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Species Diversity: An Overview

Description: This quiz is designed to assess your understanding of the concept of species diversity and its significance in the field of ecology.
Number of Questions: 14
Created by:
Tags: biodiversity species diversity ecology
Attempted 0/14 Correct 0 Score 0

What is the term used to describe the variety of species found in a particular area or ecosystem?

  1. Species richness

  2. Species evenness

  3. Species diversity

  4. Species composition


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

Species diversity encompasses both species richness (the number of species present) and species evenness (the relative abundance of each species).

Which of the following factors is NOT considered a major driver of species diversity?

  1. Climate

  2. Habitat heterogeneity

  3. Competition

  4. Human activities


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

While competition can influence the abundance and distribution of species within a community, it is not a primary driver of species diversity at the regional or global scale.

Which measure of species diversity takes into account both species richness and species evenness?

  1. Shannon-Wiener Index

  2. Simpson's Index

  3. Margalef's Index

  4. Menhinick's Index


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The Shannon-Wiener Index incorporates both species richness and evenness, making it a widely used measure of species diversity that reflects the overall structure and composition of a community.

Which of the following is an example of a species-poor ecosystem?

  1. Tropical rainforest

  2. Coral reef

  3. Desert

  4. Grassland


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

Deserts are typically characterized by low species richness due to harsh environmental conditions and limited resources.

What is the term used to describe the process by which new species arise?

  1. Speciation

  2. Extinction

  3. Adaptation

  4. Migration


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Speciation refers to the evolutionary process that leads to the formation of new species from existing ones.

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

  1. Increased stability and resilience

  2. Enhanced ecosystem functioning

  3. Reduced risk of disease outbreaks

  4. Increased competition for resources


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

While high species diversity can lead to increased stability and resilience, it does not necessarily result in reduced competition for resources. In fact, diverse communities often exhibit intense competition for limited resources.

Which type of species diversity refers to the variety of habitats and ecosystems within a region?

  1. Alpha diversity

  2. Beta diversity

  3. Gamma diversity

  4. Delta diversity


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

Gamma diversity encompasses the species diversity across multiple habitats and ecosystems within a region or landscape.

What is the term used to describe the process by which species become extinct?

  1. Speciation

  2. Extinction

  3. Adaptation

  4. Migration


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

Extinction refers to the process by which a species ceases to exist due to various factors such as habitat loss, climate change, and human activities.

Which of the following is NOT a major threat to species diversity?

  1. Habitat destruction

  2. Climate change

  3. Pollution

  4. Competition


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

While competition can influence the abundance and distribution of species, it is not a direct threat to species diversity at the global scale.

Which measure of species diversity focuses solely on the number of species present in a community?

  1. Shannon-Wiener Index

  2. Simpson's Index

  3. Margalef's Index

  4. Menhinick's Index


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

Margalef's Index is a measure of species richness that simply counts the number of species in a community.

What is the term used to describe the process by which species adapt to their environment?

  1. Speciation

  2. Extinction

  3. Adaptation

  4. Migration


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

Adaptation refers to the process by which organisms evolve traits that enhance their survival and reproduction in a particular environment.

Which of the following is an example of a species-rich ecosystem?

  1. Tropical rainforest

  2. Coral reef

  3. Desert

  4. Grassland


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Tropical rainforests are renowned for their exceptionally high species richness, harboring a vast array of plant and animal species.

What is the term used to describe the movement of species from one region to another?

  1. Speciation

  2. Extinction

  3. Adaptation

  4. Migration


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Migration refers to the movement of individuals or populations of a species from one geographic location to another.

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

  1. Increased stability and resilience

  2. Enhanced ecosystem functioning

  3. Reduced risk of disease outbreaks

  4. Increased vulnerability to invasive species


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

While high species diversity can provide various benefits, it does not necessarily reduce the vulnerability of an ecosystem to invasive species.

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