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Quizzes > Science

Biodiversity Practice: Test Your Knowledge of Ecosystems and Species

Try biodiversity practice questions and see where you stand. Instant results.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Mubashir KhamkarUpdated Aug 28, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art style collage showing plants, animals, insects and water droplets on dark blue background for biodiversity quiz

This biodiversity quiz helps you check your grasp of ecosystems, species, and conservation, and see where to improve. To build your skills, practice with our ecology quiz, test your knowledge in the wildlife quiz, or review plants in the plant biology quiz. Get instant results at the end.

What does the term 'biodiversity' describe?
The variety of all life forms on Earth, including species, ecosystems, and genetic differences
The proportion of renewable resources
The number of individuals of a single species
The total biomass in an ecosystem
Biodiversity refers to the variety of life at genetic, species, and ecosystem levels. It encompasses differences among all living organisms and their complex ecological interactions. High biodiversity often indicates a healthy environment with resilient ecosystems. Learn more at .
Which level of biodiversity refers to the genetic variation within a species?
Genetic diversity
Community diversity
Species diversity
Ecosystem diversity
Genetic diversity is the variation of genes within a species, which allows populations to adapt to changing environments. It underpins the ability of species to survive threats like disease and climate change. Higher genetic variation generally means greater resilience in populations. See more at .
Which of the following is the largest terrestrial biome by area?
Savanna Grassland
Tropical Rainforest
Desert
Taiga (Boreal Forest)
The taiga, or boreal forest, covers vast areas of North America and Eurasia and is the largest terrestrial biome. It is characterized by coniferous forests adapted to cold climates. This biome plays a major role in global carbon storage. More details at .
Which species is often cited as a classic example of a keystone species in marine ecosystems?
Sea otter
Great white shark
Lionfish
Clownfish
Sea otters help maintain kelp forest ecosystems by preying on sea urchins, which would otherwise overgraze kelp. Their presence supports high biodiversity in coastal marine habitats. Removal of sea otters leads to cascading ecological changes. Learn more at .
What does the IUCN Red List classify?
Global habitat fragmentation
Conservation funding priorities
Endangered ecosystems
The extinction risk of species worldwide
The IUCN Red List assesses the conservation status of species and categorizes them based on extinction risk. It is an authoritative guide used by governments and researchers worldwide. Categories range from Least Concern to Extinct. More information at .
Which term describes a species that is naturally found only in a specific geographic area?
Indicator species
Endemic species
Invasive species
Cosmopolitan species
An endemic species is one that occurs naturally in only a particular region or location and nowhere else. Endemism often results from long-term geographic isolation. These species can be especially vulnerable to habitat changes. Read more at .
Which process introduces new genetic variations into a population?
Inbreeding
Genetic bottleneck
Mutation
Cloning
Mutations are changes in DNA sequences that can introduce new genetic variants in a population. They are the ultimate source of genetic diversity. While most mutations have neutral or negative effects, some can provide adaptive advantages. More details at .
Which country is recognized for having the highest number of known species and the greatest overall biodiversity?
Indonesia
Australia
Democratic Republic of Congo
Brazil
Brazil is home to vast tropical rainforests and diverse habitats, making it the most species-rich country. It harbors the greatest number of known plant, mammal, and freshwater fish species. Conservation efforts there are critical for global biodiversity. Learn more at .
What ecological process describes the colonization of a lifeless substrate by organisms?
Secondary succession
Ecological restoration
Bioremediation
Primary succession
Primary succession occurs on surfaces where no soil exists, such as lava flows or glacial retreats. Pioneer species like lichens and mosses initiate soil formation. Over time, more complex plants and animals establish. See .
The 'edge effect' in ecology refers to:
Increased predation at forest cores
Soil erosion along riverbanks
Migration limitation by mountain ranges
Greater species diversity at habitat boundaries
The edge effect describes how different habitats meet, creating a zone with conditions from both, often supporting more species. Edges can increase light, temperature variation, and resource availability. However, they can also raise vulnerability to invasive species. More at .
Which diversity index accounts for both species richness and evenness?
Margalef's index
Density index
Shannon-Wiener index
Species-area curve
The Shannon-Wiener index combines information on species richness and the relative abundance of each species. It increases as the number of species and the evenness of their abundances increase. It is widely used in ecology to compare communities. Details at .
The symbiotic relationship between coral polyps and zooxanthellae is an example of:
Commensalism
Parasitism
Mutualism
Amensalism
In coral mutualism, zooxanthellae provide corals with organic compounds via photosynthesis, while corals offer nutrients and CO?. Both partners benefit, defining a mutualistic relationship. This interaction is vital for coral reef productivity. More at .
Which conservation strategy focuses on creating habitat corridors to connect isolated populations?
Ex situ conservation
Wildlife corridors
Conservation hotspots
Rewilding
Wildlife corridors are strips of habitat linking fragmented populations, allowing gene flow and migration. They reduce inbreeding and help species respond to environmental changes. Many conservation plans incorporate corridors for landscape connectivity. Read more at .
A biodiversity hotspot is primarily defined by high levels of endemic species and:
High annual rainfall
Significant habitat loss and threat levels
Presence of major rivers
Large contiguous forest cover
Biodiversity hotspots must contain at least 1,500 endemic vascular plant species and have lost at least 70% of their original habitat. This dual criterion highlights regions needing urgent conservation. Hotspots cover just 2.4% of Earth's land but hold over half of plant species. Learn more at .
Which method is commonly used to estimate animal population sizes in the wild?
Transect sampling
DNA barcoding
Radio telemetry
Mark - recapture technique
The mark - recapture method involves capturing, marking, and releasing individuals, then recapturing to estimate total population size. The ratio of marked to unmarked in the second capture informs population estimates. It works well for mobile species in closed populations. Details at .
An indicator species is one that:
Is always at the top of the food chain
Has the largest population in a habitat
Signals the health of an ecosystem
Only exists in protected areas
Indicator species reflect environmental conditions, such as pollution or habitat change, because they are sensitive to specific factors. Their presence, absence, or abundance can signal ecosystem health. They help managers monitor and assess environmental quality. Learn more at .
What is the primary cause of ocean acidification?
Increased atmospheric CO? dissolving in seawater
Oil spills and hydrocarbon pollution
Thermal pollution from power plants
Excessive freshwater runoff
Rising atmospheric CO? levels lead to more CO? dissolving in the oceans, forming carbonic acid and lowering pH. This acidification harms calcifying organisms like corals and shellfish. The process reduces biodiversity in marine habitats. More at .
Eutrophication in freshwater systems is often driven by high concentrations of:
Phosphates from agricultural runoff
Silica from geological weathering
Sodium ions
Chloride from road salt
Phosphate nutrients from fertilizers and wastewater promote algal blooms in lakes and rivers. When algae die and decompose, they deplete oxygen and cause fish kills. This process disrupts aquatic biodiversity. See .
Which ex situ conservation method involves preserving cells, tissues, or seeds at ultra-low temperatures?
Seed banks at ambient temperature
Aeroponics
Botanical gardens
Cryopreservation
Cryopreservation stores biological materials in liquid nitrogen or other cryogenic conditions to halt metabolism and degradation. It is used for seeds, embryos, and germplasm of endangered species. This method provides long-term genetic resource banking. Details at .
The concept of a minimum viable population (MVP) refers to:
The absolute population count of all known species
The average number of breeding pairs in an ecosystem
The smallest population size needed for long-term species survival
The maximum sustainable harvest from a population
Minimum viable population is a threshold below which a species is at high risk of extinction due to inbreeding, demographic fluctuations, and environmental change. Conservationists use it to set targets for population recovery. It guides management decisions for endangered species. More at .
Which international treaty explicitly includes measures to manage invasive alien species?
Kyoto Protocol
Convention on Biological Diversity
Montreal Protocol
Stockholm Convention
The Convention on Biological Diversity includes an article on invasive alien species, requiring parties to prevent, control, and eradicate them. This global treaty sets guidelines for biodiversity conservation and sustainable use. Invasive species are recognized for their threat to native ecosystems. See .
In conservation biology, an 'umbrella species' is one whose protection:
Migrates across international borders
Has the longest lifespan among mammals
Relies on a single food source
Confers protection to many other species sharing its habitat
Umbrella species require large habitats or specific conditions, so conserving them also safeguards numerous co-occurring species. Protecting their range creates broader habitat protection. This strategy is used in landscape-level conservation planning. More at .
The metapopulation concept describes species populations distributed across:
River networks only
Mountain top islands
Continuous uniform landscapes
Discrete habitat patches connected by dispersal
Metapopulations consist of local populations in habitat patches where individuals can migrate between patches. This structure helps species persist despite local extinctions. It is crucial for managing fragmented landscapes. Details at .
What does the 'insurance hypothesis' propose regarding biodiversity and ecosystem stability?
Low diversity ecosystems recover faster from disturbance
Ecosystem stability is independent of species richness
Higher species diversity provides a buffer against environmental fluctuations
Only keystone species maintain ecosystem services
The insurance hypothesis suggests that diverse ecosystems contain species with varying responses to change, so some will maintain functions under stress. This diversity provides functional redundancy and stability. It highlights the role of species richness in ecosystem resilience. Read more at .
Which metric specifically quantifies functional diversity by measuring the range of trait values in a community?
Phylogenetic diversity
Functional richness index (FRic)
Shannon-Wiener index
Simpson's diversity index
Functional richness (FRic) measures the volume of functional trait space occupied by species in a community. It captures the range of ecological roles present. FRic is used to assess how trait diversity influences ecosystem processes. More at .
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Study Outcomes

  1. Understand Core Biodiversity Concepts -

    Grasp the fundamental principles of biodiversity, including genetic, species, and ecosystem diversity, through targeted biodiversity questions.

  2. Identify Major Ecosystem Types -

    Recognize and differentiate between key ecosystems such as forests, grasslands, and marine habitats by applying quiz-based examples.

  3. Analyze Threats to Biodiversity -

    Evaluate human impacts like habitat loss, invasive species, and climate change using real-world biodiversity practice problems.

  4. Recall Key Species Interactions -

    Memorize and explain interactions such as predation, mutualism, and competition by answering focused questions for biodiversity.

  5. Apply Conservation Strategies -

    Learn to propose effective conservation measures and management plans based on insights gained from the biodiversity quiz questions.

  6. Evaluate Personal Knowledge Gaps -

    Assess your strengths and areas for improvement by reviewing quiz results and targeted feedback on biodiversity topics.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Shannon Diversity Index -

    The Shannon Diversity Index (H') measures species richness and evenness in a community using H' = - Σ pi ln(pi), where pi is the proportion of each species. Mnemonic: "Shannon shares the log" to recall the logarithmic component. Practice calculating H' for a sample community in biodiversity practice problems to sharpen your skills.

  2. Simpson's Diversity Index -

    Simpson's Index (D) quantifies diversity as D = Σ pi², emphasizing dominant species; lower D indicates greater diversity. Remember "Simpson spots the squares" to recall the squared proportions. Use sample datasets in biodiversity questions to compare D and 1 - D for practice.

  3. Species Richness vs. Evenness -

    Species richness counts the number of species while evenness gauges their relative abundance; high richness with low evenness can mask dominant species. A helpful phrase: "Rich in species, even in spread." Try classifying communities in biodiversity quiz questions to differentiate these metrics.

  4. Keystone Species Impact -

    Keystone species exert disproportionate effects on ecosystem structure despite low abundance, like wolves in Yellowstone shaping vegetation and animal behavior. Think "keystone keeps it together" to remember their pivotal role. Explore case studies in questions for biodiversity to see how removing keystones alters diversity.

  5. Biodiversity Hotspots & Conservation -

    Myers et al. (2000) defined biodiversity hotspots as regions with ≥1,500 endemic vascular plants and ≥70% habitat loss, including 34 global hotspots like Madagascar. Use the "Hotspot 1500 - 70" mnemonic to recall criteria. Applying these in biodiversity practice problems helps prioritize conservation strategies.

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