Question 1

Which of the following nations has become a world leader in the establishment of zoned reserves?

Accepted Answer

Costa Rica has become a world leader in the establishment of zoned reserves, known as "national parks" or "protected areas." The country has established over 30 national parks and reserves, covering approximately 25% of its territory. These protected areas have helped to conserve the country's biodiversity and attract ecotourism.

Question 2

-Based on what you know about ecosystem stability and the information provided in the graph,which community (A-E)would likely support the most biodiversity?

Accepted Answer

The answer of 
-Based on what you know about ecosystem...

Question 3

For the following questions,match the statement with the appropriate term/phrase.
-This causes extremely high levels of toxic chemicals in fish-eating birds.

Accepted Answer

Biological magnification describes the process by which toxic chemicals become increasingly concentrated in organisms as they move up the food chain. This can result in extremely high levels of these chemicals in top predators such as fish-eating birds.

Question 4

The main goal of sustainable development is to

Accepted Answer

The main goal of sustainable development is to use natural resources in a way that they do not decline over time. This means using them at a rate that allows for replenishment and ensuring that they are not depleted or damaged beyond repair. It involves finding a balance between economic development, social development, and environmental protection, so that resources can continue to be used in the future.

Question 5

Why are changes in the global carbon cycle important?
I.Burning reduces available carbon for primary producers and,therefore,primary consumers.
II.Deforestation and suburbanization reduce an area's net primary productivity.
III.Increasing atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide could alter Earth's climate.
IV.By using fossil fuels we are destroying a nonrenewable resource.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Why are changes in the global carbon...

Question 6

For the following questions,match the statement with the appropriate term/phrase.
-This causes an increase in the intensity of UV radiation reaching Earth.

Accepted Answer

Depletion of the ozone layer is caused by the release of chemicals such as CFCs which break down ozone molecules in the atmosphere, allowing more UV radiation to reach the Earth's surface.

Question 7

For the following questions,match the statement with the appropriate term/phrase.
-This term refers to the reflecting and absorption of infrared radiation by atmospheric methane,carbon dioxide,and water.

Accepted Answer

The greenhouse effect refers to the trapping of infrared radiation in the atmosphere by certain gases, such as methane, carbon dioxide, and water vapor, leading to a warming effect on the Earth's surface.

Question 8

Use the following figure to answer the questions below.
 
-Study the information above about quail habitats.Which of these represents the best quail habitat in terms of fragmentation and edge?

Accepted Answer

C represents the best quail habitat in terms of fragmentation and edge because it likely offers a balance of cover, food resources, and minimal fragmentation, which is ideal for quail.

Question 9

If the nestlings of flycatchers are to benefit from the shift in peak caterpillar season from June 3,1980 to May 15,2000,in which direction should the May 25,2000 peak bird hatching date move?

Accepted Answer

Since the peak caterpillar season has shifted from June 3, 1980 to May 15, 2000, it would be beneficial for the bird hatching date to move in the same direction so that the nestlings will have enough food to eat from the caterpillars. Therefore, the May 25, 2000 peak bird hatching date should move to the left so it corresponds with the new peak caterpillar season in 2000 (option B).

Question 10

Use the graph and information provided in the paragraph below to answer the following questions.
Flycatcher birds that migrate from Africa to Europe feed their nestlings a diet that is almost exclusively moth caterpillars.The graph below shows the mean dates of arrival,bird hatching,and peak caterpillar season for the years 1980 and 2000.
 
-Why were ecologists concerned about the shift in the peak caterpillar season from June 3,1980,to May 15,2000?

Accepted Answer

Flycatchers that arrive later may miss the peak caterpillar season, and their nestlings may not receive enough food. This could lead to reduced fitness and population decline. Therefore, the shift in the peak caterpillar season from June 3, 1980, to May 15, 2000, could have negative consequences for the flycatcher population. Option A is incorrect because it contradicts the information given in the paragraph. Option B is also incorrect because the earlier hatching of caterpillars doesn't necessarily mean competition with other insect larval forms. Option D is not mentioned in the paragraph. Option E is also incorrect because there is no information in the paragraph about the use of pesticides in response to the earlier outbreak of caterpillar hatching.

Question 11

The biggest challenge that Costa Rica will likely face in its dedication to conservation and restoration in the future is

Accepted Answer

Costa Rica's population is growing, which may lead to increased human activities such as development and agriculture, leading to habitat loss and fragmentation. This is a major challenge for conservation efforts as it may jeopardize the survival of many species in the country.

Question 12

Atmospheric carbon dioxide has risen dramatically during the past century.Some global implications of climate change include all the following,with the exception of

Accepted Answer

The statement about faster ice melt in the north and slower ice melt in the south is not true. In fact, both the Arctic and the Antarctic are experiencing rapid ice melt due to climate change. The other options (shifting ecosystems, insect pest outbreaks, species unable to adapt, and unsuitable agricultural land) are all well-documented global implications of climate change.

Question 13

Agricultural lands frequently require nutrient augmentation because

Accepted Answer

When crops are harvested, the nutrients that were used to form the biomass of the plants are removed from the soil. If these nutrients are not replaced, crop yields will decrease over time. Therefore, nutrient augmentation is necessary in order to maintain fertility and productivity of agricultural lands.

Question 14

Use the following figure to answer the questions below.
 
-Study the information above about quail habitats.Assuming that only one quail can occupy a habitat where all cover requirements are met,what is the maximum number of quail that could inhabit any of the hypothetical plots shown?

Accepted Answer

Given that only one quail can occupy a habitat where all cover requirements are met, the maximum number of quail that could inhabit any of the hypothetical plots would depend on the size and characteristics of the plot. Without specific details about the hypothetical plots, such as size or the specific cover requirements for quail, it's challenging to provide a precise answer. However, the question seems to imply a scenario where the habitat is optimally arranged to meet the cover requirements for the maximum number of quail. Therefore, assuming an ideal situation where a plot is large enough and perfectly meets the cover requirements for quail, the answer would be the highest option provided, which is 9 (E), indicating an optimal arrangement allowing the maximum number of quail to inhabit.

Question 15

The use of DDT as an insecticide in the United States has been outlawed since 1971,yet is still a problem for certain top-level carnivores in the United States.Which of the following choices best explains this apparent incongruity?

Accepted Answer

The answer of The use of DDT as an insecticide...

Question 16

Elevated carbon dioxide levels have been shown to contribute to the greenhouse effect,resulting in an increase in mean global temperature.Ecosystems where the largest warming has already occurred include snow-covered northern coniferous forests,tundra,and arctic sea ice habitats.Which statement best explains how the elimination of ice-covered ecosystems affects the rise or fall in global temperature?

Accepted Answer

Ice-covered surfaces reflect more sunlight and heat back into the atmosphere, whereas darker, more absorptive surfaces such as water absorb more heat, contributing to the warming trend. As ice melts, more of these darker surfaces are exposed, exacerbating the greenhouse effect and leading to further increases in global temperature.

Question 17

Eutrophication is often caused by excess limiting nutrient runoff from agricultural fields into aquatic ecosystems.This results in massive algal blooms,which eventually die and decompose,ultimately depleting the dissolved oxygen and killing large numbers of fish and other aquatic organism.Predict which of the following human actions would best address the problem of eutrophication near agricultural areas?

Accepted Answer

Option D is the best choice as it involves taking preventive measures to limit the amount of nutrients added to the agricultural fields. It helps to determine the critical nutrient load required for crops and avoids exceeding that limit while applying fertilizers. This can reduce the amount of nutrient runoff into aquatic ecosystems, thereby reducing eutrophication. Options A and C are reactive measures that do not address the root cause of the problem, while option B does not consider the possibility of other limiting nutrients contributing to eutrophication.

Question 18

For the following questions,match the statement with the appropriate term/phrase.
-This is caused by excessive nutrient runoff into aquatic ecosystems.

Accepted Answer

Excessive nutrient runoff into aquatic ecosystems causes eutrophication, which leads to an overgrowth of algae and other aquatic plants, depleting oxygen levels and causing harm to aquatic life.

Question 19

Use the graph and information provided in the paragraph below to answer the following questions.
Flycatcher birds that migrate from Africa to Europe feed their nestlings a diet that is almost exclusively moth caterpillars.The graph below shows the mean dates of arrival,bird hatching,and peak caterpillar season for the years 1980 and 2000.
 
-The shift in the peak of caterpillar season is most likely due to

Accepted Answer

The graph shows that the peak caterpillar season has shifted earlier in both 1980 and 2000, which is consistent with the effects of global warming on the timing of plant and insect life cycles.

Question 20

Burning fossil fuels releases oxides of sulphur and nitrogen.These air pollutants can be responsible for

Accepted Answer

Burning fossil fuels releases oxides of sulphur and nitrogen which can lead to the death of fish in lakes, precipitation with a pH as low as 3.0, calcium deficiency in soils and direct damage to plants by leaching nutrients from the leaves. Therefore, all the options are correct.

Quiz 56: Conservation Biology and Global Change

Which of the following nations has become a world leader in the establishment of zoned reserves?

-Based on what you know about ecosystem stability and the information provided in the graph,which community (A-E) would likely support the most biodiversity?

For the following questions,match the statement with the appropriate term/phrase. -This causes extremely high levels of toxic chemicals in fish-eating birds.

The main goal of sustainable development is to

For the following questions,match the statement with the appropriate term/phrase. -This causes an increase in the intensity of UV radiation reaching Earth.

For the following questions,match the statement with the appropriate term/phrase. -This term refers to the reflecting and absorption of infrared radiation by atmospheric methane,carbon dioxide,and water.

Use the following figure to answer the questions below. -Study the information above about quail habitats.Which of these represents the best quail habitat in terms of fragmentation and edge?