Ecological succession and community dynamics MCQs

By: Prof. Dr. Fazal Rehman Shamil | Last updated: September 12, 2024

1. What is ecological succession?
a) The development of new species
b) The gradual process of change and replacement in a community
c) The movement of species from one habitat to another
d) The elimination of species from an ecosystem
Answer: b) The gradual process of change and replacement in a community

2. What is the difference between primary and secondary succession?
a) Primary succession occurs in a previously uninhabited area, while secondary succession occurs in an area where a disturbance has happened
b) Primary succession is faster than secondary succession
c) Secondary succession only occurs in aquatic environments
d) Primary succession involves only animal species
Answer: a) Primary succession occurs in a previously uninhabited area, while secondary succession occurs in an area where a disturbance has happened

3. Which of the following is an example of a pioneer species in primary succession?
a) Oak trees
b) Grasses
c) Lichens
d) Wolves
Answer: c) Lichens

4. During secondary succession, which type of species typically appears first?
a) Large trees
b) Climax species
c) Annual plants
d) Aquatic plants
Answer: c) Annual plants

5. What term describes the final stable community in an ecological succession?
a) Intermediate community
b) Climax community
c) Pioneer community
d) Transitional community
Answer: b) Climax community

6. What is a key characteristic of a climax community?
a) High species diversity
b) Constant change
c) Low biomass
d) Dominance by pioneer species
Answer: a) High species diversity

7. Which of the following is a common cause of secondary succession?
a) Volcanic eruption
b) Glacial retreat
c) Forest fire
d) New island formation
Answer: c) Forest fire

8. In an ecological context, what is meant by “community dynamics”?
a) The physical characteristics of a habitat
b) The interaction between different species within a community and how the community structure changes over time
c) The study of individual species’ behavior
d) The flow of energy through an ecosystem
Answer: b) The interaction between different species within a community and how the community structure changes over time

9. What is an indicator of a community undergoing ecological succession?
a) A decrease in the number of species
b) A consistent environment with no changes
c) A series of predictable changes in species composition over time
d) A constant population size
Answer: c) A series of predictable changes in species composition over time

10. What is the primary role of pioneer species in ecological succession?
a) To outcompete climax species
b) To create conditions favorable for other species to colonize
c) To maintain the status quo of the ecosystem
d) To reduce biodiversity
Answer: b) To create conditions favorable for other species to colonize

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