Unit 3: Biodiversity and conservation - Practice Quiz

1 The term biodiversity refers to the variety of:

2 Which of the following is NOT one of the three levels of biological diversity?

3 Genetic diversity refers to the variation of genes:

4 Species diversity is best described as the variety of:

5 Ecosystem diversity refers to the variety of:

6 Pollination of crops by bees is an example of which type of benefit provided by nature?

7 Enjoying the beauty of a colourful forest or a scenic waterfall represents the __ value of biodiversity.

8 Which of the following best illustrates the economic value of biodiversity?

9 The worship of certain plants and animals in Indian culture reflects the __ value of biodiversity.

10 A biodiversity hotspot is a region characterized by:

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

12 Habitat loss is most commonly caused by:

13 Poaching refers to the:

14 A biological invasion occurs when:

15 Elephants raiding crop fields near a forest boundary is an example of:

16 A species is considered extinct when:

17 An endangered species is one that is:

18 A vulnerable species is one that is:

19 The 'E' and 'D' in EDGE species stand for:

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

21 A researcher studies variation among different breeds of dogs (Labrador, Pug, Beagle) that all belong to the same species. Which level of biodiversity is being examined?

22 Forest A has 50 species with one dominant species making up 90% of individuals. Forest B has 50 species with individuals evenly distributed. Which statement is correct?

23 Pollination of crops by bees, natural water purification by wetlands, and climate regulation by forests are best classified as which type of ecosystem service?

24 For a region to qualify as a biodiversity hotspot, which two criteria must it satisfy?

25 Which of the following is generally considered the single most significant cause of biodiversity loss worldwide?

26 The introduction of water hyacinth (Eichhornia) into Indian water bodies caused oxygen depletion and native species decline. This best illustrates which threat to biodiversity?

27 A seed bank storing rare crop varieties and a zoo breeding endangered tigers are examples of which conservation strategy?

28 Which of the following is the best example of in-situ conservation?

29 A species whose population has declined so severely that it faces a very high risk of extinction in the near future is classified by IUCN as:

30 EDGE species are prioritized for conservation based on which two combined attributes?

31 India is recognized as one of the world's mega-diversity nations primarily because it:

32 Increasing incidents of elephants raiding farms near forest edges are largely a consequence of:

33 The illegal killing of rhinoceros for their horns and tigers for their skin is driven mainly by:

34 Harvesting timber, medicinal plants, and fish for market sale represents which value of biodiversity?

35 Tourists visiting a national park to enjoy scenic landscapes and observe wildlife primarily reflect which value of biodiversity?

36 Studying wild species to discover genes for disease resistance that can improve crops best illustrates which value of biodiversity?

37 The cold, high-altitude Trans-Himalayan region with sparse vegetation and species like the snow leopard represents which biogeographic zone of India?

38 A study comparing mangroves, coral reefs, and grasslands within a coastal region is examining which level of biodiversity?

39 A species that is likely to become endangered if the factors threatening its survival continue unchecked is classified by IUCN as:

40 Wetlands acting as natural filters, controlling floods, and recharging groundwater primarily demonstrate the:

41 A researcher studying a fragmented landscape observes that two populations of the same lizard species have diverged in allele frequencies due to restricted gene flow, while the overall number of species in the region remains unchanged. Which level(s) of biodiversity is/are primarily affected, and what is the likely long-term consequence?

42 Two communities each contain 100 individuals across 4 species. Community X has abundances and Community Y has . Using the concept underlying the Shannon index, which statement is correct?

43 The EDGE metric prioritizes species using two components. Consider four species with (Evolutionary Distinctiveness score, IUCN threat category): P (2, Least Concern), Q (8, Endangered), R (3, Critically Endangered), S (9, Vulnerable). If EDGE score increases with both evolutionary distinctiveness and threat level, which species would most likely rank highest for conservation priority?

44 To qualify as a biodiversity hotspot under the Myers criteria, a region must meet two conditions. A region contains 1,600 endemic plant species out of 5,000 total, and has lost 65% of its original vegetation. Does it qualify?

45 The 'Evil Quartet' describes the primary drivers of species extinction. A conservation biologist argues that a single driver has historically been the leading cause of documented extinctions worldwide. Which driver is this, and why is it considered the most pervasive?

46 The introduction of the Nile perch (Lates niloticus) into Lake Victoria led to the extinction of hundreds of endemic cichlid species. Which combination of mechanisms best explains this catastrophic biodiversity loss?

47 Under IUCN Red List quantitative criteria, a species whose population has declined by 80% over the last 10 years or three generations would most appropriately be categorized as:

48 A wildlife manager must choose between establishing one large reserve of 1,000 km² or four smaller reserves of 250 km² each (the SLOSS debate). For a wide-ranging apex predator with large territory requirements and sensitivity to edge effects, which choice is generally preferred and why?

49 A seed bank stores seeds of 500 plant species at with low moisture content. This method is highly effective for 'orthodox' seeds but fails for one important category. Which seeds cannot be conserved this way, and what is the alternative?

50 The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment classifies ecosystem services into four categories. Pollination of crops by wild insects and natural pest regulation both fall under which category, and how do they differ from provisioning services?

51 India is divided into 10 biogeographic zones. The cold, high-altitude region with sparse vegetation, low biodiversity but high endemism (e.g., snow leopard, Tibetan antelope) corresponds to which zone?

52 The rice variety cultivated across a large region became highly susceptible to a fungal pathogen, wiping out most of the crop, whereas a nearby traditional landrace mixture survived. This scenario best illustrates which principle of genetic diversity?

53 India is one of 17 megadiverse countries and hosts multiple recognized biodiversity hotspots. Which set correctly lists the biodiversity hotspots that occur (fully or partly) within India?

54 A protected area's elephant population increased after successful conservation, but crop raiding on surrounding farms escalated sharply, generating local hostility. Which integrated approach best addresses the root cause of this conflict while sustaining conservation goals?

55 The dodo (Raphus cucullatus) of Mauritius became extinct within about a century of human arrival. Which combination of factors was most responsible for its rapid extinction?

56 Ecologist Deborah Rabinowitz proposed 'seven forms of rarity' based on three factors: geographic range, habitat specificity, and local population size. A species with a wide range, broad habitat tolerance, but small local population sizes everywhere would be classified as:

57 Beta () diversity measures the turnover of species between habitats. Two regions each have gamma diversity of 50 species. Region A has alpha diversity of 25 per site; Region B has alpha diversity of 10 per site. Which region has higher beta diversity, and what does it indicate?

58 A conservation team estimates that a tiger population has a Minimum Viable Population (MVP) requirement to avoid extinction over 100 years with 95% probability. The current population is below MVP and isolated. Which intervention most directly addresses the genetic risk of such a small, isolated population?

59 The 'rivet popper hypothesis' proposed by Paul Ehrlich uses an analogy of rivets on an airplane wing. What key ecological principle does this analogy convey about biodiversity loss?

60 Rhino poaching is driven largely by demand for horn, chemically composed mainly of keratin. A proposed intervention is 'dehorning'—surgically removing horns to deter poachers. Which is a valid limitation of this strategy that conservationists must weigh?