Home › Environmental Studies › Environmental Studies - Key Ecological Terms

Environmental Studies - Key Ecological Terms — Environmental Studies Questions & Practice

Practise 143 Environmental Studies - Key Ecological Terms questions from Environmental Studies for competitive exams such as UPSC, Banking, SSC and Railway. Read the worked questions below, check every answer with an explanation, and track what you get wrong.

Practise this topic

143 questions · 0 quizzes · free to start

Practice questions on Environmental Studies - Key Ecological Terms — with answers

Try each question first, then open the answer. Explanations are included.

1. Which term is defined as: 'The gradual thinning of the stratospheric ozone layer, primarily caused by chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and other ozone-depleting substances'?

AHabitat
BEndemic Species
CTrophic Level
DOzone Layer Depletion

Show answer

Answer: D

This corresponds to 'Ozone Layer Depletion'.

2. In ecology, 'Secondary Succession' refers to which of the following?

AA process for evaluating the likely environmental effects of a proposed project or development before it is carried out
BA non-native species introduced to an ecosystem that causes ecological or economic harm
CEcological succession that occurs after a disturbance in an area that previously supported life and still has soil
DThe establishment of a forest or tree cover in an area that did not previously have forest

Show answer

Answer: C

'Secondary Succession' relates to: Ecological succession that occurs after a disturbance in an area that previously supported life and still has soil

3. In ecology, 'Biocapacity' refers to which of the following?

AThe capacity of an ecosystem to regenerate the resources consumed and absorb the waste generated by human activities
BDevelopment that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs
CA policy approach making producers responsible for the treatment or disposal of post-consumer products
DA stable, self-sustaining community that represents the final stage of ecological succession

Show answer

Answer: A

'Biocapacity' relates to: The capacity of an ecosystem to regenerate the resources consumed and absorb the waste generated by human activities

4. In ecology, 'Keystone Species' refers to which of the following?

AA set of 17 global goals adopted by the United Nations in 2015 to address social, economic, and environmental challenges by 2030
BA stable, self-sustaining community that represents the final stage of ecological succession
CEcological succession that occurs after a disturbance in an area that previously supported life and still has soil
DA species that has a disproportionately large effect on its ecosystem relative to its abundance

Show answer

Answer: D

'Keystone Species' relates to: A species that has a disproportionately large effect on its ecosystem relative to its abundance

5. In ecology, 'Reforestation' refers to which of the following?

AA species that is native to, and found only in, a particular geographic region
BThe replanting of trees in an area where forest cover was previously removed
CA community of living organisms interacting with each other and with their physical (non-living) environment
DThe loss of colour in corals due to the expulsion of symbiotic algae, often caused by rising ocean temperatures

Show answer

Answer: B

'Reforestation' relates to: The replanting of trees in an area where forest cover was previously removed

Practise more Environmental Studies - Key Ecological Terms questions

More Environmental Studies topics