Question 1

Estimates of current rates of extinction

Accepted Answer

A)  indicate that we have reached a state of stable equilibrium in which speciation rates equal extinction rates. 
B)  suggest that one-half of all animal and plant species may be gone by the year 2100. 
C)  indicate that rates may be greater than the mass extinctions at the close of the Cretaceous period. 
D)  indicate that only 1% of all of the species that have ever lived on Earth are still alive. 
E)  suggest that rates of extinction have decreased globally. 
A)  indicate that we have reached a state of stable equilibrium in which speciation rates equal extinction rates. 
B)  suggest that one-half of all animal and plant species may be gone by the year 2100. 
C)  indicate that rates may be greater than the mass extinctions at the close of the Cretaceous period. 
D)  indicate that only 1% of all of the species that have ever lived on Earth are still alive. 
E)  suggest that rates of extinction have decreased globally.

Question 2

The most serious consequence of a decrease in global biodiversity would be the

Accepted Answer

A)  increase in global warming and thinning of the ozone layer. 
B)  potential loss of ecosystem services on which people depend. 
C)  increase in the abundance and diversity of edge-adapted species. 
D)  loss of sources of genetic diversity to preserve endangered species. 
E)  loss of species for use as crops. 
A)  increase in global warming and thinning of the ozone layer. 
B)  potential loss of ecosystem services on which people depend. 
C)  increase in the abundance and diversity of edge-adapted species. 
D)  loss of sources of genetic diversity to preserve endangered species. 
E)  loss of species for use as crops.

Question 3

Burning fossil fuels releases oxides of sulfur and nitrogen. These air pollutants can be responsible for

Accepted Answer

A)  the death of fish in lakes. 
B)  precipitation with a pH as low as 3.0. 
C)  calcium deficiency in soils. 
D)  direct damage to plants by leaching nutrients from the leaves. 
E)  All of the options are correct. 
A)  the death of fish in lakes. 
B)  precipitation with a pH as low as 3.0. 
C)  calcium deficiency in soils. 
D)  direct damage to plants by leaching nutrients from the leaves. 
E)  All of the options are correct.

Question 4

Which of the following investigations would shed the most light on the future distribution of organisms in temperate regions that are faced with climate change?

Accepted Answer

A)  Remove, to the mineral soil, all of the organisms from an experimental plot and monitor the colonization of the area over time in terms of both species diversity and abundance. 
B)  Look at the climatic changes that occurred since the last ice age and how species redistributed as glaciers melted, then make predictions on future distribution in species based on past trends. 
C)  Compare and contrast the flora and fauna of warm/cold/dry/wet climates to shed light on how they evolved to be suited to their present-day environment. 
D)  Quantify the impact of humankind's activities on present-day populations of threatened and endangered species to assess the rate of extirpation and extinction. 
E)  There is no scientific investigation that can help make predictions on the future distribution of organisms. 
A)  Remove, to the mineral soil, all of the organisms from an experimental plot and monitor the colonization of the area over time in terms of both species diversity and abundance. 
B)  Look at the climatic changes that occurred since the last ice age and how species redistributed as glaciers melted, then make predictions on future distribution in species based on past trends. 
C)  Compare and contrast the flora and fauna of warm/cold/dry/wet climates to shed light on how they evolved to be suited to their present-day environment. 
D)  Quantify the impact of humankind's activities on present-day populations of threatened and endangered species to assess the rate of extirpation and extinction. 
E)  There is no scientific investigation that can help make predictions on the future distribution of organisms.

Question 5

Which of the following best illustrates human efforts to improve environmental sustainability?

Accepted Answer

A)  rerouting major highways around cities to avoid traffic congestion 
B)  increasing our reliance on renewable sources of energy 
C)  upgrading computers every few years to improve performance 
D)  converting automobiles from gasoline to natural gas as a new source of fuel 
A)  rerouting major highways around cities to avoid traffic congestion 
B)  increasing our reliance on renewable sources of energy 
C)  upgrading computers every few years to improve performance 
D)  converting automobiles from gasoline to natural gas as a new source of fuel

Question 6

The concept of sustainable development emphasizes

Accepted Answer

A)  the needs of future generations. 
B)  trade between all nations of the world. 
C)  the importance of developing the arts. 
D)  the fastest ways to economic prosperity. 
E)  the need for national government action. 
A)  the needs of future generations. 
B)  trade between all nations of the world. 
C)  the importance of developing the arts. 
D)  the fastest ways to economic prosperity. 
E)  the need for national government action.

Question 7

Extinction is a natural phenomenon. It is estimated that 99% of all species that ever lived are now extinct. Why then do we say that we are now experiencing an extinction (loss of biodiversity) crisis?

Accepted Answer

A)  Humans are ethically responsible for protecting endangered species. 
B)  Scientists have finally identified most of the species on Earth and are thus able to quantify the number of species becoming extinct. 
C)  The current rate of extinction is high and human activities threaten biodiversity at all levels. 
D)  Humans have greater medical needs than at any other time in history, and many potential medicinal compounds are being lost as plant species become extinct. 
E)  Most biodiversity hot spots have been destroyed by recent ecological disasters. 
A)  Humans are ethically responsible for protecting endangered species. 
B)  Scientists have finally identified most of the species on Earth and are thus able to quantify the number of species becoming extinct. 
C)  The current rate of extinction is high and human activities threaten biodiversity at all levels. 
D)  Humans have greater medical needs than at any other time in history, and many potential medicinal compounds are being lost as plant species become extinct. 
E)  Most biodiversity hot spots have been destroyed by recent ecological disasters.

Question 8

Which of the following nations has become a world leader in the establishment of zoned reserves?

Accepted Answer

A)  Costa Rica 
B)  Canada 
C)  China 
D)  United States 
E)  Mexico 
A)  Costa Rica 
B)  Canada 
C)  China 
D)  United States 
E)  Mexico

Question 9

The main goal of sustainable development is to

Accepted Answer

A)  involve more countries in conservation efforts. 
B)  use only natural resources in the construction of new buildings. 
C)  use natural resources such that they do not decline over time. 
D)  reevaluate and re-implement management plans over time. 
A)  involve more countries in conservation efforts. 
B)  use only natural resources in the construction of new buildings. 
C)  use natural resources such that they do not decline over time. 
D)  reevaluate and re-implement management plans over time.

Question 10

According to most conservation biologists, the single greatest threat to global biodiversity is

Accepted Answer

A)  chemical pollution of water and air. 
B)  stratospheric ozone depletion. 
C)  overexploitation of certain species. 
D)  alteration or destruction of the physical habitat. 
E)  global climate change resulting from a variety of human activities. 
A)  chemical pollution of water and air. 
B)  stratospheric ozone depletion. 
C)  overexploitation of certain species. 
D)  alteration or destruction of the physical habitat. 
E)  global climate change resulting from a variety of human activities.

Question 11

Figure 43.1
-Study the information in Figure 43.1 about quail habitats. Assuming that only one quail can occupy a habitat where all cover requirements are met, what is the maximum number of quail that could inhabit any of the hypothetical plots shown?

Accepted Answer

A)  1 
B)  2 
C)  4 
D)  6 
E)  9 
A)  1 
B)  2 
C)  4 
D)  6 
E)  9

Question 12

Which of the following strategies would most rapidly increase the genetic diversity of a population in an extinction vortex?

Accepted Answer

A)  Capture all remaining individuals in the population for captive breeding followed by reintroduction to the wild. 
B)  Establish a reserve that protects the population's habitat. 
C)  Introduce new individuals transported from other populations of the same species. 
D)  Sterilize the least fit individuals in the population. 
E)  Control populations of the endangered population's predators and competitors. 
A)  Capture all remaining individuals in the population for captive breeding followed by reintroduction to the wild. 
B)  Establish a reserve that protects the population's habitat. 
C)  Introduce new individuals transported from other populations of the same species. 
D)  Sterilize the least fit individuals in the population. 
E)  Control populations of the endangered population's predators and competitors.

Question 13

Introduced species can have deleterious effects on biological communities by

Accepted Answer

A)  preying on native species. 
B)  competing with native species for food or light. 
C)  displacing native species. 
D)  competing with native species for space or breeding/nesting habitat. 
E)  All of the options are correct. 
A)  preying on native species. 
B)  competing with native species for food or light. 
C)  displacing native species. 
D)  competing with native species for space or breeding/nesting habitat. 
E)  All of the options are correct.

Question 14

Of the following ecosystem types, which have been impacted the most by humans?

Accepted Answer

A)  wetland and riparian 
B)  open and benthic ocean 
C)  desert and high alpine 
D)  taiga and second-growth forests 
E)  tundra and arctic 
A)  wetland and riparian 
B)  open and benthic ocean 
C)  desert and high alpine 
D)  taiga and second-growth forests 
E)  tundra and arctic

Question 15

Biodiversity hot spots are not necessarily the best choice for nature preserves because

Accepted Answer

A)  hot spots are situated in remote areas not accessible to wildlife viewers. 
B)  their ecological importance makes land purchase very expensive. 
C)  a hot spot for one group of organisms may not be a hot spot for another group. 
D)  hot spots are designated by the abiotic factors present, not the biotic factors. 
E)  designated hot spots change on a daily basis. 
A)  hot spots are situated in remote areas not accessible to wildlife viewers. 
B)  their ecological importance makes land purchase very expensive. 
C)  a hot spot for one group of organisms may not be a hot spot for another group. 
D)  hot spots are designated by the abiotic factors present, not the biotic factors. 
E)  designated hot spots change on a daily basis.

Question 16

What causes extremely high levels of toxic chemicals in fish-eating birds?

Accepted Answer

A)  depletion of ozone layer 
B)  acid precipitation 
C)  biological magnification 
D)  greenhouse effect 
E)  eutrophication 
A)  depletion of ozone layer 
B)  acid precipitation 
C)  biological magnification 
D)  greenhouse effect 
E)  eutrophication

Question 17

Which of the following terms includes all of the others?

Accepted Answer

A)  species diversity 
B)  biodiversity 
C)  genetic diversity 
D)  ecosystem diversity 
E)  species richness 
A)  species diversity 
B)  biodiversity 
C)  genetic diversity 
D)  ecosystem diversity 
E)  species richness

Question 18

As the climate changes because of global warming, species' ranges of plants in the Northern Hemisphere may move northward, using effective reproductive adaptations to disperse their seeds. The trees that are most likely to avoid extinction in such an environment are those that

Accepted Answer

A)  have seeds that are easily dispersed by wind or animals. 
B)  have thin seed coats. 
C)  produce well-provisioned seeds. 
D)  have seeds that become viable only after a forest fire. 
E)  disperse many seeds in close proximity to the parent tree. 
A)  have seeds that are easily dispersed by wind or animals. 
B)  have thin seed coats. 
C)  produce well-provisioned seeds. 
D)  have seeds that become viable only after a forest fire. 
E)  disperse many seeds in close proximity to the parent tree.

Question 19

Relatively small geographic areas with high concentrations of endemic species and a large number of endangered and threatened species are known as

Accepted Answer

A)  endemic sinks. 
B)  critical communities. 
C)  biodiversity hot spots. 
D)  endemic metapopulations. 
E)  bottlenecks. 
A)  endemic sinks. 
B)  critical communities. 
C)  biodiversity hot spots. 
D)  endemic metapopulations. 
E)  bottlenecks.

Question 20

Which one of the following is the most sustainable source of energy?

Accepted Answer

A)  natural gas used to heat homes 
B)  gasoline used to run cars 
C)  hydroelectric dams 
D)  a coal power plant 
A)  natural gas used to heat homes 
B)  gasoline used to run cars 
C)  hydroelectric dams 
D)  a coal power plant

Exam 43: Global Ecology and Conservation Biology

Estimates of current rates of extinction

The most serious consequence of a decrease in global biodiversity would be the

Burning fossil fuels releases oxides of sulfur and nitrogen. These air pollutants can be responsible for

Which of the following investigations would shed the most light on the future distribution of organisms in temperate regions that are faced with climate change?

Which of the following best illustrates human efforts to improve environmental sustainability?

The concept of sustainable development emphasizes

Extinction is a natural phenomenon. It is estimated that 99% of all species that ever lived are now extinct. Why then do we say that we are now experiencing an extinction (loss of biodiversity) crisis?

Which of the following nations has become a world leader in the establishment of zoned reserves?

The main goal of sustainable development is to

According to most conservation biologists, the single greatest threat to global biodiversity is

Figure 43.1 -Study the information in Figure 43.1 about quail habitats. Assuming that only one quail can occupy a habitat where all cover requirements are met, what is the maximum number of quail that could inhabit any of the hypothetical plots shown?

Which of the following strategies would most rapidly increase the genetic diversity of a population in an extinction vortex?

Introduced species can have deleterious effects on biological communities by

Of the following ecosystem types, which have been impacted the most by humans?

Biodiversity hot spots are not necessarily the best choice for nature preserves because

What causes extremely high levels of toxic chemicals in fish-eating birds?

Which of the following terms includes all of the others?

As the climate changes because of global warming, species' ranges of plants in the Northern Hemisphere may move northward, using effective reproductive adaptations to disperse their seeds. The trees that are most likely to avoid extinction in such an environment are those that

Relatively small geographic areas with high concentrations of endemic species and a large number of endangered and threatened species are known as

Which one of the following is the most sustainable source of energy?

Introduction: Evolution and the Foundations of Biology

The Chemical Context of Life

Carbon and the Molecular Diversity of Life

A Tour of the Cell

Membrane Transport and Cell Signaling

An Introduction to Metabolism

Cellular Respiration and Fermentation

Photosynthesis

The Cell Cycle

Meiosis and Sexual Life Cycles

Mendel and the Gene Idea

The Chromosomal Basis of Inheritance

The Molecular Basis of Inheritance

Gene Expression: From Gene to Protein

Regulation of Gene Expression

Development, Stem Cells, and Cancer

Viruses

Genomes and Their Evolution

Descent With Modification

Phylogeny

The Evolution of Populations

The Origin of Species

Broad Patterns of Evolution

Early Life and the Diversification of Prokaryotes

The Origin and Diversification of Eukaryotes

The Colonization of Land by Plants and Fungi

The Rise of Animal Diversity

Plant Structure and Growth

Resource Acquisition, Nutrition, and Transport in Vascular Plants

Reproduction and Domestication of Flowering Plants

Plant Responses to Internal and External Signals

Homeostasis and Endocrine Signaling

Animal Nutrition

Circulation and Gas Exchange

The Immune System

Reproduction and Development

Neurons, Synapses, and Signaling

Nervous and Sensory Systems

Motor Mechanisms and Behavior

Population Ecology and the Distribution of Organisms

Species Interactions

Ecosystems and Energy

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