Question 1

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

Accepted Answer

A) The population is geographically divided into smaller populations. 
B) The species in question is found only in small pockets of its former range. 
C) The effective population size of the species falls below 500. 
D) Genetic measurements indicate a loss of genetic variation over time. 
E) The population is no longer connected by corridors. 
A) The population is geographically divided into smaller populations. 
B) The species in question is found only in small pockets of its former range. 
C) The effective population size of the species falls below 500. 
D) Genetic measurements indicate a loss of genetic variation over time. 
E) The population is no longer connected by corridors.

Question 2

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 3

The main cause of the increase in the amount of CO₂ in Earth's atmosphere over the past 150 years is

Accepted Answer

A) increased worldwide primary production. 
B) increased worldwide standing crop. 
C) an increase in the amount of infrared radiation absorbed by the atmosphere. 
D) the burning of larger amounts of wood and fossil fuels. 
E) additional respiration by the rapidly growing human population. 
A) increased worldwide primary production. 
B) increased worldwide standing crop. 
C) an increase in the amount of infrared radiation absorbed by the atmosphere. 
D) the burning of larger amounts of wood and fossil fuels. 
E) additional respiration by the rapidly growing human population.

Question 4

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 5

Estimates of current rates of extinction

Accepted Answer

A) indicate that we have reached a state of stable equilibrium in which speciation rates equal extinction rates. 
B) suggest that one-half of all animal and plant species may be gone by the year 2100. 
C) indicate that rates may be greater than the mass extinctions at the close of the Cretaceous period. 
D) indicate that only 1% of all of the species that have ever lived on Earth are still alive. 
E) suggest that rates of extinction have decreased globally. 
A) indicate that we have reached a state of stable equilibrium in which speciation rates equal extinction rates. 
B) suggest that one-half of all animal and plant species may be gone by the year 2100. 
C) indicate that rates may be greater than the mass extinctions at the close of the Cretaceous period. 
D) indicate that only 1% of all of the species that have ever lived on Earth are still alive. 
E) suggest that rates of extinction have decreased globally.

Question 6

The most serious consequence of a decrease in global biodiversity would be the

Accepted Answer

A) increase in global warming and thinning of the ozone layer. 
B) potential loss of ecosystem services on which people depend. 
C) increase in the abundance and diversity of edge-adapted species. 
D) loss of source of genetic diversity to preserve endangered species. 
E) loss of species for "bioprospecting." 
A) increase in global warming and thinning of the ozone layer. 
B) potential loss of ecosystem services on which people depend. 
C) increase in the abundance and diversity of edge-adapted species. 
D) loss of source of genetic diversity to preserve endangered species. 
E) loss of species for "bioprospecting."

Question 7

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 8

Which of the following is true about the current research regarding forest fragmentation?

Accepted Answer

A) Fragmented forests support a greater biodiversity because they result in the combination of forest-edge species and forest-interior species. 
B) Fragmented forests support a lesser biodiversity because the forested-adapted species leave, and only the edge and open-field species can occupy fragmented forests. 
C) Fragmented forests are the goal of conservation biologists who design wildlife preserves. 
D) Harvesting timber that results in forest fragmentation results in less soil erosion. 
E) The disturbance of timber extraction causes the species diversity to increase because of the new habitats created. 
A) Fragmented forests support a greater biodiversity because they result in the combination of forest-edge species and forest-interior species. 
B) Fragmented forests support a lesser biodiversity because the forested-adapted species leave, and only the edge and open-field species can occupy fragmented forests. 
C) Fragmented forests are the goal of conservation biologists who design wildlife preserves. 
D) Harvesting timber that results in forest fragmentation results in less soil erosion. 
E) The disturbance of timber extraction causes the species diversity to increase because of the new habitats created.

Question 9

Which of the following is a type of research in which a conservation biologist would be involved?

Accepted Answer

A) reestablishing whooping cranes in their former breeding grounds in North Dakota 
B) studying species diversity and interaction in the Florida Everglades, past and present 
C) studying population ecology of grizzly bears in Yellowstone National Park 
D) determining the effects of hunting white-tailed deer in Vermont 
E) determining the effect of protection programs on the recovery of the North Atlantic cod fishery 
A) reestablishing whooping cranes in their former breeding grounds in North Dakota 
B) studying species diversity and interaction in the Florida Everglades, past and present 
C) studying population ecology of grizzly bears in Yellowstone National Park 
D) determining the effects of hunting white-tailed deer in Vermont 
E) determining the effect of protection programs on the recovery of the North Atlantic cod fishery

Question 10

What is 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% of the species present 
C) the maximum abundance level of a particular species, beyond which additional numbers will degrade a habitat 
D) the amount of added nutrient that can be absorbed by plants without damaging ecosystem integrity 
E) the number of predators an ecosystem can support that effectively culls 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% of the species present 
C) the maximum abundance level of a particular species, beyond which additional numbers will degrade a habitat 
D) the amount of added nutrient that can be absorbed by plants without damaging ecosystem integrity 
E) the number of predators an ecosystem can support that effectively culls prey populations to healthy levels

Question 11

Which of the following species was driven to extinction by overexploitation by hunters/fishermen?

Accepted Answer

A) African elephant 
B) the great auk 
C) North American bluefin tuna 
D) flying foxes 
E) American bison 
A) African elephant 
B) the great auk 
C) North American bluefin tuna 
D) flying foxes 
E) American bison

Question 12

Managing southwestern forests specifically for the red-cockaded woodpecker

Accepted Answer

A) was wholeheartedly supported by the timber extraction industry. 
B) contributed to greater abundance and diversity of other forest bird species. 
C) caused other species of songbird to decline. 
D) involved strict fire suppression measures. 
E) involved the creation of fragmented forest habitat. 
A) was wholeheartedly supported by the timber extraction industry. 
B) contributed to greater abundance and diversity of other forest bird species. 
C) caused other species of songbird to decline. 
D) involved strict fire suppression measures. 
E) involved the creation of fragmented forest habitat.

Question 13

Use the following figure to answer the questions below.
  
-Study the information above about quail habitats. Assuming that only one quail can occupy a habitat where all cover requirements are met, what is the maximum number of quail that could inhabit any of the hypothetical plots shown?

Accepted Answer

A) 1 
B) 2 
C) 4 
D) 6 
E) 9 
A) 1 
B) 2 
C) 4 
D) 6 
E) 9

Question 14

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 15

Review the formula for effective population size. Imagine a population of 1000 small rodents. Of these, 300 are breeding females, 300 are breeding males, and 400 are nonbreeding juveniles. What is the effective population size?

Accepted Answer

A) 1000 
B) 1200 
C) 600 
D) 400 
E) 300 
A) 1000 
B) 1200 
C) 600 
D) 400 
E) 300

Question 16

What is the estimated number of extant species on Earth?

Accepted Answer

A) 1000 to 50 000 
B) 50 000 to 150 000 
C) 500 000 to 1 000 000 
D) 10 000 000 to 100 000 000 
E) 5 billion to 10 billion 
A) 1000 to 50 000 
B) 50 000 to 150 000 
C) 500 000 to 1 000 000 
D) 10 000 000 to 100 000 000 
E) 5 billion to 10 billion

Question 17

The long-term problem with red-cockaded woodpecker habitat intervention in the southwest United States is

Accepted Answer

A) the only habitat that can support their recovery is large tracts of mature southern pine forest. 
B) the mature pine forests in which they live cannot ever be subjected to forest fire. 
C) all of the appropriate red-cockaded woodpecker habitat has already been logged or converted to agricultural land. 
D) the social organization of the red-cockaded woodpecker precludes the dispersal of reproductive individuals. 
E) what habitat remains for the red-cockaded woodpecker does not contain trees suitable for nest-cavity construction. 
A) the only habitat that can support their recovery is large tracts of mature southern pine forest. 
B) the mature pine forests in which they live cannot ever be subjected to forest fire. 
C) all of the appropriate red-cockaded woodpecker habitat has already been logged or converted to agricultural land. 
D) the social organization of the red-cockaded woodpecker precludes the dispersal of reproductive individuals. 
E) what habitat remains for the red-cockaded woodpecker does not contain trees suitable for nest-cavity construction.

Question 18

Of the following statements about protected areas that have been established to preserve biodiversity, which one is not correct?

Accepted Answer

A) About 25% of Earth's land area is now protected. 
B) National parks are one of many types of protected areas. 
C) Most protected areas are too small to protect species. 
D) Management of a protected area should be coordinated with management of the land surrounding the area. 
E) It is especially important to protect biodiversity hot spots. 
A) About 25% of Earth's land area is now protected. 
B) National parks are one of many types of protected areas. 
C) Most protected areas are too small to protect species. 
D) Management of a protected area should be coordinated with management of the land surrounding the area. 
E) It is especially important to protect biodiversity hot spots.

Question 19

For the following questions, match the statement with the appropriate term/phrase.
-This term refers to the reflecting and absorption of infrared radiation by atmospheric methane, carbon dioxide, and water.

Accepted Answer

A) depletion of ozone layer 
B) acid precipitation 
C) biological magnification 
D) greenhouse effect 
E) eutrophication 
A) depletion of ozone layer 
B) acid precipitation 
C) biological magnification 
D) greenhouse effect 
E) eutrophication

Question 20

How are movement corridors potentially harmful to certain species?

Accepted Answer

A) They increase inbreeding. 
B) They promote dispersion. 
C) They spread disease and parasites. 
D) They increase genetic diversity. 
E) They allow seasonal migration. 
A) They increase inbreeding. 
B) They promote dispersion. 
C) They spread disease and parasites. 
D) They increase genetic diversity. 
E) They allow seasonal migration.

Exam 56: Conservation Biology and Global Change

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

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?

The main cause of the increase in the amount of CO₂ in Earth's atmosphere over the past 150 years is

Estimates of current rates of extinction

The most serious consequence of a decrease in global biodiversity would be the

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

Which of the following is true about the current research regarding forest fragmentation?

Which of the following is a type of research in which a conservation biologist would be involved?

What is a critical load?

Which of the following species was driven to extinction by overexploitation by hunters/fishermen?

Managing southwestern forests specifically for the red-cockaded woodpecker

Use the following figure to answer the questions below. -Study the information above about quail habitats. Assuming that only one quail can occupy a habitat where all cover requirements are met, what is the maximum number of quail that could inhabit any of the hypothetical plots shown?

Introduced species can have deleterious effects on biological communities by

Review the formula for effective population size. Imagine a population of 1000 small rodents. Of these, 300 are breeding females, 300 are breeding males, and 400 are nonbreeding juveniles. What is the effective population size?

What is the estimated number of extant species on Earth?

The long-term problem with red-cockaded woodpecker habitat intervention in the southwest United States is

Of the following statements about protected areas that have been established to preserve biodiversity, which one is not correct?

For the following questions, match the statement with the appropriate term/phrase. -This term refers to the reflecting and absorption of infrared radiation by atmospheric methane, carbon dioxide, and water.

How are movement corridors potentially harmful to certain species?

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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