Deck 12: Sustaining Biodiversity: the Species Approach

Question 1

What is a biologist likely to say about the passenger pigeon? 

A) It is ecologically extinct. 
B) It is locally extinct. 
C) It is endangered. 
D) It is biologically extinct.

Answer 1

D

Question 2

Which term applies to the California condor and whooping crane? 

A) They are imported species 
B) They are endangered species. 
C) They are overpopulated species. 
D) They are threatened species.

Answer 2

B

Question 3

Why were passenger pigeons hunted? 

A) Their feathers were used to stuff pillows. 
B) They were fed to cats. 
C) People feared them. 
D) They ate too many insects.

Answer 3

A

Question 4

What is the definition of an endangered species? 

A) It will eventually become threatened or rare. 
B) It can become rare within the next century. 
C) It will soon become extinct in all or part of its range. 
D) It can undergo alteration of its genetic traits.

Question 5

What has a greater chance of occurring when a population size drops to a critical population density? 

A) a smaller gene pool and outbreeding 
B) a larger gene pool and outbreeding 
C) a smaller gene pool and inbreeding 
D) a larger gene pool and inbreeding

Question 6

Why is the whooping crane prone to extinction? 

A) because of its tendencies to fly into cars, powerlines, and tall building 
B) because of its meat is prized as a delicacy 
C) because of its valuable feathers 
D) because of its small clutch size, small populations, and developments along its migration routes

Question 7

Which characteristic is displayed by small populations of species? 

A) They have a large and diverse gene pool. 
B) They are not vulnerable to catastrophic events. 
C) They may have an increased evolutionary potential for survival. 
D) Their population density may be below critical levels.

Question 8

Which bird species did ornithologist John Audubon observe in the early 1800s in a flock that he estimated was 16 kilometres wide and hundreds of kilometres long and consisted of perhaps a billion birds? 

A) Carolina parakeets 
B) sparrows 
C) starlings 
D) passenger pigeons

Question 9

​Which statement is true about the situation involving Spotted Owls in B.C.? 

A) ​The B.C. government used SARA to protect Spotted Owls in their old growth habitat. 
B) ​Logging of old growth forests was allowed provided that foresters followed strict guidelines designed to protect wild populations of Spotted Owls. 
C) ​A captive breeding program is run that has produced large numbers of Spotted Owls to add to the wild population. 
D) ​By 2013, the wild population of Spotted Owls had dwindled to only about 10 birds.

Question 10

When a large number of species is lost over a relatively short time span,such as a few centuries,this situation is described as: 

A) an eco-catastrophe 
B) an extinction spasm 
C) a major death sequence 
D) an extinction sink

Question 11

Why are bats prone to extinction? 

A) because of their slow digestive rate 
B) because they have generalized feeding habits 
C) because of their low reproduction rate 
D) because of their solitary existence

Question 12

What is the most significant difference between the current extinction crisis and previous mass extinctions? 

A) Recovery is likely to be faster because of genetic engineering. 
B) It is taking place at a slower rate. 
C) It is caused by the human species. 
D) Ecosystems that store genes for future generations have been protected.

Question 13

What are alligators called if their population is so depleted that organisms which depend on alligator habitat for their survival are also suffering? 

A) locally extinct 
B) endangered 
C) threatened 
D) ecologically extinct

Question 14

Which species still survives in Canada? 

A) the Labrador duck 
B) the passenger pigeon 
C) the burrowing owl 
D) the great auk

Question 15

Which characteristic is unlikely to make a species more prone to extinction? 

A) low population density 
B) small body size 
C) low reproductive rate 
D) specialized niche

Question 16

What percentage of all species that ever existed are now extinct? 

A) 99.9% 
B) 85% 
C) 60% 
D) 30%

Question 17

Assuming that there are 20 million species on Earth,and that they are becoming extinct at a rate of 0.1% per year,how many species are we losing each year? 

A) 500 species per year 
B) 2 000 species per year 
C) 10 000 species per year 
D) 20 000 species per year

Question 18

Why are wolves prone to extinction in various parts of the world? 

A) because of their tendency to prey on livestock 
B) because of their specialized breeding areas 
C) because of their large size 
D) because of their fixed migratory patterns

Question 19

Which public participation program has provided an annual "snap shot" of bird populations every year since 1900? 

A) Nocturnal Owl Survey 
B) Christmas Bird Count 
C) Canadian Lakes Loon Survey 
D) Ontario Breeding Bird Atlas

Question 20

In what year did the passenger pigeon become extinct? 

A) 1874 
B) 1894 
C) 1914 
D) 1934

Question 21

Which excursion is an environmentalist unlikely to go on? 

A) an ecotour that hires naturalists and local people 
B) an ecotour that contributes a high percentage of the tour company's profits to local environmental projects 
C) an ecotour that takes precautions to reduce the tour's impacts on the local ecosystem 
D) an ecotour that provides lodging in an internationally owned hotel

Question 22

Which animal has a role in the propagation of cashews,avocados,and bananas? 

A) the hummingbird 
B) the bat 
C) the bee 
D) the manatee

Question 23

What is an outcome of the general perception that flowers are beautiful? 

A) It is evidence that wildflowers have ecological importance. 
B) It is evidence that wildflowers have medical importance. 
C) It is evidence that wildflowers have genetic importance. 
D) It is evidence that wildflowers have aesthetic importance.

Question 24

Which island would likely have the largest number of species? 

A) a medium-sized island in the middle of an island chain 
B) a small island far removed from other sites 
C) a large island far removed from other sites 
D) a large island near the mainland

Question 25

Which economic service is unlikely to be provided by wild species of organisms? 

A) recycling nutrients and decomposition of organic wastes 
B) balancing all the impacts of human activities 
C) moderating Earth's climate 
D) diversification of the gene pool

Question 26

What group is responsible for making science-based recommendations about Canadian wildlife species at risk? 

A) CITES 
B) SARA 
C) COSEWIC 
D) WWF

Question 27

Which term did biologist E.O.Wilson give to the sense of affinity that most people feel toward the natural world? 

A) technophobia 
B) biophobia 
C) technophilia 
D) biophilia

Question 28

What is the greatest threat to most species? 

A) sport hunting 
B) parasitic infestation 
C) habitat reduction 
D) water pollution

Question 29

What type of "island" could a national park be viewed as,given that a national park is usually surrounded by agriculture,industry,and logging? 

A) agriculture island 
B) habitat island 
C) industrial island 
D) stream island

Question 30

What would NOT be likely to cause the reduction and possible extinction of wildlife populations? 

A) increased human population growth 
B) increased poverty 
C) governmental policies that undervalue ecological services 
D) sustainable development

Question 31

What is the acronym used to recall the main factors that can lead to premature extinction of a species? 

A) ZIPO 
B) HODOR 
C) HIPPCO 
D) SOSWL

Question 32

What is the value of a male lion living to age seven in Kenya? 

A) $515 000 as a live specimen sold to a zoo 
B) $515 000 as a functioning component of the ecosystem 
C) $515 000 as a sporting trophy 
D) $515 000 as a tourist attraction

Question 33

Which mammals are likely at risk of becoming extinct in the near future? 

A) apes and monkeys 
B) antelopes 
C) wild cats and dogs 
D) rodents

Question 34

What percentage of freshwater fish are at risk of becoming extinct in the near future? 

A) 65% 
B) 37% 
C) 16% 
D) 5%

Question 35

Which of the following "values" do wild species have,according to claims made by biologists? 

A) ecological value 
B) economic value 
C) recreational value 
D) all of the values listed above

Question 36

What is the greatest species terminator? 

A) destruction of tropical forest habitat 
B) destruction of coral reef habitat 
C) destruction of grassland habitat 
D) destruction of desert habitat

Question 37

Which type of species offers the opportunity to apply the precautionary strategy? 

A) an endemic species found in only one part of the world 
B) an indicator species 
C) a keystone species 
D) an alien species

Question 38

Which of the following "values" do species have,according to people who believe that wild species have an inherent right to exist? 

A) extrinsic value 
B) intrinsic value 
C) economic value 
D) utilitarian value

Question 39

Why are bats endangered? 

A) Bats live in vulnerable habitats and are faced with recent disease problems. 
B) Bats have a high reproduction rate. 
C) People are not fearful of bats. 
D) People appreciate the ecological role of bats.

Question 40

What term is used on many tropical islands to refer to fruit-eating bats? 

A) keystone species 
B) generalists 
C) alien species 
D) indicator species

Question 41

Which statement describes habitat islands? 

A) They can NOT be national parks, protected areas, or freshwater lakes. 
B) They are wildlife preserves set aside to sustain endangered species. 
C) They can create small populations that are resistant to inbreeding. 
D) They are often too small to support the minimum number of individuals required to sustain a population.

Question 42

Which species is considered to be "of special concern" because of uncertainties such as the effect of climate change on its habitat,its food sources,and its population numbers.

A) manatees 
B) wolverines 
C) Fowler's toads 
D) polar bears

Question 43

What may occur as a result of importing exotic birds for use as household pets? 

A) a 20% animal death rate 
B) improved health of the pet owner 
C) the species becoming endangered or threatened 
D) increased tourist revenues in the exporting countries

Question 44

Which species became extirpated from Canada because its prey species had become a species at risk? 

A) coyotes 
B) bobcats 
C) swift foxes 
D) black-footed ferrets

Question 45

Which ranking applies to illegal wildlife smuggling? 

A) It is the world's second largest form of black-market commerce. 
B) It is the world's third largest form of black-market commerce. 
C) It is the world's fourth largest form of black-market commerce. 
D) It is the world's fifth largest form of black-market commerce.

Question 46

Which of the following statements is NOT true about the situation of illegal wildlife smuggling? 

A) Poverty is a key reason that people in LDCs indulge in this activity. 
B) Most poachers are not caught. 
C) Black market demands soar when a species becomes endangered. 
D) Exotic animals are safer now that they have more economic value since more money is available for managing them.e

Question 47

What is a feature of the Japanese kudzu vine? 

A) It flowers twice a year. 
B) It bears toxic berries that deplete bird populations. 
C) It is a source of starch for use in Canadian beverages. 
D) It has a strong root system that helps control soil erosion.

Question 48

Which statement is NOT true about spiny water fleas? 

A) They are too small to be seen with the naked eye. 
B) They are an invasive species of zooplankton, native to Europe and Asia. 
C) They are a problem, where introduced in North America, because they lack their natural predators and their natural competitors. 
D) The public can help by making efforts to not transfer spiny water fleas from one body of water to another.

Question 49

Which of the following is usually the result of habitat fragmentation? 

A) Habitat fragmentation increases the total habitat area and supports a larger breeding population. 
B) Habitat fragmentation enhances the ability of species to find food and mates. 
C) Habitat fragmentation isolates some populations into smaller groups that are more vulnerable to disease, predation, and other threats of local extinction. 
D) Habitat fragmentation is not a problem for most species of plants and animals.

Question 50

Which term is synonymous with illegal hunting for profit? 

A) commercial hunting 
B) poaching 
C) subsistence hunting 
D) sport hunting

Question 51

What is the biggest threat to native species,other than habitat loss and degradation? 

A) greenhouse gases 
B) urban sprawl 
C) deliberate or accidental introduction of non-native species 
D) chemical contamination

Question 52

What is CITES? 

A) a national organization from Canada dedicated to the preservation of endangered species in Canada only 
B) a set of regulations controlling the introduction of only bird species 
C) a treaty controlling the international trade in endangered species 
D) a pact that supports critical ecosystems that support Antarctic wildlife only

Question 53

What rule should be applied before a non-native species is introduced to an ecosystem or habitat? 

A) the first law of thermodynamics 
B) the law of common property 
C) the law of supply and demand 
D) the precautionary principle

Question 54

Why was the Carolina parakeet exterminated? 

A) because it was an alien species 
B) because it spread histoplasmosis, a fungal disease 
C) because it fed on fruit crops 
D) because it carried a viral disease that killed domesticated parakeets

Question 55

What has nearly driven prairie dogs to extinction? 

A) coyotes 
B) shotguns and rifles 
C) poison 
D) imported black-footed ferrets

Question 56

Why might the biodiversity in wildlife reserves be depleted in a few decades? 

A) climate change brought about by global warming depletes biodiversity 
B) demands for sport trophies depletes biodiversity 
C) biological magnification of pesticides depletes biodiversity 
D) the use of fossil fuels depletes biodiversity

Question 57

What is a limiting factor of CITES? 

A) It only applies to larger urban centres. 
B) It is unclear which species are covered. 
C) Much of the illegal wildlife trade occurs in countries that have not signed the treaty. 
D) Member countries cannot exempt themselves from protecting any species.

Question 58

Which species would be affected by the fragmentation of tropical forests? 

A) raccoons 
B) cowbirds 
C) migrating songbirds 
D) skunks

Question 59

Which population has been depleted due to the pet trade? 

A) temperate fish 
B) arctic fish 
C) tropical birds 
D) Canadian mammals

Question 60

What is reconciliation ecology? 

A) It is a last attempt to restore a deforested area. 
B) It is a science of reclaiming contaminated nuclear waste sites. 
C) It is an older form of conservation biology that has been revisited. 
D) It involves finding ways to share places with other species.

Question 61

Alien species thrive in new ecosystems because they have long generation times.

Question 62

One of the causes of depletion of the environment is human population growth.

Question 63

Which statement applies to captive breeding programs in zoos? 

A) They require the captive population to number between 100 and 500. 
B) They eliminate the need to preserve critical habitats. 
C) They increase the genetic variability of species. 
D) They can be used for most species except mammals.

Question 64

Which species is classified as threatened by COSEWIC? 

A) the polar bear 
B) the black-footed ferret 
C) the Vancouver Island marmot 
D) the swift fox

Question 65

By what method are seed gene banks controlled? 

A) They are kept in warm environments with low humidity. 
B) They are kept in warm environments with high humidity. 
C) They are kept in refrigerated environments with low humidity. 
D) They are kept in refrigerated environments with high humidity.

Question 66

Speciation or extinction could be the result of habitat fragmentation.

Question 67

Which of the following statements is NOT true about how reconciliation ecology was used to assist populations of bluebirds? 

A) Nest boxes were provided to compensate for the lack of dead and dying trees that had formerly been abundant. 
B) The entrances of the nest boxes had to be small enough to exclude starlings and the nest box cavities had to be deep enough to discourage house sparrows. 
C) The public was invited to provide habitat for the bluebirds, and to provide protecting by keeping cats away from bluebird nests. 
D) Large areas of wetlands were restored since bluebirds require this type of habitat for food and shelter.

Question 68

Gene banks,zoos,and aquariums are sanctuaries that are being used to protect wild species.

Question 69

Because many plant species have potential medicinal benefits,a precautionary strategy would prevent significant destruction of plants.

Question 70

What is egg pulling? 

A) Producing hybrids in captive breeding programs. 
B) Using fertility drugs to increase productivity. 
C) Collecting eggs from the wild and hatching them in zoos or research centres. 
D) It involves techniques used to extend the breeding span of captured birds.

Question 71

What is the role of COSEWIC? 

A) It helps prevent the importation of endangered species. 
B) It estimates projected climate changes. 
C) It provides expert assessments of species at risk in Canada. 
D) It legally binds signatory governments to reversing the global decline of biological diversity.

Question 72

What is the view of most Canadians,in terms of the Species at Risk Act? 

A) They feel that the Species at Risk Act needs to be applied less widely and seriously. 
B) They feel the Species at Risk Act is doing enough. 
C) They support the Species at Risk Act in principle but are unhappy with certain flaws. 
D) They have not embraced the Species at Risk Act.

Question 73

Pollution from human activities primarily affects human health; the effects on the environment are few.

Question 74

When a species has disappeared from the Earth,it is biologically extinct.

Question 75

What is the role of Canada's Species at Risk Act? 

A) It provides legal protection for wildlife species in Canada. 
B) It became law in 2003 to protect arctic species only. 
C) It reports to COSEWIC about the status of wildlife in Canada. 
D) It helps protect the importation of endangered species into Canada.

Question 76

What is an extirpated species? 

A) It is a species that is in serious jeopardy and facing imminent extinction. 
B) It is a species that is likely to become endangered if present trends continue. 
C) It is a species that no longer exists in Canada but is found in other parts of the world. 
D) It is a species with biological characteristics that, when combined with other factors, could cause it to become threatened.

Question 77

Habitat destruction can be counteracted by reconciliation ecology.

Question 78

International treaties help protect wild species,and thus help maintain biological diversity.

Question 79

When species become endangered,it is an indicator that the health of vital ecosystems is beginning to unravel or decline.

Question 80

Biological diversity is an invaluable and irreplaceable resource.