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Quizzes > Science

Ecosystem Vocabulary Quiz: Test Key Ecology Terms

Quick, free ecology terms quiz with instant results and clear definitions.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Kyle CampbellUpdated Aug 28, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art scene of ecosystem food web with plants insects birds fish mammals on dark blue background

This ecosystem vocabulary quiz helps you check and strengthen your grasp of key ecology terms. If you want a quick refresh on concepts, explore ecosystem interactions with the ecosystem interactions quiz, review energy transfer and levels in the trophic levels quiz, or broaden your practice with the ecosystem practice quiz before or after you start.

What is the best definition of an ecosystem?
The process by which plants make food
A group of identical organisms living in one area
All the populations of plants in a forest
A community of interacting organisms and their physical environment
An ecosystem includes all living organisms in a particular area and their interactions with each other and with nonliving components like water, air, and soil. It encompasses energy flow and nutrient cycling among biotic and abiotic factors. Understanding ecosystems is fundamental to ecology.
Which term describes all the living organisms in a specific area and time?
Habitat
Community
Population
Biome
A community in ecology is all the different populations of species that interact in a specific area at the same time. It includes plants, animals, fungi, microbes, and their interactions. This concept is distinct from population, which refers to only one species.
Which of the following best defines a biome?
A large area defined by its climate, flora, and fauna
A single food chain
A small pond or stream
All ecosystems on Earth
A biome is a large region characterized by specific climate conditions and communities of plants and animals. Examples include the tundra, rainforest, and desert biomes. Biomes can contain many ecosystems within them.
What are abiotic factors in an ecosystem?
Living organisms like plants and animals
Nonliving physical and chemical elements
Food webs
Predator-prey relationships
Abiotic factors are the nonliving chemical and physical parts of the environment, such as temperature, water, sunlight, soil, and minerals. They influence which organisms can survive and how ecosystems function. Abiotic factors interact with biotic factors in complex ways.
Which term refers to living factors in an ecosystem?
Nutrients
Biotic factors
Abiotic factors
Climate
Biotic factors are the living components of an ecosystem, including plants, animals, fungi, and microorganisms. They interact with each other and with abiotic factors to shape ecosystem dynamics. Biotic interactions include predation, competition, and symbiosis.
What is a producer in an ecosystem?
An organism that converts sunlight into chemical energy
A predator at the top trophic level
A decomposer breaking down organic matter
An organism that consumes others for energy
Producers, or autotrophs, synthesize their own energy sources, usually by photosynthesis, converting sunlight into chemical energy in the form of sugars. They form the base of food chains and support all other trophic levels. Plants, algae, and some bacteria are common producers.
What is a consumer in an ecosystem?
An organism that breaks down dead matter
An organism that photosynthesizes
An organism that eats other organisms
An abiotic factor
Consumers, or heterotrophs, obtain energy by feeding on other organisms, either producers or other consumers. They can be primary (herbivores), secondary (carnivores), or tertiary consumers depending on their trophic level. Consumers help transfer energy through the food chain.
What role do decomposers play in ecosystems?
They break down dead organic matter
They consume living organisms
They regulate climate factors
They produce energy through photosynthesis
Decomposers, including bacteria and fungi, break down dead organisms and organic waste, returning nutrients to the soil and water. This process recycles essential elements, making them available for producers. Without decomposers, nutrients would remain locked in dead material.
What is a food chain?
A linear sequence of organisms transferring energy
A measure of an ecosystem's productivity
A network of connected food webs
A list of all species in an ecosystem
A food chain is a simplified, linear pathway that shows how energy and nutrients move from one organism to another. It typically begins with a producer and ends with a top-level consumer. Food chains illustrate direct feeding relationships.
How does a food web differ from a food chain?
It excludes decomposers
It measures energy only at one trophic level
It shows only producers
It illustrates multiple interconnected feeding relationships
A food web is a complex network of many food chains interconnected at various trophic levels. It more accurately represents the diversity of feeding relationships in an ecosystem. Food webs reveal how organisms are linked and how energy flows through multiple pathways.
What is meant by trophic level?
The acidity of the soil
The amount of sunlight an area receives
The position of an organism in a food chain or web
The number of species in an ecosystem
Trophic levels indicate an organism's feeding position in an ecosystem, such as primary producers, primary consumers, secondary consumers, and so on. Each level represents a step in the flow of energy and nutrients. Understanding trophic levels helps ecologists track energy transfer efficiency.
What does biodiversity refer to?
Only the number of species present
The rate of photosynthesis in plants
The variety of ecosystems only
The range of living species and their genetic variation
Biodiversity encompasses the variety and variability of life in a given area, including species diversity, genetic diversity, and ecosystem diversity. It is critical for ecosystem resilience and human well-being. High biodiversity often indicates a healthy, stable ecosystem.
Which term defines the natural environment in which an organism lives?
Habitat
Population
Community
Biome
A habitat is the specific environment where an organism lives, including all biotic and abiotic factors essential for its survival. Different species have unique habitat requirements. Habitat loss is a leading cause of biodiversity decline.
What is a population in ecological terms?
All ecosystems in a biome
All living and nonliving things in an area
Individuals of one species living in a defined area
A series of predators
A population consists of all individuals of a single species inhabiting a particular geographic area. Population ecology studies factors that affect population size, density, and distribution. These dynamics influence resource use and interactions with other species.
What does the term community describe in ecology?
All the biotic populations interacting in an area
All physical conditions in an area
The DNA variation within a species
A group of the same species
An ecological community comprises all the interacting populations of different species within a particular area. It includes plants, animals, fungi, and microorganisms. Community structure affects ecosystem processes and stability.
What is the biosphere?
A food web spanning continents
A type of large biome
All ecosystems on Earth
The area of Earth where water collects
The biosphere is the global sum of all ecosystems, encompassing all regions of Earth where life exists, from deep oceans to the upper atmosphere. It includes interactions among organisms, the lithosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere. Studying the biosphere helps us understand global ecological processes.
What is primary productivity?
Rate at which organisms decompose organic matter
Rate of predator-prey interactions
The measure of species richness
Rate at which producers generate biomass
Primary productivity is the rate at which producers, like plants and algae, convert solar energy into chemical energy via photosynthesis. It forms the basis for energy availability in ecosystems. Measuring primary productivity helps ecologists assess ecosystem health and carbon fixation.
How does gross primary productivity differ from net primary productivity?
GPP is total photosynthesis; NPP is GPP minus plant respiration
GPP measures heterotroph growth; NPP measures decomposition
GPP excludes respiration losses; NPP includes them
They are two names for the same concept
Gross primary productivity (GPP) is the total amount of chemical energy produced by photosynthesis. Net primary productivity (NPP) is GPP minus the energy plants use for their metabolism (respiration). NPP represents the energy available to consumers.
What is an ecological niche?
The total biomass of a species
An organism's role and interactions in its environment
The physical space an organism occupies
A group of similar habitats
An ecological niche describes how an organism or population responds to resources and competitors, and how it alters those factors. It includes habitat use, feeding relationships, and behavior. Niches prevent competitive exclusion by resource partitioning.
What does carrying capacity refer to?
Maximum population size an environment can sustain
Maximum number of species in a community
Rate of population growth under ideal conditions
Total energy flow in an ecosystem
Carrying capacity is the maximum number of individuals of a species that an environment can sustain indefinitely based on available resources, habitat, and interactions. When a population exceeds this limit, resources become scarce and growth slows. It is a core concept in population ecology.
What is a keystone species?
A species only found in fossil records
A species that has a disproportionate effect on its ecosystem
A dominant species by biomass
A rare species with no ecosystem impact
A keystone species exerts a strong control on community structure, often regulating the diversity and population sizes of other species. Its removal can lead to significant ecosystem changes or collapse. Classic examples include sea otters and wolves.
What is ecological succession?
Movement of organisms between habitats
Random fluctuations in population sizes
A single event of species extinction
The sequence of changes in species composition over time
Ecological succession is the gradual process by which ecosystems change and develop over time, characterized by a sequence of species colonization and extinction. Primary succession starts on bare substrates, while secondary succession follows disturbance. Successional stages lead to a stable climax community.
What distinguishes primary succession from secondary succession?
Primary is faster than secondary
Primary begins on new surfaces; secondary follows disturbance
They are identical processes
Secondary starts on bare rock
Primary succession occurs on newly exposed substrates without soil, such as after lava flow or glacial retreat. Secondary succession happens in areas where a disturbance removed most organisms but left soil intact, like after a fire or farming. Primary succession generally takes longer due to soil formation.
What is mutualism?
A relationship non-harmful to one partner
A relationship benefiting only one species
A relationship harming both species
A relationship benefiting both species
Mutualism is a type of symbiotic relationship where both species involved derive benefits, such as bees pollinating flowers while obtaining nectar. This interaction can increase survival or reproduction for both partners. Mutualisms are common drivers of ecosystem function.
Which interaction describes commensalism?
One benefits, the other is unharmed
Both are harmed
Both benefit
One benefits, the other is harmed
Commensalism is a symbiotic relationship where one species benefits while the other is neither helped nor harmed, such as barnacles on whale skin. The host species is largely unaffected. Commensal interactions are subtle but ecologically significant.
What is parasitism?
One benefits at the expense of the other
Both are harmed
Neither benefits nor is harmed
Both species benefit
Parasitism is a relationship where the parasite benefits by deriving nutrients at the expense of the host, often harming it. Examples include tapeworms in mammals and mistletoe on trees. Parasites can regulate host populations and influence community structure.
What is an ecological pyramid?
A sequence of successional stages
Three-dimensional model of nutrient cycling
A diagram showing trophic levels and energy or biomass
Graph of species diversity across habitats
An ecological pyramid is a graphical representation showing the relative amounts of energy, biomass, or number of organisms at each trophic level. Pyramids of energy are always upright, while biomass and numbers can vary. They illustrate energy loss between levels.
What does biomass refer to in ecology?
Number of species in a habitat
Total mass of living organisms in a given area
Total calories consumed by an ecosystem
Rate of photosynthesis per square meter
Biomass is the total mass of all living organisms, typically expressed as weight per unit area. It provides an estimate of energy stored in living tissue. Biomass measurements help assess ecosystem productivity and carbon stocks.
Which process describes the conversion of solar energy into chemical energy in plants?
Respiration
Transpiration
Photosynthesis
Decomposition
Photosynthesis is the process by which plants, algae, and some bacteria use sunlight to convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen. It is the primary mechanism for energy input into ecosystems. This process underpins life on Earth by supplying organic matter and oxygen.
What is the main purpose of cellular respiration in organisms?
To fix carbon dioxide
To generate ATP by breaking down glucose
To produce oxygen
To synthesize proteins
Cellular respiration breaks down glucose and other organic molecules to produce ATP, the energy currency of cells. It involves glycolysis, the citric acid cycle, and oxidative phosphorylation. This process is essential for all aerobic organisms to sustain metabolic functions.
What is an ecological footprint?
The number of tourists an area can support
A measure of species abundance
A footprint-shaped fossil
The environmental impact measured by land and water area used
An ecological footprint estimates the amount of productive land and water area required to support a population's consumption and absorb its wastes. It is a metric for human demand on ecosystems compared to the Earth's capacity to regenerate resources. It helps assess sustainability and resource use.
Which cycle describes the movement of carbon through the atmosphere, biosphere, oceans, and geosphere?
Water cycle
Nitrogen cycle
Phosphorus cycle
Carbon cycle
The carbon cycle involves the exchange of carbon among the atmosphere, organisms, oceans, and geological formations. Processes include photosynthesis, respiration, decomposition, and fossil fuel combustion. It is central to Earth's climate regulation.
What is the primary reservoir for nitrogen on Earth?
Soil organic matter
Living organisms
Ocean sediments
Atmosphere
About 78% of Earth's atmosphere is molecular nitrogen (N2), making the atmosphere the largest nitrogen reservoir. Nitrogen must be fixed by bacteria or industrial processes to be available to most organisms. The atmospheric pool drives global nitrogen dynamics.
In which form is phosphorus most commonly cycled through ecosystems?
O2 in the air
Atmospheric N2
Phosphate ions in soil and water
CO2 in the air
Phosphorus cycles mainly through rocks, water, soil, and living organisms as phosphate (PO4^3?). It does not have a significant atmospheric phase. Weathering releases phosphate into soils and water where organisms uptake it.
Which process describes the continuous movement of water on, above, and below the surface of the Earth?
Nitrogen cycle
Water cycle
Sulfur cycle
Carbon cycle
The water cycle, or hydrologic cycle, involves evaporation, condensation, precipitation, infiltration, and runoff. It transfers water between the oceans, atmosphere, land, and biosphere. This cycle is essential for life and climate regulation.
What is eutrophication?
Natural purification of water
Increase in species diversity in lakes
Enrichment of water bodies with nutrients causing algal blooms
Formation of oxygen in water
Eutrophication occurs when excess nutrients, especially nitrogen and phosphorus, enter aquatic systems, stimulating excessive algal and plant growth. This can lead to hypoxia when decomposition depletes oxygen, harming aquatic life. It is often driven by agricultural runoff and wastewater.
What drives the greenhouse effect on Earth?
Direct conduction of heat from Earth's core
Absorption of UV radiation by ozone only
Reflection of sunlight by clouds
Absorption and re-emission of infrared radiation by atmospheric gases
The greenhouse effect is caused by gases like CO2, methane, and water vapor absorbing infrared radiation emitted by Earth's surface and re-radiating it, warming the lower atmosphere. It is crucial for maintaining habitable temperatures. Human activities have enhanced this natural effect, leading to global warming.
What is biomagnification?
Increase in contaminant concentration at higher trophic levels
Biodegradation of pollutants
Decrease in contaminant concentration at higher trophic levels
Movement of contaminants through soil
Biomagnification is the process where certain toxins, like mercury or PCBs, increase in concentration as they move up the food chain. Predators at higher trophic levels accumulate higher toxin loads from consuming contaminated prey. It poses significant risks to wildlife and humans.
Which term describes a species introduced to a new habitat where it becomes harmful?
Endemic species
Invasive species
Indicator species
Keystone species
An invasive species is a non-native organism that spreads widely and causes harm to ecosystems, economies, or human health. Examples include zebra mussels and kudzu. They often outcompete native species, altering habitats and functions.
What is an endemic species?
An invasive species
A species with no natural predators
A species found worldwide
A species restricted to a specific geographic area
Endemic species are native to and restricted within a particular geographic region. They often evolve unique traits due to isolation. Conservation of endemics is vital because they are especially vulnerable to habitat changes.
Which process fragments large habitats into smaller, isolated patches?
Biogeochemical cycling
Eutrophication
Habitat fragmentation
Ecological succession
Habitat fragmentation divides continuous habitats into smaller, disconnected areas, often due to human activities like road building and deforestation. It reduces species movement, gene flow, and ecosystem resilience. Fragmentation is a major driver of biodiversity loss.
What is restoration ecology?
Extermination of invasive species only
Rebuilding damaged ecosystems to a healthy state
Measuring ecosystem productivity
Study of ancient ecosystems
Restoration ecology focuses on assisting the recovery of ecosystems that have been degraded, damaged, or destroyed. It employs ecological principles to reestablish structure, function, and biodiversity. Projects include wetland restoration and reforestation.
What is conservation biology?
The engineering of habitats for agriculture
The scientific study aimed at protecting and sustaining biodiversity
A field that studies cooking methods using natural ingredients
A discipline focused on genetic modification
Conservation biology is an interdisciplinary science concerned with understanding and mitigating biodiversity loss. It combines ecology, genetics, policy, and social science to preserve species, habitats, and ecosystem services. Its goals include protected areas, species recovery, and sustainable resource use.
What is the island biogeography theory about?
Species distribution on continents only
Nutrient cycling in forests
The balance of immigration and extinction rates on islands
The evolution of species in lakes
The theory of island biogeography explains how species richness on islands balances immigration and extinction based on island size and distance from the mainland. Larger, closer islands have higher diversity. It informs reserve design and habitat fragmentation studies.
What is a trophic cascade?
A top-down effect where predators indirectly affect lower trophic levels
A rapid increase in primary productivity
A sequence of ecological succession events
A type of nutrient cycle
A trophic cascade occurs when predators regulate the abundance or behavior of prey, causing impacts to lower trophic levels and ecosystem structure. For example, wolves controlling deer populations can promote plant growth. Cascades highlight interconnected food web dynamics.
What is a metapopulation?
A single, continuous population
A network of spatially separated populations connected by dispersal
A genetically uniform group
Populations of multiple species interacting
A metapopulation consists of separate populations of the same species in discrete habitat patches linked by immigration and emigration. Local extinctions can be offset by recolonization from other patches. This concept aids conservation of fragmented species.
Which term best describes ecosystem resilience?
Number of keystone species
Speed of energy flow
Capacity to recover after disturbance
Degree of species diversity only
Ecosystem resilience is the capacity of an ecosystem to absorb disturbances and reorganize while undergoing change, maintaining critical functions and structure. High resilience allows quicker recovery from events like fires or floods. It is vital for long-term ecosystem stability.
What are planetary boundaries?
Geographic borders of continents
Limits within which humanity can operate safely
National protected area limits
Boundaries of ecological niches
Planetary boundaries define thresholds in Earth system processes that, if crossed, could lead to abrupt or irreversible environmental change. They include climate change, biodiversity loss, and biogeochemical flows. Staying within these limits supports human well-being and planetary health.
Which of the following best describes ecosystem services?
Benefits humans obtain from ecosystems
Natural disasters
Only pollination processes
Goods produced by factories
Ecosystem services are the direct and indirect contributions of ecosystems to human well-being, including provisioning (food, water), regulating (climate, flood control), supporting (nutrient cycling), and cultural services. Valuing these services informs conservation and policy.
What is an ecological tipping point?
The highest point in a food web
Maximum species richness
A minor seasonal change
A threshold where small perturbations cause a large system shift
An ecological tipping point is a critical threshold at which a tiny perturbation can qualitatively alter the state or development of a system, leading to regime shifts like forest dieback or coral bleaching. Recognizing these points is crucial for ecosystem management.
What does niche complementarity refer to in community ecology?
A single species occupying multiple niches
Different species using resources in distinct ways to reduce competition
Overlap of species' niches causing competition
Two species having identical ecological roles
Niche complementarity occurs when species use different resources or occupy different niches, reducing competition and allowing coexistence. This diversity of resource use can enhance ecosystem productivity and stability. It is a key concept in biodiversity - ecosystem function research.
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Study Outcomes

  1. Understand fundamental ecosystem vocabulary -

    Gain clarity on essential terms like producers, consumers, decomposers, and niches to build a solid ecological foundation.

  2. Differentiate trophic levels -

    Recognize how energy flows through producers, herbivores, carnivores, and apex predators within food chains and food webs.

  3. Identify components of biodiversity -

    Explore vocabulary related to species richness, genetic diversity, and ecosystem variety to appreciate biodiversity concepts.

  4. Define ecological interactions -

    Learn to accurately describe relationships such as predation, competition, mutualism, and commensalism.

  5. Apply ecosystem terms in real-world contexts -

    Use correct terminology when discussing environmental issues, conservation strategies, and habitat management.

  6. Assess and reinforce ecosystem vocabulary knowledge -

    Gauge your vocabulary ecosystem command through a scored quiz, pinpointing strengths and areas for improvement.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Biodiversity Levels -

    Cover the three key levels of biodiversity - genetic, species, and ecosystem - to see how variation occurs from DNA differences to whole habitats. A simple mnemonic, GSE ("Genes, Species, Ecosystems"), helps recall the hierarchy defined by the UN Convention on Biological Diversity. Recognizing each level's role boosts your readiness for the vocabulary ecosystem section of the quiz.

  2. Trophic Levels and the 10% Rule -

    Review the sequence of trophic levels: producers, primary consumers, secondary consumers, and so on, and apply the 10% energy transfer formula (Energy_at_level_n+1 ≈ 0.1 × Energy_at_level_n). Drawing energy pyramids from sources like Ecology textbooks ensures you grasp key ecosystem terms trivia. Remember: only about 10% passes on, so an initial 10,000 kJ at producers yields just 1 kJ at tertiary consumers.

  3. Biotic vs. Abiotic Factors -

    Distinguish living (biotic) from non-living (abiotic) components, a fundamental distinction in any ecology vocabulary test. Use the mnemonic "bio is life, a-biotic is absent of life" and list examples: plants, animals versus pH, temperature. University-level guides such as those from NASA or USGS offer real-world case studies like desert ecosystems.

  4. Succession Processes -

    Understand primary succession (starting from bare rock, e.g., volcanic islands) versus secondary succession (post-fire forest recovery), as defined in ecological literature like Odum's Fundamentals of Ecology. Chart a classic sequence - lichens → moss → grasses → shrubs → climax forest - to ace the ecosystem vocabulary quiz. Visual diagrams from sources like Britannica help cement these stages.

  5. Keystone Species and Ecosystem Impact -

    Learn what makes a species "keystone" by controlling community structure beyond its numerical abundance; for example, sea otters regulating sea urchin populations in kelp forests. Refer to case studies from journals such as Ecology or National Geographic to illustrate this concept. Grasping this term ensures you're ready for any biodiversity vocabulary quiz challenge.

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