Question 1

How are movement corridors potentially harmful to certain species?

Accepted Answer

A)  They increase inbreeding. 
B)  They promote dispersion. 
C)  They spread disease and parasites. 
D)  They increase genetic diversity. 
E)  They allow seasonal migration. 
A)  They increase inbreeding. 
B)  They promote dispersion. 
C)  They spread disease and parasites. 
D)  They increase genetic diversity. 
E)  They allow seasonal migration.

Question 2

Which statement is true with regard to human population growth?

Accepted Answer

A)  It is at a zero reproduction rate. 
B)  Its rate of increase continues to grow at an exponential rate. 
C)  Its rate of growth is slowing. 
D)  Its rate of growth is increasing. 
E)  There is no scientific prediction that can be made about human population growth. 
A)  It is at a zero reproduction rate. 
B)  Its rate of increase continues to grow at an exponential rate. 
C)  Its rate of growth is slowing. 
D)  Its rate of growth is increasing. 
E)  There is no scientific prediction that can be made about human population growth.

Question 3

Use the graph in Figure 43.2 and the information provided in the paragraph below to answer the following questions.
Flycatcher birds that migrate from Africa to Europe feed their nestlings a diet that is almost exclusively moth caterpillars. The graph in Figure 43.2 shows the mean dates of arrival, bird hatching, and peak caterpillar season for the years 1980 and 2000.
   Figure 43.2
-The shift in the peak of caterpillar season is most likely due to

Accepted Answer

A)  pesticide use. 
B)  earlier migration returns of flycatchers. 
C)  an innate change in the biological clock of the caterpillars. 
D)  global warming. 
E)  acid precipitation in Europe. 
A)  pesticide use. 
B)  earlier migration returns of flycatchers. 
C)  an innate change in the biological clock of the caterpillars. 
D)  global warming. 
E)  acid precipitation in Europe.

Question 4

Managing southeastern forests specifically for the red-cockaded woodpecker

Accepted Answer

A)  required the growth of a dense understory of trees and shrubs. 
B)  contributed to greater abundance and diversity of other forest bird species. 
C)  caused other species of songbird to decline. 
D)  involved strict fire-suppression measures. 
E)  involved the creation of fragmented forest habitat. 
A)  required the growth of a dense understory of trees and shrubs. 
B)  contributed to greater abundance and diversity of other forest bird species. 
C)  caused other species of songbird to decline. 
D)  involved strict fire-suppression measures. 
E)  involved the creation of fragmented forest habitat.

Question 5

Which of the following conditions is the most likely indicator of a population in an extinction vortex?

Accepted Answer

A)  The population is geographically divided into many populations. 
B)  The species in question is found only in small, stable pockets of its former range. 
C)  The effective population size of the species falls below 500. 
D)  Genetic measurements indicate a loss of genetic variation over time. 
E)  The population is connected only by corridors. 
A)  The population is geographically divided into many populations. 
B)  The species in question is found only in small, stable pockets of its former range. 
C)  The effective population size of the species falls below 500. 
D)  Genetic measurements indicate a loss of genetic variation over time. 
E)  The population is connected only by corridors.

Question 6

What is caused by excessive nutrient runoff into aquatic ecosystems?

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 7

Which of the following is most key to understanding the demographic transition in human population growth?

Accepted Answer

A)  education on global famine 
B)  improved worldwide health care 
C)  voluntary reduction of family size 
D)  improved sanitary conditions in the world's hospitals 
E)  reduction of casualties of war 
A)  education on global famine 
B)  improved worldwide health care 
C)  voluntary reduction of family size 
D)  improved sanitary conditions in the world's hospitals 
E)  reduction of casualties of war

Question 8

Brown-headed cowbirds utilize fragmented forests effectively by

Accepted Answer

A)  feeding on the fruits of shrubs that tend to grow at the forest/open-field interface. 
B)  parasitizing the nests of forest birds, and feeding on open-field insects. 
C)  roosting in forest trees, and nesting in grassy fields. 
D)  outcompeting other songbird species in fragmented communities. 
E)  using forest cover to escape from predators in their normal grassland habitat. 
A)  feeding on the fruits of shrubs that tend to grow at the forest/open-field interface. 
B)  parasitizing the nests of forest birds, and feeding on open-field insects. 
C)  roosting in forest trees, and nesting in grassy fields. 
D)  outcompeting other songbird species in fragmented communities. 
E)  using forest cover to escape from predators in their normal grassland habitat.

Question 9

Agricultural lands frequently require nutrient augmentation because

Accepted Answer

A)  nitrogen-fixing bacteria are not as plentiful in agricultural soils because of the use of pesticides. 
B)  the nutrients that become the biomass of plants are not cycled back to the soil on lands where they are harvested. 
C)  land that is available for agriculture tends to be nutrient-poor. 
D)  grains raised for feeding livestock must be fortified, and thus require additional nutrients. 
E)  cultivation of agricultural land inhibits the decomposition of organic matter. 
A)  nitrogen-fixing bacteria are not as plentiful in agricultural soils because of the use of pesticides. 
B)  the nutrients that become the biomass of plants are not cycled back to the soil on lands where they are harvested. 
C)  land that is available for agriculture tends to be nutrient-poor. 
D)  grains raised for feeding livestock must be fortified, and thus require additional nutrients. 
E)  cultivation of agricultural land inhibits the decomposition of organic matter.

Question 10

Your friend is wary of environmentalists' claims that global warming could lead to major biological change on Earth. Which of the following statements can you use in response to your friend's suspicions?

Accepted Answer

A)  We know that atmospheric carbon dioxide has increased over the past 150 years. 
B)  Through measurements and observations, we know that CO2 levels and temperature fluctuations are directly correlated, even in prehistoric times. 
C)  Global warming could have significant effects on agriculture in the United States. 
D)  Sea levels will likely rise, displacing as much as 50% of the world's human population. 
E)  All statements listed could be used. 
A)  We know that atmospheric carbon dioxide has increased over the past 150 years. 
B)  Through measurements and observations, we know that CO2 levels and temperature fluctuations are directly correlated, even in prehistoric times. 
C)  Global warming could have significant effects on agriculture in the United States. 
D)  Sea levels will likely rise, displacing as much as 50% of the world's human population. 
E)  All statements listed could be used.

Question 11

Which of the following species was driven to extinction by overexploitation by hunters/fishermen?

Accepted Answer

A)  African elephant 
B)  the great auk 
C)  North American bluefin tuna 
D)  flying foxes 
E)  American bison 
A)  African elephant 
B)  the great auk 
C)  North American bluefin tuna 
D)  flying foxes 
E)  American bison

Question 12

Invasive species are introduced by humans to new geographic locations and

Accepted Answer

A)  are successful in colonizing a novel area. 
B)  spread because they encounter none of their natural predators. 
C)  All of the choices are correct. 
D)  can outcompete and displace native species for biotic and abiotic resources. 
E)  are usually considered pests by ecologists. 
A)  are successful in colonizing a novel area. 
B)  spread because they encounter none of their natural predators. 
C)  All of the choices are correct. 
D)  can outcompete and displace native species for biotic and abiotic resources. 
E)  are usually considered pests by ecologists.

Question 13

The main cause of the increase in the amount of CO2 in Earth's atmosphere over the past 150 years is

Accepted Answer

A)  increased worldwide primary production. 
B)  increased worldwide standing crop. 
C)  an increase in the amount of infrared radiation absorbed by the atmosphere. 
D)  the burning of larger amounts of wood and fossil fuels. 
E)  additional respiration by the rapidly growing human population. 
A)  increased worldwide primary production. 
B)  increased worldwide standing crop. 
C)  an increase in the amount of infrared radiation absorbed by the atmosphere. 
D)  the burning of larger amounts of wood and fossil fuels. 
E)  additional respiration by the rapidly growing human population.

Question 14

Of the following statements about protected areas that have been established to preserve biodiversity, which one is not correct?

Accepted Answer

A)  About 25% of Earth's land area is now protected. 
B)  National parks are one of many types of protected areas. 
C)  Most protected areas are too small to protect species. 
D)  Management of a protected area should be coordinated with management of the land surrounding the area. 
E)  It is especially important to protect biodiversity hot spots. 
A)  About 25% of Earth's land area is now protected. 
B)  National parks are one of many types of protected areas. 
C)  Most protected areas are too small to protect species. 
D)  Management of a protected area should be coordinated with management of the land surrounding the area. 
E)  It is especially important to protect biodiversity hot spots.

Question 15

Which of the following provides the best evidence of a biodiversity crisis?

Accepted Answer

A)  the incursion of a non-native species 
B)  increasing pollution levels 
C)  decrease in regional productivity 
D)  high rate of extinction 
E)  climate change 
A)  the incursion of a non-native species 
B)  increasing pollution levels 
C)  decrease in regional productivity 
D)  high rate of extinction 
E)  climate change

Question 16

Overexploitation encourages extinction and is most likely to affect

Accepted Answer

A)  animals that occupy a broad ecological niche. 
B)  large animals with low intrinsic reproductive rates. 
C)  most organisms that live in the oceans. 
D)  terrestrial organisms more than aquatic organisms. 
E)  edge-adapted species. 
A)  animals that occupy a broad ecological niche. 
B)  large animals with low intrinsic reproductive rates. 
C)  most organisms that live in the oceans. 
D)  terrestrial organisms more than aquatic organisms. 
E)  edge-adapted species.

Question 17

Which of the following is a consequence of biological magnification?

Accepted Answer

A)  Toxic chemicals in the environment pose greater risk to toplevel predators than to primary consumers. 
B)  Populations of top-level predators are generally smaller than populations of primary consumers. 
C)  The biomass of producers in an ecosystem is generally higher than the biomass of primary consumers. 
D)  Only a small portion of the energy captured by producers is transferred to consumers. 
E)  The amount of biomass in the producer level of an ecosystem decreases if the producer turnover time increases. 
A)  Toxic chemicals in the environment pose greater risk to toplevel predators than to primary consumers. 
B)  Populations of top-level predators are generally smaller than populations of primary consumers. 
C)  The biomass of producers in an ecosystem is generally higher than the biomass of primary consumers. 
D)  Only a small portion of the energy captured by producers is transferred to consumers. 
E)  The amount of biomass in the producer level of an ecosystem decreases if the producer turnover time increases.

Question 18

Although extinction is a natural process, current extinctions are of concern to environmentalists because

Accepted Answer

A)  more animals than ever before are going extinct. 
B)  most current extinctions are caused by introduced species. 
C)  the rate of extinction is higher than background extinction rates. 
D)  current extinction is primarily affecting plant diversity. 
E)  None of the options are correct. 
A)  more animals than ever before are going extinct. 
B)  most current extinctions are caused by introduced species. 
C)  the rate of extinction is higher than background extinction rates. 
D)  current extinction is primarily affecting plant diversity. 
E)  None of the options are correct.

Question 19

One characteristic that distinguishes a population in an extinction vortex from most other populations is that

Accepted Answer

A)  its habitat is fragmented. 
B)  it is a rare, top-level predator. 
C)  its effective population size is much lower than its total population size. 
D)  its genetic diversity is very low. 
E)  it is not well adapted to edge conditions. 
A)  its habitat is fragmented. 
B)  it is a rare, top-level predator. 
C)  its effective population size is much lower than its total population size. 
D)  its genetic diversity is very low. 
E)  it is not well adapted to edge conditions.

Question 20

Which of the following is true about the current research regarding forest fragmentation?

Accepted Answer

A)  Fragmented forests support a greater biodiversity because they result in the combination of forest-edge species and forest-interior species. 
B)  Fragmented forests support a lesser biodiversity because the forested-adapted species leave, and only the edge and open-field species can occupy fragmented forests. 
C)  Fragmented forests are the goal of conservation biologists who design wildlife preserves. 
D)  Harvesting timber that results in forest fragmentation results in less soil erosion. 
E)  The disturbance of timber extraction causes the species diversity to increase because of the new habitats created. 
A)  Fragmented forests support a greater biodiversity because they result in the combination of forest-edge species and forest-interior species. 
B)  Fragmented forests support a lesser biodiversity because the forested-adapted species leave, and only the edge and open-field species can occupy fragmented forests. 
C)  Fragmented forests are the goal of conservation biologists who design wildlife preserves. 
D)  Harvesting timber that results in forest fragmentation results in less soil erosion. 
E)  The disturbance of timber extraction causes the species diversity to increase because of the new habitats created.

Exam 43: Global Ecology and Conservation Biology

How are movement corridors potentially harmful to certain species?

Which statement is true with regard to human population growth?

Managing southeastern forests specifically for the red-cockaded woodpecker

Which of the following conditions is the most likely indicator of a population in an extinction vortex?

What is caused by excessive nutrient runoff into aquatic ecosystems?

Which of the following is most key to understanding the demographic transition in human population growth?

Brown-headed cowbirds utilize fragmented forests effectively by

Agricultural lands frequently require nutrient augmentation because

Your friend is wary of environmentalists' claims that global warming could lead to major biological change on Earth. Which of the following statements can you use in response to your friend's suspicions?

Which of the following species was driven to extinction by overexploitation by hunters/fishermen?

Invasive species are introduced by humans to new geographic locations and

The main cause of the increase in the amount of CO2 in Earth's atmosphere over the past 150 years is

Of the following statements about protected areas that have been established to preserve biodiversity, which one is not correct?

Which of the following provides the best evidence of a biodiversity crisis?

Overexploitation encourages extinction and is most likely to affect

Which of the following is a consequence of biological magnification?

Although extinction is a natural process, current extinctions are of concern to environmentalists because

One characteristic that distinguishes a population in an extinction vortex from most other populations is that

Which of the following is true about the current research regarding forest fragmentation?

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

Filters