Deck 3: Biodiversity

Question 1

Biodiversity refers to the

A) variety of life.
B) study of life.
C) types of ecosystems on earth.
D) importance of keystone species.
E) adaptations of organisms for survival.

Answer 1

A

Question 2

A scientist is studying biodiversity in an ecosystem. She is focusing on the adaptations of species to survive in the habitat. She is mostly likely concerned with

A) species diversity.
B) ecosystem diversity.
C) species richness.
D) species evenness.
E) genetic diversity.

Answer 2

E

Question 3

Scientists studying how microbes interact with each other, decaying organic matter, the soil, and greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide and methane, are most concerned with

A) genetic diversity.
B) species diversity.
C) species evenness.
D) ecosystem diversity.
E) carbon sinks.

Answer 3

D

Question 4

Which of the following statements about biodiversity is false?

A) Ecosystem diversity is essential for evolution and natural selection.
B) Keystone species greatly influence the abundance and distribution of other species.
C) Genetic variation may provide the means to develop resistance to disease.
D) Species evenness is the degree to which species have representation in a habitat.
E) Biodiversity refers to the variety of life on Earth.

Question 5

Gray wolves once roamed the western portions of North America from Alaska to Mexico. Gray wolves prey on bison, deer, elk, and moose. These prey had been depleted by hunting by settlers. Ranches and farms were built near gray wolf habitat. The wolves thus began to prey on livestock. When the federal government set aside the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (GYE) as a national park in 1872, about 300-400 wolves were present, preying mostly on elk and bison (Yellowstone Association 1996). Fearing the wolves' impact on elk and bison herds as well as livestock owned by area ranchers, the federal government began eradicating the wolf population. Bounty programs that continued until 1965 offered as much as $50 per wolf. By the 1930s, wolves had been effectively eliminated from the 48 contiguous states and Mexico and remained in high numbers only in Alaska. The elk population then grew. Elk grazed on plants and soon plant populations declined. Plants such as willow trees and aspen were negatively affected. Song birds depended on the trees for habitat, river banks remain stable because of the trees, but now the trees were not producing saplings (young trees). Which of the following is the best conclusion to make based on this situation?

A) Keystone species are crucial to the long-term sustainability of the ecosystems they inhabit.
B) Keystone species can sometimes cause more harm than good and humans need to step in to solve the problem.
C) Keystone species greatly influence the abundance and distribution of other species.
D) Both a and c
E) All of the above

Question 6

Which of the following statements about measuring species richness and species evenness is true?

A) As species richness and evenness increase, so diversity increases.
B) As species richness increases, species evenness always decreases.
C) As diversity increases, species richness decreases.
D) As diversity decreases, species richness increases but species evenness increases.
E) As species richness and species evenness decrease, diversity increases.

Question 7

A group of scientists are studying the biodiversity of a habitat. Their data is in the chart below. Using the Simpson Diversity Index, they conclusion that location _______ is more diverse because it has greater species _______.

A) 1; richness
B) 2; richness
C) 1; evenness
D) 2; evenness
E) 1; abundance

Question 8

Which of the following are ways that humans directly benefit from the diversity of species due to living organisms providing for human needs?

A) Food, medicine, building materials, and education
B) Food, medicine, hunting, and clothing
C) Food, medicine, building materials, and hunting
D) Food, medicine, building materials, and clothing
E) Food, medicine, hunting, building materials, and clothing

Question 9

Four types of benefits that biodiversity provides for humans would be

A) direct use, indirect use, options, and keystone value.
B) deductive reasoning, inductive reasoning, options, and existence value.
C) direct use, indirect use, options, and existence value.
D) deductive, inductive, direct, and indirect uses.
E) direct use, indirect use, organism use, and existence value.

Question 10

In many countries across Asia, areas considered to be natural buffers against hurricane-force winds and flooding have been removed to facilitate economic development. However, during the 2004 tsunami, these areas were the hardest hit. This scenario illustrates the importance of biodiversity to humans through

A) direct use.
B) indirect use.
C) option value.
D) existence value.
E) Both a and c

Question 11

When phytoplankton (organisms that photosynthesize) in the oceans absorb carbon dioxide, this is considered what type of biodiversity benefit?

A) Medicines
B) Biological control agents
C) Building materials
D) Aesthetics
E) Environmental services

Question 12

Humans depend on biodiversity in many ways. Which of the following is considered to be an "option value"?

A) The future discovery of a cure for cancer
B) Having clean air and drinkable water
C) Breeding strains of crops resistant to drought
D) The opportunity to experience the beauty of the natural world
E) Mangroves providing a natural buffer from hurricane-force winds and floods

Question 13

Which of the following statements is false?

A) Taxonomist Linneaus recorded about 4,200 species.
B) Ecologist Robert May suggested that we know more about the Milky Way than we do about the individual species found on this planet.
C) It is agreed upon that 85 to 95% of some groups, like bacteria and insects, have yet to be discovered.
D) Biogeographers recognize 18 "hot spots" for biodiversity.
E) The greatest diversity of species when compared to other areas is in the deserts of Africa.

Question 14

The graph below shows organisms found in and around a pond. Choose the best interpretation of the data.
(Source: http://www.aquatax.ca/skAquaticInsectInfo.html)

A) Aquatic insects need the most protection when considering the conservation of biodiversity.
B) The amphibian and reptile populations of the pond are declining.
C) Aquatic insects are the major component in the biodiversity in this ecosystem.
D) There are too many birds for the pond to support.
E) Both a and c

Question 15

Examine the map of biological "hot spots" below and choose the best conclusion of the data shown on the map.

A) Biodiversity hot spots regularly occur inland.
B) Most of the biological hot spots occur near the equator.
C) Biodiversity hot spots are evenly distributed throughout the continents.
D) It is important to understand where biodiversity hot spots are so measures can be taken to protect the biodiversity that exists.
E) None of the above

Question 16

Which data support the statement "The planet is on the brink of a large extinction, much like the dinosaurs."?

A) The present rate of species loss may be as high as 20,000 species lost per year. If biodiversity loss continues at this rate, by the year 2050 one-third of all of the world's species could be lost.
B) By 2050, 20,000 species living today will be extinct.
C) Biodiversity loss is occurring at an alarming rate of 2,000 species a day.
D) The present rate of species loss is very high and this will cause major extinction of all of the keystone species.
E) This type of statement cannot be supported.

Question 17

The complete loss of all individuals of a species is defined as

A) extinction.
B) biodiversity.
C) hot spots.
D) aesthetics.
E) existence value.

Question 18

In the forests of the Sierra, Rocky, and Cascade Mountain ranges the pine beetle has killed large numbers of whitebark pine trees. In some areas up to 100,000 trees are falling daily. The beetles have survived and multiplied due to warmer winters. The entire ecosystem is affected and the tree species are threatened. Which major threat to biodiversity below is most likely the cause?

A) Habitat destruction
B) Global climate change
C) Hunting and poaching
D) Overexploitation for resources
E) Predator control

Question 19

What evidence shows that species have lived and gone extinct?

A) Evolution
B) Fossil record
C) Speciation
D) Both a and b
E) All of the above

Question 20

Suppose that a lake commonly used for fishing, both for a food resource and for pleasure, becomes depleted due to overfishing. The community decides it will bring in another fish in large numbers to help reestablished the fish population. The new fish, the Nile perch, is a large, voracious eater, and adapts well to new locations. Which of the following is the best conclusion for this scenario?

A) Bringing in a nonnative species is smart because it most likely has no predators and can flourish.
B) There will be plenty of fish for recreational fishing and for food.
C) Bringing in a nonnative species is risky as the local fish might become prey for the nonnative fish.
D) The population of native fish recovers and flourishes.
E) Due to overfishing, the lake will not be able to provide food or recreation.

Question 21

Many argue that species can recover when there has been a decline in their populations. Which of the following statements regarding mass extinctions is false?

A) Recovery from mass extinctions occurs over tens of millions of years.
B) Humans are responsible for all of the mass extinctions.
C) Extinction rates are higher than ever before in Earth's history.
D) In the case of the extinctions at the end of the Cretaceous Era, it was climatic and ecological conditions that lead to the death of many species.
E) After every major extinction event in the Earth's history, the number of species has recovered and even surpassed pre-extinction levels.

Question 22

The present rate of species loss on Earth may be as high as 20,000 species lost per year. At this rate by the year 2050 one-third of the world's species could be lost, many of which have not even been discovered. Never before has a single species, humans, been responsible for the loss of so many species. Based on this information, what is the best conclusion?

A) Extinctions occur for natural reasons. People need to accept this is part of nature and allow nature to take its course.
B) Since species can recover in a short time period, Earth is experiencing a fairly normal trend.
C) Due to the given data, the Earth may be facing another large extinction event.
D) Humans need to invest more time and money into science to discover and name the species before they die off.
E) It is natural for one species to dominate the planet and is no cause for concern.

Question 23

What are carbon sinks?

A) Locations where carbon has accumulated and fossil fuels have developed
B) Natural areas where, through photosynthesis, carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is reduced
C) Areas where microbes break down organic waste
D) Forests that have been clear-cut and therefore have released more carbon dioxide into the atmosphere
E) Locations where bacteria are used to break down oil and clean up oil spills

Question 24

Which human activities can increase the chances of diseases such as malaria, yellow fever, and other diseases carried by vectors like mosquitos?

A) Changes in livestock management
B) Adding microbes to soil
C) Planting trees to have more carbon sinks
D) Clear-cutting, building roads, and mining in forests
E) Using bacteria to clean up oil spills

Question 25

Why has the loss of biodiversity become a significant issue for scientists, policy-makers, and the general public?

A) The loss of biodiversity has a direct impact on resources that humans need, so it is in the best interest of humans to protect biodiversity.
B) The loss of biodiversity is a moral and ethical concern. Many feel all living organisms have a right to live.
C) Humans have been responsible for much of the loss of biodiversity. Therefore, many feel it is the responsibility of humans to save those that are left.
D) Both a and c
E) All of the above

Question 26

The variety of life comes in many types. Briefly explain three of them.

Question 27

Explain this statement: Some variation of species may be more important than other variation.

Question 28

Why are keystone species important to an ecosystem and what can occur if they are removed? Use an example to explain your answer.

Question 29

Some people value biodiversity because of the intrinsic value. Justify why humans should protect biodiversity based on the intrinsic value of biodiversity.

Question 30

What are the top reasons to protect biodiversity? Justify your answers.

Question 31

Explain the aesthetic value of biodiversity.

Question 32

Predict what could occur to the biodiversity of a tropical rainforest if a native plant is discovered that cures all forms of cancer. Scientists consequently try to create a synthetic form but it does not seem to work on all forms of cancer, nor have scientists been able to cultivate the plant.

Question 33

What is a biological "hot spot"?

Question 34

Suppose there is an island nation where the people depend on fishing for their economy and food supply. The fish populations have decreased. How would one help the island nation with their problem?

Question 35

List some of the pros and cons of using biological control agents.