Question 1

What factor is most responsible for limiting the distribution of the perennial Clematis fremontii within the state of Missouri?

Accepted Answer

A)  Herbivores 
B)  Rainfall 
C)  High temperature 
D)  The presence of glades 
A)  Herbivores 
B)  Rainfall 
C)  High temperature 
D)  The presence of glades D

Question 2

Roadways across the world have fragmented many habitats. Animals such as deer and boars cross roadways for many reasons, some of which include: to reach food and water sources, locate mates, or during migrations. This can result in fatal collisions between wildlife and humans. Wildlife managers and highway designers are increasingly building wildlife bridges and ecoducts to minimize wildlife and human collisions. Explain the role wildlife bridges and ecoducts play in the metapopulation concept.

Accepted Answer

Wildlife bridges and ecoducts connect isolated populations with suitable habitats and aid immigration and emigration. These events increase dispersal between populations while allowing for opportunities to colonize patches and potentially minimize extinction rates. Wildlife bridges and ecoducts decrease habitat fragmentation which can decrease the probably of a population going extinct locally.

Question 3

_______ is the seasonal roundtrip movement of populations.

Accepted Answer

A)  Migration 
B)  Habitat dispersal 
C)  Dispersal limitation 
D)  Disturbance 
A)  Migration 
B)  Habitat dispersal 
C)  Dispersal limitation 
D)  Disturbance A

Question 4

Ecologists have been monitoring three metapopulations of sawflies. Population A has a patch colonization rate of 0.08 and a patch extinction rate of 0.11. Population B has a patch colonization rate of 0.05 and a patch extinction rate of 0.04. Population C has a patch colonization rate of 0.10 and a patch extinction rate of 0.08. According to Levins's metapopulation model, which of these populations would be expected to persist for a long time?

Accepted Answer

A)  Population A only 
B)  Population B only 
C)  Population C only 
D)  Populations B and C 
A)  Population A only 
B)  Population B only 
C)  Population C only 
D)  Populations B and C

Question 5

Which statement about the influence of evolutionary and geologic history on species distribution and abundance is true?

Accepted Answer

A)  Evolutionary history cannot influence where an organism exists today. 
B)  Geological history influences distribution of suitable habitat and thus influences where an organism exists today. 
C)  Geological history cannot influence dispersal of populations. 
D)  Evolutionary history can only influence the abundance of a population if the species evolved within the last 10,000 years. 
A)  Evolutionary history cannot influence where an organism exists today. 
B)  Geological history influences distribution of suitable habitat and thus influences where an organism exists today. 
C)  Geological history cannot influence dispersal of populations. 
D)  Evolutionary history can only influence the abundance of a population if the species evolved within the last 10,000 years.

Question 6

Refer to the figure.
  Based on the figure, which statement about the red kangaroo range throughout Australia is true?

Accepted Answer

A)  The highest population of red kangaroo is located along the coastline of Australia. 
B)  Red kangaroos were surveyed along the western coastline of Australia but not the eastern coastline. 
C)  Red kangaroos were regularly distributed throughout central Australia. 
D)  There are three areas of Australia that have red kangaroo populations greater than 5-10 kangaroos/km2. 
A)  The highest population of red kangaroo is located along the coastline of Australia. 
B)  Red kangaroos were surveyed along the western coastline of Australia but not the eastern coastline. 
C)  Red kangaroos were regularly distributed throughout central Australia. 
D)  There are three areas of Australia that have red kangaroo populations greater than 5-10 kangaroos/km2.

Question 7

Which statement about species geographic ranges is true?

Accepted Answer

A)  Endemic species are located throughout the world. 
B)  Geographic ranges only need to include one life stage. 
C)  Most species can be found throughout Earth. 
D)  Species distribution models aid scientists and policymakers in making decisions about species protection plans. 
A)  Endemic species are located throughout the world. 
B)  Geographic ranges only need to include one life stage. 
C)  Most species can be found throughout Earth. 
D)  Species distribution models aid scientists and policymakers in making decisions about species protection plans.

Question 8

In a mark-recapture study to estimate the size of a rodent population, researchers catch and mark 180 individuals. Two days later, they again capture a number of rodents and find that 40% of the individuals are marked. Assuming that there have been no births, deaths, or migrations, the estimated size of the population is

Accepted Answer

A)  360. 
B)  450. 
C)  600. 
D)  720. 
A)  360. 
B)  450. 
C)  600. 
D)  720.

Question 9

In a metapopulation setting, habitat fragmentation generally causes the _______ rate to increase and _______ to decrease.

Accepted Answer

A)  colonization; the extinction rate 
B)  colonization; environmental stochasticity 
C)  extinction; the colonization rate 
D)  extinction; genetic drift 
A)  colonization; the extinction rate 
B)  colonization; environmental stochasticity 
C)  extinction; the colonization rate 
D)  extinction; genetic drift

Question 10

Which statement about Opuntia stricta is false?

Accepted Answer

A)  It is native to Australia. 
B)  It was a pest species in Australia. 
C)  Introducing a moth that feeds on Opuntia stricta led to the decline of both the abundance and distribution of this cactus. 
D)  The distribution of this cactus in Australia was checked via biotic factors. 
A)  It is native to Australia. 
B)  It was a pest species in Australia. 
C)  Introducing a moth that feeds on Opuntia stricta led to the decline of both the abundance and distribution of this cactus. 
D)  The distribution of this cactus in Australia was checked via biotic factors.

Question 11

Which of the following is the primary factor limiting the distribution of saguaro cacti in Arizona?

Accepted Answer

A)  High temperatures 
B)  Low temperatures 
C)  Precipitation 
D)  Herbivores 
A)  High temperatures 
B)  Low temperatures 
C)  Precipitation 
D)  Herbivores

Question 12

Which statement is not an assumption of the mark-recapture method of estimating population size?

Accepted Answer

A)  No individuals are born between the first and second captures. 
B)  No individuals die between the first and second captures. 
C)  Individuals do not move into or out of the study site between the first and second captures. 
D)  All marked individuals must be recaptured as well as additional unmarked individuals for accurate estimates. 
A)  No individuals are born between the first and second captures. 
B)  No individuals die between the first and second captures. 
C)  Individuals do not move into or out of the study site between the first and second captures. 
D)  All marked individuals must be recaptured as well as additional unmarked individuals for accurate estimates.

Question 13

According only to the specifics of Levins's metapopulation model, which variable is important in determining whether a metapopulation can persist for a long time?

Accepted Answer

A)  The spatial arrangement of patches 
B)  The colonization and extinction rate of patches 
C)  The distance to new habitats 
D)  The elevation of a patch 
A)  The spatial arrangement of patches 
B)  The colonization and extinction rate of patches 
C)  The distance to new habitats 
D)  The elevation of a patch

Question 14

The population density of ground crickets at Oldmill Farm is about 15 per square meter. Assuming that the crickets are randomly distributed, about how many crickets would you expect to find in a rectangular section of land that is 6 meters F1F1F1S1*F1F1F10 2 meters?

Accepted Answer

A)  12 
B)  15 
C)  120 
D)  180 
A)  12 
B)  15 
C)  120 
D)  180

Question 15

If the population density of ocotillo in a desert is 15 per square kilometer, how many plants would be expected in an area that is 5 km F1F1F1S1*F1F1F10 3 km?

Accepted Answer

A)  15 
B)  45 
C)  225 
D)  1,500 
A)  15 
B)  45 
C)  225 
D)  1,500

Question 16

The size of a population of beavers in a 5 F1F1F1S1*F1F1F10 5 kilometer area is 675. What is the population density (in individuals per square km)?

Accepted Answer

A)  13 
B)  27 
C)  65 
D)  165 
A)  13 
B)  27 
C)  65 
D)  165

Question 17

A detection function is most likely to be used in

Accepted Answer

A)  an area-based count. 
B)  distance methods. 
C)  a mark-recapture study. 
D)  a niche model. 
A)  an area-based count. 
B)  distance methods. 
C)  a mark-recapture study. 
D)  a niche model.

Question 18

Some Aleutian Islands are surrounded by urchin barrens while others are surrounded by kelp forests. Which statement gives the primary explanation for these differences?

Accepted Answer

A)  Kelp forest islands and urchin barren islands differ with respect to oceanic currents. 
B)  Kelp eat urchins, thus preventing their establishment. 
C)  The kelp forest islands experience a substantially warmer climate than do the urchin barren islands. 
D)  Grazing by urchins prevents the formation of kelp forests. 
A)  Kelp forest islands and urchin barren islands differ with respect to oceanic currents. 
B)  Kelp eat urchins, thus preventing their establishment. 
C)  The kelp forest islands experience a substantially warmer climate than do the urchin barren islands. 
D)  Grazing by urchins prevents the formation of kelp forests.

Question 19

Which of the following can cause the population of a previously nondispersed species to develop a metapopulation structure?

Accepted Answer

A)  Genetic drift 
B)  Demographic stochasticity 
C)  Environmental stochasticity 
D)  Habitat fragmentation 
A)  Genetic drift 
B)  Demographic stochasticity 
C)  Environmental stochasticity 
D)  Habitat fragmentation

Question 20

Which strategy often improves the accuracy of estimates of population size based on area-based counts?

Accepted Answer

A)  Using as many quadrats as possible 
B)  Using population modeling to improve the accuracy of counts within a quadrat 
C)  Placing quadrats at the most populous locations throughout the study area 
D)  Using as short of line transect as possible 
A)  Using as many quadrats as possible 
B)  Using population modeling to improve the accuracy of counts within a quadrat 
C)  Placing quadrats at the most populous locations throughout the study area 
D)  Using as short of line transect as possible

Exam 9: Population Distribution and Abundance

What factor is most responsible for limiting the distribution of the perennial Clematis fremontii within the state of Missouri?

_______ is the seasonal roundtrip movement of populations.

Which statement about the influence of evolutionary and geologic history on species distribution and abundance is true?

Refer to the figure. Based on the figure, which statement about the red kangaroo range throughout Australia is true?

Which statement about species geographic ranges is true?

In a metapopulation setting, habitat fragmentation generally causes the _______ rate to increase and _______ to decrease.

Which statement about Opuntia stricta is false?

Which of the following is the primary factor limiting the distribution of saguaro cacti in Arizona?

Which statement is not an assumption of the mark-recapture method of estimating population size?

According only to the specifics of Levins's metapopulation model, which variable is important in determining whether a metapopulation can persist for a long time?

The population density of ground crickets at Oldmill Farm is about 15 per square meter. Assuming that the crickets are randomly distributed, about how many crickets would you expect to find in a rectangular section of land that is 6 meters * 2 meters?

If the population density of ocotillo in a desert is 15 per square kilometer, how many plants would be expected in an area that is 5 km * 3 km?

The size of a population of beavers in a 5 * 5 kilometer area is 675. What is the population density (in individuals per square km)?

A detection function is most likely to be used in

Some Aleutian Islands are surrounded by urchin barrens while others are surrounded by kelp forests. Which statement gives the primary explanation for these differences?

Which of the following can cause the population of a previously nondispersed species to develop a metapopulation structure?

Which strategy often improves the accuracy of estimates of population size based on area-based counts?

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In a metapopulation setting, habitat fragmentation generally causes the _ rate to increase and _ to decrease.