Environmental Science Quiz

What is a stakeholder in environmental decision-making?

• An individual, group or organisation involved in decision-making related to an environmental case study, project or issue.

• A person who has no knowledge or interest in environmental issues.

• A government agency responsible for enforcing environmental regulations.

• A scientist who studies the environment.

What is stakeholder knowledge in environmental decision-making?

• The scientific, technical and experiential knowledge held by a stakeholder.

• The personal opinions and beliefs of a stakeholder.

• The financial resources available to a stakeholder.

• The political power of a stakeholder.

What are sustainability principles?

• Guiding principles that promote the conservation of biodiversity and ecological integrity.

• Principles that prioritize economic growth over environmental protection.

• Principles that focus on short-term gains rather than long-term sustainability.

• Principles that only apply to renewable energy sources.

What is sustainable development?

• Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

• Development that prioritizes economic growth at the expense of environmental protection.

• Development that focuses on short-term gains rather than long-term sustainability.

• Development that only considers the needs of the current generation.

What is Earth systems thinking?

• Consideration of the connections and interactions between Earth's four systems - atmosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere and lithosphere.

• Thinking about the Earth as a separate entity from its systems.

• Thinking about the Earth's systems in isolation without considering their interactions.

• Thinking about the Earth's systems without considering their impact on ecological integrity.

What is the importance of biodiversity?

• Biodiversity provides renewable services that impact human health and well-being.

• Biodiversity has no impact on human health and well-being.

• Biodiversity is only important for aesthetic purposes.

• Biodiversity is not affected by environmental change.

What are the categories of biodiversity?

• Genetic, species and ecosystem.

• Physical, chemical and biological.

• Abiotic, biotic and ecological.

• Renewable, non-renewable and sustainable.

What are the provisioning services provided by ecosystems?

• Potable water, food, fuel, fibre and pharmaceuticals.

• Control of climate and disease, pollination and water purification.

• Cycling of nutrients, soil formation and photosynthesis.

• Aesthetic values, recreational benefits and sense of place.

What are the natural changes that influence ecosystem diversity?

• Volcanic eruptions, fire, El Niño, tectonic plate movement and evolution.

• Habitat loss, over-exploitation, loss of pollinators, climate change and disease.

• Conservation of biodiversity, efficiency of resource use, intergenerational equity and intragenerational equity.

• Anthropocentrism, biocentrism, ecocentrism and technocentrism.

What are the practical techniques used for assessing species diversity?

• Sampling with grids, transects and different shaped quadrats, including consideration of edge effects and mark-recapture.

• Measuring species richness, endemism and the application of Simpson's Index of Diversity.

• Ranking species according to their risk of extinction and assessing conservation status.

• Identifying threats to biodiversity and implementing protection and restoration strategies.