Animal Ecosystem Engineering MCQS January 8, 2026April 6, 2024 by u930973931_answers 20 min Score: 0 Attempted: 0/20 Subscribe 1. What is ecosystem engineering? (A) The alteration of the environment by organisms, influencing other species (B) The process of building ecosystems from scratch (C) The management of ecosystems by humans (D) The study of animal behavior in natural habitats 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 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 4. What is the primary purpose of ecosystem engineering by animals? (A) To create or modify habitats to suit their needs (B) To destroy habitats (C) To harm other species (D) To decrease biodiversity 5. How do ants contribute to ecosystem engineering? (A) By producing honey that serves as a food source for other animals (B) By pollinating flowers and aiding in seed dispersal (C) By preying on other insects and controlling their populations (D) 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 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 promotes invasive species that reduce biodiversity (D) 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) Jellyfish (B) Dolphins (C) Sea otters (D) Clownfish 9. How do coral reefs contribute to ecosystem engineering? (A) By migrating across vast distances and influencing plant distribution (B) By hunting prey and controlling population dynamics (C) By spreading diseases that affect other marine organisms (D) 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 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 12. Which of the following animals is known for its role in engineering grasslands? (A) Penguins (B) Bison (C) Snakes (D) Frogs 13. How does ecosystem engineering by animals influence nutrient cycling? (A) It accelerates nutrient loss from ecosystems (B) It enhances nutrient retention and recycling (C) It has no impact on nutrient cycling (D) It promotes nutrient leaching 14. How does ecosystem engineering by animals impact ecosystem services? (A) It reduces the provision of ecosystem services (B) It has no effect on ecosystem services (C) It enhances the provision of ecosystem services (D) It degrades 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 16. What is the primary benefit of ecosystem engineering by animals? (A) It increases habitat destruction (B) It accelerates climate change (C) It enhances biodiversity (D) It promotes pollution 17. How does ecosystem engineering by animals influence landscape heterogeneity? (A) It increases landscape heterogeneity (B) It has no effect on landscape heterogeneity (C) It decreases landscape heterogeneity (D) It promotes desertification 18. Which of the following animals is known for its role in engineering forests? (A) Butterflies (B) Penguins (C) Snakes (D) Elephants 19. How do earthworms contribute to ecosystem engineering? (A) By building nests in trees (B) By preying on insects and controlling their populations (C) By aerating the soil and enhancing nutrient cycling (D) By migrating across vast distances and influencing plant distribution 20. How does ecosystem engineering by animals affect habitat complexity? (A) It reduces habitat complexity (B) It increases habitat complexity (C) It has no effect on habitat complexity (D) It promotes habitat destruction