Module-1: Ecosystem: Structure of Ecosystem, Types: Forest, Desert, Wetlands, Riverine,

Oceanic ecosystems. Sustainability: 17SDG targets and possible actions.

FIRST SET
1. An ecosystem is best defined as
A. A group of animals living together
B. Interaction between living organisms and their environment
C. A community without abiotic factors
D. Only plants and animals
Answer: B
Explanation: VTU defines ecosystem as biotic–abiotic interaction.

2. Which of the following is NOT a biotic component?

A. Producer
B. Consumer
C. Decomposer
D. Temperature
Answer: D

3. The primary source of energy in an ecosystem is

A. Wind
B. Water
C. Sun
D. Soil
Answer: C

4. Green plants are called producers because they

A. Produce heat
B. Produce food using sunlight
C. Consume animals
D. Decompose waste
Answer: B

5. Decomposers mainly include

A. Herbivores
B. Carnivores
C. Fungi and bacteria
D. Algae
Answer: C

6. The flow of energy in an ecosystem is

A. Cyclic
B. Random
C. Unidirectional
D. Multidirectional
Answer: C

7. The pyramid that always remains upright is

A. Pyramid of numbers
B. Pyramid of biomass
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C. Pyramid of energy
D. Pyramid of organisms
Answer: C

8. Which ecosystem has maximum biodiversity?

A. Desert
B. Tundra
C. Tropical forest
D. Grassland
Answer: C

9. Plants adapted to desert conditions are called

A. Hydrophytes
B. Mesophytes
C. Xerophytes
D. Halophytes
Answer: C

10. Wetlands are important because they

A. Increase floods
B. Reduce biodiversity
C. Act as natural water filters
D. Increase pollution
Answer: C

11. The Ramsar Convention is related to

A. Forest conservation
B. Wildlife protection
C. Wetland conservation
D. Marine pollution
Answer: C

12. Riverine ecosystems are associated with

A. Still water
B. Flowing water
C. Saline water
D. Groundwater
Answer: B

13. Estuaries are formed by the meeting of

A. Two rivers
B. River and sea
C. Sea and ocean
D. Lake and river
Answer: B

14. The major producers in marine ecosystems are

A. Sea grasses
B. Corals

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C. Phytoplankton
D. Zooplankton
Answer: C

15. Oceanic ecosystems are characterized by

A. High light at all depths
B. Absence of life
C. Zonation based on depth
D. Freshwater only
Answer: C

16. A food web represents

A. Single food chain
B. Linear energy flow
C. Interconnected food chains
D. Population size
Answer: C

17. Ecological succession is

A. Seasonal variation
B. Change in population
C. Gradual change in ecosystem
D. Sudden destruction
Answer: C

18. Primary succession occurs on

A. Agricultural land
B. Forest land
C. Bare rock
D. Grassland
Answer: C

19. Lichens are pioneer species because they

A. Need fertile soil
B. Break rocks to form soil
C. Grow rapidly
D. Consume plants
Answer: B

20. Mangroves are typically found in

A. Deserts
B. Freshwater lakes
C. Coastal saline regions
D. Mountains
Answer: C

21. The main function of decomposers is

A. Energy production
B. Nutrient recycling

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C. Oxygen release
D. Food production
Answer: B

22. Which ecosystem shows high productivity per unit area?

A. Desert
B. Open ocean
C. Coral reefs
D. Tundra
Answer: C

23. Abiotic factors include

A. Plants and animals
B. Fungi and bacteria
C. Water, light, temperature
D. Consumers only
Answer: C

24. Stability of an ecosystem depends on

A. Species richness
B. Energy flow
C. Nutrient cycling
D. All of the above
Answer: D

25. Removal of a species from an ecosystem may

A. Have no effect
B. Increase stability
C. Disturb food chains
D. Stop energy flow
Answer: C

PART B: SUSTAINABILITY – SDGs

1. The concept of sustainable development was popularized by
A. WHO
B. UNEP
C. Brundtland Commission
D. IPCC
Answer: C

2. Sustainable development means

A. Industrial growth only
B. Economic development only
C. Meeting present needs without affecting future generations
D. Environmental protection only
Answer: C

3. Total number of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is

A. 15
B. 16
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C. 17
D. 18
Answer: C

4. The SDGs were adopted in the year

A. 2010
B. 2012
C. 2015
D. 2020
Answer: C

5. SDG 1 focuses on
A. Zero Hunger
B. No Poverty
C. Quality Education
D. Gender Equality
Answer: B

6. Zero Hunger is
A. SDG 1
B. SDG 2
C. SDG 3
D. SDG 4
Answer: B

7. SDG related to education is

A. SDG 3
B. SDG 4
C. SDG 5
D. SDG 6
Answer: B

8. Clean water and sanitation is

A. SDG 5
B. SDG 6
C. SDG 7
D. SDG 8
Answer: B

9. Affordable and clean energy corresponds to

A. SDG 6
B. SDG 7
C. SDG 8
D. SDG 9
Answer: B

10. Decent work and economic growth is

A. SDG 7
B. SDG 8

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C. SDG 9
D. SDG 10
Answer: B

11. Responsible consumption and production is

A. SDG 10
B. SDG 11
C. SDG 12
D. SDG 13
Answer: C

12. Climate action is addressed in

A. SDG 12
B. SDG 13
C. SDG 14
D. SDG 15
Answer: B

13. Life below water refers to

A. SDG 13
B. SDG 14
C. SDG 15
D. SDG 16
Answer: B

14. Life on land is

A. SDG 14
B. SDG 15
C. SDG 16
D. SDG 17
Answer: B

15. Peace, justice and strong institutions is

A. SDG 15
B. SDG 16
C. SDG 17
D. SDG 14
Answer: B

16. Partnerships for the goals is

A. SDG 16
B. SDG 17
C. SDG 15
D. SDG 14
Answer: B

17. Reducing inequality is

A. SDG 9
B. SDG 10

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C. SDG 11
D. SDG 12
Answer: B

18. Sustainable cities and communities is

A. SDG 9
B. SDG 10
C. SDG 11
D. SDG 12
Answer: C

19. Gender equality corresponds to

A. SDG 3
B. SDG 4
C. SDG 5
D. SDG 6
Answer: C

20. Individual action supporting SDGs includes

A. Overuse of resources
B. Waste segregation
C. Fossil fuel use
D. Deforestation
Answer: B

21. Sustainable agriculture emphasizes

A. Excess fertilizer use
B. Soil and water conservation
C. Monocropping
D. Chemical pesticides
Answer: B

22. Circular economy promotes

A. Use and discard
B. Reduce, reuse, recycle
C. Resource depletion
D. Linear economy
Answer: B

23. SDGs apply to

A. Developing countries only
B. Developed countries only
C. All countries
D. UN members only
Answer: C

24. Pillars of sustainability include

A. Economic only
B. Environmental only

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C. Social, economic and environmental
D. Political only
Answer: C

25. The main objective of SDGs is

A. Industrial growth
B. Environmental protection only
C. Balanced and inclusive development
D. Urbanization
Answer: C

SECOND SET
1. The term “trophic level” refers to
A. Position of an organism in a food chain
B. Size of an organism
C. Habitat of species
D. Energy stored in soil
Answer: A
Explanation: Trophic level indicates feeding position in a food chain.

2. Which component initiates energy flow in an ecosystem?

A. Consumers
B. Decomposers
C. Producers
D. Herbivores
Answer: C
Explanation: Producers capture solar energy to begin energy flow.

3. The standing crop refers to

A. Total organisms present
B. Stored energy in ecosystem
C. Living biomass at a given time
D. Dead organic matter
Answer: C

4. Which ecosystem shows least productivity?

A. Tropical forest
B. Wetlands
C. Desert
D. Estuaries
Answer: C

5. Food chains usually do not exceed how many trophic levels?

A. 2
B. 3
C. 4–5
D. 8–10
Answer: C
Explanation: Energy loss limits chain length.

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6. Detritus food chain starts with
A. Green plants
B. Herbivores
C. Dead organic matter
D. Carnivores
Answer: C

7. Which organism links grazing and detritus food chains?

A. Herbivores
B. Carnivores
C. Decomposers
D. Producers
Answer: C

8. Which ecosystem acts as a buffer against coastal erosion?

A. Coral reefs
B. Mangroves
C. Deserts
D. Grasslands
Answer: B

9. Halophytes are plants adapted to

A. Freshwater
B. Saline soils
C. Dry regions
D. Cold regions
Answer: B

10. Net primary productivity is

A. Total photosynthesis
B. Photosynthesis minus respiration
C. Respiration only
D. Energy loss
Answer: B

11. Which pyramid may be inverted in aquatic ecosystems?

A. Energy
B. Biomass
C. Numbers
D. All
Answer: B

12. Which ecosystem shows thermal stratification?

A. Forest
B. Lake
C. Desert
D. Grassland
Answer: B

13. Plankton mainly belong to

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A. Benthos
B. Nekton
C. Floating organisms
D. Bottom dwellers
Answer: C

14. Oceanic dead zones are caused due to

A. Oil spills
B. Overfishing
C. Eutrophication
D. Tides
Answer: C

15. Eutrophication results in

A. Increased oxygen
B. Algal blooms
C. Reduced nutrients
D. Clear water
Answer: B

16. Which ecosystem has high salt tolerance species?

A. Wetlands
B. Desert
C. Mangroves
D. Grassland
Answer: C

17. Secondary succession occurs after

A. Volcanic eruption
B. Forest fire
C. Rock formation
D. Glacier retreat
Answer: B

18. Climax community represents

A. Initial stage
B. Unstable ecosystem
C. Final stable stage
D. Disturbed ecosystem
Answer: C

19. Keystone species are important because they

A. Are large in size
B. Control ecosystem structure
C. Are producers
D. Live longest
Answer: B

20. Which ecosystem supports fisheries most?

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A. Open ocean
B. Desert
C. Estuaries
D. Grassland
Answer: C

21. Littoral zone is associated with

A. Deep ocean
B. Shoreline of lakes
C. River bed
D. Coral reef
Answer: B

22. Which factor limits desert productivity?

A. Temperature
B. Light
C. Water
D. Wind
Answer: C

23. Zooplankton are

A. Producers
B. Primary consumers
C. Decomposers
D. Parasites
Answer: B

24. Ecosystem resilience refers to

A. Productivity
B. Species richness
C. Ability to recover
D. Energy flow
Answer: C

25. Which cycle is closely linked with energy flow?

A. Carbon cycle
B. Nitrogen cycle
C. Water cycle
D. Phosphorus cycle
Answer: A

PART B: SUSTAINABILITY & SDGs

26. Sustainability balances
A. Economy and industry
B. Environment and profit
C. Social, economic and environmental needs
D. Growth and population
Answer: C

27. SDGs replaced which earlier framework?

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A. Kyoto Protocol
B. MDGs
C. Rio Declaration
D. Agenda 21
Answer: B

28. The SDGs target year is

A. 2025
B. 2030
C. 2040
D. 2050
Answer: B

29. Clean energy reduces

A. Biodiversity
B. Carbon emissions
C. Water usage
D. Employment
Answer: B

30. Sustainable transport includes

A. Diesel vehicles
B. Car pooling
C. Single occupancy cars
D. High fuel use
Answer: B

31. SDG related to innovation and infrastructure is

A. SDG 8
B. SDG 9
C. SDG 10
D. SDG 11
Answer: B

32. Which SDG focuses on health?

A. SDG 2
B. SDG 3
C. SDG 4
D. SDG 5
Answer: B

33. Sustainable fisheries aim to

A. Increase catch only
B. Prevent overfishing
C. Remove regulations
D. Increase pollution
Answer: B

34. Organic farming supports

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A. High chemical use
B. Soil fertility
C. Monoculture
D. Water pollution
Answer: B

35. Rainwater harvesting contributes to

A. SDG 5
B. SDG 6
C. SDG 7
D. SDG 8
Answer: B

36. Urban sustainability includes

A. Urban sprawl
B. Green buildings
C. High waste generation
D. Traffic congestion
Answer: B

37. Climate mitigation aims to

A. Adapt to impacts
B. Reduce greenhouse gases
C. Increase fossil fuels
D. Increase temperature
Answer: B

38. Climate adaptation refers to

A. Reducing emissions
B. Adjusting to climate impacts
C. Increasing industries
D. Ignoring climate change
Answer: B

39. Sustainable consumption discourages

A. Recycling
B. Reuse
C. Overconsumption
D. Resource efficiency
Answer: C

40. SDG 11 focuses on

A. Energy
B. Cities
C. Industry
D. Oceans
Answer: B

41. Waste-to-energy supports

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A. SDG 12
B. SDG 13
C. SDG 14
D. SDG 15
Answer: A

42. Afforestation mainly supports

A. SDG 12
B. SDG 13
C. SDG 15
D. SDG 17
Answer: C

43. Gender equality improves

A. Social sustainability
B. Environmental quality
C. Industrial output
D. Pollution
Answer: A

44. Sustainable tourism promotes

A. Cultural preservation
B. Overcrowding
C. Pollution
D. Resource depletion
Answer: A

45. Life cycle assessment helps in

A. Cost analysis
B. Environmental impact assessment
C. Profit analysis
D. Market survey
Answer: B

46. Public awareness is essential for

A. Economic growth only
B. Environmental sustainability
C. Population growth
D. Urbanization
Answer: B

47. Renewable resources include

A. Coal
B. Petroleum
C. Solar energy
D. Natural gas
Answer: C

48. SDGs emphasize

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A. Sector-wise development
B. Integrated approach
C. Industrial growth only
D. Economic growth only
Answer: B

49. Sustainable development promotes

A. Resource depletion
B. Long-term environmental health
C. Short-term profit
D. Industrial waste
Answer: B

50. Individual contribution to sustainability includes

A. Single-use plastics
B. Energy conservation
C. Overconsumption
D. Deforestation
Answer: B

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