Deck 37: Environmental Concerns

Question 1

What is the relationship between diversity and latitude?

A)As latitude increases,moving from the North Pole to the South Pole,the diversity increases.
B)As latitude increases,moving away from the equator at the center of the Earth toward either the North Pole or the South Pole,biodiversity decreases.
C)As latitude increases,moving away from the equator at the center of the Earth toward either the North Pole or the South Pole,the biodiversity increases.
D)As latitude increases,moving away from the equator at the center of the Earth toward either the North Pole or the South Pole,biodiversity first increases until 60 $\degree$ and then decreases toward the pole.
E)There is no relationship between diversity and latitude.

Answer 1

As latitude increases,moving away from the equator at the center of the Earth toward either the North Pole or the South Pole,biodiversity decreases.

Question 2

The most familiar level of biodiversity is

A)species diversity
B)genetic diversity
C)ecosystem diversity
D)landscape diversity
E)conservation diversity

Answer 2

A

Question 3

A partnership between less developed countries and resorts can lead to an increased income for the country.We call this indirect value in biodiversity

A)direct value.
B)ecotourism.
C)exotic species.
D)colonization.
E)overexploitation.

Answer 3

B

Question 4

Resources that are NOT in limited supply are

A)renewable resources.
B)nonrenewable resources.
C)squandered resources.
D)fossil fuels.
E)minerals.

Question 5

The main goal of conservation biology is to

A)Promote the needs of certain ecosystems that are determined to be in danger.
B)Apply scientific principles to preserving and restoring ecosystems.
C)Prevent the hunting and fishing of all species.
D)Prevent the building of large structures like shopping malls and businesses.
E)Promote the welfare of endangered species.

Question 6

You are studying the effects of the construction of an interstate highway that divides a valley and separates the existing ecosystem into two.Which kind of diversity would be affected by this construction?

A)species diversity
B)genetic diversity
C)ecosystem diversity
D)landscape diversity
E)conservation diversity

Question 7

Which of the following is NOT a reason that genetic diversity is important?

A)Evolution can only act on phenotypes that are present in the population.
B)The greater the genetic diversity of a population,the more likely that one organism will have an adaptive trait when the environment changes.
C)Lower genetic diversity can lead to the extinction of species.
D)Higher genetic diversity leads to more species in the ecosystem.
E)Low genetic diversity can lead to greater susceptibly to pathogens.

Question 8

Because certain areas have greater diversity,conservation biology would consider them

A)prioritized for preservation.
B)typically overcrowded.
C)sustainable ecosystems.
D)subjected to edge effects.
E)less stable.

Question 9

Each biosphere reserve area is divided into three areas.Which of these do not describe one of those three areas?

A)the inner core area that is the reserve
B)the inner core that allows only research,light tourism,and limited sustainable cultural use
C)the buffer zone that surrounds the core
D)the buffer zone that allows sustainable human development
E)the transition zone that surrounds the buffer zone

Question 10

Allowing animals to overgraze land could lead to all of the following consequences EXCEPT

A)desertification.
B)famine.
C)less land suitable for human habitation.
D)more rainwater runoff.
E)improved nutrition for local human occupants.

Question 11

Coastal degradation,such as the loss of mangrove swamps and coral reefs,is primarily caused by

A)erosion of seashores by storms.
B)slash and burn agriculture to raise crops.
C)increased ranching for beef export.
D)the large concentration of people living along coasts.
E)increased high-tech industry.

Question 12

Ecosystems are based on complex interactions between communities.What are possible consequences from a disruption of these interactions?

A)increases in pollution
B)increases in biodiversity
C)increases in extinctions
D)decreases in pollution
E)decreases in extinctions

Question 13

Which of the following statements about conservation biology is NOT true?

A)Conservation biology relies on many subdisciplines of biology including genetics,physiology,and systematics.
B)Conservation biology relies on both scientists and government officials for conservation management.
C)Conservation biology depends on the education of the public to lead to better consumer choices that facilitate conservation practices.
D)Conservation biology relies on both biologists and social scientists to determine courses of action.
E)Conservation biology proposes that ecosystems take precedence over activities that sustain human populations.

Question 14

Which of these activities are permitted in core of the biosphere reserve?

A)research and hunting
B)light ecotourism and hunting
C)hunting and fishing
D)light ecotourism and research
E)None of the answer choices is correct.

Question 15

Restoration ecology

A)seeks to design reserves that allow minimum impact on the species in the reserve.
B)seeks to return damaged ecosystems to their state prior to the damage.
C)seeks to use breeding programs in zoos to return extinct species to the wild.
D)seeks to import exotic species into specific areas.
E)seeks to encourage sustainable human development.

Question 16

Which of the following is NOT a goal when restoring an ecosystem?

A)to create a sustainable ecosystem that will continue to function after restoration is complete
B)to use the wildlife and seeds from fragments of the original ecosystem to restore the original ecosystem
C)to begin restoration as soon as possible to salvage existing fragments of the habitat
D)to create a sustainable ecosystem that will provide services to humans
E)to use the wildlife and plants from endangered ecosystem to establish a new habitat

Question 17

Which of the following is not a method intended to extend nonrenewable resources?

A)efficient use
B)recycling
C)over demand by MDC (more developed countries)
D)better extraction methods
E)substitution

Question 18

Pandas live in the midst of a bamboo forest located in a mountainous area.The study of effects on pandas when farmlands prevent pandas from moving from one bamboo forest on one mountain to another forest on another mountain would utilize the study of which kind of biodiversity?

A)species diversity
B)genetic diversity
C)ecosystem diversity
D)landscape diversity
E)conservation diversity

Question 19

When designing a reserve area,there should be a limit to

A)the number of species included so it does not become overcrowded.
B)how large the area is so that it can be patrolled and monitored.
C)how small the area is so that edge effects will be minimized.
D)how close the area is to a national park so that wildlife will not be tempted to move from one area to the other.
E)the number of conservation corridors that connect to it.

Question 20

Which of the following is NOT true regarding pollution?

A)Pollution is an undesirable alteration of the environment.
B)Pollution increases with an increasing world population.
C)The impact of pollution by humans is proportional to the world population.
D)Pollution does not have an effect on the living environment.
E)It is a side effect of resource consumption.

Question 21

Which of the following is true about extinction?

A)Overexploitation by hunting and fishing is the foremost threat to tropical animals and plants.
B)Without human activity,all species would survive and there would be no extinctions.
C)There are many causes of extinctions and an animal or plant may go extinct for any of a combination of these factors.
D)Commercial hunting and fishing are careful not to deplete animal reserves.
E)Introduction of new alien species helps preserve biodiversity and slow extinction.

Question 22

Which of the following does NOT pertain to fossil fuels?

A)nonrenewable resources
B)contribute to greenhouse gases
C)oil and coal
D)formed during the last 1,000 years
E)The United States uses more than half of the world's supply of fossil fuels.

Question 23

Which of the following statements is NOT true about tropical rain forests?

A)Tropical rain forest land contains rich soil that is desirable as farmland.
B)Ranchers only temporarily benefit from deforestation.
C)People are settling in tropical rain forests due to road construction.
D)Humans remove vegetation for fuel or to feed animals.
E)Destruction of rain forests can lead to desertification.

Question 24

The situation with major ocean fishing areas is

A)good since the oceans are so large; they are the one remaining natural ecosystem.
B)generally positive,with only 1 or 2 of the 15 major oceanic fishing areas overexploited.
C)generally negative,due to increased number and efficiency of fishing boats and the negative impact on biodiversity.
D)positive for the bottom dwellers that are protected,but negative for the schools of swimming fish.
E)negative for the bottom dwellers that are over-fished by trawling,but positive for the schools of swimming fish that can easily evade capture.

Question 25

The depletion of the world's fisheries is most likely due to which of the following?

A)sport fishing
B)commercial large-scale fishing
C)discharge of sewage and garbage from cruise ships
D)natural climate shifts
E)natural extinction of fish population

Question 26

Which of the following is a renewable energy sources?

A)coal
B)oil
C)hydropower
D)natural gas
E)fossil fuels

Question 27

Oftentimes around the world,famine causes severe loss of life in less developed countries.In many cases,what is the initial step that would eventually lead to a famine situation?

A)deforestation
B)desertification
C)coastal pollution
D)no access to drinking water
E)increase in human habitation

Question 28

Marginal rangeland becomes desert and farmland loses its productivity as a result of lost topsoil.Which of the following is a main cause of topsoil loss?

A)Strong winds and rain on bare soil cause erosion,along with the use of large farming machines.
B)Farmers plant too many crops on smaller pieces of land.
C)Excessive animal grazing on land results in loss of vegetation and,therefore,topsoil.
D)The use of fertilizers,along with the use of large farming equipment,leads to topsoil losses.
E)The accumulation of mineral salts and the evaporation of excess irrigation water are leading causes of the loss of topsoil.

Question 29

Conservation biology supports all of the following ethical principles EXCEPT

A)biodiversity is desirable for the biosphere and humans.
B)all animals have the same rights or legal status as humans.
C)biodiversity has value in and of itself,regardless of any practical human benefits.
D)extinctions due to human actions are undesirable.
E)the complex interactions of ecosystems support biodiversity and are desirable.

Question 30

Which of the following is NOT a disadvantage to the use of fossil fuels?

A)contribution to the greenhouse gases
B)excessive pollution
C)nonrenewable resource
D)transference of fossil fuel energy into food energy
E)increased methane production

Question 31

___________ is when underground water is heated by radioactive decay and the steam it produces is then used for home heating or hot water use.

A)Hydropower
B)Wind power
C)Fossil fuel burning
D)Geothermal energy
E)Solar energy

Question 32

During summer months many highly populated communities are placed under water restrictions during which people are not allowed to wash their cars or water their lawns.The reason for this would probably be

A)low levels of water in underground aquifers.
B)saltwater intrusion.
C)high costs of pumping water from other cities.
D)excessive rainfall leading to nearby rivers being at flood stage.
E)restrictions of pollutants draining into local water supplies.

Question 33

In spite of hundreds of millions of dollars spent on insecticides targeted at pest species,such as mosquitoes and crop pests,we have been unable to drive any to extinction.On the other hand,bird,fish,plant,and insect species that we barely recognize have gone extinct.This has mainly been due to

A)hunting.
B)farming.
C)insecticides such as DDT.
D)habitat destruction.
E)scientific collecting.

Question 34

What is the main use of most of the world's freshwater supply?

A)drinking water
B)irrigation of crops
C)cooking
D)bathing and flushing toilets
E)household uses

Question 35

Modern farming methods have resulted in all of the following EXCEPT

A)an increase in the overall food supply.
B)less efficient irrigation methods.
C)heavy use of fertilizers,pesticides,and herbicides.
D)excessive fuel consumption.
E)planting of fewer genetic varieties of plants.

Question 36

Which of the following does NOT result in the loss of topsoil?

A)planting crops in straight rows
B)use of large farming machines
C)salinization
D)overuse of fertilizer
E)wind and rain

Question 37

Which of the following statements is NOT true about biodiversity?

A)The really important species of animals and plants are those that we rely on for food.If we can protect them,we can avoid any harmful effects even if other species go extinct.
B)The size of tropical rain forests have been reduced from 14 percent to 6 percent.
C)Exotic species play a role in 50 percent of extinctions.
D)Coral reefs may become extinct in the next 40 years.
E)Overexploitation by human activities can lead to a loss of biodiversity.

Question 38

Excessive use of water from aquifers does NOT lead to which of the following?

A)subsidence
B)sink holes
C)flood situations
D)saltwater intrusion
E)water shortages

Question 39

Which of the following countries is the world's leading producer of hydropower?

A)United States
B)Brazil
C)Canada
D)Switzerland
E)Germany

Question 40

Dams provide water for 40 percent of irrigated land,yet there are disadvantages to dams.Which of the following is NOT a disadvantage of dam use?

A)loss of water due to evaporation
B)provide electricity for many countries
C)increase in salinity due to evaporation and runoff
D)increase in sediment buildup leads to less available water
E)depletion of river water

Question 41

Which of the following is an example of the importance of biodiversity in a natural ecosystem?

A)pollination of flowers by bees
B)production of antibiotics from fungi
C)increasing the survival rate of childhood leukemia from 10 percent to 90 percent
D)increasing the availability of food for the human population
E)supplies building materials for new construction

Question 42

Rosy periwinkle,the nine-banded armadillo,and some species of fungus and bacteria are examples of _________ value drawn from biodiversity.

A)agricultural
B)medicinal
C)consumptive use
D)indirect
E)no

Question 43

Compare the direct and indirect values of biodiversity by listing three direct values and four indirect values of biodiversity.

Question 44

Which of the following species would be considered a flagship species?

A)dolphins
B)grasshopper
C)ants
D)bats
E)roses

Question 45

The loss of a keystone species would lead to

A)a great number of secondary extinctions.
B)an increase in species diversity within the community.
C)an increase in the population of other keystone species.
D)immediate collapse of the community.
E)no noticeable change in the biodiversity of the community.

Question 46

Which of the following is NOT correct concerning the indirect values of biodiversity?

A)Trees affect the climate and provide shade and cooling during the summer.
B)Trees can maintain rainfall to help prevent dry periods.
C)If biodiversity cannot maintain the biogeochemical cycles,then technology will have to artificially create those cycles.
D)Diverse organisms are critical in breaking down wastes and immobilizing pollutants.
E)Erosion can lead to critical imbalances in an ecosystem.

Question 47

Which is NOT an example of an alien or exotic species?

A)zebra mussels introduced to the Great Lakes
B)dandelions planted by pioneers as salad greens
C)the mongoose brought to Hawaii to control rats
D)the brown tree snake in Guam
E)buffalo in the United States

Question 48

Which species can be used to help motivate the public to conserve biodiversity?

A)giant pandas
B)lions
C)tigers
D)dolphins
E)All of the answer choices are correct.

Question 49

Which service provided by the natural biodiversity of an ecosystem is unable to be duplicated by human technology?

A)biogeochemical cycles
B)waste disposal
C)provision of fresh water
D)prevention of soil erosion
E)flood prevention

Question 50

Which one of the following is NOT a way that invasive (alien)species are introduced into a new habitat?

A)intentionally introduced by humans
B)unintentionally introduced during transport of crops
C)unintentionally introduced during discharge of ship ballast tanks
D)natural introductions on the feet,wings,or fur of migrating organisms
E)unintentionally introduced in packaged,processed foods

Question 51

The use of uncultivated fruit,skins,fiber,beeswax,etc.are examples of _________ value drawn from biodiversity.

A)agricultural
B)medicinal
C)consumptive use
D)indirect
E)no

Question 52

An example of ecotourism would include

A)charging an airport tax to compensate for the pollution from jetliners.
B)vacationing to hike or watch birds in a natural outdoor environment.
C)volunteering to conduct ecological research at a university.
D)keeping an organic garden in your backyard.
E)planting trees on a vacant city lot.

Question 53

Introduction of alien or exotic species into new ecosystems does NOT occur by

A)colonization when new settlers arrive in an area.
B)accidental transport by ship or plane without anyone's knowledge.
C)introduction as new agriculture by settlers.
D)horticulture use.
E)expansion and exploration of the new species itself.

Question 54

The use of wheat,corn,rice,and other crops modified from wild ancestors are an example of _______ value drawn from biodiversity.

A)agricultural
B)medicinal
C)consumptive use
D)indirect
E)no

Question 55

The regulation of climate,cleansing of fresh water,and support of ecotourism are examples of _______ value drawn from biodiversity.

A)agricultural
B)medicinal
C)consumptive use
D)indirect
E)no

Question 56

Which of the following statements is NOT a correct association about pollution?

A)eutrophication-a lake dies due to lack of nutrients
B)acid deposition-water vapor and exhausts combine to form wet or dry acid deposits
C)climate change-changes in the Earth's climate are causing the sea levels to rise
D)organic chemicals-synthetic chemicals mimic hormones and cause abnormal growth and behavior in wild animals
E)ozone depletion-CFCs like Freon have chlorine atoms that break down the ozone shield

Question 57

Natural ecosystems are able to break down dead organic material and recycle their nutrients.

Question 58

Biodiversity hotspots are valuable because they contain large numbers of exotic species.