 1, 1, 1. Community Y has 100 individuals across 5 species distributed as 20, 20, 20, 20, 20. Both have equal species richness. Which statement about their diversity is correct?

43 To qualify as a biodiversity hotspot under the Myers criteria, a region must satisfy two conditions. Which pairing correctly states both thresholds?

44 The EDGE metric combines Evolutionary Distinctness (ED) and Global Endangerment (GE). Consider species P (very high ED, Least Concern) and species Q (moderate ED, Critically Endangered). Under the EDGE scoring logic, which prioritization is most defensible?

45 A conservation agency must protect a wide-ranging migratory ungulate whose survival depends on seasonal movement across a mosaic of habitats. Which approach best fits and why?

46 A species has an estimated population reduction of 50–70% over the last three generations, an area of occupancy under , and a continuing decline. Which IUCN category best matches this profile?

47 An invasive nitrogen-fixing plant establishes in a nutrient-poor native shrubland. Beyond direct competition, what is the most significant long-term threat it poses to native biodiversity?

48 India is divided into 10 biogeographic zones. Cold desert regions like Ladakh and the Lahaul-Spiti area are classified under which zone, distinct from the general Himalayan classification?

49 The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment classifies services into four categories. Pollination of crops by wild insects and natural pest regulation are best categorized as which type?

50 A captive breeding program maintains a small founder population over many generations. Which genetic risk most directly undermines the program's conservation value if unmanaged?

51 Conservation biologists often rank drivers of terrestrial biodiversity loss. For most terrestrial species today, which single driver is considered the leading proximate cause of extinction risk?

52 A protected reserve records rising crop-raiding by elephants as surrounding forest is converted to farmland. Which underlying mechanism best explains the intensifying conflict?

53 A crop wild relative retains alleles for drought tolerance absent in the domesticated variety. From a genetic diversity standpoint, what is the primary strategic value of conserving this wild relative?

54 India is recognized as one of the world's mega-diverse nations. Which combination of features most accurately justifies this status?

55 Two regions have identical species lists. Region A contains wetlands, forests, and grasslands; Region B contains only forest. Under equal species richness, what distinguishes their biodiversity?

56 Biodiversity is often said to have informational value. Which example most directly illustrates this specific value category?

57 A species occurs at very low population density but is geographically widespread and shows no ongoing decline. How is it best characterized in conservation terms?

58 The IUCN distinguishes 'Extinct' from 'Extinct in the Wild'. Which scenario correctly represents a species classified as Extinct in the Wild rather than Extinct?

59 Economists distinguish direct-use, indirect-use, and non-use values of biodiversity. Paying to ensure a species continues to exist even though one will never see or use it exemplifies which value?

60 Anti-poaching economics suggests that rising rarity of a targeted species can paradoxically accelerate its decline. Which mechanism best explains this 'anthropogenic Allee effect'?