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Species Diversity and Ecosystem Functioning: Resilience and Stability

Description: Test your knowledge on the intricate relationship between species diversity and ecosystem functioning, with a focus on resilience and stability.
Number of Questions: 15
Created by:
Tags: biodiversity ecosystem functioning resilience stability
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Which of the following is NOT a direct consequence of increased species diversity in an ecosystem?

  1. Enhanced ecosystem productivity

  2. Reduced susceptibility to environmental disturbances

  3. Increased competition for resources

  4. Diminished nutrient cycling

Show answer
Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Increased species diversity generally leads to enhanced nutrient cycling due to the presence of a wider range of organisms with diverse nutrient acquisition strategies.

The concept of 'functional redundancy' in an ecosystem refers to:

  1. Multiple species performing similar ecological roles

  2. Species having identical genetic makeup

  3. Organisms occupying the same trophic level

  4. Species exhibiting competitive exclusion

Show answer
Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Functional redundancy describes the presence of multiple species within an ecosystem that perform similar ecological functions, contributing to the overall stability and resilience of the system.

Which of the following factors is NOT considered a driver of species diversity in an ecosystem?

  1. Habitat heterogeneity

  2. Climate stability

  3. Human-induced disturbances

  4. Interspecies competition

Show answer
Correct Option: C
Explanation:

Human activities, such as habitat destruction, pollution, and climate change, are often viewed as threats to biodiversity rather than drivers of species diversity.

In the context of ecosystem functioning, stability refers to:

  1. The ability to resist change

  2. The ability to recover from disturbances

  3. The ability to maintain a constant state

  4. The ability to adapt to changing conditions

Show answer
Correct Option: B
Explanation:

Stability in an ecosystem is often measured by its ability to recover from disturbances, such as natural disasters or human-induced changes, and return to a functional state.

Which of the following is NOT a potential consequence of reduced species diversity in an ecosystem?

  1. Increased susceptibility to invasive species

  2. Diminished ecosystem productivity

  3. Enhanced nutrient cycling

  4. Reduced resilience to environmental changes

Show answer
Correct Option: C
Explanation:

Reduced species diversity can lead to a decrease in nutrient cycling efficiency due to the loss of organisms with specialized nutrient acquisition strategies.

The term 'ecosystem services' refers to:

  1. The benefits that humans derive from ecosystems

  2. The interactions between different species within an ecosystem

  3. The processes that maintain the stability of an ecosystem

  4. The genetic diversity within a population

Show answer
Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Ecosystem services encompass the various benefits that humans obtain from the functioning of ecosystems, such as clean air and water, pollination, and climate regulation.

Which of the following is NOT a key mechanism by which species diversity contributes to ecosystem resilience?

  1. Functional redundancy

  2. Increased competition for resources

  3. Enhanced nutrient cycling

  4. Reduced susceptibility to environmental disturbances

Show answer
Correct Option: B
Explanation:

While competition for resources can occur within diverse ecosystems, it is not a primary mechanism by which species diversity contributes to ecosystem resilience.

The concept of 'keystone species' refers to:

  1. Species that have a disproportionately large impact on their ecosystem relative to their abundance

  2. Species that are essential for maintaining the stability of an ecosystem

  3. Species that are at risk of extinction due to human activities

  4. Species that are found at the top of the food chain

Show answer
Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Keystone species are those that have a significant influence on the structure and functioning of an ecosystem, often beyond their numerical abundance.

Which of the following is NOT a potential consequence of increased species diversity in an ecosystem?

  1. Enhanced ecosystem stability

  2. Reduced susceptibility to invasive species

  3. Increased vulnerability to environmental disturbances

  4. Enhanced nutrient cycling

Show answer
Correct Option: C
Explanation:

Increased species diversity generally leads to enhanced ecosystem stability and resilience, making the ecosystem less susceptible to environmental disturbances.

The term 'trophic cascade' refers to:

  1. The transfer of energy and nutrients through different trophic levels in an ecosystem

  2. The impact of a predator on the population size of its prey

  3. The effect of a keystone species on the structure and functioning of an ecosystem

  4. The process by which species adapt to changing environmental conditions

Show answer
Correct Option: B
Explanation:

A trophic cascade describes the indirect effects that a predator can have on the populations of other species in an ecosystem, often resulting in changes in the abundance and distribution of prey and their resources.

Which of the following is NOT a potential benefit of maintaining high levels of species diversity in an ecosystem?

  1. Enhanced ecosystem resilience

  2. Increased resistance to invasive species

  3. Diminished nutrient cycling

  4. Improved ecosystem productivity

Show answer
Correct Option: C
Explanation:

High species diversity generally leads to enhanced nutrient cycling efficiency due to the presence of a wider range of organisms with diverse nutrient acquisition strategies.

The term 'biodiversity hotspot' refers to:

  1. A region with exceptionally high levels of species diversity

  2. An area that has been designated for conservation due to its unique biodiversity

  3. A region that is particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change

  4. A region that is home to a large number of endangered species

Show answer
Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Biodiversity hotspots are regions that harbor an exceptionally high number of species, often including a significant proportion of endemic species, and are recognized for their global conservation significance.

Which of the following is NOT a potential consequence of reduced species diversity in an ecosystem?

  1. Increased susceptibility to invasive species

  2. Diminished ecosystem productivity

  3. Enhanced nutrient cycling

  4. Reduced resilience to environmental changes

Show answer
Correct Option: C
Explanation:

Reduced species diversity can lead to a decrease in nutrient cycling efficiency due to the loss of organisms with specialized nutrient acquisition strategies.

The concept of 'ecosystem services' refers to:

  1. The benefits that humans derive from ecosystems

  2. The interactions between different species within an ecosystem

  3. The processes that maintain the stability of an ecosystem

  4. The genetic diversity within a population

Show answer
Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Ecosystem services encompass the various benefits that humans obtain from the functioning of ecosystems, such as clean air and water, pollination, and climate regulation.

Which of the following is NOT a key mechanism by which species diversity contributes to ecosystem resilience?

  1. Functional redundancy

  2. Increased competition for resources

  3. Enhanced nutrient cycling

  4. Reduced susceptibility to environmental disturbances

Show answer
Correct Option: B
Explanation:

While competition for resources can occur within diverse ecosystems, it is not a primary mechanism by which species diversity contributes to ecosystem resilience.

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