Exam 23: Conservation Biology

Which of the following is not an axis used by biologists to determine whether, or to what extent, a species is rare?

The red-cockaded woodpecker in the North Carolina Sandhills has been severely reduced in numbers in the last 100 years due to

Compare past and present extinction rates, and predict future extinction rates based on current trends.

Refer to the figure. The figure shows the current level of threat faced by each biome from a variety of sources. The arrows show the direction whether the threat is decreasing, continuing, increasing, or rapidly increasing. - In which biome is climate change currently a high or very high threat?

The grizzly bear has habitat requirements that overlap substantially with those of other endangered species. For this reason, the grizzly could best be classified as what type of species?

A conservation biologist has been asked to explain why it is important to protect biodiversity. She would list all of the following reasons except for which one?

For which species have ex situ conservation measures been used?

The worldwide demand for ivory has led to widespread slaughter of African elephants. A ban on ivory led to poaching and a thriving illegal trade in ivory. In response, conservationists employed DNA testing to obtain forensic evidence for elephant slaughter, much as forensics experts do to solve human crimes. What is the most specific information that DNA profiles are likely to provide in crimes related to poaching and illegal trade in animals or animal parts?

Refer to the figure. The figure shows results of Steadman's study of bird species on the Pacific Islands. According to this figure, the study demonstrated that

The rarest species would likely be one with a

Given that few species are known to be directly jeopardized by climate change, why is climate change considered a major ecological threat?

Refer to the figure. The figure shows the change in size (mean length) of predatory marine fish caught as trophy fish over a period of years off of Key West, Florida. What happened to the size of fish during this time?

Refer to the figure. The figure documents the effects of the loss of bird pollinators on reproductive success in a New Zealand shrub. In this study, bagged flowers allow only self-pollination, open flowers allow bird pollination, and humans carry out hand pollination. Reproductive success occurs when flowers produce seeds. This study suggests that pollination by birds

Over the past few centuries, human populations and their levels of resource use have exploded. This has led to an increasing loss of biodiversity, but the causes of that loss have changed over the years. Which factor is a much greater threat to biodiversity in the United States in the twenty-first century than it was in the previous two centuries?

The activity of an earthworm species increases the fertility of soils in an agricultural field. This is an example of

Refer to the table. - Among the plants in the table, the total number of threatened species by 2019 is highest in the

Two genetic consequences of small population size that affect the survival of species are

The horns of rhinos are used to make a powder that is believed by many to have aphrodisiac properties. Due to extensive hunting, the rhino population has been declining, making their horns even more valuable. The increasing value of the horns, in turn, has intensified the hunt for rhinos. This situation is best described as

Should all rare species be protected? Why or why not? What factors should be used in making such a determination?

Of the various types of surrogate species-flagship, focal, and umbrella species-which type, if any, would likely be most valuable in a conservation effort? Justify your choice.