Question 1

According to most conservation biologists,the single greatest threat to global biodiversity is

Accepted Answer

A) chemical pollution of water and air. 
B) stratospheric ozone depletion. 
C) overexploitation of certain species. 
D) alteration or destruction of the physical habitat. 
E) global climate change resulting from a variety of human activities. 
A) chemical pollution of water and air. 
B) stratospheric ozone depletion. 
C) overexploitation of certain species. 
D) alteration or destruction of the physical habitat. 
E) global climate change resulting from a variety of human activities.

Question 2

The biggest challenge that Costa Rica will likely face in its dedication to conservation and restoration in the future is

Accepted Answer

A) the pressures of its growing population. 
B) its small size (as a country), which may not be able to maintain large enough reserves. 
C) the potential for disturbance of sensitive species in reserves by ecotourists. 
D) spread of disease and parasites via corridors from neighboring countries. 
E) the large number of Costa Rican species already in the extinction vortex. 
A) the pressures of its growing population. 
B) its small size (as a country), which may not be able to maintain large enough reserves. 
C) the potential for disturbance of sensitive species in reserves by ecotourists. 
D) spread of disease and parasites via corridors from neighboring countries. 
E) the large number of Costa Rican species already in the extinction vortex.

Question 3

On Easter Island,data show that it was once covered by massive palm trees.How can an ecosystem collapse from removal of just one species of large tree?
I.Without large trees,soil erosion increases and reduces productivity.
II.Species of plants needing shade no longer have it.
III.Large trees are habitats for many species.

Accepted Answer

A) only I 
B) only II 
C) only III 
D) I, II, and III 
A) only I 
B) only II 
C) only III 
D) I, II, and III

Question 4

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

Accepted Answer

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

Question 5

Use the following figure to answer the questions below.
  
-Study the information above about quail habitats.Which of these represents the best quail habitat in terms of fragmentation and edge?

Accepted Answer

A) A 
B) B 
C) C 
D) D 
E) E 
A) A 
B) B 
C) C 
D) D 
E) E

Question 6

Agricultural lands frequently require nutrient augmentation because

Accepted Answer

A) nitrogen-fixing bacteria are not as plentiful in agricultural soils because of the use of pesticides. 
B) the nutrients that become the biomass of plants are not cycled back to the soil on lands where they are harvested. 
C) land that is available for agriculture tends to be nutrient-poor. 
D) grains raised for feeding livestock must be fortified, and thus require additional nutrients. 
E) cultivation of agricultural land inhibits the decomposition of organic matter. 
A) nitrogen-fixing bacteria are not as plentiful in agricultural soils because of the use of pesticides. 
B) the nutrients that become the biomass of plants are not cycled back to the soil on lands where they are harvested. 
C) land that is available for agriculture tends to be nutrient-poor. 
D) grains raised for feeding livestock must be fortified, and thus require additional nutrients. 
E) cultivation of agricultural land inhibits the decomposition of organic matter.

Question 7

Introduced species can have deleterious effects on biological communities by

Accepted Answer

A) preying on native species. 
B) competing with native species for food or light. 
C) displacing native species. 
D) competing with native species for space or breeding/nesting habitat. 
E) All of the options are correct. 
A) preying on native species. 
B) competing with native species for food or light. 
C) displacing native species. 
D) competing with native species for space or breeding/nesting habitat. 
E) All of the options are correct.

Question 8

The use of DDT as an insecticide in the United States has been outlawed since 1971,yet is still a problem for certain top-level carnivores in the United States.Which of the following choices best explains this apparent incongruity?

Accepted Answer

A) DDT is still used for mosquito control in tropical countries, and certain migratory predators can be affected by a seasonal biomagnification. 
B) DDT is persistent in the environment and all of the pre-1971 DDT is still available in toxic form to poison top-level carnivores. 
C) Pre-1971 DDT has been deposited in certain habitats, particularly wetlands and estuaries, so predators in these ecosystems are vulnerable to biomagnifications of DDT. 
D) Whereas most DDT-susceptible species have become resistant to persistent DDT, others are still vulnerable. 
E) All of the options are correct. 
A) DDT is still used for mosquito control in tropical countries, and certain migratory predators can be affected by a seasonal biomagnification. 
B) DDT is persistent in the environment and all of the pre-1971 DDT is still available in toxic form to poison top-level carnivores. 
C) Pre-1971 DDT has been deposited in certain habitats, particularly wetlands and estuaries, so predators in these ecosystems are vulnerable to biomagnifications of DDT. 
D) Whereas most DDT-susceptible species have become resistant to persistent DDT, others are still vulnerable. 
E) All of the options are correct.

Question 9

Cowbirds utilize fragmented forests effectively by

Accepted Answer

A) feeding on the fruits of shrubs that tend to grow at the forest/open-field interface. 
B) parasitizing the nests of forest birds, and feeding on open-field insects. 
C) roosting in forest trees, and nesting in grassy fields. 
D) outcompeting other songbird species in fragmented communities. 
E) using forest cover to escape from predators in their normal grassland habitat. 
A) feeding on the fruits of shrubs that tend to grow at the forest/open-field interface. 
B) parasitizing the nests of forest birds, and feeding on open-field insects. 
C) roosting in forest trees, and nesting in grassy fields. 
D) outcompeting other songbird species in fragmented communities. 
E) using forest cover to escape from predators in their normal grassland habitat.

Question 10

Which of the following is a consequence of biological magnification?

Accepted Answer

A) Toxic chemicals in the environment pose greater risk to top-level predators than to primary consumers. 
B) Populations of top-level predators are generally smaller than populations of primary consumers. 
C) The biomass of producers in an ecosystem is generally higher than the biomass of primary consumers. 
D) Only a small portion of the energy captured by producers is transferred to consumers. 
E) The amount of biomass in the producer level of an ecosystem decreases if the producer turnover time increases. 
A) Toxic chemicals in the environment pose greater risk to top-level predators than to primary consumers. 
B) Populations of top-level predators are generally smaller than populations of primary consumers. 
C) The biomass of producers in an ecosystem is generally higher than the biomass of primary consumers. 
D) Only a small portion of the energy captured by producers is transferred to consumers. 
E) The amount of biomass in the producer level of an ecosystem decreases if the producer turnover time increases.

Question 11

Philippe Bouchet and colleagues conducted a massive survey of marine molluscs on the west coast of New Caledonia.Twenty percent of the species found were represented by a single specimen.What does that suggest about the diversity of molluscs in this area?

Accepted Answer

A) The west coast of New Caledonia is not an appropriate habitat for molluscs. 
B) Many of the species from this 20 percent are probably rare. 
C) They were not sampling uniformly throughout the area. 
D) Many of the species from this 20 percent are most likely just dispersing through the area. 
A) The west coast of New Caledonia is not an appropriate habitat for molluscs. 
B) Many of the species from this 20 percent are probably rare. 
C) They were not sampling uniformly throughout the area. 
D) Many of the species from this 20 percent are most likely just dispersing through the area.

Question 12

Which of the following is a (are)potential disadvantage(s)of movement corridors for wildlife?

Accepted Answer

A) reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions 
B) route for spread of parasites/disease 
C) promote dispersal and reduce inbreeding 
D) potential increase in predation along corridor 
E) B and D 
A) reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions 
B) route for spread of parasites/disease 
C) promote dispersal and reduce inbreeding 
D) potential increase in predation along corridor 
E) B and D

Question 13

Which of the following is true about "hot spots"?

Accepted Answer

A) One-third of all species on Earth occupy less than 1.5% of Earth's land area (hot spots). 
B) All of the plants and animals containing genes that may be useful to humankind are located in Earth's hot spots. 
C) Around 75% of all of the undiscovered species of organisms live in ecological hot spots. 
D) As conservation measures improve over the next ten years, hot spots will likely disappear. 
E) The hot spots that are in most dire need of remediation are located in the tundra. 
A) One-third of all species on Earth occupy less than 1.5% of Earth's land area (hot spots). 
B) All of the plants and animals containing genes that may be useful to humankind are located in Earth's hot spots. 
C) Around 75% of all of the undiscovered species of organisms live in ecological hot spots. 
D) As conservation measures improve over the next ten years, hot spots will likely disappear. 
E) The hot spots that are in most dire need of remediation are located in the tundra.

Question 14

What term did E.O.Wilson coin for our innate appreciation of wild environments and living organisms?

Accepted Answer

A) bioremediation 
B) bioethics 
C) biophilia 
D) biophobia 
E) landscape ecology 
A) bioremediation 
B) bioethics 
C) biophilia 
D) biophobia 
E) landscape ecology

Question 15

Biodiversity hot spots are not necessarily the best choice for nature preserves because

Accepted Answer

A) hot spots are situated in remote areas not accessible to wildlife viewers. 
B) their ecological importance makes land purchase very expensive. 
C) a hot spot for one group of organisms may not be a hot spot for another group. 
D) hot spots are designated by abiotic factors present, not biotic factors. 
E) designated hot spots change on a daily basis. 
A) hot spots are situated in remote areas not accessible to wildlife viewers. 
B) their ecological importance makes land purchase very expensive. 
C) a hot spot for one group of organisms may not be a hot spot for another group. 
D) hot spots are designated by abiotic factors present, not biotic factors. 
E) designated hot spots change on a daily basis.

Question 16

Use the graph and information provided in the paragraph below to answer the following questions.
Flycatcher birds that migrate from Africa to Europe feed their nestlings a diet that is almost exclusively moth caterpillars.The graph below shows the mean dates of arrival,bird hatching,and peak caterpillar season for the years 1980 and 2000.
  
-The shift in the peak of caterpillar season is most likely due to

Accepted Answer

A) pesticide use. 
B) earlier migration returns of flycatchers. 
C) an innate change in the biological clock of the caterpillars. 
D) global warming. 
E) acid precipitation in Europe. 
A) pesticide use. 
B) earlier migration returns of flycatchers. 
C) an innate change in the biological clock of the caterpillars. 
D) global warming. 
E) acid precipitation in Europe.

Question 17

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 greater volume of water to accommodate greater 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 greater volume of water to accommodate greater dissolved gas.

Question 18

Which of the following ecological locations has the greatest species diversity?

Accepted Answer

A) tundra 
B) deciduous forests 
C) tropics 
D) grasslands 
E) islands 
A) tundra 
B) deciduous forests 
C) tropics 
D) grasslands 
E) islands

Question 19

You are trying to determine if a particular species will become invasive in your province.You know there are common attributes of invasive species; which attribute would be least applicable to invasive species?

Accepted Answer

A) well-developed dispersal mechanisms 
B) low ecological tolerance 
C) fast maturation 
D) high reproductive output 
E) known to be invasive in many countries 
A) well-developed dispersal mechanisms 
B) low ecological tolerance 
C) fast maturation 
D) high reproductive output 
E) known to be invasive in many countries

Question 20

To better comprehend the magnitude of current extinctions,it will be necessary to

Accepted Answer

A) monitor atmospheric carbon dioxide levels more closely. 
B) differentiate between plant extinction and animal extinction numbers. 
C) focus on identifying more species of mammals and birds. 
D) identify more of the yet unknown species of organisms on Earth. 
E) use the average extinction rates of vertebrates as a baseline. 
A) monitor atmospheric carbon dioxide levels more closely. 
B) differentiate between plant extinction and animal extinction numbers. 
C) focus on identifying more species of mammals and birds. 
D) identify more of the yet unknown species of organisms on Earth. 
E) use the average extinction rates of vertebrates as a baseline.

Exam 56: Conservation Biology and Global Change

According to most conservation biologists,the single greatest threat to global biodiversity is

The biggest challenge that Costa Rica will likely face in its dedication to conservation and restoration in the future is

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

Use the following figure to answer the questions below. -Study the information above about quail habitats.Which of these represents the best quail habitat in terms of fragmentation and edge?

Agricultural lands frequently require nutrient augmentation because

Introduced species can have deleterious effects on biological communities by

The use of DDT as an insecticide in the United States has been outlawed since 1971,yet is still a problem for certain top-level carnivores in the United States.Which of the following choices best explains this apparent incongruity?

Cowbirds utilize fragmented forests effectively by

Which of the following is a consequence of biological magnification?

Philippe Bouchet and colleagues conducted a massive survey of marine molluscs on the west coast of New Caledonia.Twenty percent of the species found were represented by a single specimen.What does that suggest about the diversity of molluscs in this area?

Which of the following is a (are)potential disadvantage(s)of movement corridors for wildlife?

Which of the following is true about "hot spots"?

What term did E.O.Wilson coin for our innate appreciation of wild environments and living organisms?

Biodiversity hot spots are not necessarily the best choice for nature preserves because

Which of the following ecological locations has the greatest species diversity?

You are trying to determine if a particular species will become invasive in your province.You know there are common attributes of invasive species; which attribute would be least applicable to invasive species?

To better comprehend the magnitude of current extinctions,it will be necessary to

Introduction: Evolution and Themes of Biology

The Chemical Context of Life

Water and Life

Carbon and the Molecular Diversity of Life

The Structure and Function of Large Biological Molecules

A Tour of the Cell

Membrane Structure and Function

An Introduction to Metabolism

Cellular Respiration and Fermentation

Photosynthesis

Cell Communication

The Cell Cycle

Meiosis and Sexual Life Cycles

Mendel and the Gene Idea

The Chromosomal Basis of Inheritance

The Molecular Basis of Inheritance

From Gene to Protein

Regulation of Gene Expression

Viruses

DNA Tools and Biotechnology

Genomes and Their Evolution

Descent with Modification: A Darwinian View of Life

The Evolution of Populations

The Origin of Species

The History of Life on Earth

Phylogeny and the Tree of Life

Bacteria and Archaea

Protists

Plant Diversity I: How Plants Colonized Land

Plant Diversity II: The Evolution of Seed Plants

Fungi

An Overview of Animal Diversity

An Introduction to Invertebrates

The Origin and Evolution of Vertebrates

Plant Structure,Growth,and Development

Resource Acquisition and Transport in Vascular Plants

Soil and Plant Nutrition

Angiosperm Reproduction and Biotechnology

Plant Responses to Internal and External Signals

Basic Principles of Animal Form and Function

Animal Nutrition

Circulation and Gas Exchange

The Immune System

Osmoregulation and Excretion

Hormones and the Endocrine System

Animal Reproduction

Animal Development

Neurons,Synapses,and Signalling

Nervous Systems

Sensory and Motor Mechanisms

Animal Behaviour

An Introduction to Ecology and the Biosphere

Population Ecology

Community Ecology

Ecosystems and Restoration Ecology

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