Fundamentals of Ecology & Ecosystems MCQ Questions
Ques:
31
Concerning the food chains in ecosystems, which of the following kinds of an organism is/are known as decomposer organism/organisms?
1. Virus 2. Fungi
3. Bacteria
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Correct Answer:
(B)
2 and 3
Decomposers are nature’s recyclers as they break down the organic matter found in the dead bodies of plants and animals. The term ‘organic matter’ refers to the matter that comes from living organisms. Decomposers are mainly the microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi in the form of yeasts and moulds that break down bodies of dead organisms and release compounds that can be used by producers.
Ques:
32
Which of the following are the primary consumers in an ecosystem? Select the correct answer from the codes given below:
1. Ants 2. Deer
3. Fox 4. Tiger
Code:
Correct Answer:
(A)
1 and 2
Mainly herbivores, in a food chain, are considered as primary consumers. In the given options, Deer is herbivorous hence it is a primary consumer. Ants fall under decomposer and primary consumers both. It eats plants and receives energy from cellulose. Tiger is carnivorous and the fox is omnivorous. Significantly, primary consumers feed on primary producers (plants). Hence option (a) is the correct answer.
Ques:
33
The measurement unit of the ecological footprint is:
Correct Answer:
(A)
Global hectares
The ecological footprint is a measure of human demand on the Earth’s ecosystems. It’s a standardized measure of demand for natural resource that may be compared with the planet’s ecological capacity to regenerate. It can be defined as the biologically productive area required to provide for everything people need to sustain their life. It includes fruits, vegetables, wood, fibres, fossil fuel use and also the release of carbon dioxide. Its unit is Global hectares.
Ques:
34
Consider the following statements regarding Ecological Footprint:
It quantifies human demand on Earth’s ecosystem.
It is measured in global hectares (gha).
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Correct Answer:
(C)
Both 1 and 2
The ecological footprint is a method promoted by the Global Footprint Network to measure human demand on natural capital, i.e. the quantity of nature it takes to support people or an economy.
Both the Ecological Footprint and biocapacity are expressed in global hectares—globally comparable, standardized hectares with world average productivity.
Ques:
35
If a population’s Ecological Footprint exceeds the region’s biocapacity, that region runs a:
Correct Answer:
(B)
Biocapacity Deficit
When a population's Ecological Footprint, which measures its demand on resources and ecosystems, exceeds the region's Biocapacity, which is the region's ability to regenerate these resources, a biocapacity deficit or an ecological deficit occurs. This signifies that the region's ecosystems cannot regenerate the resources consumed by the population as quickly as they are being used.
Ques:
36
When the entire planet is running an ecological deficit, we call it:
Correct Answer:
(A)
Earth Overshoot Day
Earth Overshoot Day
When the entire planet is running an ecological deficit, we call it “overshoot.” At the global level, ecological deficit and overshoot are the same, since there is no net import of resources to the planet.
Ques:
37
Consider the following statements regarding 'Global Footprint Network':
1. It was founded in 2003 as a charitable not-for-profit organization.
2. It is originally based in US, Belgium and Switzerland.
3. It has 70 partner organization excluding WWF International, and the Environment Agency Abu Dhabi.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Correct Answer:
(C)
1 and 2 only
Global Footprint Network, founded in 2003, is an independent think tank originally based in the United States, Belgium and Switzerland. It was established as a charitable not-for-profit organization in each of those three countries.
Global Footprint Network develops and promotes tools for advancing sustainability, including the ecological footprint and biocapacity, which measure the amount of resources we use and how much we have. These tools aim at bringing ecological limits to the center of decision-making.
The Network brings together over 70 partner organizations,including WWF International, ICLEI, Bank Sarasin, The Pictet Group, the New Economics Foundation, Pronatura México, and the Environment Agency Abu Dhabi.
Ques:
38
In the grassland, trees do not replace the grasses as a part of an ecological succession because of:
Correct Answer:
(C)
Water limits and fire
Ecological succession is the gradual process by which ecosystems change and develop over time. In grassland, trees have already been cleared away due to fires in the past, which also changes the ground composition. Without the trees to hold them, water washes away most of the soil and the underlying ground becomes the pioneer population, which is then replaced by grass. The grass, however, absorbs most of the water before it reaches the roots of the shrubs. Thus, the ecological succession does not occur beyond the grass.
Ques:
39
The concept of ‘Ecological Transition’ was first used by:
Correct Answer:
(B)
Bennett
The concept of ‘Ecological Transition’ was first used by John W. Bennett. He proposed the concept in his book ‘‘The Ecological Transition : Cultural Anthropology and Human Adaptation’’. "Ecological transition “ mean, the development of an anthropocentric orientation toward the natural world that emerged in the Western Renaissance but has since characterized every civilization and nation. Ecologically speaking, the transition is expressed in the growing incorporation of Nature into Culture and by the breakdown of local self-sufficiency the ability of the local group to satisfy its needs with existing resources in a particular geographical range.
Ques:
40
Which one of the following is the correct sequence of the phases of biotic succession?
Correct Answer:
(A)
Nudation, Migration, Ecesis, Reaction, Stabilization
F. Element studied different species of plants and gave a generally agreed upon definition in 1916. According to him, biotic succession is a natural process of displacement of one particular community by another in a particular area. A scientist named Odum described it as a sequenced process. The correct order of biotic succession is as follows:
Nudation → Migration → Ecesis → Reaction → Stabilization
1. Nudation: It is the development of a bare site uninhabited by any organisms. The process is usually caused by disturbances. These factors can be either topographic (soil erosion, wind action etc); climatic (hails, storm, glaciations, fire etc.); or biotic (human activities).
2. Invasion or migration: The process of invasion or migration helps the arrival of seeds, spores or other reproductive propagules for establishment of species. Invasive species are non native organisms which can spread widely in a community. high reproductive rates and better dispersal mechanisms.
3. Ecesis: This is the initial establishment of plant community. This is dependent on the soil structure. The stage is also called as 'colonization'. In this stage, the early colonizing species proliferate abundantly through germination, growth, and reproduction. Ecesis is due to allogenic mechanisms alone. This is the stage at which the pioneer species survive the dispersal mechanisms.
4. Reaction: The environmental conditions get modified by the action of species occupying the habitat. These changes subsequently trigger the displacement and replacement of one species by another.
5. Stabilization is the process by which the climax community gets established. A climax community is mature, self-sustaining, stable and is the final stage of succession. The physical and chemical conditions are altered and stabilized to such levels that it supports the entire community. The climax communities are best adapted to the regions of succession and the community structure is likely to continue until another disturbance steps in.