Question 1

Both and _
Can change global species diversity.

Accepted Answer

A)  extirpation; extinction 
B)  emigration; extinction 
C)  speciation; immigration 
D)  speciation; extinction 
E)  immigration; extirpation 
A)  extirpation; extinction 
B)  emigration; extinction 
C)  speciation; immigration 
D)  speciation; extinction 
E)  immigration; extirpation D

Question 2

A species of lizard has gone extinct. All of the following may have contributed to this extinction EXCEPT .

Accepted Answer

A)  habitat destruction by humans 
B)  increased genetic diversity within the species 
C)  introduction of a species that competed for food resources 
D)  climate change 
E)  inbreeding 
A)  habitat destruction by humans 
B)  increased genetic diversity within the species 
C)  introduction of a species that competed for food resources 
D)  climate change 
E)  inbreeding B

Question 3

You also decide to greatly reduce the amount of chemical fertilizers you use in your landscape and rely more on mulching and composting. This will benefit your yard "ecosystem" by .

Accepted Answer

A)  increasing the populations of butterflies 
B)  making habitats for pollinators 
C)  increasing the biodiversity of soil organisms, including decomposers 
D)  decreasing the plant biodiversity of the yard 
E)  decreasing the number of predatory animals and insects 
A)  increasing the populations of butterflies 
B)  making habitats for pollinators 
C)  increasing the biodiversity of soil organisms, including decomposers 
D)  decreasing the plant biodiversity of the yard 
E)  decreasing the number of predatory animals and insects C

Question 4

The Convention on Biological Diversity has goals that .

Accepted Answer

A)  are designed to reduce biodiversity 
B)  spell out future management plans for all biomes 
C)  ensure the distribution of biodiversity's benefits to wealthy countries who can pay for them 
D)  include using biodiversity in a sustainable manner 
E)  include a set of international laws 
A)  are designed to reduce biodiversity 
B)  spell out future management plans for all biomes 
C)  ensure the distribution of biodiversity's benefits to wealthy countries who can pay for them 
D)  include using biodiversity in a sustainable manner 
E)  include a set of international laws

Question 5

The wood thrush makes its nest in woodlands in the northern and eastern United States. As patches of woods become smaller, increasing numbers of wood thrush nests have eggs laid in them by the brown -headed cowbird. Cowbirds live in open fields and are nest parasites; the female cowbird flies up to an unattended nest, quickly lays an egg in it, and leaves the host parents to raise their "adopted" young. Wood thrushes are decreasing in numbers because .

Accepted Answer

A)  climate change is reducing nest site availability 
B)  habitat fragmentation makes it easier for cowbird parasitism to occur 
C)  cowbirds are an invasive species that is rapidly increasing 
D)  pollution of the open fields has caused a change in cowbird behavior 
E)  overharvesting in the open fields has driven the cowbirds into the woodlands 
A)  climate change is reducing nest site availability 
B)  habitat fragmentation makes it easier for cowbird parasitism to occur 
C)  cowbirds are an invasive species that is rapidly increasing 
D)  pollution of the open fields has caused a change in cowbird behavior 
E)  overharvesting in the open fields has driven the cowbirds into the woodlands

Question 6

Animals that are harmed by human modification of the environment tend to have all of the following characteristics EXCEPT _.

Accepted Answer

A)  being a species covering a small geographic range 
B)  being high on the food chain 
C)  being a habitat specialist 
D)  being a dietary generalist 
E)  being K -selected 
A)  being a species covering a small geographic range 
B)  being high on the food chain 
C)  being a habitat specialist 
D)  being a dietary generalist 
E)  being K -selected

Question 7

The country of Belize depends on lobster for a major portion of its income, along with fishing and tourism. Over the past 30 years the average size of an individual lobster has dropped, even as increasing numbers of Belizeans buy boats, build lobster traps, and enter the industry. This is an example of .

Accepted Answer

A)  the problems with monoculture 
B)  the results of an invasive species 
C)  overharvesting 
D)  the effects of pollution 
E)  habitat alteration 
A)  the problems with monoculture 
B)  the results of an invasive species 
C)  overharvesting 
D)  the effects of pollution 
E)  habitat alteration

Question 8

From your experiences with the lawn and the butterfly garden, you can affirm that .

Accepted Answer

A)  higher biodiversity of plants means a lower biodiversity of animals 
B)  once natural habitats are altered or destroyed they can never be restored, even in part 
C)  pesticides need to be used to maintain a diversity of native species 
D)  native plant landscaping can be done so that no predators or parasites are present 
E)  native plants are more likely than exotic species to support local herbivores 
A)  higher biodiversity of plants means a lower biodiversity of animals 
B)  once natural habitats are altered or destroyed they can never be restored, even in part 
C)  pesticides need to be used to maintain a diversity of native species 
D)  native plant landscaping can be done so that no predators or parasites are present 
E)  native plants are more likely than exotic species to support local herbivores

Question 9

Paleontologists estimate that .

Accepted Answer

A)  99% of all species that have ever existed are now extinct 
B)  more than 99% of all species alive today have been discovered and described 
C)  extinction is tied exclusively to human activities 
D)  more species are alive today than ever before 
E)  biodiversity is evenly spread over the earth's biomes 
A)  99% of all species that have ever existed are now extinct 
B)  more than 99% of all species alive today have been discovered and described 
C)  extinction is tied exclusively to human activities 
D)  more species are alive today than ever before 
E)  biodiversity is evenly spread over the earth's biomes

Question 10

Changes in habitat have tremendous effects on the organisms that depend on them. These effects are .

Accepted Answer

A)  generally neutral; the variations within each species allow them to adapt very quickly 
B)  generally positive; the changes increase the habitat that is available for species to colonize 
C)  generally negative; organisms are already adapted to the habitats in which they occur and any change is likely to render the habitat less suitable 
D)  generally negative; the changes usually cause rapid extinction of most species 
E)  generally positive; organisms are already adapted to the habitats in which they occur and any change is likely to render the habitat more suitable 
A)  generally neutral; the variations within each species allow them to adapt very quickly 
B)  generally positive; the changes increase the habitat that is available for species to colonize 
C)  generally negative; organisms are already adapted to the habitats in which they occur and any change is likely to render the habitat less suitable 
D)  generally negative; the changes usually cause rapid extinction of most species 
E)  generally positive; organisms are already adapted to the habitats in which they occur and any change is likely to render the habitat more suitable

Question 11

Wildlife in the Serengeti is currently threatened by .

Accepted Answer

A)  plans to build a highway that passes through the park 
B)  an invasive fish that has been introduced into the major river that flows through the park 
C)  an overabundance of elephants 
D)  pollution from a nearby coal power plant 
E)  plans to legalize hunting of most of the large animal species in the park 
A)  plans to build a highway that passes through the park 
B)  an invasive fish that has been introduced into the major river that flows through the park 
C)  an overabundance of elephants 
D)  pollution from a nearby coal power plant 
E)  plans to legalize hunting of most of the large animal species in the park

Question 12

European rabbits were introduced into Australia and quickly spread, reproduced, and became a terrible pest. They eat up to $600 million worth of food and pasture crops annually, and have damaged the populations of many native plants and the populations of animals that eat the plants. Twice in the past 50 years, rabbit diseases have been introduced to try to control the population, with some success. This is a case where .

Accepted Answer

A)  climate change has decreased the genetic diversity of indigenous species 
B)  an invasive species has caused overharvesting 
C)  habitat alteration resulted in decreased biodiversity 
D)  an extirpation has occurred 
E)  an invasive species has reduced the genetic diversity of indigenous species 
A)  climate change has decreased the genetic diversity of indigenous species 
B)  an invasive species has caused overharvesting 
C)  habitat alteration resulted in decreased biodiversity 
D)  an extirpation has occurred 
E)  an invasive species has reduced the genetic diversity of indigenous species

Question 13

The field of conservation biology _ .

Accepted Answer

A)  attempts to integrate an understanding of evolution and extinction into their field research 
B)  developed in response to government intervention 
C)  tries to conserve every species, everywhere 
D)  endeavors to increase speciation events in order to increase biodiversity 
E)  was initially viewed as too measurement oriented, looking at details and not at the big picture 
A)  attempts to integrate an understanding of evolution and extinction into their field research 
B)  developed in response to government intervention 
C)  tries to conserve every species, everywhere 
D)  endeavors to increase speciation events in order to increase biodiversity 
E)  was initially viewed as too measurement oriented, looking at details and not at the big picture

Question 14

Ecotourism _.

Accepted Answer

A)  decreases biodiversity by causing increased speciation in environmentally sensitive areas 
B)  is a reasonable option only in impoverished countries 
C)  decreases biodiversity by selling souvenir organisms 
D)  maintains biodiversity by providing income to areas that might otherwise be destroyed 
E)  increases biodiversity by introducing new, rare species 
A)  decreases biodiversity by causing increased speciation in environmentally sensitive areas 
B)  is a reasonable option only in impoverished countries 
C)  decreases biodiversity by selling souvenir organisms 
D)  maintains biodiversity by providing income to areas that might otherwise be destroyed 
E)  increases biodiversity by introducing new, rare species

Question 15

Both and
Can change local species diversity but not global species diversity.

Accepted Answer

A)  speciation; immigration 
B)  extirpation; extinction 
C)  immigration; extirpation 
D)  speciation; extinction 
E)  emigration; extinction 
A)  speciation; immigration 
B)  extirpation; extinction 
C)  immigration; extirpation 
D)  speciation; extinction 
E)  emigration; extinction

Question 16

Biodiversity enhances human food security because it .

Accepted Answer

A)  means that there is genetic uniformity 
B)  is a potential source of new food items or new genetic varieties of existing foods 
C)  reduces the number of pollinators available to any one plant species 
D)  decreases the number of predators 
E)  increases the number of available pathogens 
A)  means that there is genetic uniformity 
B)  is a potential source of new food items or new genetic varieties of existing foods 
C)  reduces the number of pollinators available to any one plant species 
D)  decreases the number of predators 
E)  increases the number of available pathogens

Question 17

One of the ongoing problems for wild California condors is .

Accepted Answer

A)  that they readily succumb to sylvatic plague, which can ravage an entire colony of condors in a matter of weeks 
B)  that there are so few of them that they cannot find mates 
C)  that the federal government refuses to list the condor as being endangered because doing so would have a negative impact on the oil and gas industry 
D)  that people continue to hunt condors for sport, despite the bird's being listed as federally endangered and despite the educational campaigns that teach young people the value of having condors in an ecosystem 
E)  that lead shot is still used for hunting, and the lead can build up in a condor's system because condors eat dead animals that have been shot 
A)  that they readily succumb to sylvatic plague, which can ravage an entire colony of condors in a matter of weeks 
B)  that there are so few of them that they cannot find mates 
C)  that the federal government refuses to list the condor as being endangered because doing so would have a negative impact on the oil and gas industry 
D)  that people continue to hunt condors for sport, despite the bird's being listed as federally endangered and despite the educational campaigns that teach young people the value of having condors in an ecosystem 
E)  that lead shot is still used for hunting, and the lead can build up in a condor's system because condors eat dead animals that have been shot

Question 18

What do researchers hope to accomplish by performing genetic analyses on confiscated ivory?

Accepted Answer

A)  They hope to determine whether the ivory came from elephants or from seals. 
B)  They hope to determine whether possession of the ivory violated international treaties. 
C)  They hope to determine how long ago each animal was killed for its ivory. 
D)  They hope to learn more about the extent of inbreeding of elephants in different areas of Africa. 
E)  They hope to determine where the elephants were poached. 
A)  They hope to determine whether the ivory came from elephants or from seals. 
B)  They hope to determine whether possession of the ivory violated international treaties. 
C)  They hope to determine how long ago each animal was killed for its ivory. 
D)  They hope to learn more about the extent of inbreeding of elephants in different areas of Africa. 
E)  They hope to determine where the elephants were poached.

Question 19

Removal of which of the following species will result in the greatest changes in an ecological system?

Accepted Answer

A)  a competitive species 
B)  a producer species 
C)  a keystone species 
D)  a carnivore species 
E)  a decomposer species 
A)  a competitive species 
B)  a producer species 
C)  a keystone species 
D)  a carnivore species 
E)  a decomposer species

Question 20

The greatest species diversity is found in which of the following groups?

Accepted Answer

A)  birds 
B)  insects 
C)  flowering plants 
D)  mammals 
E)  fish 
A)  birds 
B)  insects 
C)  flowering plants 
D)  mammals 
E)  fish

Exam 11: Geology, Minerals, and Mining

Both and _ Can change global species diversity.

A species of lizard has gone extinct. All of the following may have contributed to this extinction EXCEPT .

You also decide to greatly reduce the amount of chemical fertilizers you use in your landscape and rely more on mulching and composting. This will benefit your yard "ecosystem" by .

The Convention on Biological Diversity has goals that .

Animals that are harmed by human modification of the environment tend to have all of the following characteristics EXCEPT _.

From your experiences with the lawn and the butterfly garden, you can affirm that .

Paleontologists estimate that .

Changes in habitat have tremendous effects on the organisms that depend on them. These effects are .

Wildlife in the Serengeti is currently threatened by .

The field of conservation biology _ .

Ecotourism _.

Both and Can change local species diversity but not global species diversity.

Biodiversity enhances human food security because it .

One of the ongoing problems for wild California condors is .

What do researchers hope to accomplish by performing genetic analyses on confiscated ivory?

Removal of which of the following species will result in the greatest changes in an ecological system?

The greatest species diversity is found in which of the following groups?

Science and Sustainability: an Introduction to Environmental Science

Environmental Systems: Matter, Energy, and Ecosystems

Evolution, Biodiversity, and Population Ecology

Species Interactions and Community Ecology

Economics, Policy, and Sustainable Development

Human Population

Soil, Agriculture, and the Future of Food

Biodiversity and Conservation Biology

Forests, Forest Management, and Protected Areas

Environmental Health and Toxicology

Fresh Water, Oceans, and Coasts

Atmospheric Science, Air Quality, and Pollution Control

Global Climate Change

Nonrenewable Energy Sources, Their Impacts, and Energy Conservation

Renewable Energy Alternatives

Managing Our Waste

The Urban Environment: Creating Sustainable Cities

Sustainable Solutions

Answers to Data Analysis Questions

How to Interpret Graphs

Metric System

Periodic Table of the Elements

Geologic Time Scale Glossary Credits Index

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