Preserving Biodiversity Exam Questions Chapter 40

1.

The primary cause of biodiversity loss is 
 

2.

The "background" species extinction rate

3.

Which of the following is an important invasive species?

4.

Since the settling of North America by Europeans, only about _____ of the original temperate forest area survives. 
 

5.

Any chemical, physical, or biological change in the environment that harms living organisms is called 
 

6.

Air pollution in the lower atmosphere characterized by a visible haze is called a fog.

 
 
True    False

7.

If your UV detector showed higher levels of UV radiation than normal, you might suspect changes in what layer of the atmosphere?

8.

In a process called _____, nitrogen and phosphorus fertilize algae in the water, resulting in algal blooms. 
 

9.

An increase in the surface temperature of Earth, caused by heat-trapping gases in the atmosphere, is known as

10.

Greenhouse gases block 
 

11.

A species that humans bring to an area where it did not previously inhabit is a(n) _____ species.

12.

To be considered _____, an introduced species must begin breeding in its new location and spread widely from its point of introduction. 
 

13.

Which species is overexploited rather than invasive?

14.

Since the 1950s, _____ of the ocean's large predatory fishes have disappeared. 
 

15.

Commercial fisheries are increasingly focusing on catching smaller fish like anchovies because of ______ large predatory fishes. 
 

16.

The current extinction rate of vertebrates is 100–1,000 times the historical background. This is primarily due to

17.

How does damming or altering the path of a river destroy wetlands?

18.

How is tropical deforestation linked to climate change? 
 

19.

The normal pH of rainfall is 
 

20.

In addition to eutrophication in lakes, which process is being caused by excess nutrients in rivers? 
 

21.

Many environmentalists believe that reducing human population growth could improve environmental issues.

 
 
True    False

22.

Melting of ice from sources on land (glaciers) raises sea levels.

 
 
True    False

23.

In examining water samples preserved in glass jars over the last century, you notice a steadily declining pH. What is the most likely general explanation?

24.

Alpine chipmunks have moved to higher elevations in the last century as temperatures at Yellowstone have climbed.

 
 
True    False

25.

Lodgepole chipmunks have moved to higher elevations in the last century as temperatures at Yellowstone have climbed.

 
 
True    False

26.

Why do populations that fragment in response to climate changes face a higher risk of extinction?

27.

If you found a species of plant consisting of widely separated small populations, what might you expect?

28.

Fish ladders can help fish populations deal with obstructions created by dams.

 
 
True    False

29.

If you were preparing a generalized plan to conserve biodiversity, besides habitat destruction, you would list eutrophication as the primary threat to biodiversity.

 
 
True    False

30.

Overexploitation is harvesting a species faster than it can reproduce. 
 
True    False

31.

Smog, among other things, indicates change in large-scale chemical cycles.

 
 
True    False

32.

The zebra mussel and the gypsy moth both have reduced biodiversity in North America.

 
 
True    False

33.

One important conservation tool used to restore native populations is to set aside an area and protect it from overexploitation, invasive species, and habitat destruction. 
 
True    False

34.

After nearing extinction in the 1960s, the bald eagle population is now about 10,000. 
 
True    False

35.

The greatest threat to the endangered great spotted kiwi of New Zealand is introduced predators. 
 
True    False

36.

Suspended matter that floats in the air, such as ash, soot, mold spores, and road dust, is known as particulates. 
 
True    False