Question 1

If a population's growth rate decreases as the population size approaches carrying capacity,the population's growth follows a(n)________ model.

Accepted Answer

A)  exponential 
B)  boom-and-bust 
C)  logistic 
D)  density-independent

Question 2

Most crop pests ________.

Accepted Answer

A)  have an opportunistic life history 
B)  have an equilibrial life history 
C)  exhibit type I survivorship 
D)  consist of long-lived individuals

Question 3

The figure below shows population cycles of snowshoe hare and lynx.Recent field studies suggest that the most likely explanation for these cycles is ________.

Accepted Answer

A)  periodic winter storms 
B)  excessive predation of snowshoe hares 
C)  nearly unlimited food for hares during the summers 
D)  boom-and-bust cycles in lemming populations

Question 4

If there are 500 oak trees in a forest covering 50 square kilometers,then the population density is ________.

Accepted Answer

A)  5 trees per square kilometer 
B)  10 trees per square kilometer 
C)  50 trees per square kilometer 
D)  100 trees per square kilometer

Question 5

Over time,the populations of most species ________.

Accepted Answer

A)  fluctuate 
B)  increase rapidly, crash, and never recover 
C)  continuously increase 
D)  exhibit boom-and-bust cycles

Question 6

Please read the following scenario to answer the following questions.
In May 2014, the European Union (EU) published a report of population structure and aging data that described growing trends of low birth rates and longer life expectancies in the EU. In their report, the EU described that, due to these trends, some EU member states are beginning to demonstrate a population structure with many much-older individuals.
-If this trend continues,what do you predict that the populations will look like decades from 2014?

Accepted Answer

A)  There will be more older individuals than working-age individuals. 
B)  There will be more children than older individuals. 
C)  There will be more older individuals than children. 
D)  There will be more working-age individuals than older ones.

Question 7

You arrive back in the United States after having visited a foreign country located on another continent.The customs agent stops the person in front of you and confiscates the fruit basket this person is bringing home.Being the knowledgeable person you are,you calmly explain to your enraged fellow traveler that the reason for the detainment is that the fruit basket may be ________.

Accepted Answer

A)  carrying endangered fruit 
B)  carrying a non-native species that could damage North American ecosystems 
C)  contaminated with CFCs that will damage the ozone layer above North America 
D)  contaminated with sufficient DDT to cause serious harm to anyone who eats the fruit

Question 8

Chinese privet is a plant that is native to China.Over 150 years ago,Chinese privet was introduced to the United States as a fast-growing shrub that serves as an excellent privacy hedge.With no natural predators,Chinese privet quickly established itself and spread in natural areas throughout the southeast and eastern seaboard of the United States.Its dominance in these areas has jeopardized the survival of native plant species.Chinese privet provides evidence that ________.

Accepted Answer

A)  introducing non-native organisms can cause environmental damage 
B)  American gardeners can easily control the spread of Chinese privet 
C)  integrated pest management strategies will not decrease Chinese privet populations 
D)  non-native plant species have Type I survivorship curves

Question 9

The ecological footprint of the United States ________.

Accepted Answer

A)  is about the same as the global average 
B)  is lower than the global average 
C)  shows that Americans consume a disproportionate amount of food and fuel 
D)  shows that its population size is increasing slowly

Question 10

Please read the following scenario to answer the following questions.
Michigan's Isle Royale is an island located in Lake Superior that is 45 miles long and 9 miles wide. Ecologists estimate that the moose population on the island has been there since around 1900. The wolf population on the island, on the other hand, has been there only since the winter of 1949. Weather conditions had to be calm and cold enough for the lake to freeze and the first wolves to make the passage over to the island. When the wolves arrived, they were greeted with a large moose population that had no predators. The moose population was at a dangerously high level, but was kept in check by the arrival of the wolves. This "harmonious" pattern continued for at least 20 years.
In 1982, the wolf population suddenly crashed. The problem was a new canine virus. This virus surfaced around the world in 1978 and spread rapidly in about 6 months. Infected animals can survive, but they have to be treated immediately. Ecologists hypothesized that the virus arrived on the island carried on the shoe of a human traveler. The wolf population decreased from 50 to 14 individuals in a year. While the wolf population dropped, the moose population increased. However, the winter of 1996 was extremely harsh and the moose population experienced a major crash. More than 500 animals died during the winter months, reducing the population to less than 800 animals.
-During a 1-year study,a graduate student attempted to count the wolves and moose on the island.He estimated that there were 950 moose and 120 wolves.How many organisms,populations,and species were included in this study?

Accepted Answer

A)  organisms = 2; populations = 1; species = 2 
B)  organisms = 1,070; populations = 1; species = 2 
C)  organisms = 2; populations = 2; species = 1,070 
D)  organisms = 1,070; populations = 2; species = 2

Question 11

During the Pleistocene era,many large mammal species went extinct.Their permanent disappearance occurred in a short period of time when humans were expanding across North America.In this situation,how do many scientists view humans?

Accepted Answer

A)  as a threatened species 
B)  as a density-independent factor 
C)  as an invasive species 
D)  as a biological control agent

Question 12

According to the logistic growth model,what happens to a population when the size of the population reaches carrying capacity?

Accepted Answer

A)  The growth rate increases. 
B)  The growth rate decreases. 
C)  The growth rate cannot be determined. 
D)  The growth rate is zero.

Question 13

Non-native species can have important effects on biological communities by ________.

Accepted Answer

A)  preying upon native species only 
B)  competing with native species for resources only 
C)  reducing biodiversity only 
D)  All of these are effects that non-native species can have on biological communities.

Question 14

________ is the maximum population size that a particular habitat can support.

Accepted Answer

A)  Population cycle 
B)  Carrying capacity 
C)  Life history pattern 
D)  Survivorship curve

Question 15

Opportunistic species typically ________.

Accepted Answer

A)  are very long-living 
B)  have a large number of offspring 
C)  reach sexual maturity slowly 
D)  exhibit a Type I survivorship curve

Question 16

In a population that is following a logistic growth pattern,what shape does the population's growth curve most closely resemble?

Accepted Answer

A)  S 
B)  J 
C)  ∧ 
D)  ∪

Question 17

In an ideal,unlimited environment,a population's growth follows a(n)________ model.

Accepted Answer

A)  exponential 
B)  density-dependent 
C)  logistic 
D)  boom-and-bust

Question 18

Species that exhibit an equilibrial life history typically ________.

Accepted Answer

A)  have long lives 
B)  exhibit a Type III survivorship curve 
C)  exhibit a Type II survivorship curve 
D)  have a large number of offspring

Question 19

In most developed countries,overall population growth rates ________.

Accepted Answer

A)  are high, so the population size is growing rapidly 
B)  are high, so the population size is fairly stable 
C)  are near zero, so the population size is fairly stable 
D)  are low, so the population size is declining

Question 20

This graph represents three different populations. Use it to answer the following questions.
 
-If all populations occupy different areas that are approximately the same size,which population will have the lowest density after 3 years?

Accepted Answer

A)  Population A 
B)  Population B 
C)  Population C 
D)  After 3 years, all three populations will have the same density.

Exam 19: Population Ecology

If a population's growth rate decreases as the population size approaches carrying capacity,the population's growth follows a(n) ________ model.