Exam 5: Conservation: Why Is It Important to Protect Biodiversity

High bush blueberry plants (Vaccinium corymbosum) rely on bees and other pollinating insects for fruit production. This particular benefit from the ecosystem is an example of services.

Of the four categories of ecosystem services, which is most important to humans? Justify your answer using specific examples.

The establishment of parks and other recreational areas allows for which type of ecosystem service?

A city might have certain regions where agricultural use is allowed, other regions where housing developments are allowed, and still other areas where development is not allowed. These designations would collectively be referred to as

Ivory is banned from importation into the United States. This is a result of

If populations of white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum) continue to decline, one approach to prevent extinction would be captive breeding. How does this process work?

In some parts of Peru, there are still wild tomato plants that grow. It was found that when these wild plants were crossed with commercial tomatoes, the yields from the hybrid tomatoes were doubled and the plants had increased disease resistance. The wild tomato plants would be considered an example of

Which of the following is a common edge effect in areas of deforestation?

What are the arguments for and against the Endangered Species Act (ESA)? In your personal opinion, does the law need to be changed?

Large parts of Brazil are being clear-cut of all vegetation to allow more land for the grazing of cattle.One outcome of this is

If a new cave system was to be recognized as a World Heritage Site, this would require recognition by which international organization?

Consider the following: we use wood to build our homes, we use compounds derived from plants for pharmaceutical drugs, and we use fish for sustenance, all of which are examples of

Which of the following is a human impact on biodiversity?

A unique series of connected forest ecosystems has been found on public lands in the western United States, which has been found to contain three species of rare toads. What type of designation would be best to preserve the toads in this ecosystem?

Many consumer products are labeled with a certification from the Forest Stewardship Council that guarantees that sustainable forest management was used for that product. What is one example of a practice done in sustainable forest management?

On average, there are several oil spills in the United States every year. Companies that are deemed responsible are assessed fines according to the Natural Resource Damage Assessment. Which of the following would be an example of how these fines are used?

What was responsible, in part, for the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, which was passed in 1918?

If humans acquire the ability to artificially synthesize all the compounds found in the rosy periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus), should efforts continue to preserve the ecosystem in Madagascar where this plant is found? Why or why not?

Why is monoculture (growing a single crop) potentially harmful to the surrounding ecosystem?

What is the primary objective of the Marine Mammal Protection Act?