Threats to biodiversity (habitat loss, climate change) MCQs

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

1. What is “habitat loss” in the context of biodiversity threats?
a) The creation of new natural habitats
b) The destruction or alteration of natural habitats, leading to declines in species populations
c) The restoration of degraded habitats
d) The expansion of protected areas
Answer: b) The destruction or alteration of natural habitats, leading to declines in species populations

2. How does “climate change” impact biodiversity?
a) It has no effect on biodiversity
b) It alters temperature and precipitation patterns, affecting species distributions, migration, and ecosystems
c) It increases habitat availability for all species
d) It decreases the frequency of natural disasters
Answer: b) It alters temperature and precipitation patterns, affecting species distributions, migration, and ecosystems

3. Which of the following is a direct consequence of habitat loss on wildlife?
a) Increased food resources
b) Reduced breeding sites and food availability, leading to population declines
c) Enhanced species diversity
d) Increased genetic diversity
Answer: b) Reduced breeding sites and food availability, leading to population declines

4. How does “deforestation” contribute to habitat loss?
a) By creating new forested areas
b) By removing large areas of forest, which destroys habitats for many species
c) By promoting forest growth
d) By increasing species richness
Answer: b) By removing large areas of forest, which destroys habitats for many species

5. What is “ocean acidification” and how does it affect marine biodiversity?
a) The process of increasing ocean pH, which supports marine life
b) The decrease in ocean pH due to increased CO2 absorption, leading to adverse effects on marine organisms, especially those with calcium carbonate shells or skeletons
c) The reduction of CO2 in the oceans, enhancing marine life
d) The process of increasing ocean temperatures without affecting marine organisms
Answer: b) The decrease in ocean pH due to increased CO2 absorption, leading to adverse effects on marine organisms, especially those with calcium carbonate shells or skeletons

6. What role does “habitat fragmentation” play in biodiversity loss?
a) It enhances the connectivity between habitats
b) It divides large, continuous habitats into smaller, isolated patches, which can negatively impact species movement, breeding, and survival
c) It increases habitat size and quality
d) It eliminates the need for habitat conservation
Answer: b) It divides large, continuous habitats into smaller, isolated patches, which can negatively impact species movement, breeding, and survival

7. How does “climate change-induced habitat shift” affect species?
a) It allows species to thrive in their current habitats
b) It forces species to move to new areas as their original habitats become unsuitable due to changing climate conditions
c) It stabilizes species populations
d) It reduces the range of species distribution
Answer: b) It forces species to move to new areas as their original habitats become unsuitable due to changing climate conditions

8. Which of the following is a major driver of habitat loss?
a) Sustainable land management practices
b) Urban expansion, agriculture, and deforestation
c) Conservation efforts
d) Ecological restoration projects
Answer: b) Urban expansion, agriculture, and deforestation

9. What is the impact of “sea level rise” on coastal ecosystems?
a) It creates new land for species to colonize
b) It leads to the loss of coastal habitats such as mangroves, salt marshes, and coral reefs, affecting species that depend on these ecosystems
c) It decreases ocean temperatures
d) It enhances coral reef growth
Answer: b) It leads to the loss of coastal habitats such as mangroves, salt marshes, and coral reefs, affecting species that depend on these ecosystems

10. What is “extinction risk” and how is it related to threats like habitat loss and climate change?
a) The likelihood of a species expanding its range
b) The probability that a species will become extinct due to factors such as habitat loss, climate change, and other environmental pressures
c) The increase in population size of a species
d) The improvement in species health and reproduction
Answer: b) The probability that a species will become extinct due to factors such as habitat loss, climate change, and other environmental pressures

MCQs on wildlife