Exam 58: A Changing Biosphere

An invasive, as opposed to an introduced, species is usually characterized by

Which initiative would not be included in modern conservation biology's efforts to preserve biodiversity?

Which of these is not currently a factor important to biodiversity decline?

Fragmenting of habitats, as is done in tropical rainforests, intensifies stress on organisms more and more as the habitats become smaller.This occurs as a result of _______.

Tropical rainforests are being destroyed in South America, Africa, and Southeast Asia.Every year, an area of rainforest the size of the country of Panama is destroyed.Much of this destruction is done by either clear cutting or burning, both of which leave the land completely barren.This loss of rainforest will likely have a negative impact on all of the following environmental factors except the

The exotic pet trade, in addition to further depleting rare and endangered species, is damaging to species biodiversity because it also may

Every year, billions of pounds of plastic (from plastic bags to drink bottles to fishing nets) enter the world's oceans.Plastics do not break down chemically but are constantly eroded by wind and water.Fish, sea turtles, seabirds, and marine mammals ingest plastics or become entangled in large pieces and die.Even zooplankton take in tiny pieces when filter feeding.Categorize the type of biodiversity threat posed by ocean plastic, and hypothesize its likely effects on the ocean food web.

Natural populations are losing individuals for many reasons, including loss or degradation of habitat, overharvesting, species invasion, or disease.This loss of individuals most likely results in which change to the overall populations?

The agreement known as CITES would be involved in protection of endangered species through which of these activities?

The use of CITES to protect an endangered species would be most appropriate under circumstances in which a species is threatened by

As temperatures increase and spring arrives earlier, it is likely that more and more animals and plants will start to reproduce _______ in the season.

Some endangered species are currently being kept alive through breeding programs in zoos, aquariums, and botanical gardens.However, these programs are only temporary, because

Refer to the figure. Based on information in the figure, the best conclusion that can be drawn about the effect of removing a top predator from an ecosystem is that the removal will cause

A conservation biologist is promoting the preservation of a wilderness site that includes a stand of old-growth forest.She emphasizes the age of the trees and the importance of preserving this ancient ecosystem for future generations.She states that "it is the right thing to do." This scientist is arguing that biodiversity (as exemplified by this ancient forest) is important because

In some parts of the Midwest, prairie restoration programs have required replacement of introduced agricultural grasses, such as bluegrasses, with the native prairie grasses that once thrived there.Prairie restoration proved difficult until scientists discovered that native prairie grasses were adapted to survive periodic wildfires, while introduced grasses were not.They changed their method to include prescribed burns.In this case, the restoration ecology project benefited from the use of which ecological concept?

Until a few years ago, ivory-billed woodpeckers had not been seen since the 1940s.The species was widely assumed to be extinct.Its habitat in the lowland forests of the southeastern United States had been destroyed by clear cutting.Then, in 2004, two ornithologists thought they spotted an ivory-bill in an Arkansas swamp.These and other ornithologists immediately began a massive search.Several more sightings and a few audio recordings were made, and ornithologists hoped the species was recovering now that forests are regrowing.But skeptics challenged both the sightings and the recordings.No reliable sightings have been made since 2005.Given this information, what conclusion can be drawn about the extinction of the ivory-billed woodpecker?

A species has a very small population size but has been maintaining a stable population.During one year, the few breeding females produce many more males than females.The next year, the population is much smaller.This is an example of the population characteristic called _______.

Assume a potentially invasive species is about to be accidentally introduced into the United States via ship ballast water.The best way to control this species is to

Human-caused changes such as habitat loss, overharvesting, and climate change often lead to lowered effective population sizes, which in turn lead to a loss of ecosystem _______.

Some invasive species carry pathogens or parasites with them.Scientists think this might be one reason why some introduced species become invasive.Carrying pathogens or parasites might make an invading species more successful if the invading pathogen or parasite