Deck 20: Preserving Biodiversity

Question 1

The ________ in the stratosphere above Earth's surface absorbs much of the harmful UV wavelengths of light.

A) benthic zone
B) ozone layer
C) cumulus clouds
D) particulate layer
E) profundal zone

Answer 1

B
Explanation: The ozone protects living organisms from harmful UV radiation. See section 20.4 for more information.

Question 2

The current extinction rate of vertebrates is some ________ times the historical background.This is primarily due to habitat destruction.

A) 5 to 10
B) 25 to 50
C) 100 to 1000
D) 1000 to 10,000
E) 50 to 75

Answer 2

C
Explanation: This is the estimate of how quickly species will disappear without the intervention of humans. See section 20.1 for more information.

Question 3

A species that humans bring to an area where it did not previously occur is a(n)

A) exotic species.
B) native species.
C) endemic species.
D) existing species.
E) endangered species.

Answer 3

A
Explanation: A nonnative animal is an exotic animal. See section 20.5 for more information.

Question 4

The normal pH of rainfall is

A) slightly acidic, pH 5.6.
B) slightly basic, pH 9.6.
C) slightly acidic, pH 9.6.
D) neutral, pH 7.0.
E) slightly basic, pH 5.6.

Question 5

The pH of acid deposition occurring in the eastern United States is about

A) 4.6.
B) 5.6.
C) 6.4.
D) 7.0.
E) 8.4.

Question 6

There are ________ parts per million of carbon dioxide in the Earth's atmosphere.

A) 10
B) 17
C) 400
D) 125
E) 21

Question 7

To be considered ________,an introduced species must begin breeding in its new location and spread widely from its point of introduction causing destruction.

A) resourceful
B) harmful
C) native
D) dominant
E) invasive

Question 8

Which of the following is NOT an invasive species?

A) hydrilla in freshwater
B) European starlings in North America
C) the bison in the North American plains
D) the marine toad in Florida
E) gypsy moth caterpillars in North America

Question 9

The primary cause for loss of biodiversity is

A) predation.
B) parasitism.
C) genetic mutation.
D) habitat destruction.
E) global warming.

Question 10

Which of the following is not an effect of acid deposition?

A) destruction of aquatic food webs
B) thinning of high-elevation forests
C) decrease in the number of species that can survive in the lake ecosystem
D) increase of pH in lakes
E) deformities in fish and other aquatic organisms

Question 11

The ozone layer is part of the

A) ionosphere.
B) stratosphere.
C) troposphere.
D) biosphere.
E) limnetic zone.

Question 12

Which of the following would be a positive environmental impact of damming a river?

A) Fish can no longer migrate up and down the river.
B) Animal migration may be disrupted.
C) Streamside habitats may be disrupted.
D) It would provide irrigation water.
E) All of the answer choices are positive impacts for damming rivers.

Question 13

Which of the following is not a "greenhouse gas"?

A) carbon dioxide
B) methane
C) nitrous oxide
D) oxygen
E) CFCs

Question 14

Greenhouse gases block

A) carbon dioxide from escaping Earth's atmosphere.
B) oxygen from escaping Earth's atmosphere.
C) UV wavelengths from reaching Earth's surface.
D) UV wavelengths from escaping Earth's atmosphere.
E) heat from escaping Earth's atmosphere.

Question 15

Any chemical,physical,or biological change in the environment that harms living organisms is

A) nitrification.
B) an "upwelling."
C) deforestation.
D) ozone depletion.
E) pollution.

Question 16

Since the settling of North America by Europeans,only about _____ of the original temperate forest area survives.

A) 1%
B) 5%
C) 10%
D) 20%
E) 25%

Question 17

An increase in the surface temperature of the Earth caused by heat-trapping gases in the atmosphere is known as

A) the greenhouse effect.
B) the biome effect.
C) bioremediation.
D) desertification.
E) the nursery effect.

Question 18

Since the 1950s,________ of the ocean's large predatory fishes have disappeared.

A) 20%
B) 50%
C) 90%
D) 70%
E) 1%

Question 19

A type of air pollution that forms a visible haze in the lower atmosphere is

A) fog.
B) particulation.
C) smog.
D) acid rain.
E) smoke.

Question 20

How is tropical deforestation linked to climate change?

A) Burning the forests releases carbon dioxide and transpiration by trees is diminished.
B) Burning the forests consumes oxygen and transpiration by trees is diminished.
C) Burning the forests releases carbon dioxide and transpiration by trees is increased.
D) Burning the forests consumes oxygen and transpiration by trees is increased.

Question 21

The zebra mussel and the gypsy moth are native species of North America.

Question 22

Since the 1950s,only 1% of the ocean's large predatory fish have disappeared.

Question 23

Release of sulfate and nitrate during the burning of coal contributes to

A) acid rain.
B) accumulation of persistent organic pollutants.
C) loss of the ozone layer.
D) the dead zone.
E) All of the answer choices are correct.

Question 24

Habitat destruction is the primary threat to biodiversity.

Question 25

What resulted in the biodiversity on Earth?

A) evolution
B) global climate change
C) the greenhouse effect
D) overexploitation
E) bycatch

Question 26

One key to reversing environmental decline is to slow the growth of the human population.

Question 27

Purple loosestrife are a(n)

A) exotic species.
B) native species.
C) consumer.
D) parasite.
E) beneficial species.

Question 28

The greatest threat to the endangered great spotted kiwi of New Zealand is predation.

Question 29

Humans can survive on Earth without biodiversity.

Question 30

After nearing extinction in the 1960s,the bald eagle population is now about 10,000.

Question 31

Conservation biologists study the preservation of biodiversity.

Question 32

In addition to eutrophication in lakes,which process is caused by excess nutrients in rivers?

A) warming of the water in the Gulf of Mexico
B) introduction of exotic species like Zebra mussels
C) the dead zone in the Gulf of Mexico
D) decreased plant growth
E) clogging of city water lines

Question 33

Canvasback ducks and bog turtles are likely impacted by purple loosestrife by

A) loss of food.
B) loss of diversity.
C) overexploitation.
D) pollution.
E) climate change.

Question 34

The ozone layer absorbs much of the harmful UV wavelengths of light that would otherwise reach Earth.

Question 35

Forests are expanding and deserts are shrinking worldwide.

Question 36

Conservation biologists breed some endangered species like the panda bear in captivity.Which is the most likely reason that panda populations in the wild are still threatened?

A) Not enough animals can be bred to release into the wild.
B) Their environment is polluted.
C) Loss of habitat has occurred.
D) The wild pandas cannot breed.
E) Their population density is too high.

Question 37

Carbon dioxide gas is not a major contributor to the greenhouse effect.

Question 38

One important conservation tool used to restore native populations is to set aside an area and protect it from overexploitation,invasive species,and habitat destruction.

Question 39

Overexploitation is harvesting a species faster than it can reproduce.

Question 40

Of every 100 species introduced,only one persists to take over a niche.

Question 41

Extinctions affect biodiversity.The more extinctions,

A) the lower the species biodiversity.
B) the lower the habitat biodiversity.
C) the higher the genetic biodiversity.
D) the higher the species biodiversity.
E) the higher the habitat diversity.

Question 42

A vulnerable species is one that is likely to become extinct in the more distant future.Therefore,it is not monitored by conservation biologists.

Question 43

How is biodiversity measured in a given area?

A) genetic diversity within the population of trees
B) the diversity of species of trees
C) the diversity of ecosystems in the area
D) the diversity of species of bacteria
E) All answers are correct.

Question 44

Why is it important to maintain biodiversity?

A) to preserve ecosystems
B) to protect species richness
C) to provide resources to humans
D) to maintain genetic variation 
E) All answers are correct.

Question 45

Particulates are

A) found in streams of water.
B) carried by air.
C) not a concern of air quality.
D) approximately 1 cm. in diameter.
E) all nonliving.

Question 46

In the Investigating Life,"Up,Up,and Away," researchers showed that the population of alpine chipmunks

A) moved toward the top of the mountain as the climate increased.
B) had a decrease in genetic isolation.
C) moved toward the top of the mountain and had an increase in genetic isolation.
D) moved toward the top of the mountain and had a decrease in genetic isolation.
E) remained at the bottom of the mountain.

Question 47

What areas are most susceptible to loss of biodiversity?

A) open ocean
B) locations near human activities
C) rain forests
D) temperate forests
E) polar regions

Question 48

Trees are important in the water cycle by

A) returning water to the atmosphere.
B) helping to recharge groundwater.
C) preventing rainwater runoff into streams.
D) providing an upper layer of organic matter.
E) All the answer choices are correct.

Question 49

A worldwide loss of biodiversity is underway because of human activities.

Question 50

Which of the following is an organic chemical water pollutant?

A) chloride ions
B) nitrogen from fertilizer
C) heavy metals
D) pesticides
E) cyanide