Ch58 Test Questions & Answers Conservation Biology

Biology, 12e (Raven)

Chapter 58 Conservation Biology

1) Scientists estimate that about ________ of the world's eukaryotic organisms have been discovered and given scientific names.

A) 1%

B) 5%

C) 15%

D) 40%

E) 90%

2) As habitats are fragmented and consequently shrinking in size, a major problem is

A) the edge effect.

B) lack of corridors.

C) overexploitation.

D) introduced species.

3) Scientists speculate that extinctions did not occur in Africa as they did on other continents because animals coevolved with ________ in Africa.

A) plants

B) diseases

C) parasites

D) humans

4) An organism whose decline or removal from a habitat causes many other species numbers to change dramatically is called ________ species.

A) a keystone

B) a synergistic

C) a nominal

D) an introduced

5) The process of examining the genomes of animals and plants for useful genes is

A) gene prospecting.

B) genetic engineering.

C) phenotypic labeling.

D) cloning.

6) Areas with high levels of endemism are called species

A) islands.

B) fragments.

C) hotspots.

D) reserves.

7) A friend asks you for a definition of endemic because she is writing a history paper and this word keeps occurring in the literature in reference to bison on the Great Plains of the United States. Your response is that the word endemic means

A) a species that has gone extinct since humans have evolved on Earth.

B) a species that exists in many habitats on Earth.

C) a species that has coevolved with humans on Earth.

D) a species that lives in only one area of Earth.

8) As we study the past 50,000 years worth of information about species' decline and extinctions around the world

A) we see rapid extinctions, especially of the larger animals, not long after humans arrive in an area.

B) we can make a rough estimate of a population's risk of a local extinction.

C) we see a steady-state rate of extinctions on all continents, only islands show a difference due to climate change.

D) we see huge extinctions, especially of the larger animals, with ice ages and global warming.

E) we see local extinctions that appear random, and then recolonizations from other areas.

9) Regarding megafaunal extinctions, it is assumed that the driving factor was

A) climate change.

B)  the Ice Age.

C) Homo sapiens.

D) a meteorite.

E) rising sea levels.

10) While reading an online science magazine, you come across an article on declining turtle populations across the globe. Based on the graph, what would you guess are the two biggest factors in the decline? Choose two. 

A) Harvesting of turtles for food, pets, or medicine

B) Competition with invasive species

C) Destruction of wetlands and breeding beaches

D) Developmental problems due to rising temperatures

E) Disease from introduced parasites

11) The following graph shows the relationship between extinction and habitat area. Which statements help explain the trend shown on the graph? Check all that apply. 

A) Larger patches are more likely to be encountered by new immigrants.

B) Larger patches are likely to have a more uniform habitat.

C) Larger patch size reduces genetic drift.

D) Larger patches are more geographically isolated than smaller patches.

E) Species richness is higher on larger patches.

12) Edge effects are the result of which of the following?

A) Populations of flora and fauna have emigrated from the core of their population center to the edge of their habitat.

B) Metapopulations of some of the larger fauna have become more dominant on the landscape and as a result have increased the edge of their habitat.

C) Habitat fragmentation or habitat shrinkage has occurred, and thus the edge of the habitat has increased in relative proportion.

D) Habitat fragmentation or habitat shrinkage has occurred, and thus the edge of the habitat has decreased in relative proportion.

E) Populations of particular species have decreased and are on the edge of extinction.

13) Match the correct case study in conservation biology with its animal.

A) fruit bats—introduction of new species

B) prairie chickens—loss of genetic diversity

C) songbirds—introduction of new species

D) whales—pollution

E) Lake Victoria cichlids—loss of habitat

14) A scientist studied peregrine falcons to determine why the numbers of birds was declining. She determined that

A) global warming (too much carbon dioxide) had increased the death rates in the newly hatched chicks.

B) the genetic diversity of the falcons was too low to sustain their population level.

C) the falcons had lost much of their habitat due to human developments.

D) the falcon's habitat had been fragmented and the subsequent edge effect affected their ability to hunt for prey items.

E) the levels of DDT in the environment were having a detrimental effect on eggs (causing the eggshells to be too thin) that were being laid by the female falcons.

15) Sea otters have been used as an example of the "Keystone Species" concept. This means that sea otters

A) are the base of the food chain in their ecosystem.

B) are the dominant species in their ecosystem.

C) exert a strong influence on the structure and functioning of their ecosystem.

D) have been recently introduced and are recruiting other new species to the ecosystem.

16) Animals that weigh more than 100 pounds are considered as

A) extinct.

B) endangered species.

C) safe from extinction.

D) sensitive species.

E) megafauna.

17) Historical extinction rates are best known for

A) reptiles and amphibians.

B) reptiles and birds.

C) amphibians and fish.

D) amphibians and birds.

E) birds and mammals.

18) Island species are particularly vulnerable to extinction for all of the following reasons except

A) humans have altered habitats.

B) island species have lost the ability to escape predators.

C) humans have introduced competitors.

D) humans have introduced diseases.

E) fewer endemic species are found on islands.

19) As many as one-half of Earth's plants

A) may already have gone extinct in the last 100 years.

B) may be threatened with extinction at present.

C) may be considered invasive species.

D) are known to be medicinally useful.

E) have been shown to be keystone species.

20) Conservationists have identified 25 areas worldwide as hotspots. This means these areas

A) are currently being preserved.

B) have serious pollution problems and are being targeted for cleanup.

C) have high numbers of endemic species, and those numbers are increasing.

D) have high numbers of endemic species, and those numbers are decreasing.

E) have the highest numbers of invasive species worldwide.

21) A small island has stable populations of plants and animals, including one species of hawk but no other large predators. A ship docks at the island, and the ship's cat escapes. If the cat was pregnant, what do you think the sailors are likely to find if they return ten years later?

A) The island will have similar flora and fauna, with the addition of a cat population.

B) The increase in nitrogenous waste from the cats will increase plant productivity.

C) The bird and lizard species on the island will have many new adaptations.

D) Some species of ground-nesting birds may have gone extinct.

E) Species that were formerly preyed upon by hawks will benefit.

22) A small island has stable populations of plants and animals, including one species of hawk but no other large predators. A ship docks at the island, and the sailors hunt and kill most of the hawks. What would you expect as an immediate consequence?

A) an increase in the plants

B) an increase in the insects

C) an increase in the rodents

D) a decrease in the fish

E) a decrease in the plants

23) A major problem with hotspots is humans moving in and causing

A) habitat destruction.

B) increased genetic diversity.

C) increased immigration among species.

D) decreased introductions.

E) decreased biomagnification.

24) The West African black rhino, one of four subspecies of rhinoceros, was declared extinct in 2006. Their horns were believed by many to hold medicinal value. What is the most likely reason for the extinction of the West African black rhino?

A) habitat loss

B) overexploitation

C) introduced species

D) pollution

E) climate change

25) Which of the following whale species are recovering their population numbers as a result of whale harvesting regulations?

I-right whales

II-Pacific gray whales

III-sperm whales

IV-fin whales

V-humpback whales

A) I and II

B) I, II, and III

C) II and V

D) I, II, III, and IV

E) I, II, and V

26) The various endemic cichlid species of Lake Victoria have suffered losses in their population numbers and species due to the introduction of

A) the Nile crocodile.

B) the Nile perch.

C) a new algae species.

D) a new ectoparasite that lives on the gills.

E) a fish hawk.

27) Why might the different species of whales fail to recover even though hunting has been banned?

A) loss of genetic diversity

B) loss of habitat

C) introduction of invasive species

D) increasing predation

E) increased disease spread due to edge effects

28) One of the important reasons for maintaining biodiversity is to

A) prevent loss of habitats that can be logged or farmed at some future date.

B) prevent loss of habitat leading to edge effects.

C) prevent introduction of invasive species.

D) maintain the genetic diversity of wild relatives of common crops.

E) prevent increased disease spread due to edge effects.

29) Economists have been comparing the monetary value of intact habitats with the value of using (destroying) those habitats (such as for logging or farming). They find

A) the immediate economic gain is worth it, such as in the shrimp farms in Thailand.

B) the long-term problems are minimal, and usually economically minor, it is more of an aesthetic problem than a monetary one.

C) the intact habitat is more valuable than the destroyed one in most cases studied.

D) clearing the forest for agriculture, as in Cameroon, provides jobs, housing, and long-term economic benefits.

E) increased invasion in intact habitats renders it worthless within a few years.

30) When New York City was given a choice to make regarding its drinking water

A) they opted for more bottled water.

B) they chose ecosystem maintenance over development.

C) they had to construct expensive filtration plants to protect against disease.

D) they chose ecosystem conversion to higher density housing for efficiency.

E) they dug new and deeper wells rather than pay for desalinization.

31) In the last 20 years one concern of scientists who study amphibians is that

A) genetic diversity is being increased too rapidly for proper maintenance.

B) the edge effects are causing declines in species numbers.

C) DDT is affecting reproduction by thinning the egg membranes.

D) populations are diversifying rapidly and speciation is occurring.

E) many species are declining or have gone extinct in recent years.

32) Ecologists are concerned about amphibian populations because

A) their loss would be an aesthetic loss to the planet.

B) of the possibility of numerous medicinal uses.

C) they are keystone species in many areas—their loss will cause other populations to crash.

D) amphibians are very sensitive to environmental change—they may be indicating serious problems.

E) they are increasing to the point of competing with indigenous species.

33) Natural colonization can happen in all of the following ways except

A) a flock of birds gets blown off course.

B) a bird eats a fruit on the mainland and defecates the seed on an island.

C) people plant new species on an island.

D) lowered sea levels connect two areas previously isolated.

E) birds pick up seeds on their feet while wading in mud and drop them elsewhere.

34) Human caused introductions can occur by which of the following? Check all that apply.

A) plants and animals accidentally escaping from ships

B) automobile or truck tires

C) being in the soil or on a plant sold at a nursery

D) seeds or organisms attaching to clothing or shoes

E) international cargo ships releasing ballast water in the ocean before arriving at port

35) The extinction vortex

A) is what happens as a population decreases and becomes more vulnerable to extinction from a variety of causes.

B) begins when one species in an ecosystem goes extinct and other species follow.

C) is what happens when competing species fight over a single niche, often driving both species to extinction.

D) is a spiral of events that occur once a species has become overcrowded through excess reproduction.

E) is a spiral of events that includes introduction of competing species, overexploitation, and disease, in that order.

36) Which of the following statements about the causes of extinction are true? Check all that apply.

A) Probability of extinction varies inversely with population size.

B) Ten 10-hectare habitat patches is not the same as one 100-hectare patch.

C) Habitat loss is currently the major cause of extinction.

D) The prehistoric megafauna of North America were spared from extinction because they coevolved with humans.

E) Probability of extinction is greatest for an endemic species.

37) A conservation group is deciding what land to preserve. Why might they want to consider an area of land where the ecosystem is partially damaged by a logging contract that cannot be overturned?

A) Conservation groups often focus of fixing damaged land and ecosystems.

B) When conservation groups choose land to preserve, they just consider what is best for the one target species that is endangered.

C) By making logging difficult, they strengthen environmentalism.

D) Human activity often leads to the evolution of unique species that take advantage of the disrupted environment.

Choose the letter of the best match from the following:

A. hotspot

B. habitat loss

C. edge effects

D. megafaunal extinction

E. extinction vortex

38) A species goes extinct without any clear, single cause.

39) Almost all the large mammals disappeared from North America by about 10,000 years ago.

40) An area with many endemic species, some of which are disappearing.

41) Primarily due to habitat destruction, pollution, human disruption, fragmentation.

42) Become an increasing problem as habitat size shrinks.

43) The degree of allelic diversity of a population is independent of its size.

44) In western Sweden, coastal marine ecosystems have been exposed to discharge of nutrients over several decades. As a result, algal blooms are more common.Algal mats on the sea bottom limit sunlight and alter the amount of dissolved oxygen in the water. Additionally, some algae produce toxic compounds that can enter shellfish. Furthermore, the decomposing algae produces a strong odor. Which statements below correctly match the outcomes to their effects on value of the ecosystem? Check all that apply.

A) Aesthetic value is lost because the algae makes the beach ugly and smells terrible.

B) Indirect economic value is lost because fisherman cannot catch their usual fish.

C) Direct economic value is lost because the toxic shellfish cannot be eaten.

D) Aesthetic value is gained because the algae could be used for biomass.

E) Direct economic value is lost because the properties near the beach aren't as desirable.

45) What becomes more likely to occur in a small population? Check all that apply.

A) the Allee effect

B) increased genetic drift

C) increased genetic diversity

D) extinction vortex

E) increased edge effect

46) As a population declines in size, what would you predict? Check all that apply.

A) Loss of genetic variation

B) More individuals with heterozygote advantage

C) Deleterious alleles can become fixed due to chance

D) Homozygosity within individuals in the population will decline

E) The few remaining individuals will be tough, healthy and fertile

F) If the environment changes, the population will adapt quickly

47) Without elephants, African grasslands convert to forests or to shrublands. Which of the following phrases are true statements about the elephant? Check all that apply.

A) The elephant is a keystone species.

B) If elephants went extinct, other species in the area would be unaffected.

C) Elephants graze on young shrubs and trees.

D) Elephants are the most abundant species on the grassland.

E) Grazing antelope depend on the presence of the elephant.

48) Captive breeding (Check all that apply)

A) is a viable strategy whenever very few individuals of a species remain in the wild.

B) has had limited success restoring California condor populations in the western United States because of reduced genetic heterogeneity.

C) sometimes deals with low genetic variability and inbreeding.

D) is sometimes a part of efforts to restore ecosystems to a balanced, functional state.

E) successfully increased peregrine falcon populations.

49) Researchers in England found that, for three out of four habitat types they were studying, the most efficient strategy was to create a system of stepping stones linking existing habitat clusters. "Stepping stones" are a type of corridor.

50) A floodplain is an area adjacent a stream or river that experiences flooding during periods of high discharge. These ecosystems can be very rich in both quantity and diversity of organisms and can contain up to 1,000 times more species than a river. Many floodplains have been compromised by the construction of levees, pollution, and the draining of wetlands and marshes. A restoration project that focuses its efforts on the removal of levees and the improvement of water quality, is a plan focused on

A) restoration of species.

B) restoration of ecosystem functioning.

51) The American redstart (Setophagaruticilla) is in serious decline. Scientists have been able to correlate health and breeding success to levels of 13C in their blood (a chemical signature indicating the source of their diet). Birds with lower levels of 13C in their blood return to their spring breeding ground sooner, weigh more and produce more offspring. Based on this, what would you expect to find in the wintering grounds of the American redstart? Check all that apply.

A) Limited availability of habitat in areas where plants have low13C

B) Higher insect biomass in areas where plants have low13C

C) A lack of territorial behavior being displayed by American redstarts

D) Differences in food quality correlating with levels of 13C in the habitat

E) Similar flora and fauna in all redstart habitats, unrelated to levels of 13C

52) Which of the statements given below supports the idea that frog populations can demonstrate the phenomenon of evolutionary rescue?

A) Frog populations have started to rebound as a result of the evolution of resistance to specific fungal diseases.

B) Frog populations have started to decline as a result of the evolution of resistance to specific fungal diseases.

C) Frog populations have moved to more temperate environments to find more suitable habitats to support their lifestyle.

D) Frog populations have moved to more tropical environments to find more suitable habitats to support their lifestyle.

53) Which of the following is a recognized way that the processes of natural selection and speciation may mitigate the concerns of conservation biologists? 

A) Hybridization between an introduced and a native species can promote speciation, especially in plants.

B) Hybridization between two introduced species can promote speciation, especially in plants.

C) Species that go extinct provide additional resources for populations that remain intact.

D) The fragmentation of habitats promotes geographic isolation of populations, an important aspect of speciation.

54) Which of the following is a reason that conservation biologists have begun to use phylogenetic trees to assist in determining where to direct the limited resources that support conservation efforts? 

A) Species with numerous, closely related groups are more likely to survive extinction due to hybridization with those closely related groups.

B) Distinct species are valuable because they represent a part of life that, if lost, cannot be recovered.

C) Phylogenetic trees can demonstrate species with few close relatives that are more likely to possess unique features and adaptations not shared by other species.

D) Conservation biologists do not use phylogenetic trees to make decisions about limited resource use, the diagrams are used strictly in the study of evolution.

55) Modern restoration biologists recognize that it may not be prudent to restore the same species to an ecosystem that has been disturbed. Which of the following statements and or explanations supports this? 

A) Due to global warming certain species may no longer flourish in the ecosystem.

B) Often we do not have a full list of species that made up the original ecosystem.

C) Restoring an ecosystem requires a replica of the original state, this version of restoration is called "pristine."

D) Restoring an ecosystem should involve rebuilding the systems that allowed the habitat to successfully operate.