Ecology and Environmental Concepts Quiz

Carbon dioxide is a major greenhouse gas that contributes to the greenhouse effect, trapping heat in the Earth's atmosphere.

Photosynthesis is the process by which green plants and some other organisms convert light energy into chemical energy to produce food.

Biodiversity encompasses the variety of life on Earth, including the diversity of ecosystems, species, and genetic variations.

Logging, particularly clear-cutting, is a significant cause of deforestation, leading to habitat loss and environmental degradation.

A keystone species has a disproportionately large impact on its ecosystem relative to its abundance or biomass.

Sunlight is the primary source of energy for most ecosystems on Earth, driving photosynthesis and supporting food webs.

Herbivores are primary consumers that feed directly on plants, forming the second trophic level in a food chain.

Succession is the gradual process of ecological change and replacement of species in a community over time, leading to a stable climax community.

Condensation is the process by which water vapor cools and transforms into liquid water, forming clouds or dew.

Natural gas is a fossil fuel formed from decayed organic matter over millions of years and is considered a non-renewable energy source.

Solar energy, derived from the sun's radiation, is a renewable resource that can be continually replenished.

Nitrogen fixation is the process by which atmospheric nitrogen is converted into forms that can be utilized by plants, often facilitated by nitrogen-fixing bacteria.

Oxygen is not a greenhouse gas; it does not contribute significantly to the greenhouse effect.

Sustainability refers to the practice of utilizing resources in a way that meets present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs.

An invasive species is characterized by its ability to rapidly spread and outcompete native species, often leading to ecological disruption.

Biodiversity refers to the variety of different species within a given ecosystem, including genetic diversity, species diversity, and ecosystem diversity.

Temperature is an example of an abiotic factor in an ecosystem, representing non-living physical and chemical factors that influence organisms and their environment.