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Quizzes > Science

Environmental Science Quiz: Check Your Knowledge

15 quick environmental science quiz questions. Instant results.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Cahyo KompUpdated Aug 23, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
Questions: 20
Learning OutcomesStudy Material
Colorful paper art depicting elements of environmental science for a knowledge quiz

This environmental science quiz helps you review core ideas on ecosystems, energy flow, and sustainability in minutes. Answer 15 multiple-choice questions and see instant results to spot strengths and gaps before a class or exam. Continue learning with our sustainability quiz or explore weather systems in the meteorology quiz.

Which process converts atmospheric nitrogen (N2) into ammonia usable by plants in natural ecosystems?
Nitrogen fixation
Ammonification
Denitrification
Nitrification
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In an energy pyramid, which trophic level typically has the greatest biomass?
Secondary consumers
Producers
Tertiary consumers
Primary consumers
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Which gas is the largest contributor to the enhanced greenhouse effect from human activities?
Methane (CH4)
Nitrous oxide (N2O)
Carbon dioxide (CO2)
Ozone (O3)
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Which biome is characterized by permafrost, low precipitation, and short growing seasons?
Temperate deciduous forest
Tropical rainforest
Savanna
Tundra
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The primary cause of ocean acidification is the increased dissolution of which compound into seawater?
Methane
Sulfur dioxide
Nitrogen oxides
Carbon dioxide
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Net metering in energy policy allows which practice?
Doubling retail rates during peak hours
Charging customers for unused capacity
Utilities to mandate fossil fuel backup
Homeowners to sell excess electricity from renewables back to the grid
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Which process converts nitrate (NO3-) to nitrogen gas (N2), returning nitrogen to the atmosphere?
Assimilation
Denitrification
Nitrification
Mineralization
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Which metric estimates the total land and water area needed to support an individual's consumption and waste assimilation?
Carrying capacity
Ecological footprint
Biodiversity index
Carbon intensity
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Which pollutant is the primary cause of acid rain when emitted as a result of coal combustion?
Lead (Pb)
Ammonia (NH3)
Ozone
Sulfur dioxide (SO2)
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In life cycle assessment (LCA), which phase includes raw material extraction and processing?
End-of-life
Use phase
Goal and scope definition
Cradle-to-gate
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Which conservation planning principle focuses on protecting large, connected habitats to minimize edge effects?
SLOSS favoring several small reserves
Wildlife corridors and single large reserves
Fragmented mosaic design
Isolated pocket parks
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Which term describes the maximum population size that an environment can sustainably support?
Resilience
Carrying capacity (K)
Allee threshold
r-selection
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Which pathway is the dominant natural sink for atmospheric methane (CH4)?
Uptake by terrestrial plants
Photolysis in the stratosphere
Reaction with hydroxyl radicals (OH) in the troposphere
Dissolution into oceans
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Which pollutant category is most associated with cardiopulmonary health risks due to deep lung penetration?
PM10 coarse particles
PM2.5 fine particles
Lead aerosols only
Ozone precursor VOCs
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In fisheries management, Maximum Sustainable Yield (MSY) is achieved at which point on the logistic growth curve?
During initial exponential growth
Near carrying capacity (K)
At zero population size
At half the carrying capacity (K/2)
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Which organism type is the primary biological agent of aerobic decomposition in soils?
Macroalgae
Anaerobic archaea
Fungi and aerobic bacteria
Zooplankton
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Which concept in island biogeography explains species richness as a balance of immigration and extinction rates affected by island size and distance?
Competitive exclusion principle
Equilibrium theory of island biogeography
Liebig's law of the minimum
Intermediate disturbance hypothesis
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Black carbon affects climate primarily by which mechanism?
Increasing cloud albedo uniformly
Increasing stratospheric ozone
Strongly absorbing sunlight and reducing albedo when deposited on snow and ice
Depleting tropospheric OH radicals
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Which ecosystem function is most directly measured by eddy covariance towers in micrometeorology?
Leaf chlorophyll content
Net ecosystem exchange of CO2
Soil cation exchange capacity
Soil moisture at depth
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Which biodiversity metric accounts for both the number of species and their relative abundance?
Endemism count
Presence-absence tally
Species richness only
Shannon diversity index
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Learning Outcomes

  1. Identify major ecosystem components and functions
  2. Analyze human impacts on natural environments
  3. Evaluate sustainability strategies and policies
  4. Demonstrate knowledge of biogeochemical cycles
  5. Apply environmental science principles to real-world issues
  6. Compare resource management approaches

Cheat Sheet

  1. Components of Ecosystems - Imagine a bustling city where living organisms (biotic) like plants and animals mingle with non-living elements (abiotic) such as air, water, and minerals. Watch how energy zips through food chains and how nutrients play an endless game of hide and seek in nature's grand loop.
  2. Hydrologic Cycle Highlights - Embark on a water adventure as droplets evaporate, hitch a ride on clouds, and return as rain or snow before trickling into rivers and aquifers. This global water carousel keeps ecosystems lush and wildlife hydrated from deserts to rainforests.
  3. Exploring the Carbon Cycle - Trace carbon atoms as they zoom through plants, animals, oceans, and rocks, powering life and climate balance. From photosynthesis to respiration and back again, it's nature's ultimate recycling program.
  4. Decoding the Nitrogen Cycle - Meet the nitrogen-fixing ninjas in soil and roots, transforming inert air into plant fuel, then watch nitrification, assimilation, and denitrification complete the circle. These chemical switch-ups keep proteins and DNA in tip-top shape for every living creature.
  5. Human Impacts on Nature - From deforestation to pollution and greenhouse gas overload, discover how our actions can tip the planet's balance and spark biodiversity loss. Learn why sustainable choices today protect tomorrow's ecosystems.
  6. Sustainability Strategies - Dive into renewable energy solutions, conservation tactics, and eco-friendly farming that meet today's needs without stealing from future generations. These green strategies are the blueprint for a thriving planet.
  7. Ecological Footprints Explained - Calculate how much land and water each of us needs to support our lifestyle - from the food we eat to the gadgets we power. Understanding footprints helps us shrink our impact and live in harmony with Earth.
  8. Tragedy of the Commons - See how individual self-interest can deplete shared resources, like overfishing a pond or polluting a river. This classic model shows why cooperation and regulation are key to preserving public goods.
  9. Environmental Policy & Law - Explore landmark laws and international agreements that protect air, water, and wildlife - from the Clean Air Act to global climate pacts. Policy is the toolbox we use to keep our planet safe.
  10. Case Studies in Resource Management - Compare success stories in conservation, restoration, and sustainable development around the world. These real-life examples show what works and spark ideas for future environmental wins.
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