Deck 5: Sustaining Biodiversity: The Species Approach

Question 1

The case of the passenger pigeon best illustrates

A) the strength of natural selection.
B) the theory of evolution.
C) the concept of coevolution.
D) the role humans play in premature extinction of species.
E) the excellence of enforcing laws to protect species.

Answer 1

D

Question 2

____ occurs when a species no longer exists on earth.

A) Ecological extinction.
B) Local extinction.
C) Biological extinction.
D) Natural selection.
E) Speciation.

Answer 2

C

Question 3

Passenger pigeons became extinct because of all of the following except

A) uncontrolled commercial hunting.
B) loss of food supplies as forests were cleared for farms.
C) loss of habitat as forests were cleared for cities.
D) natural causes of extinction.
E) lack of adequate laws to protect them.

Answer 3

D

Question 4

People who believe that wild species have an inherent right to exist generally believe that species have

A) economic value.
B) genetic value.
C) intrinsic value.
D) utilitarian value.
E) ecological value.

Question 5

Wild plant species have instrumental value as all but which of the following?

A) the basis for new crop strains
B) fibers and dyes
C) a source of genetic information
D) pharmaceuticals
E) none of these

Question 6

An endangered species is any species that can

A) undergo alteration of its genetic traits.
B) become rare within the next century.
C) soon become extinct in all or part of its range.
D) eventually become threatened or rare.
E) be considered economically important, but is rare.

Question 7

____ occurs when a population is too small to sustain its role in biological communities.

A) Ecological extinction.
B) Local extinction.
C) Biological extinction.
D) Natural selection.
E) Speciation.

Question 8

Ecological functions of wild species include all of the following except

A) ecotourism.
B) climate regulation.
C) detoxification.
D) water supply regulation.
E) waste decomposition.

Question 9

Which of the following species is not threatened or endangered?

A) Turkey vulture
B) Gray wolf
C) Blue whale
D) Grizzly bear
E) African elephant

Question 10

The species extinction rate is apparently

A) increasing rapidly.
B) always equal to the species formation rate.
C) about one species per year.
D) lower now than it has ever been.
E) decreasing steadily.

Question 11

____ occurs when one or more populations of a species is no longer found in an area it once inhabited,but is found elsewhere.

A) Ecological extinction.
B) Local extinction.
C) Biological extinction.
D) Natural selection.
E) Speciation.

Question 12

Most extinction experts estimate species extinctions to be greater than even anticipated due to all but which of the following reasons?

A) We are degrading biologically diverse hotspots.
B) We are reducing biologically diverse environments that serve as colonizing sites for new species.
C) The number of laws to protect biodiversity worldwide is increasing.
D) The rate of extinction and biodiversity loss is likely to increase due to human caused factors.
E) Human populations are increasing.

Question 13

A 1/1,000,000 species per year extinction rate,which is the estimated continuous rate of extinction in the Earth's history,is called ____ extinction.

A) background
B) local
C) ecological
D) biological
E) total

Question 14

Bats can be described by all of the following statements except

A) They help control many crop-damaging pests.
B) They are keystone species and have been used to develop navigational aids for the blind.
C) They pollinate and disperse seeds for hundreds of tropical plants.
D) They are integral to forest regeneration and biodiversity.
E) They are the cause of most cases of rabies in humans.

Question 15

People who regard wildflowers as beautiful provide evidence that wildflowers have

A) economic value.
B) aesthetic value.
C) medical value.
D) ecological value.
E) biological value.

Question 16

Which of the following statements is false?

A) Humans are causing the current extinction spasm.
B) The current rate of extinction is in terms of decades and is much faster than ever before.
C) Extinction is being balanced by the production of new species.
D) Humans are eliminating many of the biologically diverse habitats that have been sources of new species in the past.
E) The current rate of extinction is taking place at a faster pace than ever before.

Question 17

Characteristics of species most likely to become extinct include all but which of the following?

A) They are commercially valuable.
B) They have a narrow distribution.
C) They have a low reproduction rate.
D) They eat low on the food chain.
E) They have a specialized niche.

Question 18

A single male lion living to age 7 in Kenya is worth the most as a(n)

A) sporting trophy.
B) tourist attraction.
C) exotic pet.
D) specimen to be sold alive to a zoo.
E) specimen killed for its skin.

Question 19

A threatened species is

A) likely to become endangered.
B) declining in numbers.
C) still abundant in its natural range.
D) all of these answers
E) declining in numbers but still abundant in its natural range.

Question 20

John James Audubon described a single flock of ____of perhaps a billion birds,which took 3 days to travel past him and darkened the skies.

A) Carolina parakeets
B) starlings
C) sparrows
D) passenger pigeons
E) California condors

Question 21

Underlying causes of extinction and population reduction of wildlife include all of the following except

A) trapping.
B) human population growth.
C) economic systems that fail to value the environment and ecological services.
D) unsustainable exploitation of resources.
E) poverty.

Question 22

Which of the following is false?

A) Habitat islands can be wildlife preserves set aside to sustain endangered species.
B) Habitat islands are fragments of wildlife habitats.
C) Habitat islands often cannot support the number of individuals required to sustain a population.
D) Habitat islands may be national parks, protected areas, or freshwater lakes.
E) Habitat islands are often surrounded by industrial areas.

Question 23

Which of the following actions is not a way for individuals to prevent the spread of harmful invasive species?

A) Do not allow wild animals to escape.
B) When camping, do not use wood near your campsite; rather, bring in firewood.
C) After each use, clean your kayak or other outdoor vehicle or clothing before returning home.
D) Plant a variety of native trees, shrubs, and other plants in your yard to reduce losses from invasives.
E) Do not dump your aquarium contents into a nearby waterway.

Question 24

The single greatest cause of extinction and decline in global diversity is habitat destruction of

A) coral reefs.
B) grasslands.
C) tropical forests.
D) deserts.
E) temperate forests.

Question 25

We can control invasive species by all but which one of the following ways?

A) Increase inspections of imported goods.
B) Create international laws forbidding the trade in invasive species.
C) Enact laws requiring cargo ships to empty their ballast water at sea.
D) Create chemicals to control existing invasive species and prevent new ones from establishing.
E) Increase research in natural methods to control invasive species.

Question 26

Lakes and national parks are examples of

A) fragmentation.
B) habitat islands.
C) barrier islands.
D) urban landscapes.
E) temperate regions.

Question 27

The greatest threat to most species is

A) destruction of habitats.
B) water pollution.
C) parasites.
D) buildup of toxic substances in food chains.
E) flooding.

Question 28

Habitat fragmentation threatens species by

A) decreasing the sustainable population size.
B) increasing exposure to predators.
C) increasing habitat edges.
D) increasing exposure to invasive species.
E) all of these answers.

Question 29

Argentine fire ants do what to cause a major effect on southeastern ecosystems?

A) They wipe out native ants.
B) They make dirt mounds around their holes.
C) They sting people.
D) They provide food for armadillos.
E) They eat food supplies of other insects.

Question 30

An endemic species would most likely be found in a(n)

A) island habitat like Hawaii.
B) fragmented habitat like a logged area.
C) urban locale like New York City.
D) temperate deciduous forest like those that cover the northeast United States.
E) aquatic ecosystem like a coastal estuary.

Question 31

The pet trade has impacted all but which of the following wild pets?

A) Parrots
B) Reptiles
C) Amphibians
D) Guinea Pigs
E) Tropical fish

Question 32

Habitat islands are created by

A) conservation efforts.
B) habitat fragmentation.
C) the Secretary of the Interior and authorized by the Endangered Species Act.
D) listing by the National Marine Fisheries Service.
E) none of these answers

Question 33

Characteristics of the Florida Everglades that possibly explains why the Burmese and African pythons are successful invasive species include:

A) The Everglades have a similar climate to which the snakes were accustomed or could easily adapt to.
B) The only natural predator in the Everglades is the American alligator.
C) Absence of fire.
D) All of the above answers.
E) None of the above answers.

Question 34

Direct causes of wildlife extinction include all of the following except

A) earthquakes.
B) climate change.
C) oil spills.
D) habitat destruction.
E) invasive species.

Question 35

Which species has not been introduced into the USA?

A) Kudzu
B) Grizzly bear
C) Argentine fire ant
D) Cattle
E) Burmese python

Question 36

Invasive species can be characterized by all but which one of the following?

A) long life spans
B) low genetic variability
C) generalists
D) high reproductive rates
E) pioneers

Question 37

All of the following are organisms that were imported into the United States and have caused damage except

A) the prairie dog.
B) the sea lamprey.
C) the Japanese beetle.
D) the common pigeon.
E) the African honeybee.

Question 38

Species that act as early warning signals of environmental change are called

A) endangered species.
B) endemic species.
C) indicator species.
D) keystone species.
E) generalist species.

Question 39

Nonnative species introduced into a new habitat may

A) ultimately reduce the population of many native species.
B) provide food.
C) provide game.
D) control pest species.
E) all of these answers

Question 40

Which of the following statements concerning the rising rate of species extinction is true?

A) The earth has recovered from at least five mass extinctions so we should not be concerned about the current rate of extinction.
B) We do not need to depend on wild species for medicines because medicines can be synthetically derived.
C) Protecting the largest animal and plant species should be the first priority in protecting the foundation of the earth's ecosystems.
D) All of these statements are true.
E) None of these statements are true.

Question 41

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

Question 42

Methods to protect wild species from premature extinction include all but which one of the following?

A) Enforce existing laws
B) Create more refuges, gene banks, zoos, aquariums, and botanical gardens
C) Purchase products with species photos on them
D) Practice conservation
E) Make new laws

Question 43

Captive breeding programs in zoos

A) eliminate the need to preserve critical habitats.
B) require the captive population to number between 100 and 500.
C) increase the genetic variability of species.
D) are relatively inexpensive to operate.
E) are used for all zoo species.

Question 44

The group of animals most protected by wildlife refuges are

A) small mammals.
B) migratory waterfowl.
C) large mammals.
D) songbirds.
E) reptiles.

Question 45

CITES is limited because

A) convictions carry only small fines.
B) it has not been signed by some countries.
C) member countries have the ability to exempt themselves from protecting any listed species.
D) all of these answers
E) convictions carry only small fines and it has not been signed by some countries.

Question 46

When wildlife experts judge which species to save,they are least likely to choose a species because it

A) has the best chance for survival.
B) is furry and charismatic.
C) has the most ecological value to the ecosystem.
D) is potentially useful for agriculture or medicine.
E) has a huge economic value.

Question 47

An entity that identifies and lists endangered species is the

A) Fish and Wildlife Service.
B) Environmental Protection Agency.
C) National Park Service.
D) Department of the Interior.
E) Army Corps of Engineers.

Question 48

The earth has never been able to recover from a mass extinction.

Question 49

Why had it been so difficult to get critical habitat needed for survival of species under the Endangered Species Act?

A) habitat was unavailable
B) few people in the United States support the Act
C) few species needed critical habitat to survive
D) lack of funds to support designating such habitats
E) few species needed protection

Question 50

Successful recovery plans under the Endangered Species Act have benefited the

A) American alligator
B) Peregrine falcon
C) Bald Eagle
D) Brown Pelican
E) All the above animals

Question 51

CITES is

A) a treaty controlling the international trade in endangered species.
B) a set of regulations controlling the introduction of exotic species.
C) a pact that supports critical ecosystems that in turn supports wildlife.
D) an international organization dedicated to the preservation of endangered species.
E) a treaty designed to limit the spread of invasive species.

Question 52

Captive breeding and egg pulling are primarily used to

A) harvest animals for research.
B) genetically alter wild species.
C) supply zoos and aquariums with wild species.
D) teach students about conservation biology.
E) protect critically endangered wild animals from extinction.

Question 53

The Endangered Species Act of 1973 can be described by all but which one of the following?

A) It is one of the world's toughest environmental laws.
B) It makes it illegal to trade any product made from an endangered species.
C) It authorizes identification of endangered species solely on a biological basis.
D) It protects all endemic species.
E) It requires agencies to make recovery plans.

Question 54

All of the below are drawbacks of gene banks except that

A) lack of funding does not provide enough capacity to store all endangered species.
B) some species cannot be stored.
C) seeds in storage do not evolve and therefore become less fit for reintroduction into a changed environment.
D) they require little maintenance.
E) they are vulnerable to natural disasters.

Question 55

Biodiversity is balanced between biological evolution and biological extinction.

Question 56

The process of chemicals ingested in the lower trophic levels building up exponentially in the higher trophic levels is called

A) bioaccumulation.
B) fragmentation.
C) CITES.
D) invasion.
E) specialization.

Question 57

Illegal hunting for profit is called

A) subsistence hunting.
B) sport hunting.
C) poaching.
D) commercial hunting.
E) trophy hunting.

Question 58

"Better safe than sorry" is analogous for

A) arboreta.
B) egg pulling.
C) the precautionary principle.
D) habitat conservation plans (HCP's).
E) seed gene banks.

Question 59

Most biologists and wildlife conservationists believe we should protect biodiversity and ecological integrity by implementing all but which one of the following?

A) giving tax breaks to private landowners who help protect species
B) assessing what species and ecosystems we have
C) replace the ESA with a new law that privatizes habitat recovery plans
D) creating new laws to protect and sustain biodiversity
E) locating and protecting the most endangered ecosystems and species

Question 60

Egg pulling refers to

A) techniques used to extend the breeding span of captured birds.
B) the collection of eggs from the wild.
C) the use of fertility drugs to increase productivity.
D) the production of hybrids in captive breeding programs.
E) in vitro fertilization.

Question 61

Higher temperatures and melting sea ice are a major concern for the habitats of polar bears and penguins only.

Question 62

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

Question 63

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

Question 64

An example of a species' instrumental value is the ecological service it provides.

Question 65

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

Question 66

Intrinsic value is the value of a non-relational characteristic of an object.

Question 67

Biological diversity is an invaluable and irreplaceable resource.

Question 68

The extinction of a keystone species could lead to the extinction of other forms of life.

Question 69

Many biologists argue that due to increased fragmented and disturbed habitats throughout the world,speciation may increase for rapidly reproducing opportunists like cockroaches.

Question 70

During smuggling,many animals caught die before reaching their destination.

Question 71

Pollution from human activities primarily affects human health; its effect on the species and the environment is small.

Question 72

Ecosystems that are disturbed by human activities are not vulnerable to invasive species.

Question 73

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

Question 74

Once a harmful non-native species becomes established in an area,they can be easily eliminated by passing international laws to prohibit the transfer of species.

Question 75

Speciation or extinction could be the result of habitat fragmentation.

Question 76

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

Question 77

A slow reproduction rate makes a species especially vulnerable to biological extinction.

Question 78

An example of a species' instrumental value is the economic service it provides.

Question 79

The passenger pigeon has disappeared because of over hunting and loss of habitat.

Question 80

The best way to deal with harmful invasive species is to prevent them from becoming established in an area.