Question 1

Which of the following habitats would most likely have the highest species diversity?

Accepted Answer

A)  ocean floor 
B)  a coral reef 
C)  a lagoon 
D)  an estuary 
A)  ocean floor 
B)  a coral reef 
C)  a lagoon 
D)  an estuary

Question 2

If the sex ratio in a population is significantly different from 50:50, then which of the following statements will always be accurate?

Accepted Answer

A)  The population will enter the extinction vortex. 
B)  The genetic variation in the population will increase over time. 
C)  Modeling of the minimum viable population size will underestimate the actual population size. 
D)  The effective population size will be less than the actual population size. 
A)  The population will enter the extinction vortex. 
B)  The genetic variation in the population will increase over time. 
C)  Modeling of the minimum viable population size will underestimate the actual population size. 
D)  The effective population size will be less than the actual population size.

Question 3

Which of the following best describes how introduced species can have deleterious effects on the biological communities they invade?

Accepted Answer

A)  competing with native species for resources and displacing them 
B)  spreading rapidly in their new region 
C)  reducing erosion 
D)  increasing the biodiversity in their new region 
A)  competing with native species for resources and displacing them 
B)  spreading rapidly in their new region 
C)  reducing erosion 
D)  increasing the biodiversity in their new region

Question 4

During the inventory of bacterial genes present in the Sargasso Sea, a deep isolated area in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, a research team concluded that at least 1,800 bacterial species were present. Because habitat structure is usually highly correlated with species diversity, what kind of bacterial diversity would you expect to observe in tropical coral reef waters?

Accepted Answer

A)  slightly greater species diversity 
B)  slightly smaller species diversity 
C)  markedly smaller species diversity 
D)  markedly greater species diversity 
A)  slightly greater species diversity 
B)  slightly smaller species diversity 
C)  markedly smaller species diversity 
D)  markedly greater species diversity

Question 5

The main cause of the increase in the amount of CO2 in Earth's atmosphere over the past 170 years is ________.

Accepted Answer

A)  increased worldwide primary production 
B)  increased worldwide fertilizer production 
C)  increased infrared radiation absorption by the atmosphere 
D)  the burning of fossil fuels and deforestation 
A)  increased worldwide primary production 
B)  increased worldwide fertilizer production 
C)  increased infrared radiation absorption by the atmosphere 
D)  the burning of fossil fuels and deforestation

Question 6

Which of the following conditions is the most likely indicator of a population in an extinction vortex?

Accepted Answer

A)  The species in question is found only in small, stable pockets of its former range. 
B)  The effective population size of the species falls below 1,000. 
C)  Genetic measurements indicate a loss of genetic variation over time. 
D)  The population is declining and remains permanently small. 
A)  The species in question is found only in small, stable pockets of its former range. 
B)  The effective population size of the species falls below 1,000. 
C)  Genetic measurements indicate a loss of genetic variation over time. 
D)  The population is declining and remains permanently small.

Question 7

Which of the following statements is best supported by the scientific consensus on factors affecting global warming?

Accepted Answer

A)  Natural factors, such as Earths' tilt and orbit, are causing the increases in temperature over the last two centuries and therefore temperatures will begin to decrease over subsequent decades. 
B)  Deforestation and the clear-cutting of forests tend to increase the absorption of solar radiation and increases global temperatures. 
C)  If the burning of fossil fuel slowed significantly or even stopped, the drop in emissions would result in the cooling of Earth within a few years. 
D)  Solar cycles will continue to affect global temperatures in well-understood and predictable ways, yet Earth will continue to warm due to human activities. 
A)  Natural factors, such as Earths' tilt and orbit, are causing the increases in temperature over the last two centuries and therefore temperatures will begin to decrease over subsequent decades. 
B)  Deforestation and the clear-cutting of forests tend to increase the absorption of solar radiation and increases global temperatures. 
C)  If the burning of fossil fuel slowed significantly or even stopped, the drop in emissions would result in the cooling of Earth within a few years. 
D)  Solar cycles will continue to affect global temperatures in well-understood and predictable ways, yet Earth will continue to warm due to human activities.

Question 8

Which of the following possible actions by nations to reduce the warming of Earth's atmosphere would be best supported by the global scientific consensus?

Accepted Answer

A)  drastically reducing human-based sources of CO2 emissions 
B)  re-forestation of areas which have been logged or clear-cut 
C)  increasing the thickness of the ozone layer above Antarctica by reducing chlorine concentrations 
D)  restoring marine ecosystems in order to increase their absorption of carbon dioxide 
A)  drastically reducing human-based sources of CO2 emissions 
B)  re-forestation of areas which have been logged or clear-cut 
C)  increasing the thickness of the ozone layer above Antarctica by reducing chlorine concentrations 
D)  restoring marine ecosystems in order to increase their absorption of carbon dioxide

Question 9

Use the graphs to answer the question.   Copyright © 2003 American Institute of Biological Sciences. (Foster, D.R., F. Swanson et al., The importance of land-use and its legacies to ecology and environmental management. BioScience 53:77-88 [2003].)
Archeological, fossil, and geological data provide information on the Mayan populations and their environment in Mexico, in the Caribbean state of Yucatán. Based on the figure, what can you conclude about the history of land use in the southern Yucatán?

Accepted Answer

A)  Massive soil erosion caused the Mayan population to crash. 
B)  Reduction in forest cover caused the Mayan population to crash. 
C)  As Mayan population increased, deforestation increased, probably leading to increased soil erosion. 
D)  This Mayan population practiced sustainable development. 
A)  Massive soil erosion caused the Mayan population to crash. 
B)  Reduction in forest cover caused the Mayan population to crash. 
C)  As Mayan population increased, deforestation increased, probably leading to increased soil erosion. 
D)  This Mayan population practiced sustainable development.

Question 10

Which of the following criteria must be met for a species to qualify as invasive?

Accepted Answer

A)  endemic to the area, spreads rapidly, and displaces foreign species 
B)  introduced to a new area, spreads rapidly, and displaces native species 
C)  introduced to a new area, spreads rapidly, and displaces other invasive species 
D)  endemic to the area, spreads slowly, and displaces native species 
A)  endemic to the area, spreads rapidly, and displaces foreign species 
B)  introduced to a new area, spreads rapidly, and displaces native species 
C)  introduced to a new area, spreads rapidly, and displaces other invasive species 
D)  endemic to the area, spreads slowly, and displaces native species

Question 11

Use the following figure to answer the question.   Functional groups are categories of plants, each containing numerous species, such as grasses and wildflowers, or trees and shrubs. Examine the figure and determine to what degree the data support the following hypothesis: Plant biomass increases with species richness.

Accepted Answer

A)  The hypothesis is partially supported. 
B)  The hypothesis is fully supported. 
C)  The hypothesis is rejected. 
D)  The hypothesis can neither be rejected nor supported. 
A)  The hypothesis is partially supported. 
B)  The hypothesis is fully supported. 
C)  The hypothesis is rejected. 
D)  The hypothesis can neither be rejected nor supported.

Question 12

Which one of the following is most likely to be a hot spot of biodiversity for birds?

Accepted Answer

A)  Central America 
B)  Northern Europe 
C)  Central Australia 
D)  Eastern North America 
A)  Central America 
B)  Northern Europe 
C)  Central Australia 
D)  Eastern North America

Question 13

Use the following figure to answer the question.   Based on the species-area plot in the figure, if habitable area on an island were reduced from 10,000 square kilometers (km2) to 1,000 km2, roughly what percentage of the species would disappear?

Accepted Answer

A)  0.3 percent 
B)  3 percent 
C)  30 percent 
D)  60 percent 
A)  0.3 percent 
B)  3 percent 
C)  30 percent 
D)  60 percent

Question 14

Erwin and Scott used an insecticidal spray to remove insects from the top section of an L. seemannii tree and collect them from the forest floor. Using the data collected, Erwin projected that this entire tree, from top to bottom, is host to about 600 unique arthropod species, which were not found on any other tree species. While the researchers also identified 900 beetle species from the top section, the vast majority of them were known to be found on many other tree species. If there are approximately 50,000 species of tropical trees, and assuming that every tree hosts a similar number of unique species, which of the following would be the best quantitative method to roughly estimate the total number of arthropod species, globally?

Accepted Answer

A)  Estimate the species density and then multiply by 50,000. 
B)  Multiply 600 by 50,000. 
C)  Multiply 50,000 by 900. 
D)  Add 900 to 600, and then multiply by 50,000. 
A)  Estimate the species density and then multiply by 50,000. 
B)  Multiply 600 by 50,000. 
C)  Multiply 50,000 by 900. 
D)  Add 900 to 600, and then multiply by 50,000.

Question 15

Your friend is wary of environmentalists' claims that global climate change could lead to major biological change on Earth. Which of the following statements can you use in response to your friend's suspicions?

Accepted Answer

A)  We know that atmospheric carbon dioxide has decreased over the past 170 years. 
B)  Through measurements and observations, we know that carbon dioxide levels and temperature fluctuations are indirectly correlated. 
C)  Global temperature changes are rising in all locations on the planet. 
D)  Scientist have recent evidence that climate change has severely degraded up to 2/3 of the Great Barrier Reef. 
A)  We know that atmospheric carbon dioxide has decreased over the past 170 years. 
B)  Through measurements and observations, we know that carbon dioxide levels and temperature fluctuations are indirectly correlated. 
C)  Global temperature changes are rising in all locations on the planet. 
D)  Scientist have recent evidence that climate change has severely degraded up to 2/3 of the Great Barrier Reef.

Question 16

Which of the following nations has become a world leader in the establishment of zoned reserves?

Accepted Answer

A)  Costa Rica 
B)  China 
C)  United States 
D)  Mexico 
A)  Costa Rica 
B)  China 
C)  United States 
D)  Mexico

Question 17

What is the single greatest threat to biodiversity?

Accepted Answer

A)  overharvesting of commercially important species 
B)  habitat alteration, fragmentation, and destruction 
C)  introduced species that compete with native species 
D)  novel pathogens 
A)  overharvesting of commercially important species 
B)  habitat alteration, fragmentation, and destruction 
C)  introduced species that compete with native species 
D)  novel pathogens

Question 18

Which of the following, if carefully monitored, could most reduce or prevent phytoplankton blooms in the Gulf of Mexico and formation of dead zone with low oxygen levels?

Accepted Answer

A)  the amount of fertilizers applied to agricultural fields that the plants can absorb before nutrients start entering aquatic systems 
B)  the biomass of soybean plants that is gained via nitrogen fixation versus the amount gained due to fertilizer addition 
C)  the decomposition rate of soybean fields along major rivers, such as the Mississippi 
D)  the number of cattle grazing fields versus eating in feed lots at a ranch 
A)  the amount of fertilizers applied to agricultural fields that the plants can absorb before nutrients start entering aquatic systems 
B)  the biomass of soybean plants that is gained via nitrogen fixation versus the amount gained due to fertilizer addition 
C)  the decomposition rate of soybean fields along major rivers, such as the Mississippi 
D)  the number of cattle grazing fields versus eating in feed lots at a ranch

Question 19

If all individuals in the last remaining population of a particular frog species were all highly related, which type of diversity would be of greatest concern when planning to prevent the species from going extinct?

Accepted Answer

A)  global diversity 
B)  local diversity 
C)  ecosystem diversity 
D)  genetic diversity 
A)  global diversity 
B)  local diversity 
C)  ecosystem diversity 
D)  genetic diversity

Question 20

Which of the following strategies would most rapidly increase the genetic diversity of a population in an extinction vortex?

Accepted Answer

A)  Establish a reserve that protects the population's habitat. 
B)  Introduce new individuals transported from other populations of the same species. 
C)  Sterilize the least fit individuals in the population. 
D)  Control populations of the endangered population's predators and competitors. 
A)  Establish a reserve that protects the population's habitat. 
B)  Introduce new individuals transported from other populations of the same species. 
C)  Sterilize the least fit individuals in the population. 
D)  Control populations of the endangered population's predators and competitors.

Exam 56: Conservation and Global Ecology

Which of the following habitats would most likely have the highest species diversity?

If the sex ratio in a population is significantly different from 50:50, then which of the following statements will always be accurate?

Which of the following best describes how introduced species can have deleterious effects on the biological communities they invade?

The main cause of the increase in the amount of CO2 in Earth's atmosphere over the past 170 years is ________.

Which of the following conditions is the most likely indicator of a population in an extinction vortex?

Which of the following statements is best supported by the scientific consensus on factors affecting global warming?

Which of the following possible actions by nations to reduce the warming of Earth's atmosphere would be best supported by the global scientific consensus?

Which of the following criteria must be met for a species to qualify as invasive?

Which one of the following is most likely to be a hot spot of biodiversity for birds?

Use the following figure to answer the question. Based on the species-area plot in the figure, if habitable area on an island were reduced from 10,000 square kilometers (km2) to 1,000 km2, roughly what percentage of the species would disappear?

Your friend is wary of environmentalists' claims that global climate change could lead to major biological change on Earth. Which of the following statements can you use in response to your friend's suspicions?

Which of the following nations has become a world leader in the establishment of zoned reserves?

What is the single greatest threat to biodiversity?

Which of the following, if carefully monitored, could most reduce or prevent phytoplankton blooms in the Gulf of Mexico and formation of dead zone with low oxygen levels?

If all individuals in the last remaining population of a particular frog species were all highly related, which type of diversity would be of greatest concern when planning to prevent the species from going extinct?

Which of the following strategies would most rapidly increase the genetic diversity of a population in an extinction vortex?

Biology and Its Themes

Atoms and Molecules

The Chemistry of Water

Carbon: the Basis of Molecular Diversity

Biological Macromolecules and Lipids

Energy and Life

Cell Structure and Function

Cell Membranes

Cellular Signaling

Cell Respiration

Photosynthetic Processes

Mitosis

Sexual Life Cycles and Meiosis

Mendelian Genetics

Linkage and Chromosomes

Nucleic Acids and Inheritance

Expression of Genes

Control of Gene Expression

Dna Technology

The Evolution of Genomes

How Evolution Works

Phylogenetic Reconstruction

Microevolution

Species and Speciation

Macroevolution

Introduction to Viruses

Prokaryotes

The Origin and Evolution of Eukaryotes

Nonvascular and Seedless Vascular Plants

Seed Plants

Introduction to Fungi

An Introduction to Animal Diversity

Invertebrates

Vertebrates

Plant Structure and Growth

Transport in Vascular Plants

Plant Nutrition

Reproduction of Flowering Plants

Plant Signals and Behavior

The Animal Body

Chemical Signals in Animals

Animal Digestive Systems

Animal Transport Systems

Animal Excretory Systems

Animal Reproductive Systems

Development in Animals

Animal Defenses Against Infection

Electrical Signals in Animals

Neural Regulation in Animals

Sensation and Movement in Animals

An Overview of Ecology

Behavioral Ecology

Populations and Life History Traits

Biodiversity and Communities

Energy Flow and Chemical Cycling in Ecosystems

Filters

The main cause of the increase in the amount of CO₂ in Earth's atmosphere over the past 170 years is ________.