Category: CSIR NET Life Science Previous Year Questions and Solution on Community Ecology

Category: CSIR NET Life Science Previous Year Questions and Solution on Community Ecology

CSIR NET Life Science Previous Year Questions and Solution on Community Ecology

62. Grassland plots with varying number of grass species were cultivated for 10 years. At the end of the experiment, total plant cover was measured. Soil nitrogen was also measured to assess its utilization by plants. The relationships are shown in the following plots. Which one of the following inferences can be drawn from the above experiment? (1) Grasses in plots with lower species richness enriched soil nitrogen, thereby increasing the plant cover. (2) Plots with greater species richness showed greater stability and more efficient soil nitrogen utilization. (3) Plots with greater species richness utilized nitrogen more efficiently, but would not show increased net primary production. (4) No correlation can be drawn between species richness, community productivity and nitrogen utilization.

Greater Species Richness Showed Greater Stability and More Efficient Soil Nitrogen Utilization

Which one of these statements is NOT CORRECT with respect to ecotones? (1) Intertidal zones and estuaries are two examples of ecotones (2) They are transitional areas of vegetation between two different plant communities (3) Populations in ecotones are potentially pre- adapted to changing environment. (4) They harbour only K-selected species that can survive in changing habitats

Ecotones: Identifying the Incorrect Statement

Which one of the following statements is correct with reference to ecotones? (1) Ecotones are rich in endemic species and only contain species not found in surrounding ecosystems. (2) Ecotones refer to areas that are under habitat degradation and contain endangered species that are not found in the neighbouring communities. (3) Ecotones are species poor habitats due to scarcity of soil nutrients and availability of resources. (4) Ecotones are transition areas between two ecosystems and have greater number of species than either of the neighboring communities.

Ecotones: Transition Zones with High Species Diversity

54. Following table shows the number of individuals of different species in two communities, X and Y. Based on the above data and the Simpson's Diversity Index which one of the following statements is true? (1) X has greater alpha diversity than Y (2) Y has greater alpha diversity than X (3) X and Y have equal alpha diversities (4) X has greater species richness than Y

Simpson’s Diversity Index: Comparing Alpha Diversity in Two Communities

51. Following table shows the presence (+) or absence (-) of five species in three communities (A, B, C): Based on the above, which of the following is the correct order of similarity between two pairs of communities? (1) A and B > B and C > A and C (2) A and B > A and C > B and C (3) B and C > A and B > A and C (4) A and C > A and B > B and C

50. Which of the following is/are NOT valid explanation(s) for the observed pattern of species richness? A. Older communities are more species rich. B. Large areas support more species. C. Natural enemies promote reduced species richness at local level. D. Communities in climatically similar habitats may themselves be similar in species richness. E. Greater productivity permits existence of more species. (1) B, C and D (2) Only C (3) Only D (4) A, B and E

Which Explanations for Species Richness Patterns Are NOT Valid? A Detailed Analysis

48. The possible relationships between levels of disturbance and species diversity in a biological community are that species diversity A. is unaffected by disturbance. B. is highest at intermediate levels of disturbance. C. decreases exponentially with increasing levels of disturbance. D. starts decreasing only at higher levels of disturbance. Match each graph with its corresponding statements above: (1) 1-D, 2-C, 3-B, 4-D (2) 1-C, 2-D, 3-B, 4-A (3) 1-A, 2-B, 3-C, 4-D (4) 1-C, 2-A, 3-B, 4-D

Understanding the Relationship Between Disturbance Levels and Species Diversity: Matching Graphs to Ecological Statements

Which one of the following statements is NOT correct? (1) Both alpha and gamma diversities measure the presence and abundance of species in a community (2) Gamma diversity can be expressed as the product of alpha and beta diversities across sites (3) Gamma diversity is the sum of alpha diversities for a set of sites (4) Gamma diversity can be expressed as the sum of alpha and beta diversities across sites

Which Statement About Alpha, Beta, and Gamma Diversity Is NOT Correct?

In the context of diversity patterns of species, which one of the following statements is INCORRECT? (1) Alpha diversity is diversity within a single community (2) Beta diversity is a measure of the change in species composition from one community or habitat to another (3) Alpha diversity is the regional diversity found among range of communities in a geographical region (4) Gamma diversity is the regional diversity found among range of communities/habitats in a geographical region

Understanding Alpha, Beta, and Gamma Diversity: Identifying the Incorrect Statement in Species Diversity Patterns

44. Which statement is correct regarding edge effect? (1) Poor in nutrients (2) Rich in diversity (3) Low competition (4) Low habitat diversity

Edge Effect in Ecology: Why Transitional Zones Are Rich in Biodiversity

43. Which one of the following statement is not true for edge effect of two ecosystems? (1) Moving corridors connecting two ecosystems are always harmful (2) It has its unique physical environment differing from both ecosystem (3) It has different species composition as compare to both side (4) It has high biodiversity

Understanding Edge Effects: Myths and Facts About Ecosystem Boundaries

Shannon weaver index for biodiversity characterization can be represented as (1) H=∑Pi log Pi (2) D= H/log Pi (3) D=∑(n/N2)           (4) H=log(N)- ∑log(n)

Shannon-Weaver Index: Formula and Its Role in Biodiversity Characterization

41. The equation 1-∑Pi2 represents (1) Shannon weaver index (2) Simpson index (3) Brillouin index (4) Hills equation

Understanding the Equation 1-∑Pi²: Simpson Index in Biodiversity Measurement

40. Which of the following index does not show relative abundance of species (1) Shannon-weaver index (2) Simpson Index (3) Brillouin index (4) Species richness

Which Biodiversity Index Does Not Show Relative Abundance of Species?

39. Four different plant communities that consisted of the same number of species were taken up for a species diversity study. The following table represents some of the outcomes: Select the correct statement about the evenness of the above communities. (1) The evenness of all the four communities is the same. (2) B > A > D > C represents the decreasing order in evenness of the communities. (3) C > D > A > B represents the decreasing order in evenness of the communities. (4) Using the given information, we cannot compare the evenness of the communities.

Comparing Evenness in Plant Communities: How to Interpret Species Abundance Data

The probability of capturing an individual of certain species is Pi, then total biodiversity according to Simpson's Index of Diversity can be represented as (1) ∑(Pi)2 (2) 1- ∑(Pi)2 (3) 1- ∑(1-Pi)2 (4) 1/ ∑(Pi)2

Simpson’s Index of Diversity: Formula, Interpretation, and Ecological Importance

Shannon index is measure of— (1) Biodiversity evenness (2) Population (3) Pollution (4) Speciation

Understanding the Shannon Index: A Comprehensive Measure of Biodiversity and Evenness

36. If α-diversity is diversity of pathogen per host and β-diversity is diversity of pathogen between the two host and ɣ-diversity is overall diversity. If ɣ-diversity is constant and α- diversity increases then- (1) β-diversity will also increase (2) β-diversity will decrease (3) Both β and ɣ-diversity will increase (4) Both β and ɣ-diversity will decrease

How Changes in Alpha Diversity Affect Beta Diversity When Gamma Diversity Is Constant

35. As we move from one geographical region to next neighbouring region, species diversity tends to change. It is termed as (1) α-Diversity (2) β-Diversity (3) γ-Diversity (4) δ-Diversity

Beta Diversity: Understanding Species Turnover Between Geographical Regions

34. β-diversity is defined as diversity (1) Between two different ecosystems (2) Overall large area (3) Within a sampling area (4) within a community

What Is Beta Diversity? Understanding Species Diversity Between Ecosystems

33. Diversity within particular area or ecosystem is termed as (1) α-biodiversity (2) β-biodiversity (3) ɣ-biodiversity (4) λ-biodiversity

Alpha Diversity: Measuring Biodiversity Within a Particular Area or Ecosystem

32. The relationship between species and area of distribution is given by the following equation: S = CAZ where S is the number of species on an island or isolated patch, A is the area of the habitat, and C and Z are constants. The following are a set of statements pertaining to the value of 'Z': A. Z value is typically not greater than 0.4 across all ecosystem types. B. Z value is positively related to a species' dispersal capability, with flying and wind-dispersed organisms having the highest values. C. Z value, which represents the slope in the relationship, declines with area, especially when large landmasses such as continents are considered. D. The Z value is the exponent in the power model and can be used to estimate the proportion of area required to represent a given proportion of species present in any land class. Select the option that represents the combination of all correct statements. (1) A and B (2) A and D (3) B and C (4) C and D

Understanding the ‘Z’ Value in the Species-Area Relationship Equation

30. The graph between area studied and number of species encountered will be

Species-Area Relationship: The Correct Graph for Species Encountered with Increasing Area

29. The graph between new species encountered with progressive area covered would be- (1) Straight line (2) Hyperbola (3) Sigmoid (4) Parabola

Understanding the Species-Area Relationship: What Does the Graph Look Like?

28. Among the following which is not a correct explanation for high biodiversity at tropical rain forests? (1) Long evolutionary time (2) More surface area (3) High productivity (4) Minimum competition

Explaining High Biodiversity in Tropical Rainforests: Myths and Realities

27. The correlation between species richness and productivity is (1) Species richness directly increases as increase in productivity (2) Species richness has inverse relation to productivity (3) Species richness and productivity is independent (4) Species richness is maximum at intermediate levels of productivity

The Relationship Between Species Richness and Productivity: Why Maximum Diversity Occurs at Intermediate Productivity

Which is correct relationship between habitat disturbance and biodiversity- (1) Areas with no habitat disturbance tends to have high biodiversity (2) Areas with high habitat disturbance tends to have high biodiversity (3) Areas with moderate habitat disturbance tends to have high biodiversity (4) Areas with no habitat disturbance tends to have low biodiversity

The Relationship Between Habitat Disturbance and Biodiversity: Why Moderate Disturbance Maximizes Diversity

Mangroves are highly productive ecosystem and rich in bird diversity because (1) Lack of structural diversity (2) high food diversity (3) More number of predators that feed on birds (4) Lack of breeding place

Why Mangroves Support High Bird Diversity: The Role of Food Diversity in Productive Ecosystems

23. Swamps and marshes are area of higher primary productivity but low in overall species biodiversity because (1) Energy is not available to next tropic level (2) Due to lack of diverse habitats (3) High rate of decomposition (4) Extreme predation pressure

Why Swamps and Marshes Have High Productivity but Low Biodiversity

Maximum biodiversity occurs at- (1) Tropics (2) Equator (3) Temperate (4) poles

Why Maximum Biodiversity Occurs in the Tropics: Exploring the Latitudinal Diversity Gradient

Species richness can be measured with the: (1) abundance of species in an area. (2) number and the abundance of species in an area. (3) number of species in an area. (4) density of species in an area.

Species Richness: The True Measure of Biodiversity in an Area

The Biodiversity Management Committees (BMCs) envisaged under the Biological Diversity Act (2002) and Rules (2004) are constituted at which one of the following administrative levels? (1) Village (2) Tehsil/ Taluka (3) District (4) State

Biodiversity Management Committees in India: Grassroots Conservation at the Village Level

Following are a few statements about India's biodiversity: A. India has 2.4% of the world's land area, but accounts for 12% of all recorded species. B. India has over 45,000 species of animals and 91,000 species of plants. C. Four of the globally identified biodiversity hotspots can be found in India. D. India is estimated to harbour around 60% of the global tiger population. Which one of the following options represents all correct statements? (1) Only A (2) Only C (3) Both A and B (4) Both C and D

India’s Biodiversity: Key Facts, Hotspots, and Conservation Status

Which of the following statements is INCORRECT about a keystone species? (1) Species other than consumers can be a keystone species (2) Keystone species has influence on a community proportionate to its abundance (3) Removing a keystone species can reduce species richness of a community (4) Removing a keystone species can effect successive trophic levels causing a trophic cascade

Keystone Species: Understanding Their Unique Role and Common Misconceptions

Following are the descriptions used by conservation biologists for characterizing species / groups in a community: A. Species with a disproportionally large effect on its environment relative to its abundance B. Species defining a trait or characteristics of the environment C. Species whose conservation leads to direct protection of other species D. Species which is instantly recognizable and used as the focus of a broader conservation effort Which of the following combination correctly identifies these species / groups? (1) A - Keystone species, B- Indicator species C - Flagship species, D - Umbrella species (2) A - Keystone species, B - Indicator species C - Umbrella species, D -Flagship species (3) A - Indicator species, B - Flagship species C - Umbrella species. D - Keystone species (4) A - Umbrella species, B - Indicator species C - Keystone species, D - Flagship species

Keystone, Indicator, Umbrella, and Flagship Species: Key Roles in Conservation Biology

Species serving as a proxy for entire communities and ecosystems, so that the entire system is conserved if they are conserved, are known as: (1) indicator species. (2) flagship species. (3) keystone species. (4) umbrella species.

Umbrella Species: Conserving Entire Ecosystems Through Strategic Protection

Following four types of species were observed in a community: A. Species A has a large effect on community because of its abundance. B. Species B has a large role in community out of proportion to its abundance. C. Status of species C provides information on the overall health of an ecosystem D. Significant conservation resources are allocated to species D which is single, large and instantly recognizable. According to above description, species A, B, C and D are called respectively (1) Dominant, Keystone, Indicator and Flagship (2) Keystone, Flagship, Dominant and Indicator. (3) Keystone, Dominant, Indicator and Flagship. (4) Flagship, Dominant, Keystone and Indicator.

Dominant, Keystone, Indicator, and Flagship Species: Understanding Their Ecological Roles and Conservation Importance

13. Ruderal species are those which are found in the environments with (1) low disturbance, high competition (2) high disturbance, low competition (3) low disturbance, low competition (4) high disturbance, high competition

Ruderal Species: Adaptations and Ecology in High Disturbance, Low Competition Environments

A matrix of plant strategies based on four possible combinations of the intensities of stress and disturbance is given below: In this matrix, ruderal (r) plants are represented by (1) A                                                            (2) B (3) C                                                            (4) D

Ruderal Plant Strategies: Identifying Their Place in the Stress-Disturbance Matrix

9. Column X lists various plant types and Column Y lists key features of these plants. Which one of the following options represents all correct matches between Column X and Column Y? (1) A-i, B-iv, C-iii, D-ii (2) A-iii B-i, c-ii, D-iv (3) A-iv, B- iii, C-i, D-ii (4) A-ii, B-iii, C-i, D-iv

Understanding Plant Life Forms: Correctly Matching Plant Types with Their Key Features

8. Annual weeds of arable lands are classified as (1) phonerophytes. (2) therophytes. (3) chamaephytes. (4) geophytes.

Annual Weeds of Arable Lands: Why They Are Classified as Therophytes

Which of the following characterizes natural communities under equilibrium? (1) Biotic decoupling. (2) Species independence. (3) Large stochastic effects. (4) Density dependence.

Density Dependence: The Hallmark of Equilibrium in Natural Ecological Communities

For a dominance-diversity relationship curve of a community, species sequence was plotted on the X axis and relative importance on the log Y axis. The relationship resulted in a straight line, which represents the (1) geometric model and niche pre-emption hypothesis. (2) log normal model and random-niche boundary hypothesis. (3) broken stick model and random-niche boundary hypothesis. (4) lognormal model and niche pre-emption hypothesis.

Geometric Model and Niche Pre-emption Hypothesis: Understanding Straight Line Dominance-Diversity Curves in Ecology

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How to Assess Sampling Effort in Bird Diversity Studies: The Role of Species Accumulation Curves

3. Given below are the species accumulation curves and rarefaction curves measured in an ecological community. Which one of the following statements is INCORRECT about the two curves? (1) Species accumulation curve moves from left to right and rarefaction curve moves from right to left. (2) Species accumulation curve represents the total species richness of the assemblage. (3) Rarefaction curve represents the mean of repeated resampling of all pooled samples. (4) Rarefaction curve is the realized accumulation value of the total species in a community.

Species Accumulation vs Rarefaction Curves: Understanding Their Roles in Biodiversity Assessment

Following are the graphical representation of various hypothesis proposed for explaining the possible relationship between the species richness on (X) axis and community services on (Y) axis. Which of the following is the correct match between the graphical representation and the hypothesis (1) a-redundancy, b- keystone, c-rivat, d- idiosyncratic (2) a- idiosyncratic, b- rivat, c- keystone, d- redundancy (3) a- rivat, b- redundancy, c- idiosyncratic, d- keystone (4) a-rivat, b- keystone, c- redundancy, d-idiosyncratic

Understanding Hypotheses Linking Species Richness and Community Services: Graphical Representations Explained

A field biologist is sampling tree species in a forest area to estimate tree diversity. What method can be employed to decide if his sampling effort is adequate to estimate the tree diversity in the area? (1) Quadrat method of sampling (2) Saturation using species accumulation curves (3) Frequency distributions (4) Jaccard's dissimilarity coefficient

How to Assess Sampling Adequacy in Forest Tree Diversity Studies: The Power of Species Accumulation Curves

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