Question 1

One characteristic that distinguishes a population in an extinction vortex from most other populations is that ________.

Accepted Answer

A)  its members are rare, top-level predators 
B)  its effective population size is lower than its total population size 
C)  its genetic diversity is very low 
D)  it is not well adapted to edge conditions 
A)  its members are rare, top-level predators 
B)  its effective population size is lower than its total population size 
C)  its genetic diversity is very low 
D)  it is not well adapted to edge conditions

Question 2

Elevated carbon dioxide levels have been shown to contribute to the greenhouse effect, resulting in an increase in mean global temperature. Ecosystems where the largest warming has already occurred include snow-covered northern coniferous forests, tundra, and arctic sea ice habitats. Which statement best explains how the elimination of ice-covered ecosystems affects the rise or fall in global temperature?

Accepted Answer

A)  Melting ice releases dissolved ozone gas, which adds to the greenhouse effect. 
B)  More reflective surfaces of ice are replaced with darker, more absorptive surfaces, thereby contributing to the warming trend. 
C)  Large-scale ice melts actually contribute toward lowering global temperatures by decreasing salinity of the oceans. 
D)  Carbon dioxide levels are lowered as a result of the greater volume of water to accommodate greater levels of dissolved gas. 
A)  Melting ice releases dissolved ozone gas, which adds to the greenhouse effect. 
B)  More reflective surfaces of ice are replaced with darker, more absorptive surfaces, thereby contributing to the warming trend. 
C)  Large-scale ice melts actually contribute toward lowering global temperatures by decreasing salinity of the oceans. 
D)  Carbon dioxide levels are lowered as a result of the greater volume of water to accommodate greater levels of dissolved gas.

Question 3

Which of the following observations provides the best evidence of a biodiversity crisis?

Accepted Answer

A)  the incursion of a non-native species 
B)  increasing pollution levels 
C)  high rate of extinction 
D)  climate change 
A)  the incursion of a non-native species 
B)  increasing pollution levels 
C)  high rate of extinction 
D)  climate change

Question 4

Which of the following statements about protected areas that have been established to preserve biodiversity is correct?

Accepted Answer

A)  About 25 percent of Earth's land area is now protected. 
B)  Developing nations have a larger ecological footprint than developed nations, thus protected areas should be primarily established in developing nations. 
C)  Management of a protected area should be coordinated with management of the land surrounding the area. 
D)  It is only important to protect land within biodiversity hot spots. 
A)  About 25 percent of Earth's land area is now protected. 
B)  Developing nations have a larger ecological footprint than developed nations, thus protected areas should be primarily established in developing nations. 
C)  Management of a protected area should be coordinated with management of the land surrounding the area. 
D)  It is only important to protect land within biodiversity hot spots.

Question 5

Which of the following factors could cause the largest increase in the effective population size of a species?

Accepted Answer

A)  an increased number of males 
B)  an increase in the total population size 
C)  an increase in the number of breeding males and females 
D)  an increased number of females 
A)  an increased number of males 
B)  an increase in the total population size 
C)  an increase in the number of breeding males and females 
D)  an increased number of females

Question 6

Which of the following is the most common type of human debris found in the ocean?

Accepted Answer

A)  plastic 
B)  wood 
C)  micro-metals such as aluminum fragments 
D)  glass 
A)  plastic 
B)  wood 
C)  micro-metals such as aluminum fragments 
D)  glass

Question 7

Eutrophication is often caused by excess limiting-nutrient runoff from agricultural fields into aquatic ecosystems. This process results in massive algal blooms that eventually die and decompose, ultimately depleting the dissolved oxygen, killing large numbers of fish and other aquatic organisms. Predict which of the following human actions would best address the problem of eutrophication near agricultural areas?

Accepted Answer

A)  After each eutrophication event, remove the dead fish and invertebrates to place on agricultural fields instead of fertilizer. 
B)  Determine which limiting nutrient is responsible for the algal bloom, and use other fertilizers to apply to crops. 
C)  Remove the algae before it dies and decomposes to prevent eutrophication from occurring. 
D)  Determine critical nutrient loads required for certain crops, and do not exceed this amount during fertilizer application. 
A)  After each eutrophication event, remove the dead fish and invertebrates to place on agricultural fields instead of fertilizer. 
B)  Determine which limiting nutrient is responsible for the algal bloom, and use other fertilizers to apply to crops. 
C)  Remove the algae before it dies and decomposes to prevent eutrophication from occurring. 
D)  Determine critical nutrient loads required for certain crops, and do not exceed this amount during fertilizer application.

Question 8

Which of the following is the primary difference between the small-population approach and the declining-population approach to biodiversity recovery?

Accepted Answer

A)  The small-population approach seeks to increase the genetic diversity of a threatened population rather than address the environmental factors that caused the population's decline. 
B)  The small-population approach is considered by conservation biologists when population numbers fall below 500. 
C)  The declining-population approach would likely involve bringing together individuals from scattered, small populations to interbreed in order to promote genetic diversity. 
D)  The small-population approach would investigate and eliminate all of the human impacts on the habitat of the species being studied for recovery. 
A)  The small-population approach seeks to increase the genetic diversity of a threatened population rather than address the environmental factors that caused the population's decline. 
B)  The small-population approach is considered by conservation biologists when population numbers fall below 500. 
C)  The declining-population approach would likely involve bringing together individuals from scattered, small populations to interbreed in order to promote genetic diversity. 
D)  The small-population approach would investigate and eliminate all of the human impacts on the habitat of the species being studied for recovery.

Question 9

Which of the following is accurate about polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)?

Accepted Answer

A)  PCBs are naturally generated through biological interactions, but also synthesized industrially. 
B)  PCBs greatly affect the biomass of plants, which rely on nitrogen fixation. 
C)  PCBs accumulate in river systems via agricultural run-off. 
D)  PCBs, such as DDT, are beneficial in their role of saving human lives. 
A)  PCBs are naturally generated through biological interactions, but also synthesized industrially. 
B)  PCBs greatly affect the biomass of plants, which rely on nitrogen fixation. 
C)  PCBs accumulate in river systems via agricultural run-off. 
D)  PCBs, such as DDT, are beneficial in their role of saving human lives.

Question 10

Which of the following pairs of human actions have caused the greatest number of extinctions on record and is predicted to cause the greatest number of future extinctions?

Accepted Answer

A)  introduced species, habitat loss 
B)  habitat loss, overharvesting 
C)  climate change, habitat loss 
D)  habitat loss, climate change 
A)  introduced species, habitat loss 
B)  habitat loss, overharvesting 
C)  climate change, habitat loss 
D)  habitat loss, climate change

Question 11

Use the following figure to answer the question.
Average Barrels of Oil Used per Person per Year  
Examine the figure, which notes the average barrels of oil used per person per year in different countries. Which of the following is best supported by the data?

Accepted Answer

A)  Residents in warmer climates use more energy per person. 
B)  Residents of more affluent, industrialized countries use more energy per person. 
C)  Residents of more populated countries use more energy per person. 
D)  English-speaking countries tend to use more energy per person. 
A)  Residents in warmer climates use more energy per person. 
B)  Residents of more affluent, industrialized countries use more energy per person. 
C)  Residents of more populated countries use more energy per person. 
D)  English-speaking countries tend to use more energy per person.

Question 12

Which of the following statements is supported by the scientific consensus on climate change?

Accepted Answer

A)  Natural factors are primarily responsible for the current rise in global temperatures. 
B)  Deforestation and the clear-cutting of forests tends to reduce absorption of solar radiation and reduces global temperatures. 
C)  Plowing of fields creates dust which may increase global temperatures. 
D)  Changes in the Earth's orbit around the sun is primarily responsible for the current increase in global temperatures. 
A)  Natural factors are primarily responsible for the current rise in global temperatures. 
B)  Deforestation and the clear-cutting of forests tends to reduce absorption of solar radiation and reduces global temperatures. 
C)  Plowing of fields creates dust which may increase global temperatures. 
D)  Changes in the Earth's orbit around the sun is primarily responsible for the current increase in global temperatures.

Question 13

Which of the following best describes the relationship between habitat structure and biodiversity?

Accepted Answer

A)  greater habitat structure is correlated with higher biodiversity 
B)  greater habitat structure is correlated with lower biodiversity 
C)  habitat structure and biodiversity are usually unrelated 
D)  habitats with moderate structure have the highest biodiversity 
A)  greater habitat structure is correlated with higher biodiversity 
B)  greater habitat structure is correlated with lower biodiversity 
C)  habitat structure and biodiversity are usually unrelated 
D)  habitats with moderate structure have the highest biodiversity

Question 14

Use the following figure to answer the question.   Which of the following claims about the edge effect is the most consistent with the data shown in the figure?

Accepted Answer

A)  Biomass declines along edges of forest fragments. 
B)  Biomass increases along the edges of forest fragments. 
C)  Species diversity decreases along the edges of forest fragments. 
D)  Fragmentation does not affect biomass. 
A)  Biomass declines along edges of forest fragments. 
B)  Biomass increases along the edges of forest fragments. 
C)  Species diversity decreases along the edges of forest fragments. 
D)  Fragmentation does not affect biomass.

Question 15

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

Accepted Answer

A)  Capture all remaining individuals in the population for captive breeding followed by reintroduction to the wild. 
B)  Establish a reserve that protects the population's habitat. 
C)  Introduce new individuals from other populations of the same species. 
D)  Sterilize the least fit individuals in the population. 
A)  Capture all remaining individuals in the population for captive breeding followed by reintroduction to the wild. 
B)  Establish a reserve that protects the population's habitat. 
C)  Introduce new individuals from other populations of the same species. 
D)  Sterilize the least fit individuals in the population.

Question 16

Loss of biodiversity matters not only with regard to mammals or other vertebrates, but also to microbes. Which of the following best explains the importance of discovering and protecting microbes from extinction?

Accepted Answer

A)  Microbes play a role in digestion. 
B)  Microbes may produce unique proteins useful in genetic research. 
C)  Microbes are much greater in species number than any other taxa on Earth. 
D)  Microbes may be the most sensitive to the next large extinction event. 
A)  Microbes play a role in digestion. 
B)  Microbes may produce unique proteins useful in genetic research. 
C)  Microbes are much greater in species number than any other taxa on Earth. 
D)  Microbes may be the most sensitive to the next large extinction event.

Question 17

Which of the following best describes the biological significance of genetic diversity between populations?

Accepted Answer

A)  Genes for traits conferring an advantage to local conditions are unlikely. 
B)  The population that is most fit would survive by competitive exclusion. 
C)  Genetic diversity reduces the probability of extinction. 
D)  Diseases and parasites are not spread between separated populations. 
A)  Genes for traits conferring an advantage to local conditions are unlikely. 
B)  The population that is most fit would survive by competitive exclusion. 
C)  Genetic diversity reduces the probability of extinction. 
D)  Diseases and parasites are not spread between separated populations.

Question 18

Which of the following best describes a critical load?

Accepted Answer

A)  the amount of nutrient augmentation necessary to bring a depleted habitat back to its former level 
B)  the level of a given toxin in an ecosystem that is lethal to 50 percent of the species present 
C)  the amount of added nutrient that can be absorbed by plants without damaging ecosystem integrity 
D)  the number of predators an ecosystem can support that effectively reduces prey populations to healthy levels 
A)  the amount of nutrient augmentation necessary to bring a depleted habitat back to its former level 
B)  the level of a given toxin in an ecosystem that is lethal to 50 percent of the species present 
C)  the amount of added nutrient that can be absorbed by plants without damaging ecosystem integrity 
D)  the number of predators an ecosystem can support that effectively reduces prey populations to healthy levels

Question 19

Which of the following is the biggest challenge with selecting a site for a reserve?

Accepted Answer

A)  Making a proper selection is difficult because the environmental conditions of sites can change quickly. 
B)  Keystone species are difficult to identify in potential reserve sites. 
C)  Only lands that are not useful to human activities are available for reserves. 
D)  Most of the best sites are inaccessible by land transportation, so making roads to them is often prohibitively expensive. 
A)  Making a proper selection is difficult because the environmental conditions of sites can change quickly. 
B)  Keystone species are difficult to identify in potential reserve sites. 
C)  Only lands that are not useful to human activities are available for reserves. 
D)  Most of the best sites are inaccessible by land transportation, so making roads to them is often prohibitively expensive.

Question 20

Which of the following is the most accurate statement about the current research regarding forest fragmentation?

Accepted Answer

A)  Fragmented forests promote biodiversity because they result in the combination of forest-edge species and forest-interior species. 
B)  In fragmented forests, the number of forest-adapted species tend to decline and the number of edge species tend to increase. 
C)  Fragmented forests are the goal of conservation biologists who design wildlife reserves. 
D)  The disturbance of timber extraction causes the species diversity to increase because of the new habitats created. 
A)  Fragmented forests promote biodiversity because they result in the combination of forest-edge species and forest-interior species. 
B)  In fragmented forests, the number of forest-adapted species tend to decline and the number of edge species tend to increase. 
C)  Fragmented forests are the goal of conservation biologists who design wildlife reserves. 
D)  The disturbance of timber extraction causes the species diversity to increase because of the new habitats created.

Exam 56: Conservation and Global Ecology

One characteristic that distinguishes a population in an extinction vortex from most other populations is that ________.

Which of the following observations provides the best evidence of a biodiversity crisis?

Which of the following statements about protected areas that have been established to preserve biodiversity is correct?

Which of the following factors could cause the largest increase in the effective population size of a species?

Which of the following is the most common type of human debris found in the ocean?

Which of the following is the primary difference between the small-population approach and the declining-population approach to biodiversity recovery?

Which of the following is accurate about polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)?

Which of the following pairs of human actions have caused the greatest number of extinctions on record and is predicted to cause the greatest number of future extinctions?

Use the following figure to answer the question. Average Barrels of Oil Used per Person per Year Examine the figure, which notes the average barrels of oil used per person per year in different countries. Which of the following is best supported by the data?

Which of the following statements is supported by the scientific consensus on climate change?

Which of the following best describes the relationship between habitat structure and biodiversity?

Use the following figure to answer the question. Which of the following claims about the edge effect is the most consistent with the data shown in the figure?

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

Loss of biodiversity matters not only with regard to mammals or other vertebrates, but also to microbes. Which of the following best explains the importance of discovering and protecting microbes from extinction?

Which of the following best describes the biological significance of genetic diversity between populations?

Which of the following best describes a critical load?

Which of the following is the biggest challenge with selecting a site for a reserve?

Which of the following is the most accurate statement about the current research regarding forest fragmentation?

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