Biodiversity Vocabulary Quiz
12 multiple-choice questions on biodiversity and ecology vocabulary: ecosystem, habitat, extinction, endemic species, food web, conservation and keystone species. B2 level.
This quiz focuses on how the target vocabulary for Biodiversity is actually used in context at B2 level, rather than testing bare definitions. Correct answers you will need to identify include terms such as biodiversity, ecosystem, endemic, keystone and extinction, each embedded in a full example sentence so you have to judge meaning from context, not just recognise an isolated word.
Working through all 12 questions and checking the explanations in the FAQ below is a quick way to spot any terms you are still unsure of. Revisiting the quiz again after a day or two, rather than only once, is one of the most reliable ways to move new vocabulary from passive recognition into words you can use confidently yourself in speaking and writing.
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Biodiversity Vocabulary — FAQ
What does 'biodiversity' mean?
Biodiversity refers to the variety of life on Earth, including the diversity of species, genetic variation within species, and the diversity of ecosystems. High biodiversity is a sign of a healthy environment. Biodiversity loss — caused by habitat destruction, pollution and climate change — is one of the most pressing environmental concerns of our time.
What is an 'ecosystem'?
An ecosystem is a community of living organisms interacting with each other and with their physical environment in a specific area. Ecosystems can be as large as the Amazon rainforest or as small as a pond. They perform vital services including producing oxygen, cycling nutrients and regulating climate.
What does 'endemic' mean in ecology?
A species that is endemic to a place is found naturally only in that specific location and nowhere else in the world. Endemic species are particularly vulnerable to extinction because their entire global population exists in one restricted area. Island habitats tend to have high levels of endemism.
What is a 'keystone species'?
A keystone species is one that has a disproportionately large effect on its ecosystem relative to its abundance. If a keystone species is removed, the ecosystem changes dramatically. A classic example is the sea otter, which controls sea urchin populations that would otherwise overgraze kelp forests.
What is the difference between 'habitat' and 'niche'?
A habitat is the physical place where an organism lives. A niche is the role or function that organism plays within its ecosystem, including what it eats and how it interacts with other species. Two species cannot occupy exactly the same niche in the same habitat without one outcompeting the other.
What does 'invasive species' mean?
An invasive species is an organism introduced outside its native range that spreads and causes ecological or economic harm. Invasive species often thrive because they have few natural predators in the new environment. Examples include grey squirrels in the UK and cane toads in Australia.
What is the difference between 'extinction' and 'extirpation'?
Extinction is the permanent disappearance of an entire species from the Earth. Extirpation (local extinction) means a species has disappeared from a particular area but still survives elsewhere. Scientists estimate the current extinction rate is hundreds of times higher than the natural background rate.
What is a 'food web'?
A food web is a diagram showing the feeding relationships between species in an ecosystem. It is more complex than a food chain because most animals eat more than one type of food. Disrupting one link — for example, removing a predator — can have cascading effects throughout the whole system.
What does 'conservation' mean in biodiversity?
Conservation is the protection and sustainable management of the natural environment and biodiversity. It includes establishing protected areas, captive breeding programmes and habitat restoration. Conservation can be in-situ (in the natural habitat) or ex-situ (outside, in zoos or seed banks).
What are 'ecosystem services'?
Ecosystem services are the benefits humans receive from healthy ecosystems. They include provisioning services (food, water, timber), regulating services (climate regulation, pollination), cultural services (recreation) and supporting services (nutrient cycling). Understanding ecosystem services helps make the economic and social case for conservation.