Deck 37: Conservation Biology

Question 1

Choose the best answer for each question.
The most significant cause of the loss of biodiversity is

A) habitat loss.
B) pollution.
C) exotic species.
D) disease.
E) overexploitation.

Answer 1

Species diversity describes the number of difference species that live in a particular area. Species diversity is important to maintaining our ecosystems. It takes many species to ensure proper cycling of nutrients, to allow population growth, and to keep populations from growing out of hand.
Pollution is the third leading cause of declining species diversity. Pollution affects the environment in which organisms live in. If there are toxic chemicals in a lake, it can result in the death of many organisms. Since land organisms eat aquatic organisms, the effect of pollution can extend beyond the lake. However, pollution is not the leading cause of declining species diversity. Hence, option (B) is incorrect.
Exotic species are one cause of declining species diversity. Exotic species are organisms that are not native to the environment. Exotic species may not have natural predators and can experience a population growth that outcompetes other native species. Exotic species may also prey on native species and result in over predation. However, exotic species is not the leading cause of declining species diversity. Hence, option (C) is incorrect.
Disease is another cause of declining species diversity. Increasing movement of humans into new habitats brings new pathogens into environments. Organisms that live in these environments may not have immunity to these pathogens and be decimated by disease. However, disease is not the leading cause of declining species diversity. Hence, option (D) is incorrect.
Overexploitation is a cause of declining species diversity. Overexploitation is over predation of a species. If humans capture too many fish or hunt too many deer, it can result in a death rate that is higher than the birth rate. Eventually, we can drive a species to extinction if its population numbers are not allowed to recover. However, overexploitation is not the leading cause of declining species diversity. Hence, option (E) is incorrect.
Habitat loss is the leading cause of declining species diversity. Human population growth results in an increased need for land to build homes and extract resources. Species that once lived on this land can adapt to human presence; however, death of the species is highly likely. Death of one species can threaten the survival of other interconnected species. Thus, the correct answer is A, habitat loss.

Question 2

How might the Emiquon Floodplain Restoration plan be used as a model for other restoration projects?

Answer 2

The ecosystem in many countries is being altered and as a result is greenhouse effect, melting glaciers, natural calamities and a loss to biodiversity.
Restoration projects that mimic the original ecosystem are necessary. The original species in their original ecosystems are reestablished. Original conditions are to be established so that the restored or relocated species should not feel out of place and can accept the place for their habitation.
Once the restoration plan is complete, sometime should be given for their establishment. Then scientists can check the samples of soil, water, and the kind of species like fishes of the river, birds, animals, reptiles etc. that inhabit there.
Comparison with those that resided in an area earlier and those that have been established in the restoration plan in that particular ecosystem gives the success data of the effort. If the original condition is proved to be established then the restoration plan is successful but, if the original ecosystem fails to get established then scientists should find out what else needs to be done for complete restoration of any ecosystem. This method of restoring the ecosystems can be adopted by any conservation committee for the restoration of natural habitats in their original place.

Question 3

Choose the best answer for each question.
Exotic species are introduced into new areas by which method?

A) colonization
B) agriculture
C) accidental transport
D) All of the choices are correct.

Answer 3

Exotic species are organisms that are not native to the environment. Exotic species may not have natural predators and can experience a population growth that outcompetes other native species. Exotic species may also prey on native species and result in over predation. Introduction of exotic species can result in the decline of native species diversity.
Exotic species can be introduced into a new area via colonization. Humans that move to a new area may carry exotic species with them. Introduction of exotic species via colonization is intentional. Humans intentionally bring exotic species for a specific purpose in the new area. For example, the Polynesians brought chickens with them to the Hawaiian Islands for food. Hence, option (A) is correct.
Exotic species can be introduced into a new area via agriculture. Movement of crops from one region to another can carry exotic species. For example, insects can be carried in a bunch of bananas from South America to the United States. Hence, option (B) is correct.
Exotic species can be introduced into a new area accidently. Accidental transport of an exotic species is unintentional. For example, mosquitoes just happened to be in European ships when they arrived in the Hawaiian Islands. Hence, option (C) is correct.
Thus, the correct answer is D, all of these are correct.

Question 4

Choose the best answer for each question.
Edge effects

A) result from species crowding at edge of habitats.
B) mean that no plants can grow well at the edge of a mountain.
C) may increase wind and temperatures around the outside of habitats.
D) increase competition between species at the edge of their territories.
E) All of these are correct.

Question 5

Choose the best answer for each question.
Agricultural runoff of nutrients can result in a fish kill due to

A) toxic effects of the high nutrient levels on the fish.
B) toxic effects of the high nutrient levels of the food sources of the fish.
C) low oxygen levels in the water as decomposers break down algae.
D) the cooling of the water as algae shade the bottom.

Question 6

Choose the best answer for each question.
A transition to hydrogen fuel technology will

A) be long in coming and probably not of major significance.
B) lessen many current environmental problems.
C) not be likely because it will always be expensive and as polluting as natural gas.
D) be of major consequence, but resource limitations for obtaining hydrogen will hinder its progress.

Question 7

Choose the best answer for each question.
Global warming does not bring about

A) the inability of species to migrate to cooler climates as environmental temperatures rise.
B) the bleaching and drowning of coral reefs.
C) a rise in sea levels and loss of wetlands.
D) preservation of species because cold weather causes hardships.
E) All of the choices are correct.

Question 8

Choose the best answer for each question.
Biodiversity hotspots

A) have few populations because the temperature is too hot.
B) contain about 20% of Earth's species even though their area is small.
C) are always found in tropical rain forests and coral reefs.
D) are sources of species for the ecosystems of the world.
E) All except a are correct.

Question 9

Choose the best answer for each question.
Consumptive use value

A) means we should think of conservation in terms of the long run.
B) means we are placing too much emphasis on living organisms that are useful to us.
C) means some organisms, other than crops and farm animals, are valuable as products.
D) is a type of direct value.
E) Both c and d are correct.

Question 10

Choose the best answer for each question.
Which of these is not an indirect value of species?

A) participates in biogeochemical cycles
B) participates in waste disposal
C) helps provide fresh water
D) prevents soil erosion
E) All of the choices are correct.

Question 11

Choose the best answer for each question.
The services provided to us by ecosystems are unseen. This means

A) they are not valuable.
B) they are noticed particularly when the service is disrupted.
C) biodiversity is not needed for ecosystems to keep functioning as before.
D) we should be knowledgeable about them and protect them.
E) Both b and d are correct.

Question 12

Choose the best answer for each question.
Eagles and bears feed on spawning salmon. If shrimp are introduced that compete with salmon for food,

A) the salmon population will decline.
B) the eagle and bear populations will decline.
C) only the shrimp population will decline.
D) all populations will increase in size.
E) Both a and b are correct.

Question 13

Choose the best answer for each question.
Which of the following should not be considered when designing nature reserves?

A) edge effects that may require an increase in size
B) corridors to facilitate wildlife movement among habitat patches
C) primarily the needs of a single, important species
D) inclusion of multiple ecosystem types

Question 14

In some situations, distinctiveness, in terms of genetic DNA sequence, is being used to set policy. That is, if researchers find a population of a species, such as ABC brown bears, to be genetically distinct from other populations of the same species, then that population may be afforded special protection, such as threatened or endangered status under the U.S. Endangered Species Act. This policy is then used to make major environmental decisions, such as halting logging in that area. Should DNA distinctness be used to make such major policy decisions?

Question 15

Choose the best answer for each question.
Which type of resource is renewable and readily available?

A) oil
B) coal
C) solar energy
D) underground water supplies
E) copper

Question 16

Forensic DNA evidence can be used to prosecute hunters who illegally hunt animals, such as deer, in areas where they do not have a proper hunting license. Occasionally, such hunters face harsh sentences that may even include jail time. Does DNA evidence provide enough proof to convict people of illegal hunting?

Question 17

Choose the best answer for each question.
Most fresh water is used for

A) domestic purposes, such as bathing, flushing toilets, and watering lawns.
B) domestic purposes, such as cooking and drinking.
C) agriculture.
D) industry.

Question 18

DNA studies, such as those conducted in Japan, opened our eyes to the fact that illegal whale hunting still occurs. Some people have recommended we screen the DNA of much of the imported fish meat coming from different countries. However, this can be quite expensive. Do you support genetic testing of imported fish meat, even if it increases the cost of the meat to the consumer?

Question 19

Choose the best answer for each question.
Removal of groundwater from aquifers may cause

A) pollution.
B) subsidence.
C) mineral depletion.
D) soil erosion.
E) All of the choices are correct.

Question 20

In what ways might scientists assess whether the restoration plan was successful in its goal?