Global Change - Applied Ecology & Evolution - Ecology and Evolution Previous Year Questions

1

2018 · Ecology and Evolution · Applied Ecology & Evolution · Global Change

Ecology and Evolution (EY) 2018

El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) events have occurred approximately every 3-7 years over the last century. The cause of these ENSO events is related to

A

large-scale air-sea interactions in the Pacific Ocean

B

strong monsoon winds in the Indian Ocean

C

the melting of icebergs in the Antarctic Ocean

D

unsustainable overfishing in North Atlantic Ocean

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2

2019 · Ecology and Evolution · Applied Ecology & Evolution · Global Change

Ecology and Evolution (EY) 2019

Which of the following crops should show the LOWEST proportional increase in photosynthetic rate under rising carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere?

A

Barley

B

Maize

C

Rice

D

Wheat

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3

2019 · Ecology and Evolution · Applied Ecology & Evolution · Global Change

Ecology and Evolution (EY) 2019

The relative performance of amphibians adapted to tropical (dashed line) and temperate (solid line) climates as a function of temperature is shown below. Assume that global warming will result in an equal increase in mean temperatures over the next 30 years in both regions. Which of the following statements about the effects of global warming on these two amphibians is most likely?

A

Temperate and tropical amphibians will be similarly impacted

B

Temperate amphibians will be more negatively impacted than tropical amphibians

C

Tropical amphibians will be more negatively impacted than temperate amphibians

D

Tropical amphibians will be positively impacted, while temperate amphibians will be negatively impacted

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4

2019 · Ecology and Evolution · Applied Ecology & Evolution · Global Change

Ecology and Evolution (EY) 2019

Global warming potential of different greenhouse gases (CO₂, CH₄, N₂O, etc) is determined by their:
P: ability to absorb infrared radiation
Q: concentration in the atmosphere
R: residence time in the atmosphere
S: source of origin (whether natural, or anthropogenic)

A

P & R only

B

P, Q & R only

C

Q, R & S only

D

Q & S only

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5

2020 · Ecology and Evolution · Applied Ecology & Evolution · Global Change

Ecology and Evolution (EY) 2020

In the last 3 to 4 decades, the average CO₂ concentration in the Earth’s atmosphere has increased from ______.

A

3 ppm to 4 ppm

B

30 ppm to 40 ppm

C

300 ppm to 400 ppm

D

3000 ppm to 4000 ppm

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6

2021 · Ecology and Evolution · Applied Ecology & Evolution · Global Change

Ecology and Evolution (EY) 2021

The graph below shows how the lower limits of the elevational ranges of bird species on a tropical mountain have changed over 20 years (2000 to 2020) because of climate change. Each point below represents a bird species. Points would cluster on the dashed line if species had the same lower elevational range limits in 2000 and 2020. Given that the mountain summit is at an elevation of 3500 m (solid horizontal line), and assuming that the trend shown by the graph continues over the next 20 years, what would you expect in 2040?

A

Low-elevation species will become locally extinct.

B

Mid-elevation species will become locally extinct.

C

High-elevation species will become locally extinct.

D

All species will return to their original elevational ranges.

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7

2024 · Ecology and Evolution · Applied Ecology & Evolution · Global Change

Ecology and Evolution (EY) 2024

The figure shows the time-series of atmospheric CO₂ concentration on Earth (graph not-to-scale).

Which one of the factors given is the primary reason for the sudden increase in atmospheric CO₂ concentration after 1950?

A

Overfishing

B

An increase in Arctic sea ice melting

C

An increase in fossil fuel burning

D

Volcanic eruptions

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8

2024 · Ecology and Evolution · Applied Ecology & Evolution · Global Change

Ecology and Evolution (EY) 2024

Which one or more of the following is/are greenhouse gas(es)?

A

Methane

B

Water vapour

C

Sulphur dioxide

D

Nitrous oxide

Check answer

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9

2025 · Ecology and Evolution · Applied Ecology & Evolution · Global Change

Ecology and Evolution (EY) 2025

Mean global temperature since pre-industrial times has increased approximately by

A

0 to 0.5 °C

B

1 to 1.5 °C

C

2 to 3 °C

D

3 to 5 °C

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10

2025 · Ecology and Evolution · Applied Ecology & Evolution · Global Change

Ecology and Evolution (EY) 2025

Which one or more of the following processes has/have resulted in increased greenhouse gases in the atmosphere over the last 100 years?

A

Increasing levels of N2 in the atmosphere due to increased denitrification

B

Increased release of CO2 into the atmosphere due to the burning of fossil fuels

C

Increased release of methane into the atmosphere due to livestock

D

Increased release of methane from wetlands soil

Check answer

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11

2016 · Ecology and Evolution · Applied Ecology & Evolution · Global Change

Ecology and Evolution (EY) 2016

Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane is related to the phenomenon of:

A

biomagnification in food webs

B

coral bleaching in oceans

C

the greenhouse effect

D

ozone layer depletion

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12

2016 · Ecology and Evolution · Applied Ecology & Evolution · Global Change

Ecology and Evolution (EY) 2016

Sex is determined by temperature in many reptiles, including crocodiles and turtles. While lower temperatures produce males in turtles, the pattern is the opposite in crocodiles. Due to climate change, there is an increase in temperatures which results in a change in sex ratios. In small populations, this change in demography is likely to negatively impact the population growth of:

A

crocodiles more than turtles

B

neither of the two species

C

both species equally

D

turtles more than crocodiles

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13

2016 · Ecology and Evolution · Applied Ecology & Evolution · Global Change

Ecology and Evolution (EY) 2016

The relative abundance of C3 relative to C4 plant species increases with latitude because of the associated temperature gradient. A study in North America found that at 42° North, C3 plants become more abundant than C4 plants. Given an increase in mean global temperatures by 10°C and no other changes in environmental conditions, the latitude at which C3 plants become more abundant:

A

will move Northwards towards the polar region

B

will move Southwards towards the equator

C

will move South of the equator

D

will not change in response to temperature

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14

2016 · Ecology and Evolution · Applied Ecology & Evolution · Global Change

Ecology and Evolution (EY) 2016

Ozone layer depletion, since the 1970s, is primarily attributed to:

A

carbon dioxide

B

chlorofluorocarbons

C

global warming

D

UV radiation

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15

2022 · Ecology and Evolution · Applied Ecology & Evolution · Global Change

Ecology and Evolution (EY) 2022

Which one of the following is not an expected impact of global warming?

A

Birds shifting their distributions to higher elevations

B

Fish shifting their distributions to deeper waters

C

Lizards shifting their distributions towards the equator

D

Mammals shifting their distributions towards higher latitudes

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16

2023 · Ecology and Evolution · Applied Ecology & Evolution · Global Change

Ecology and Evolution (EY) 2023

The increase in mean global temperature since the industrial revolution falls in the range of

A

0 °C to 0.5 °C

B

0.5 °C to 2 °C

C

2 °C to 5 °C

D

> 5 °C

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17

2023 · Ecology and Evolution · Applied Ecology & Evolution · Global Change

Ecology and Evolution (EY) 2023

Which one or more of the following processes contribute(s) substantially to increased mean global temperatures?

A

Decreased greenhouse gases in the atmosphere

B

Increased tropical deforestation

C

Decreased methane emissions

D

Increased fossil fuel use

Check answer

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