#1
Which gas is primarily responsible for the greenhouse effect?
Carbon Dioxide
ExplanationCarbon dioxide traps heat in the Earth's atmosphere, contributing to the greenhouse effect.
#2
What is the term for a group of organisms of the same species living in a specific geographic area?
Population
ExplanationA population consists of individuals of the same species inhabiting a defined area.
#3
What is the term for the total mass of living organisms in a given area or ecosystem?
Biomass
ExplanationBiomass represents the collective mass of living organisms within a specific area or ecosystem.
#4
Which of the following is an example of a non-renewable resource?
Coal
ExplanationCoal is a non-renewable resource, formed over geological timescales and depleted much faster than it forms.
#5
Which of the following is an example of an invasive species causing ecological disruption?
Zebra mussels in freshwater ecosystems
ExplanationZebra mussels, as invasive species, disrupt freshwater ecosystems by outcompeting native species.
#6
What is the main source of energy in most ecosystems?
Solar energy
ExplanationSolar energy fuels photosynthesis, the foundational process supporting most ecosystems.
#7
Which trophic level represents the primary producers in an ecosystem?
Producers
ExplanationProducers, such as plants, form the base of the food chain by converting sunlight into energy.
#8
Which of the following is a keystone species that has a disproportionate impact on its ecosystem?
Sea Otter
ExplanationSea otters play a crucial role in maintaining the balance and biodiversity of their ecosystems.
#9
What is the primary driver of biodiversity loss?
Habitat Destruction
ExplanationHabitat destruction, through activities like deforestation, is a major cause of biodiversity decline.
#10
Which biome is characterized by permafrost and a layer of soil that remains permanently frozen?
Tundra
ExplanationThe tundra biome features permanently frozen soil and is adapted to extreme cold temperatures.
#11
What is the primary factor influencing the distribution of terrestrial biomes?
Precipitation
ExplanationThe amount of precipitation largely determines the types of terrestrial biomes in a region.
#12
What is the term for the gradual change in species composition in an ecosystem over time?
Succession
ExplanationSuccession is the process of ecological development involving the sequential replacement of species.
#13
Which environmental impact assessment tool evaluates the potential effects of a project on the environment?
Environmental Impact Assessment
ExplanationEnvironmental Impact Assessment assesses the environmental consequences of projects before implementation.
#14
In the nitrogen cycle, what process converts atmospheric nitrogen into a form usable by plants?
Nitrogen Fixation
ExplanationNitrogen fixation transforms atmospheric nitrogen into a form that plants can absorb and utilize.
#15
Which environmental policy aims to prevent over-exploitation of natural resources by regulating their use?
Resource Management
ExplanationResource management policies seek to sustainably regulate the utilization of natural resources.
#16
Which of the following is an example of a point source pollution?
Industrial Discharge into a River
ExplanationPoint source pollution refers to pollutants entering the environment from a specific, identifiable source.
#17
What is the term for the process by which a community develops over time to reach a stable endpoint?
Climax Community
ExplanationClimax community is the final, stable stage in the ecological succession of a community.