1. What is ecosystem engineering?
A) The process of building ecosystems from scratch
B) The alteration of the environment by organisms, influencing other species
C) The management of ecosystems by humans
D) The study of animal behavior in natural habitats
Answer: B) The alteration of the environment by organisms, influencing other species
2. Which of the following is an example of ecosystem engineering by animals?
A) Building a nest by a bird
B) Planting trees by humans
C) Digging burrows by rodents
D) All of the above
Answer: C) Digging burrows by rodents
3. How do beavers contribute to ecosystem engineering?
A) By constructing dams that alter water flow and create wetlands
B) By migrating across vast distances and influencing plant distribution
C) By hunting prey and controlling population dynamics
D) By spreading seeds and promoting plant growth
Answer: A) By constructing dams that alter water flow and create wetlands
4. What is the primary purpose of ecosystem engineering by animals?
A) To harm other species
B) To destroy habitats
C) To create or modify habitats to suit their needs
D) To decrease biodiversity
Answer: C) To create or modify habitats to suit their needs
5. How do ants contribute to ecosystem engineering?
A) By building underground tunnels that aerate the soil
B) By pollinating flowers and aiding in seed dispersal
C) By preying on other insects and controlling their populations
D) By producing honey that serves as a food source for other animals
Answer: A) By building underground tunnels that aerate the soil
6. What role do elephants play in ecosystem engineering?
A) They create waterholes by digging, providing water sources for other animals
B) They climb trees and create nests for birds
C) They produce large amounts of dung that fertilize the soil
D) They prey on smaller animals, controlling their populations
Answer: A) They create waterholes by digging, providing water sources for other animals
7. How does ecosystem engineering by animals affect biodiversity?
A) It decreases biodiversity by destroying habitats
B) It has no effect on biodiversity
C) It increases biodiversity by creating diverse habitats
D) It promotes invasive species that reduce biodiversity
Answer: C) It increases biodiversity by creating diverse habitats
8. Which of the following animals is known for its role in ecosystem engineering in marine environments?
A) Sea otters
B) Dolphins
C) Jellyfish
D) Clownfish
Answer: A) Sea otters
9. How do coral reefs contribute to ecosystem engineering?
A) By producing calcium carbonate skeletons that form reef structures
B) By hunting prey and controlling population dynamics
C) By spreading diseases that affect other marine organisms
D) By migrating across vast distances and influencing plant distribution
Answer: A) By producing calcium carbonate skeletons that form reef structures
10. What is an example of ecosystem engineering by birds?
A) Nest building
B) Photosynthesis
C) Herbivory
D) Fungal decomposition
Answer: A) Nest building
11. How does ecosystem engineering by animals contribute to ecosystem resilience?
A) By reducing habitat complexity
B) By promoting monocultures
C) By creating diverse habitats and increasing ecosystem stability
D) By eliminating keystone species
Answer: C) By creating diverse habitats and increasing ecosystem stability
12. Which of the following animals is known for its role in engineering grasslands?
A) Bison
B) Penguins
C) Snakes
D) Frogs
Answer: A) Bison
13. How does ecosystem engineering by animals influence nutrient cycling?
A) It accelerates nutrient loss from ecosystems
B) It has no impact on nutrient cycling
C) It enhances nutrient retention and recycling
D) It promotes nutrient leaching
Answer: C) It enhances nutrient retention and recycling
14. How does ecosystem engineering by animals impact ecosystem services?
A) It reduces the provision of ecosystem services
B) It enhances the provision of ecosystem services
C) It has no effect on ecosystem services
D) It degrades ecosystem services
Answer: B) It enhances the provision of ecosystem services
15. Which of the following animals is known for its role in engineering rivers and streams?
A) Beavers
B) Penguins
C) Lions
D) Gorillas
Answer: A) Beavers
16. What is the primary benefit of ecosystem engineering by animals?
A) It increases habitat destruction
B) It enhances biodiversity
C) It accelerates climate change
D) It promotes pollution
Answer: B) It enhances biodiversity
17. How does ecosystem engineering by animals influence landscape heterogeneity?
A) It decreases landscape heterogeneity
B) It has no effect on landscape heterogeneity
C) It increases landscape heterogeneity
D) It promotes desertification
Answer: C) It increases landscape heterogeneity
18. Which of the following animals is known for its role in engineering forests?
A) Elephants
B) Penguins
C) Snakes
D) Butterflies
Answer: A) Elephants
19. How do earthworms contribute to ecosystem engineering?
A) By building nests in trees
B) By aerating the soil and enhancing nutrient cycling
C) By preying on insects and controlling their populations
D) By migrating across vast distances and influencing plant distribution
Answer: B) By aerating the soil and enhancing nutrient cycling
20. How does ecosystem engineering by animals affect habitat complexity?
A) It reduces habitat complexity
B) It has no effect on habitat complexity
C) It increases habitat complexity
D) It promotes habitat destruction
Answer: C) It increases habitat complexity