Question 1

The single greatest threat to biological diversity is:

Accepted Answer

A)  the introduction of foreign species. 
B)  air pollution. 
C)  overexploitation. 
D)  habitat loss. 
E)  water pollution. 
A)  the introduction of foreign species. 
B)  air pollution. 
C)  overexploitation. 
D)  habitat loss. 
E)  water pollution. D

Question 2

Declining biological diversity in the U.S. is most serious in

Accepted Answer

A)  Hawaii (63% of species are at risk) and California (29% of species are at risk). 
B)  Alaska (58% of species are at risk) and Washington (32% of species are at risk). 
C)  Montana (46% of species are at risk) and Texas (38% of species are at risk). 
D)  Florida (52% of species are at risk) and Louisiana (40% of species are at risk). 
E)  Oregon (49% of species are at risk) and Wisconsin (34% of species are at risk). 
A)  Hawaii (63% of species are at risk) and California (29% of species are at risk). 
B)  Alaska (58% of species are at risk) and Washington (32% of species are at risk). 
C)  Montana (46% of species are at risk) and Texas (38% of species are at risk). 
D)  Florida (52% of species are at risk) and Louisiana (40% of species are at risk). 
E)  Oregon (49% of species are at risk) and Wisconsin (34% of species are at risk). A

Question 3

Which of the following is a true statement about conservation of tigers in India?

Accepted Answer

A)  Establishment of National Parks has been successful in stopping population declines. 
B)  Poaching has been reduced due to strict enforcement and high fines. 
C)  Very large undisturbed areas are required to meet the species' hunting needs. 
D)  Tigers are not protected by any laws. 
E)  Humans and tigers rely on different prey species for food. 
A)  Establishment of National Parks has been successful in stopping population declines. 
B)  Poaching has been reduced due to strict enforcement and high fines. 
C)  Very large undisturbed areas are required to meet the species' hunting needs. 
D)  Tigers are not protected by any laws. 
E)  Humans and tigers rely on different prey species for food. C

Question 4

Which of the following is an example of a species that was threatened historically due to overexploitation?

Accepted Answer

A)  Guam Rail 
B)  American Bison 
C)  Brown Tree Snake 
D)  Nutria 
E)  Water Hyacinth 
A)  Guam Rail 
B)  American Bison 
C)  Brown Tree Snake 
D)  Nutria 
E)  Water Hyacinth

Question 5

Endemic species:

Accepted Answer

A)  are commonly found on islands. 
B)  often have small populations. 
C)  have few natural defenses. 
D)  represent a high percentage of recently extinct (bird) species. 
E)  all of these choices are correct 
A)  are commonly found on islands. 
B)  often have small populations. 
C)  have few natural defenses. 
D)  represent a high percentage of recently extinct (bird) species. 
E)  all of these choices are correct

Question 6

Assisted Colonization is being proposed as a method to prevent species extinction in response to what environmental threat?

Accepted Answer

A)  prevalence of invasive species 
B)  global climate change 
C)  habitat destruction 
D)  overexploitation 
E)  all of these choices are correct 
A)  prevalence of invasive species 
B)  global climate change 
C)  habitat destruction 
D)  overexploitation 
E)  all of these choices are correct

Question 7

Which of the following is a disadvantage of restoration ecology?

Accepted Answer

A)  high cost 
B)  long time periods required for restoration to occur 
C)  lack of positive results in habitats such as Tallgrass Prairie 
D)  Both high cost and the long time periods required for restoration to occur are disadvantages 
E)  all of these choices are correct 
A)  high cost 
B)  long time periods required for restoration to occur 
C)  lack of positive results in habitats such as Tallgrass Prairie 
D)  Both high cost and the long time periods required for restoration to occur are disadvantages 
E)  all of these choices are correct

Question 8

Discuss why endemic species living on islands are particularly vulnerable to extinction. Then discuss two additional characteristics that make a given species particularly susceptible to extinction. Provide a specific example for each.

Accepted Answer

Many species are endemic to certain isla

Question 9

The policy that provides for "taking" of a rare species if it does not threaten the survival or recovery of the endangered or threatened species on that property is the:

Accepted Answer

A)  Endangered Species Act. 
B)  Habitat Conservation Plan. 
C)  Commercial Extinction Privilege Policy. 
D)  World Conservation Strategy. 
E)  U.S. Biological Resources Discipline. 
A)  Endangered Species Act. 
B)  Habitat Conservation Plan. 
C)  Commercial Extinction Privilege Policy. 
D)  World Conservation Strategy. 
E)  U.S. Biological Resources Discipline.

Question 10

Discuss the provisions of the Endangered Species Act of 1973.) In your discussion identify those aspects of the law that have been effective and those that are controversial. Should the ESA be modified? If so, how and why, and if not, why not? Justify your position.

Accepted Answer

The Endangered Species Act (ESA) of 1973

Question 11

Most species facing extinction today are threatened because of:

Accepted Answer

A)  living in biodiversity hotspots. 
B)  changing climate. 
C)  the recent impact of a large comet. 
D)  large quantities of dust in the atmosphere. 
E)  human activity. 
A)  living in biodiversity hotspots. 
B)  changing climate. 
C)  the recent impact of a large comet. 
D)  large quantities of dust in the atmosphere. 
E)  human activity.

Question 12

Organisms that provide an early warning of environmental damage are known as:

Accepted Answer

A)  endemic species. 
B)  endangered species. 
C)  threatened species. 
D)  indicator species. 
E)  commercial species. 
A)  endemic species. 
B)  endangered species. 
C)  threatened species. 
D)  indicator species. 
E)  commercial species.

Question 13

Humans depend on other organisms for all of the following requirements except:

Accepted Answer

A)  carbon dioxide. 
B)  food. 
C)  shelter. 
D)  medicines. 
E)  clothing. 
A)  carbon dioxide. 
B)  food. 
C)  shelter. 
D)  medicines. 
E)  clothing.

Question 14

The global ban on commercial whaling:

Accepted Answer

A)  went into effect in 1946. 
B)  has allowed many populations of whales to recover. 
C)  defined the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary, where commercial whaling is prohibited. 
D)  resulted in the removal of the southern blue whale from the endangered species list. 
E)  all of these choices are correct 
A)  went into effect in 1946. 
B)  has allowed many populations of whales to recover. 
C)  defined the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary, where commercial whaling is prohibited. 
D)  resulted in the removal of the southern blue whale from the endangered species list. 
E)  all of these choices are correct

Question 15

Bacteria and fungi are important to humans because they:

Accepted Answer

A)  help control weeds. 
B)  pollinate crop plants. 
C)  provide shelter. 
D)  deplete nutrient minerals in the soil. 
E)  provide foods and antibiotics. 
A)  help control weeds. 
B)  pollinate crop plants. 
C)  provide shelter. 
D)  deplete nutrient minerals in the soil. 
E)  provide foods and antibiotics.

Question 16

Which of the following is a true statement about chytrid fungus?
I Climate change may be increasing its effects on amphibians
II) It is responsible for die-offs in more than 500 species
III) Under certain circumstances, it has infected and killed more than 85% of the amphibians present.

Accepted Answer

A)  I 
B)  II 
C)  III 
D)  I and II are both true 
E)  I and III are both true 
A)  I 
B)  II 
C)  III 
D)  I and II are both true 
E)  I and III are both true

Question 17

All of the following are ecological benefits of habitat corridors EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

A)  facilitating exchange of genetic material among populations 
B)  increasing the probability that suitable habitat will be recolonized after a local population goes extinct 
C)  preventing the spread of disease among populations 
D)  providing access to more food resources 
E)  reducing encounters with humans 
A)  facilitating exchange of genetic material among populations 
B)  increasing the probability that suitable habitat will be recolonized after a local population goes extinct 
C)  preventing the spread of disease among populations 
D)  providing access to more food resources 
E)  reducing encounters with humans

Question 18

Deformities in amphibians include all of the following except:

Accepted Answer

A)  extra legs 
B)  missing legs 
C)  eyes located on the shoulder or back 
D)  deformed jaws 
E)  none, all are deformities 
A)  extra legs 
B)  missing legs 
C)  eyes located on the shoulder or back 
D)  deformed jaws 
E)  none, all are deformities

Question 19

What is biotic pollution? Why is it a problem? Discuss one specific example of this type of pollution.

Accepted Answer

Biotic pollution is the introduction of

Question 20

Which of the following is not an ecosystem service?

Accepted Answer

A)  decomposition 
B)  seed banks 
C)  pollination 
D)  maintenance of soil fertility 
E)  prevention of soil erosion 
A)  decomposition 
B)  seed banks 
C)  pollination 
D)  maintenance of soil fertility 
E)  prevention of soil erosion

Exam 16: Biological Resources

The single greatest threat to biological diversity is:

Declining biological diversity in the U.S. is most serious in

Which of the following is a true statement about conservation of tigers in India?

Which of the following is an example of a species that was threatened historically due to overexploitation?

Endemic species:

Assisted Colonization is being proposed as a method to prevent species extinction in response to what environmental threat?

Which of the following is a disadvantage of restoration ecology?

Discuss why endemic species living on islands are particularly vulnerable to extinction. Then discuss two additional characteristics that make a given species particularly susceptible to extinction. Provide a specific example for each.

The policy that provides for "taking" of a rare species if it does not threaten the survival or recovery of the endangered or threatened species on that property is the:

Discuss the provisions of the Endangered Species Act of 1973.) In your discussion identify those aspects of the law that have been effective and those that are controversial. Should the ESA be modified? If so, how and why, and if not, why not? Justify your position.

Most species facing extinction today are threatened because of:

Organisms that provide an early warning of environmental damage are known as:

Humans depend on other organisms for all of the following requirements except:

The global ban on commercial whaling:

Bacteria and fungi are important to humans because they:

Which of the following is a true statement about chytrid fungus? I Climate change may be increasing its effects on amphibians II) It is responsible for die-offs in more than 500 species III) Under certain circumstances, it has infected and killed more than 85% of the amphibians present.

All of the following are ecological benefits of habitat corridors EXCEPT:

Deformities in amphibians include all of the following except:

What is biotic pollution? Why is it a problem? Discuss one specific example of this type of pollution.

Which of the following is not an ecosystem service?

Introducing Environmental Science and Sustainability

Environmental Laws Economic and Ethics

Ecosystems and Energy

Ecosystems and the Physical Environment

Ecosystems and Living Organisms

Major Ecosystems of the World

Human Health and Environmental Toxicology

The Human Population

The Urban World

Energy Consumption

Fossil Fuels

Renewable Energy and Nuclear Power

Water: a Limited Resource

Soil Resources

Mineral Resources

Land Resources

Food Resources

Air Pollution

Global Climate Change

Water Pollution

Pest Management

Solid and Hazardous Waste

Tomorrows Word

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