Multiple Choice Questions
Biology: Advanced Topics in Ecology and Conservation
Topic: Advanced Topics in Ecology and Conservation
Grade: 12
Question 1:
Which of the following is an example of primary succession?
a) A forest that regrows after a wildfire
b) A pond that forms after a glacier recedes
c) A field that is abandoned and becomes a meadow
d) A coral reef that develops in an oceanic area
Answer: b) A pond that forms after a glacier recedes
Explanation: Primary succession occurs in an area that is devoid of life and soil, such as a newly formed pond. As the glacier recedes, it leaves behind a bare rock surface. Over time, plants and animals gradually colonize the area, leading to the development of a new ecosystem. This process is exemplified by the formation of a pond after a glacier recedes.
Question 2:
Which of the following is an example of a keystone species?
a) Lions in the African savanna
b) Bees in a pollinator-dependent ecosystem
c) Oak trees in a temperate forest
d) Seaweed in a marine ecosystem
Answer: b) Bees in a pollinator-dependent ecosystem
Explanation: A keystone species is a species that has a disproportionately large impact on its environment relative to its abundance. Bees are essential pollinators, and their activities are crucial for the reproduction of many plant species. Without bees, the ecosystem would suffer significant disruptions and declines in biodiversity. This demonstrates the importance of bees as a keystone species in pollinator-dependent ecosystems.
Question 3:
Which of the following is an example of a density-dependent factor?
a) Temperature
b) Rainfall
c) Disease
d) Predation
Answer: c) Disease
Explanation: Density-dependent factors are factors that affect a population based on its size or density. Diseases often spread more easily in crowded populations, leading to increased mortality rates and decreased population growth. This is an example of a density-dependent factor because the impact of the disease is dependent on the density of the population.
Question 4:
Which of the following is an example of a mutualistic relationship?
a) A lion preying on a zebra
b) A tick feeding on a deer
c) Bees pollinating flowers
d) A parasite infecting a host organism
Answer: c) Bees pollinating flowers
Explanation: Mutualistic relationships are interactions between two species that benefit both parties involved. Bees and flowers have a mutualistic relationship where bees obtain nectar from flowers for food, while inadvertently transferring pollen from one flower to another, aiding in the plants\’ reproduction. This example showcases the mutual benefit that both bees and flowers receive from their relationship.
Question 5:
Which of the following is an example of intraspecific competition?
a) A lion hunting a gazelle
b) Two squirrels fighting over a nut
c) A bird building a nest in a tree
d) A predator eating a prey species
Answer: b) Two squirrels fighting over a nut
Explanation: Intraspecific competition refers to competition between individuals of the same species for limited resources. Two squirrels fighting over a nut is an example of intraspecific competition because both squirrels are vying for the same resource, which in this case is the nut.
Question 6:
Which of the following is an example of a pioneer species?
a) Moss growing on a tree trunk
b) An oak tree in a temperate forest
c) Seaweed in a marine ecosystem
d) A lion in the African savanna
Answer: a) Moss growing on a tree trunk
Explanation: Pioneer species are the first organisms to colonize an area during primary succession. They are typically hardy and can withstand harsh conditions. Moss growing on a tree trunk is an example of a pioneer species because it can establish itself in a new area with limited resources and create suitable conditions for other organisms to follow.
Question 7:
Which of the following is an example of a trophic cascade?
a) The removal of wolves leading to an increase in deer population and a decline in plant species diversity
b) The introduction of a non-native species causing a decline in native species populations
c) The construction of a dam leading to changes in river flow and the displacement of aquatic organisms
d) The burning of fossil fuels leading to an increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide levels
Answer: a) The removal of wolves leading to an increase in deer population and a decline in plant species diversity
Explanation: A trophic cascade is a series of indirect effects that occur when a change in one trophic level of an ecosystem impacts the other trophic levels. In this example, the removal of wolves disrupts the predator-prey relationship, resulting in an increase in deer population. This increased herbivory puts pressure on plant species, leading to a decline in plant species diversity.
Question 8:
Which of the following is an example of a biological hotspot?
a) The Amazon rainforest
b) The Sahara Desert
c) The Himalayan mountain range
d) The Great Barrier Reef
Answer: a) The Amazon rainforest
Explanation: A biological hotspot is a region with a high level of biodiversity that is under threat from human activities. The Amazon rainforest is considered a biological hotspot due to its immense biodiversity and the ongoing deforestation and habitat destruction occurring in the region. This example highlights the importance of preserving such areas to protect the species that inhabit them.
Question 9:
Which of the following is an example of a limiting factor?
a) Sunlight availability in a forest understory
b) Nutrient levels in a freshwater pond
c) Temperature fluctuations in a desert ecosystem
d) Water availability in a rainforest
Answer: b) Nutrient levels in a freshwater pond
Explanation: Limiting factors are factors that restrict the growth or abundance of a population or species. In a freshwater pond, nutrient levels can be a limiting factor because they directly affect the productivity of the ecosystem. Low nutrient levels can lead to decreased primary productivity and limit the growth of organisms in the pond.
Question 10:
Which of the following is an example of a conservation strategy?
a) Habitat fragmentation
b) Poaching of endangered species
c) Establishment of protected areas
d) Introduction of invasive species
Answer: c) Establishment of protected areas
Explanation: Conservation strategies are actions taken to protect and preserve biodiversity and ecosystems. The establishment of protected areas, such as national parks and reserves, is a common conservation strategy. These areas provide legal protection for wildlife and habitats, allowing them to thrive without human interference.
Question 11:
Which of the following is an example of a renewable resource?
a) Coal
b) Oil
c) Solar energy
d) Natural gas
Answer: c) Solar energy
Explanation: Renewable resources are resources that can be replenished naturally over time. Solar energy is a renewable resource because it is derived from the sun\’s rays, which are constantly available. Unlike fossil fuels (coal, oil, and natural gas), solar energy is not finite and can be harnessed without depleting the Earth\’s resources.
Question 12:
Which of the following is an example of biological magnification?
a) The accumulation of heavy metals in fish
b) The decline in bee populations due to pesticide use
c) The loss of genetic diversity in endangered species
d) The extinction of a top predator leading to ecosystem imbalances
Answer: a) The accumulation of heavy metals in fish
Explanation: Biological magnification, also known as biomagnification, is the process by which the concentration of a toxic substance increases at higher trophic levels in a food chain. Heavy metals, such as mercury and lead, can be released into aquatic ecosystems and accumulate in fish over time. This is an example of biological magnification because the higher up the food chain an organism is, the greater the concentration of heavy metals it will have.
Question 13:
Which of the following is an example of a global conservation organization?
a) World Wildlife Fund (WWF)
b) National Park Service (NPS)
c) Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
d) United Nations (UN)
Answer: a) World Wildlife Fund (WWF)
Explanation: Global conservation organizations are dedicated to the protection and preservation of biodiversity on a global scale. The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) is an example of such an organization, working in various countries to conserve endangered species, protect habitats, and promote sustainable practices. Their efforts span across continents and address global conservation challenges.
Question 14:
Which of the following is an example of a non-renewable resource?
a) Wind energy
b) Natural gas
c) Geothermal energy
d) Biomass
Answer: b) Natural gas
Explanation: Non-renewable resources are resources that are finite and cannot be replenished within a human lifespan. Natural gas is a non-renewable resource because it is formed over millions of years from the remains of ancient plants and animals. Once extracted and consumed, it cannot be replenished on a human timescale.
Question 15:
Which of the following is an example of habitat destruction?
a) Overfishing in the ocean
b) Pollution of a river
c) Logging in a forest
d) Climate change impacts on coral reefs
Answer: c) Logging in a forest
Explanation: Habitat destruction refers to the loss or degradation of a natural habitat, often as a result of human activities. Logging in a forest is an example of habitat destruction because it involves the removal of trees, which serve as essential habitat for many species. This activity can disrupt ecosystems, lead to species decline, and contribute to biodiversity loss.