Deck 16: Biological Resources

Question 1

Most species facing extinction today are threatened because of:

A) living in biodiversity hotspots.
B) changing climate.
C) the recent impact of a large comet.
D) large quantities of dust in the atmosphere.
E) human activity.

Answer 1

E

Question 2

The single greatest threat to biological diversity is:

A) the introduction of foreign species.
B) air pollution.
C) overexploitation.
D) habitat loss.
E) water pollution.

Answer 2

D

Question 3

Snow geese:

A) are currently a threatened species under the ESA.
B) are experiencing a reduced range and decreasing population due to habitat destruction.
C) are commercially hunted throughout their migratory range.
D) have destroyed much of the Arctic's fragile coastal ecosystem due to increased foraging.
E) are negatively impacting the farm sites where they spend the winter.

Answer 3

D

Question 4

Endemic species:

A) are commonly found on islands.
B) often have small populations.
C) have few natural defenses.
D) represent a high percentage of recently extinct (bird) species.
E) all of these choices are correct

Question 5

Which of the following characteristics is known to make a species more vulnerable to extinction?

A) herbivory
B) occupying a small (localized) range
C) living on a continent
D) population less than 1 million
E) high reproductive success

Question 6

The corn blight of 1970 was brought under control by:

A) crossing highly uniform U.S. corn varieties with genetically diverse ancestral varieties from Mexico.
B) strange weather patterns resulting in a drought that killed the fungus.
C) the accidental release of a genetically engineered fungus from a research lab.
D) repetitive treatment with various chemical sprays.
E) pollution that seemed to have a greater adverse effect on the corn blight fungus than on the corn itself.

Question 7

Bacteria and fungi are important to humans because they:

A) help control weeds.
B) pollinate crop plants.
C) provide shelter.
D) deplete nutrient minerals in the soil.
E) provide foods and antibiotics.

Question 8

Insects are an important biological resource because they:

A) fix nitrogen in the soil.
B) help control weeds and insect pests.
C) help control the severity of local flooding.
D) prevent soil erosion.
E) produce antibiotics.

Question 9

The continuous, low-level extinction of species that has occurred throughout the history of life on Earth is known as:

A) mass extinction.
B) evolution.
C) background extinction.
D) human impact extinction.
E) biotic pollution.

Question 10

The current conflict between humans and elephants is based on:

A) biotic pollution.
B) over-hunting for ivory.
C) water pollution.
D) loss of habitat.
E) needs for shelter.

Question 11

The global ban on commercial whaling:

A) went into effect in 1946.
B) has allowed many populations of whales to recover.
C) defined the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary, where commercial whaling is prohibited.
D) resulted in the removal of the southern blue whale from the endangered species list.
E) all of these choices are correct

Question 12

Ecosystem diversity is:

A) variety of interactions among organisms in natural communities.
B) the number of different species in a given area.
C) the variety of abiotic characteristics within a given area.
D) the genetic variety within all populations of a given species.
E) synonymous with ecosystem services.

Question 13

Which of the following affects organisms even in undisturbed, natural ecosystems?

A) global warming
B) ozone depletion
C) acid precipitation
D) thermal pollution
E) all of these choices are correct

Question 14

A species in imminent danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range is said to be:

A) endemic.
B) commercially extinct.
C) endangered.
D) threatened.
E) invasive.

Question 15

Organisms that provide an early warning of environmental damage are known as:

A) endemic species.
B) endangered species.
C) threatened species.
D) indicator species.
E) commercial species.

Question 16

Biodiversity hotspots:

A) house only 10% of all species of vascular plants.
B) are home to nearly 20% of the world's population.
C) are all located in tropical regions.
D) contain few endemic species.
E) all of these choices are correct

Question 17

Which of the following is an example of a species that was threatened historically due to overexploitation?

A) Guam Rail
B) American Bison
C) Brown Tree Snake
D) Nutria
E) Water Hyacinth

Question 18

The introduction of a foreign species onto an island is an example of:

A) commercial harvest.
B) biotic pollution.
C) commercial extinction.
D) background extinction.
E) endemism.

Question 19

During the 19th and 20th centuries, many whale populations suffered:

A) extinction.
B) endemism.
C) adaptive radiation.
D) biotic pollution.
E) commercial extinction.

Question 20

Which of the following have been linked to the dramatic global decline of amphibian populations?

A) drainage of wetlands
B) pollutants
C) infectious diseases
D) global climate warming
E) all of these choices are correct

Question 21

Which of the following statements about tropical rain forests is false?

A) Approximately 1% of tropical rain forests are being cleared or degraded every decade.
B) Most species that live in tropical rain forests are endemic.
C) The forest itself generates much of the rainfall in tropical rain forests.
D) Tropical rain forests cover 7% of the Earth's surface and provide habitat for 50% of the Earth's species.
E) Migratory birds that winter in tropical rain forests are declining.

Question 22

Which of the following is a true statement about chytrid fungus?
I Climate change may be increasing its effects on amphibians
II) It is responsible for die-offs in more than 500 species
III) Under certain circumstances, it has infected and killed more than 85% of the amphibians present.

A) I
B) II
C) III
D) I and II are both true
E) I and III are both true

Question 23

In situ conservation occurs:

A) in laboratories.
B) in zoos.
C) in parks and reserves.
D) without human intervention.
E) in seed banks.

Question 24

An example of an invasive species is:

A) the California condor.
B) the blue whale.
C) the water hyacinth.
D) the Tiburon mariposa lily.
E) Quinoa.

Question 25

The policy that provides for "taking" of a rare species if it does not threaten the survival or recovery of the endangered or threatened species on that property is the:

A) Endangered Species Act.
B) Habitat Conservation Plan.
C) Commercial Extinction Privilege Policy.
D) World Conservation Strategy.
E) U.S. Biological Resources Discipline.

Question 26

Before attempting a reintroduction of captive-bred animals into the wild, biologists must

A) restore disturbed lands to create appropriate biological habitat.
B) teach social skills to animals in the wild for acceptance of captive-bred animals.
C) determine what factors originally caused the species to become endangered.
D) identify and locate biodiversity hotspots.
E) artificially inseminate the captive-bred animals.

Question 27

An example of ex situ conservation is:

A) maintaining genetic diversity in a crop plant.
B) protecting flyways.
C) restoration ecology.
D) sport hunting.
E) charging fees for the use of genetic material.

Question 28

Which of the following is not characteristic of species that are vulnerable to extinction?
I. endemic to islands
II. high reproductive rates
III. low reproductive success
IV. occupation of a large territory or region

A) I
B) II
C) III
D) IV
E) I and III

Question 29

Assisted Colonization is being proposed as a method to prevent species extinction in response to what environmental threat?

A) prevalence of invasive species
B) global climate change
C) habitat destruction
D) overexploitation
E) all of these choices are correct

Question 30

The practice of conservation biology uses information about all of the following variables except:

A) habitat area
B) connectivity among habitats
C) accessibility to humans
D) degree of ecosystem degradation
E) economic value of biological resources

Question 31

Declining biological diversity in the U.S. is most serious in

A) Hawaii (63% of species are at risk) and California (29% of species are at risk).
B) Alaska (58% of species are at risk) and Washington (32% of species are at risk).
C) Montana (46% of species are at risk) and Texas (38% of species are at risk).
D) Florida (52% of species are at risk) and Louisiana (40% of species are at risk).
E) Oregon (49% of species are at risk) and Wisconsin (34% of species are at risk).

Question 32

Which of the following is a mismatch between the animal poached and the highly valued black-market product?

A) rhinoceros - liver
B) bears - gall bladder
C) gorilla - bushmeat
D) caimans - skin
E) birds - pets

Question 33

Which of the following is not an ecosystem service?

A) decomposition
B) seed banks
C) pollination
D) maintenance of soil fertility
E) prevention of soil erosion

Question 34

Poaching has led to the decline of all of the following species except:

A) gorillas.
B) wild turtles.
C) caimans.
D) black-footed ferrets.
E) American black bear.

Question 35

Deformities in amphibians include all of the following except:

A) extra legs
B) missing legs
C) eyes located on the shoulder or back
D) deformed jaws
E) none, all are deformities

Question 36

Which of the following is an example of biotic pollution?

A) elephants in southern Africa
B) black-footed ferrets in South Dakota, Wyoming, and Montana
C) brown tree snake in Guam
D) California condor in the United States
E) passenger pigeons in North America

Question 37

Genetic resources are important for the development of all of the following except:

A) new fungicides from centipedes.
B) new cancer treatments from marine organisms.
C) new food sources like winged beans.
D) new oils and lubricants from various plants.
E) genetic resources are important for the development of all of these

Question 38

Humans depend on other organisms for all of the following requirements except:

A) carbon dioxide.
B) food.
C) shelter.
D) medicines.
E) clothing.

Question 39

Which of the following statements about amphibians is true?

A) Amphibians are represented by about 500 species of frogs, toads, and salamanders.
B) Populations of amphibians in a few local areas have declined dramatically in the last few decades.
C) Amphibians lay their eggs in dry, sandy areas close to a source of water.
D) Their moist, absorptive skin makes amphibians very susceptible to environmental contaminants.
E) Scientists increasingly perceive amphibians to be fair-weather species.

Question 40

Which of the following is a true statement about conservation of tigers in India?

A) Establishment of National Parks has been successful in stopping population declines.
B) Poaching has been reduced due to strict enforcement and high fines.
C) Very large undisturbed areas are required to meet the species' hunting needs.
D) Tigers are not protected by any laws.
E) Humans and tigers rely on different prey species for food.

Question 41

Define extinction and give the possible causes of mass extinction. What single human activity increases the susceptibility of a given species to extinction. Why?

Question 42

Discuss why endemic species living on islands are particularly vulnerable to extinction. Then discuss two additional characteristics that make a given species particularly susceptible to extinction. Provide a specific example for each.

Question 43

One problem with protecting vulnerable habitat areas as a means of conserving species richness is:

A) that there are so few of these areas, less than 500 worldwide.
B) that multiple uses of the area sometimes conflict with the goal of preserving species.
C) that there is enough money, but not enough expertise to manage them effectively.
D) that too much of the protection is located in tropical rain forests and not enough is in remote mountain areas.
E) that too often the protected areas are in highly populated areas.

Question 44

Which of the following is not a disadvantage associated with seed banks?

A) the seeds of some types of plants do not tolerate being dried out
B) embryo transfer is ineffective in plants because it has a very low success rate
C) stored seeds do not evolve in response to changes in their natural environment
D) seeds do not remain viable indefinitely and must be periodically germinated
E) accidents, such as fires and power failures, can destroy the seeds

Question 45

Which of the following medicinal plants is correctly matched with its benefit to humans?

A) Horehound: AIDS treatment
B) Periwinkle: Cancer therapy
C) Quinoa: Antiviral drug
D) Winged beans: Diabetes treatment
E) Cherry: Birth-control potential

Question 46

Discuss the provisions of the Endangered Species Act of 1973.) In your discussion identify those aspects of the law that have been effective and those that are controversial. Should the ESA be modified? If so, how and why, and if not, why not? Justify your position.

Question 47

Identify and explain the significance of the various components of biological diversity. Supply one specific example of each type of diversity in your explanation.

Question 48

Which of the following is a FALSE statement?

A) Genetic variation increases a species' resistance to disease.
B) Pollution, ultraviolet radiation, and parasites have been implicated in the developmental abnormalities observed in amphibians.
C) The present extinction rate is 10,000 times the background rate.
D) Commercial extinction is permanent
E) Genetic diversity is important for agriculture

Question 49

A component of in situ conservation that uses the principles of ecology to help return a degraded environment to a more functional and sustainable one is:

A) establishment of seed banks
B) artificial insemination and embryo transfer
C) restoration ecology
D) habitat fragmentation
E) creation of wildlife corridors

Question 50

All of the following are ecological benefits of habitat corridors EXCEPT:

A) facilitating exchange of genetic material among populations
B) increasing the probability that suitable habitat will be recolonized after a local population goes extinct
C) preventing the spread of disease among populations
D) providing access to more food resources
E) reducing encounters with humans

Question 51

Which of the following is a TRUE statement?

A) Capture-release programs have been very successful in saving many endangered species from extinction.
B) We now have the ability to make genes.
C) The 20 best-selling prescription drugs are all synthetic.
D) There are less than 100 species that are endangered or threatened in the United States.
E) Very few species have been evaluated for their economic (i.e., medical, agricultural, industrial) potential.

Question 52

Which of the following is a disadvantage of restoration ecology?

A) high cost
B) long time periods required for restoration to occur
C) lack of positive results in habitats such as Tallgrass Prairie
D) Both high cost and the long time periods required for restoration to occur are disadvantages
E) all of these choices are correct

Question 53

One of the controversies associated with the Endangered Species Act is that it:

A) has generated too many unresolved cases with developers, over 1000 to date.
B) allows for no compromises between species protection and development or livelihood concerns.
C) only enhances economic development in specific regions of the country.
D) provides too much consideration of individual property rights.
E) focuses on saving a few popular species rather than the larger number of less glamorous species.

Question 54

What is the goal of conservation biology? What are in situ and ex situ conservation practices, and how are they used to meet the goal of conservation biology? What gets in the way of each of these conservation practices being effective and highly successful?

Question 55

Which of the following represents an unsuccessful captive-breeding and reintroduction program?

A) Guam rails
B) black-footed ferrets
C) thick-billed parrots
D) golden toads
E) whooping cranes

Question 56

Amphibians merit attention because of precipitous declines in their populations occurring around the world.
a) Discuss possible causes for the current status of current amphibian populations.
b) What characteristics of amphibians (frogs) make them particularly important bellwether species?
c) What environmental issues need to be addressed as signaled by the amphibians?

Question 57

What is biotic pollution? Why is it a problem? Discuss one specific example of this type of pollution.

Question 58

Compare and contrast the designations of threatened, endangered, and extinct species. Describe three human causes of species endangerment and/or extinction and explain which is the most threatening.

Question 59

Which of the following is a shortcoming of many of the world's protected areas?

A) They are easily accessible to humans.
B) They encompass one large area, rather than several small areas
C) They are in lightly populated areas.
D) They are located too close to other protected areas.
E) They are often created to protect specific species

Question 60

Compare and contrast at least three goals, strategies, or focus used in wildlife management as compared to conservation biology.