Biodiversity Practice Questions

Correct answer: Genetic diversity

Genetic diversity refers to the total number of genetic characteristics in the genetic makeup of a species. High genetic diversity serves as a way for populations to adapt to changing environments and resist diseases.

Correct answer: 70%

To qualify as a biodiversity hotspot, a region must meet two strict criteria: it must contain at least 0.5% or 1,500 species of vascular plants as endemics, and it must have lost at least 70% of its primary vegetation. These areas are high priorities for global conservation efforts.

Correct answer: A species that is found only in one specific geographic location

Endemic species are plants or animals that exist only in one particular region, such as an island, nation, or other defined zone. Because they are restricted to a small area, they are often highly vulnerable to extinction from habitat loss.

Correct answer: Habitat destruction

Habitat destruction is widely considered the single greatest threat to biodiversity globally. It occurs through activities such as deforestation, urban sprawl, and conversion of land for agriculture, which leave species without resources to survive.

Correct answer: Ecosystem diversity

Ecosystem diversity deals with the variations in ecosystems within a geographical location and its overall impact on human existence and the environment. It encompasses the variety of habitats, communities, and ecological processes in the biosphere.

Correct answer: Richness is the total count of species, while evenness is the relative abundance of each species.

Species richness is a simple count of how many different species are present in a community. Species evenness describes how close in numbers each species in an environment is, helping scientists understand if a community is dominated by one specific type of organism.

Correct answer: Indicator species

Indicator species, such as amphibians or lichens, serve as biological 'smoke alarms' because their presence, absence, or health reflects the specific environmental conditions of an area. They are used by scientists to detect pollution or habitat degradation.

Correct answer: Habitat fragmentation

Habitat fragmentation reduces the total area of habitat available and creates 'edge effects,' where the conditions at the boundaries differ from the interior. This isolation makes it difficult for species to migrate, find mates, or access sufficient food resources.

Correct answer: CITES

CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) is an international agreement between governments. Its aim is to ensure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival.

Correct answer: Human activities

Unlike the previous five mass extinctions which were caused by natural disasters or climate shifts, the current surge in extinction rates is driven by human actions. Factors include habitat loss, overexploitation, pollution, and anthropogenic climate change.

Correct answer: Coral reefs

Coral reefs occupy less than 0.1% of the world's ocean surface yet provide a home for at least 25% of all marine species. They are vital for biodiversity, coastal protection, and the livelihoods of millions of people.

Correct answer: Operating a Seed Bank facility

Ex-situ conservation protects biodiversity away from its natural habitat — seed banks, gene banks, zoos, botanical gardens and captive breeding programmes. National parks, wildlife sanctuaries and biosphere reserves all protect species where they live, which makes them in-situ methods, so the seed bank is the only option outside the natural habitat.

Correct answer: Ecosystem services

Ecosystem services are the many and varied benefits that humans freely gain from the natural environment and from properly-functioning ecosystems. These are often categorized into provisioning, regulating, cultural, and supporting services.

Correct answer: An invasive species

While many non-native species are harmless, 'invasive' species outcompete native organisms for resources because they often lack natural predators in their new environment. This leads to a decline in local biodiversity and can disrupt entire food webs.

Correct answer: The IUCN

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species is the world's most comprehensive inventory of the global conservation status of biological species. It uses a set of criteria to evaluate the extinction risk of thousands of species.

Correct answer: Tropical regions

Biodiversity follows a latitudinal gradient, increasing from the poles toward the equator. The stable climate, high solar energy, and abundant rainfall in tropical regions provide conditions that support a vast array of specialized niches and species.

Correct answer: A Single Large or Several Small

The SLOSS debate asks whether it is better to have a 'Single Large' reserve or 'Several Small' reserves of the same total area. Large reserves generally support more interior species and larger populations, while several small reserves might capture a wider variety of different habitats.

Correct answer: To connect habitat patches for species movement

Wildlife corridors are strips of natural habitat that connect populations of wildlife otherwise separated by human activities or structures. They help maintain genetic diversity and allow animals to migrate or re-colonize areas after local disturbances.

Correct answer: Flagship species

Flagship species are chosen for their vulnerability, attractiveness, or distinctive character to appeal to the public. By conserving these 'charismatic' species, organizations can often protect the entire habitat and the many other species that live there.

Correct answer: An innate human love for other organisms

Biophilia suggests that humans possess an evolutionary, biological need to connect with nature and other forms of life. This concept is often used to explain why biodiversity and natural spaces are vital for human psychological and physical well-being.