Deck 29: Habitat Loss, biodiversity, and Conservation

Question 1

The primary cause of current species extinctions is the destruction of ________.

Answer 1

habitat

Question 2

How many biodiversity hotspots in the world are officially designated by the IUCN?

A)10
B)25
C)70
D)1500

Answer 2

B

Question 3

Moral reasons to reduce human impacts on other species and their habitats fall within the realm of environmental ________.

Answer 3

ethics

Question 4

Loss of a very large number of species in a relatively short time is called a(n)________ extinction event.

Question 5

The mass extinction of dinosaurs and other animals at the end of the Cretaceous period is believed by most scientists to have been caused by

A)a massive asteroid or comet impact.
B)a massive volcanic eruption.
C)gamma radiation released from a supernova explosion.
D)overhunting by expanding populations of Neolithic humans.

Question 6

Designation of a region as a(n)________ is based on its supporting 1500 or more endemic species of plants and more than 70% of the original habitat lost.

Question 7

A species with a 20% or greater probability of extinction within 20 years or five generations,whichever is longer,is considered to be a(n)________ species.

Question 8

Species living on isolated islands are especially vulnerable to extinction by

A)overhunting.
B)pollution.
C)the introduction of exotic species.
D)habitat destruction.

Question 9

Which trait makes a species vulnerable to extinction?

A)short life span
B)large home range
C)habitat generalist
D)non-migratory

Question 10

The area of suitable habitat necessary to ensure the long-term survival of a species is called the minimum ________ area.

Question 11

Clearing of tropical dry forests has been primarily for

A)expansion of cities.
B)crop production and cattle grazing.
C)timber needs.
D)large-scale mining operations.

Question 12

An endemic species is best defined as a species that

A)is a habitat specialist with a large geographical distribution.
B)has so few individuals remaining that it ceases to perform its role within an ecosystem.
C)no longer occurs in a given area yet still survives elsewhere.
D)occurs in a single geographic area and nowhere else.

Question 13

The continent of ________ experienced the greatest annual loss of forest cover from 2000 through 2010.

Question 14

Conservationists often attempt to restore a locally extinct population of a species through ________ into the wild of individuals from captive-bred populations.

Question 15

The goal of ________ ecology is to return an ecosystem to a close approximation of its conditions prior to disturbance through the application of ecological principles.

Question 16

According to the IUCN,if a species has at least a 10% probability of extinction within the next century,it is classified as

A)critically endangered.
B)endangered.
C)threatened.
D)vulnerable.

Question 17

The number of individuals necessary to ensure the long-term survival of a species is called the minimum ________ population.

Question 18

Chestnut blight and Dutch elm disease have been caused by specific types of ________ organisms.

Question 19

The American crow is found throughout much of the United States and is therefore an example of a(n)________ species.

Question 20

According to the IUCN,the most protected types of areas are nature reserves and ________ areas.

Question 21

The area of suitable habitat necessary for maintaining the number of individuals and ensuring the long-term survival of a species should be highest for a

A)small herbivore.
B)large herbivore.
C)small carnivore.
D)large carnivore.

Question 22

A small area has proportionately more habitat edges than a large area.

Question 23

Degraded habitats cannot be restored even close to their original condition.

Question 24

Which of the following is an example of intensive restoration?

A)eliminating nutrient inputs into a lake
B)removal of invasive species
C)replanting native species on a stream bank
D)wetland construction to treat wastewater

Question 25

Conservationists refer to the number of individuals necessary to ensure the long-term survival of a species as the effective population size.

Question 26

The establishment of habitat corridors between protected areas may have some negative consequences.

Question 27

The primary cause of modern extinctions is climate change.

Question 28

Which of the following is not an advantage for preserving a large reserve rather than a small reserve?

A)A large reserve has more species.
B)A large reserve supports larger populations.
C)A large reserve exposes organisms to proportionately more habitat edges.
D)A large reserve has a greater diversity of habitats.

Question 29

Invasive plant species often outcompete native plants for resources.

Question 30

The home range of a carnivore is usually larger than that of a herbivore of the same size.

Question 31

Aquatic environments are not affected by the introduction of exotic species.

Question 32

The mass extinction of dinosaurs and other animals at the end of the Cretaceous period is believed by most scientists to have been caused by massive volcanic activity causing an ice age.

Question 33

A species that migrates seasonally is more vulnerable to extinction than a sedentary species that does not migrate.

Question 34

The dispersal of plants and animals from one reserve to another within a network of reserves is best accomplished by

A)establishing buffer zones around reserves.
B)linking reserves by habitat corridors.
C)reintroducing individuals born and raised in captivity.
D)relocating individuals captured within their natural habitat.

Question 35

Small species of mammals are more vulnerable to extinction than are large species of mammals.

Question 36

Genetic models suggest that the size of a population required to ensure the long-term survival of a species is higher for annual plants and invertebrates than for mammals.

Question 37

The minimum viable population size is highest for which group of organisms?

A)large birds and mammals
B)small birds and mammals
C)perennial plants
D)annual plants

Question 38

Most species of plants and animals have small,restricted geographic ranges.

Question 39

Endemic species are in imminent danger of becoming extinct.