About this Study Set
This study set covers Ecology through
20 practice questions.
A collection of factual questions regarding the history, key figures, and landmark events in the development of ecological science. Every question includes the correct answer so you can learn as you go — pick any format above to get started.
Questions & Answers
Browse all 20 questions from the
Historical Milestones in Ecology study set below.
Each question shows the correct answer — select a study format above to practice interactively.
1
Who coined the term 'oecology' (ecology) in 1866 to describe the study of the relationship between organisms and their environment?
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A
Charles Darwin
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B
Ernst Haeckel
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C
Alexander von Humboldt
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D
Alfred Russel Wallace
2
In which year was the first Earth Day held, marking the beginning of the modern environmental movement in the United States?
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A
1960
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B
1970
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C
1980
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D
1990
3
The book 'Silent Spring', which documented the environmental harm caused by pesticides like DDT, was published by Rachel Carson in what year?
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A
1952
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B
1962
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C
1972
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D
1982
4
What ecological concept did Arthur Tansley introduce in 1935 to describe the complex of organisms and their physical environment as a functional unit?
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A
Biosphere
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B
Niche
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C
Ecosystem
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D
Trophic cascade
5
Which international agreement, signed in 1987, was designed to phase out the production of substances responsible for ozone depletion?
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A
Kyoto Protocol
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B
Montreal Protocol
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C
Paris Agreement
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D
Basel Convention
6
The term 'biosphere' was popularized by which scientist in his 1926 book of the same name?
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A
Vladimir Vernadsky
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B
Gregor Mendel
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C
James Lovelock
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D
Barry Commoner
7
Which scientist is famously known for formulating the 'Gaia hypothesis', which proposes that living organisms interact with their inorganic surroundings to form a synergistic, self-regulating system?
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A
Richard Dawkins
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B
James Lovelock
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C
E.O. Wilson
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D
Jane Goodall
8
What was the primary focus of the 1972 United Nations Conference on the Human Environment held in Stockholm?
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A
Climate change
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B
Global deforestation
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C
International environmental policy
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D
Ocean acidification
9
The concept of the 'trophic cascade' was significantly advanced by the reintroduction of wolves into which US National Park in 1995?
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A
Yosemite
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B
Yellowstone
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C
Everglades
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D
Grand Canyon
10
Which scientist conducted long-term research on the finches of the Galápagos Islands to demonstrate natural selection in action?
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A
Peter and Rosemary Grant
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B
Thomas Malthus
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C
Carl Linnaeus
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D
Gregor Mendel
11
The 'Keeling Curve', which records the increase of atmospheric carbon dioxide, began measurements at Mauna Loa Observatory in what year?
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A
1948
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B
1958
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C
1968
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D
1978
12
In 1968, Paul R. Ehrlich published a influential book warning about the impacts of rapid population growth; what was its title?
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A
The Limits to Growth
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B
The Population Bomb
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C
Silent Spring
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D
Small is Beautiful
13
What landmark 1973 US legislation was passed to protect species at risk of extinction due to economic growth and development?
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A
National Environmental Policy Act
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B
Endangered Species Act
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C
Clean Air Act
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D
Clean Water Act
14
Alexander von Humboldt is credited with being the first to describe which concept, mapping the relationship between climate and plant distribution?
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A
Ecological succession
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B
Biogeography
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C
Natural selection
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D
Genetic drift
15
The 'Great Smog of London' in 1952, which led to significant public health reforms, was primarily caused by the burning of what material?
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A
Diesel fuel
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B
Coal
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C
Wood
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D
Refuse
16
Which term did E.O. Wilson popularize in his 1984 book to describe the innate tendency of humans to seek connections with nature?
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A
Biophilia
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B
Anthropocentrism
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C
Symbiosis
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D
Biomimicry
17
The Chernobyl disaster, which had significant ecological consequences due to radioactive fallout, occurred in what year?
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A
1976
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B
1986
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C
1996
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D
2006
18
What major ecological phenomenon did the 'dust bowl' of the 1930s demonstrate regarding human impact on prairie ecosystems?
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A
Deforestation
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B
Soil erosion
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C
Ocean pollution
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D
Invasive species
19
The 'IPCC' was established in 1988 by the World Meteorological Organization and which other organization?
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A
UNESCO
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B
UNEP
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C
WHO
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D
FAO
20
Which scientist is often cited for the 1960s study that introduced the concept of 'keystone species' after experimenting with starfish?
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A
Robert Paine
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B
G. Evelyn Hutchinson
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C
Raymond Lindeman
-
D
Odum Brothers
