BIO II: Chapter 43

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Which of the following nations has become a world leader in the establishment of zoned reserves? A) Costa Rica B) Canada C) China D) United States E) Mexico

A) Costa Rica

The use of DDT as an insecticide in the United States has been outlawed since 1971, yet is still a problem for certain top-level carnivores in the United States. Which of the following choices best explains this apparent incongruity? A) DDT is still used for mosquito control in tropical countries, and certain migratory predators can be affected by a seasonal biomagnification. B) DDT is persistent in the environment, and all of the pre-1971 DDT is still available in toxic form to poison top-level carnivores. C) Pre-1971 DDT has been deposited in certain habitats, particularly wetlands and estuaries, so predators in these ecosystems are vulnerable to biomagnifications of DDT. D) Whereas most DDT-susceptible species have become resistant to persistent DDT, others are still vulnerable. E) All of the options are correct.

A) DDT is still used for mosquito control in tropical countries, and certain migratory predators can be affected by a seasonal biomagnification.

What is the biological significance of genetic diversity between populations? A) Genes for adaptive traits to local conditions make microevolution possible. B) The population that is most fit would survive by competitive exclusion. C) Genetic diversity allows for species stability by preventing speciation. D) Isolated populations become more fit. E) Diseases and parasites are not spread between separated populations.

A) Genes for adaptive traits to local conditions make microevolution possible.

The primary difference between the small-population approach (S-PA) and the decliningpopulation approach (D-PA) to biodiversity recovery is A) S-PA is interested in bolstering the genetic diversity of a threatened population rather than the environmental factors that caused the population's decline. B) S-PA kicks in for conservation biologists when population numbers fall below 500. C) D-PA would likely involve bringing together individuals from scattered small populations to interbreed in order to promote genetic diversity. D) S-PA would investigate and eliminate all of the human impacts on the habitat of the species being studied for recovery. E) D-PA would use recently collected population data to calculate an extinction vortex.

A) S-PA is interested in bolstering the genetic diversity of a threatened population rather than the environmental factors that caused the population's decline.

Which of the following is a consequence of biological magnification? 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.

According to the U.S. Endangered Species Act (ESA), the difference between an endangered species and a threatened one is that A) an endangered species is closer to extinction. B) a threatened species is closer to extinction. C) threatened species are endangered species outside the U.S. borders. D) endangered species are mainly tropical. E) only endangered species are vertebrates.

A) an endangered species is closer to extinction.

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 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.

The concept of sustainable development emphasizes 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.

The biggest challenge that Costa Rica will likely face in its dedication to conservation and restoration in the future is A) the pressures of its growing population. B) its small size (as a country), which may not be able to maintain large enough reserves. C) the potential for disturbance of sensitive species in reserves by ecotourists. D) spread of disease and parasites via corridors from neighboring countries. E) the large number of Costa Rican species already in the extinction vortex

A) the pressures of its growing population.

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

If global warming continues at its present rate, which biomes will likely take the place of the coniferous forest (taiga)? A) tundra and polar ice B) temperate broadleaf forest and grassland C) desert and chaparral D) tropical forest and savanna E) chaparral and temperate broadleaf forest

B) temperate broadleaf forest and grassland

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

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.

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? 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.

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.

What is the biggest problem with selecting a site for a preserve? A) There is always a conflict about use of land set aside for preservation. B) Making a proper selection is difficult because the current environmental conditions of almost any site may change in the future because of climate change or other factors. C) Keystone species are difficult to identify in potential preserve sites. D) Only lands that are not useful to human activities are available for preserves. E) Most of the best sites are inaccessible by land transportation, so making roads to them is often prohibitively expensive.

B) Making a proper selection is difficult because the current environmental conditions of almost any site may change in the future because of climate change or other factors.

Which of the following terms includes all of the others? A) species diversity B) biodiversity C) genetic diversity D) ecosystem diversity E) species richness

B) biodiversity

Managing southeastern forests specifically for the red-cockaded woodpecker 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.

B) contributed to greater abundance and diversity of other forest bird species

The word triage originated during World War I and was first used by French doctors in prioritizing patients based on the severity of their wounds, because there were more wounded soldiers in need of urgent care than there were resources to treat them. Conservation biologists have to make similar determinations with degraded ecosystems. Which of the following is the most important consideration when it comes to managing for maintenance of biodiversity? A) identifying large, high-profile vertebrates first, because steps to saving them would be most recognized by the public B) determining which species is most important for conserving biodiversity as a whole C) replanting suitable habitat for fauna D) assessing the economic costs and the gains for society E) maintaining optimum size of all populations in the ecosystem

B) determining which species is most important for conserving biodiversity as a whole

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

B) increasing our reliance on renewable sources of energy

Overexploitation encourages extinction and is most likely to affect 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.

B) large animals with low intrinsic reproductive rates.

Brown-headed cowbirds utilize fragmented forests effectively by 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.

B) parasitizing the nests of forest birds, and feeding on open-field insects.

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

B) potential loss of ecosystem services on which people depend.

The introduction of the brown tree snake in the 1940s to the island of Guam has resulted in A) eradication of non-native rats and other undesirable/pest species. B) the extirpation of many of the island's bird and reptile species. C) a good lesson in biological control. D) a new species of hybrids from crossbreeding with a native snake species. E) its failure to compete with native species and its quick elimination from the island.

B) the extirpation of many of the island's bird and reptile species.

Which of the following species was driven to extinction by overexploitation by hunters/fishermen? A) African elephant B) the great auk C) North American bluefin tuna D) flying foxes E) American bison

B) the great auk

Agricultural lands frequently require nutrient augmentation because 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.

B) the nutrients that become the biomass of plants are not cycled back to the soil on lands where they are harvested.

Review the formula for effective population size. Imagine a population of 1,000 small rodents. Of these, 300 are breeding females, 300 are breeding males, and 400 are nonbreeding juveniles. What is the effective population size? A) 1,000 B) 1,200 C) 600 D) 400 E) 300

C) 600

Invasive species are introduced by humans to new geographic locations and: 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.

C) All of the choices are correct.

Which of the following is consistent with forest fragmentation research? A) Productivity is the same in both fragmented forests and forest interiors. B) Edge communities consistently have low species diversity. C) Forest-interior species show declines in small patch communities. D) New-edge species that migrate in do not seem to compete with forest species and often increase biodiversity in fragmented forests. E) Species diversity is always lower in fragmented forests when compared to forest interiors in the same region.

C) Forest-interior species show declines in small patch communities.

Which of the following best illustrates the sustainable use of a resource? A) Coal mines in West Virginia remove the tops of mountains to extract large amounts of coal. B) Fishing industries improve their methods and now remove more than 90% of the fish in a region. C) Huge windmills in Texas are able to capture 50% of the wind energy in a specific region. D) Corporations are converting their company automobiles from gasoline to cheaper natural gas

C) Huge windmills in Texas are able to capture 50% of the wind energy in a specific region.

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

C) Introduce new individuals transported from other populations of the same species.

Which statement is true with regard to 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.

C) Its rate of growth is slowing.

How is habitat fragmentation related to biodiversity loss? A) Less carbon dioxide is absorbed by plants in fragmented habitats. B) In fragmented habitats, more soil erosion takes place. C) Populations of organisms in fragments are smaller, and thus more susceptible to extinction. D) Animals are forced out of smaller habitat fragments. E) Fragments generate silt that negatively affects sensitive river and stream organisms.

C) Populations of organisms in fragments are smaller, and thus more susceptible to extinction.

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? 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.

C) The current rate of extinction is high and human activities threaten biodiversity at all levels.

How are movement corridors potentially harmful to certain species? A) They increase inbreeding. B) They promote dispersion. C) They spread disease and parasites. D) They increase genetic diversity. E) They allow seasonal migration.

C) They spread disease and parasites.

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

C) a hot spot for one group of organisms may not be a hot spot for another group

Relatively small geographic areas with high concentrations of endemic species and a large number of endangered and threatened species are known as A) endemic sinks. B) critical communities. C) biodiversity hot spots. D) endemic metapopulations. E) bottlenecks.

C) biodiversity hot spots.

What causes extremely high levels of toxic chemicals in fish-eating birds? A) depletion of ozone layer B) acid precipitation C) biological magnification D) greenhouse effect E) eutrophication

C) biological magnification

What term did E. O. Wilson coin for our innate appreciation of wild environments and living organisms? A) bioremediation B) bioethics C) biophilia D) biophobia E) landscape ecology

C) biophilia

Which one of the following is the most sustainable source of energy? A) natural gas used to heat homes B) gasoline used to run cars C) hydroelectric dams D) a coal power plant

C) hydroelectric dams

Estimates of current rates of extinction: 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.

C) indicate that rates may be greater than the mass extinctions at the close of the Cretaceous period.

According to the small-population approach, what would be the best strategy for saving a population from extirpation? A) determining the minimum viable population size by taking into account the effective population size B) establishing a nature reserve to protect its habitat C) introducing individuals from other populations to increase genetic variation D) determining and remedying the cause of its decline E) reducing the population size of its predators and competitors

C) introducing individuals from other populations to increase genetic variation

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

C) the rate of extinction is higher than background extinction rates.

The success with which plants extend their range northward following glacial retreat is best determined by A) whether there is simultaneous migration of herbivores. B) their tolerance to shade. C) their seed dispersal rate. D) their size. E) their growth rate.

C) their seed dispersal rate.

Which of the following ecological locations has the greatest species diversity? A) tundra B) deciduous forests C) tropical rain forest D) grasslands E) islands

C) tropical rain forest

The main goal of sustainable development is to 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

C) use natural resources such that they do not decline over time

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

C) voluntary reduction of family size

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

D) Genetic measurements indicate a loss of genetic variation over time.

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

D) alteration or destruction of the physical habitat.

Which of the following refers to the reflecting and absorption of infrared radiation by atmospheric methane, carbon dioxide, and water? A) depletion of ozone layer B) acid precipitation C) biological magnification D) greenhouse effect E) eutrophication

D) greenhouse effect

Which of the following is the most direct threat to biodiversity? A) increased levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide B) the depletion of the ozone layer C) overexploitation of selected species D) habitat destruction E) zoned reserves

D) habitat destruction

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

D) high rate of extinction

Which of the following examples poses the greatest potential threat to biodiversity? A) replanting, after a clear cut, a monoculture of Douglas fir trees on land that consisted of oldgrowth Douglas fir, western cedar, and western hemlock B) allowing previously used farmland to go fallow and begin to fill in with weeds and then shrubs and saplings C) trapping and relocating large predators, such as mountain lions, that pose a threat as they move into areas of relatively dense human populations D) importing an Asian insect into the United States to control a weed that competes with staple crops E) releasing sterilized rainbow trout to boost the sport fishing of a river system that contains native brook trout

D) importing an Asian insect into the United States to control a weed that competes with staple crops

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

D) its genetic diversity is very low.

How might the extinction of some Pacific Island bats called "flying foxes" threaten the survival of over 75% of the tree species in those islands? A) wetland and riparian B) open and benthic ocean C) desert and high alpine D) taiga and second-growth forests E) tundra and arctic

D) taiga and second-growth forests

What is a critical load? A) the amount of nutrient augmentation necessary to bring a depleted habitat back to its former level B) the level of a given toxin in an ecosystem that is lethal to 50% of the species present C) the maximum abundance level of a particular species, beyond which additional numbers will degrade a habitat D) the amount of added nutrient that can be absorbed by plants without damaging ecosystem integrity E) the number of predators an ecosystem can support that effectively culls prey populations to healthy levels

D) the amount of added nutrient that can be absorbed by plants without damaging ecosystem integrity

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

D) the burning of larger amounts of wood and fossil fuels.

The long-term problem with red-cockaded woodpecker habitat intervention in the southeastern United States is A) the only habitat that can support their recovery is large tracts of mature oak forest. B) the mature pine forests in which they live cannot ever be subjected to forest fire. C) all of the appropriate red-cockaded woodpecker habitat has already been logged or converted to agricultural land. D) the social organization of the red-cockaded woodpecker precludes the dispersal of reproductive individuals. E) what habitat remains for the red-cockaded woodpecker does not contain trees suitable for nest-cavity construction.

D) the social organization of the red-cockaded woodpecker precludes the dispersal of reproductive individuals.

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