Deck 31: Conserving Earths Biodiversity

Question 1

In the soil,_________ convert atmospheric nitrogen into a form that plants can use.

A) bacteria
B) insects
C) fungi
D) worms
E) plants

Answer 1

bacteria

Question 2

Tropical rain forests provide all of the following EXCEPT

A) traditional medicines.
B) ecotourism.
C) hardwoods for consumers worldwide.
D) large supplies of gasoline.
E) wood used for cooking by local residents.

Answer 2

D

Question 3

Which of the following is NOT an example of how plant communities continue to support healthy ecosystems?

A) Plant roots stabilize soil and prevent erosion.
B) Forests support the water cycle, through evaporation returning water to the atmosphere.
C) Plants prevent flooding by absorbing water through their extensive root systems.
D) Plants increase levels of CO2, by releasing CO2 as a by -product of photosynthesis.
E) Leafy trees provide shade, thereby reducing temperatures.

Answer 3

D

Question 4

Why is it important to preserve the genes of the wild relatives of crop plants?

A) It is not important because the wild species have all become extinct.
B) The wild relatives are the food sources for all domestic animal species.
C) Beneficial genes from the wild relatives may be transferred into crop plants.
D) It is not important because the human population no longer eats wild foods.
E) By preserving the genes, we can control the growth of the wild relatives, which threaten our crop plants.

Question 5

Attempts are being made to restore the Kissimmee River, located in Floridaʹs Heartland. What ecological benefit could be derived from this restoration?

A) Improving the water quality and restoring biodiversity
B) Reducing ecotourism
C) Expanding development
D) Using more land for agriculture
E) Decreasing biodiversity

Question 6

Maintaining soil fertility, purifying water, producing oxygen, and decomposing waste are all examples of

A) ecosystem services.
B) biocapacity.
C) species diversity
D) ecological footprint.
E) biodiversity.

Question 7

_________takes into account both the biotic (living) communities and the abiotic (nonliving) environments on which the communities depend.

A) Genetic diversity
B) Conservation biology
C) Ecosystem diversity
D) Ecosystem services
E) Species diversity

Question 8

Forests influence local climates by

A) increasing the temperature via photosynthesis.
B) releasing carbon dioxide.
C) releasing water into the atmosphere.
D) increasing evaporation by blocking winds.
E) increasing the amount of water runoff.

Question 9

Coastal wetlands, or marshes, serve to

A) return nitrogen to the atmosphere.
B) purify water farther upriver.
C) ʺabsorbʺ water from major storms.
D) provide a habitat for major predators.
E) store phosphorus.

Question 10

The major goal of conservation biology is to

A) restore the biosphere to its previously unspoiled condition.
B) make the biosphere more habitable for humanity.
C) repair the damage to ecosystems done by introduced species.
D) preserve the diversity of living organisms.
E) increase the population sizes of all species.

Question 11

Traditional medicines, which are used by the majority of people in less developed countries, are primarily derived from

A) plants.
B) commercially purchased ingredients.
C) animals.
D) rock.
E) water.

Question 12

Plants prevent erosion by

A) promoting flooding.
B) blocking winds and stabilizing soil with extensive root systems.
C) holding water.
D) recycling nutrients.
E) supporting animals that consume excess water.

Question 13

What human activity can cause flooding along riverbanks?

A) Overfishing
B) Increased evaporation due to fewer trees
C) Decreased conversion of forests to farmland
D) Removal of forests and wetlands along the river
E) Decreased soil formation

Question 14

Cutting down rain forests may result in the local climate becoming

A) hotter and drier.
B) It is not expected to affect the local climate.
C) cooler and drier.
D) hotter and wetter.
E) cooler and wetter.

Question 15

Deforestation affects the climate in what way?

A) Decreasing global temperature
B) Decreasing the amount of wood available for building shelter
C) Decreasing the habitat space for forest-dwelling animals
D) Increasing the levels of oxygen
E) Increasing the levels of carbon dioxide

Question 16

In 1947, prolonged flooding of the Kissimmee River, located in Floridaʹs Heartland, inundated the Kissimmee basin as well as the surrounding cities, prompting citizens to cry out for flood control. The river was transformed into a canal, and associated wetlands with their populations of wetland-dependent flora and fauna declined drastically. The loss of wetlands could have resulted in

A) a decline in populations of invasive species.
B) a pollution problem.
C) a decrease in erosion of the river basin.
D) an increase in native plant populations with an accompanying decline in herbivore species.
E) enhanced natural water purification.

Question 17

In 2005, the authors of the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment concluded that _________% of Earth?s ecosystem services is being degraded.

A) 5
B) 20
C) 60
D) 0
E) 95

Question 18

Most of the worldʹs food supply comes from

A) frost-resistant crops.
B) more than 100 rain-forest species.
C) salt-tolerant crops.
D) wild plants.
E) only 12 plant crops.

Question 19

Plants help reduce flooding by

A) breaking down the soil.
B) increasing CO2 levels.
C) increasing the soilʹs ability to hold water.
D) decreasing the amount of water returned to the air.
E) removing soil.

Question 20

The variety and abundance of the different species that make up a community is the _________of a community.

A) genetic diversity
B) conservation biology
C) ecosystem services
D) ecosystem diversity
E) species diversity

Question 21

Much of the tropical rain-forest land that has been lost has been used for

A) wildlife preserves.
B) farmland.
C) recreational areas.
D) airfields to support ecotourism.
E) human dwellings.

Question 22

The idea that several species in a community have functionally equivalent roles but vary in their ability to withstand environmental stressors is called the _________hypothesis.

A) biocapacity
B) unextinction
C) redundancy
D) rivet
E) multiple species

Question 23

The minimum viable population is the

A) smallest number of males needed to maintain a population.
B) number of organisms that can reproduce in a population.
C) smallest number of organisms capable of maintaining a population.
D) number of organisms that can be spread over a fragmented habitat.
E) number of organisms produced by an inbred population.

Question 24

Which human activity is NOT a threat to biodiversity?

A) Application of synthetic fertilizers
B) Importing pigs and goats in Hawaii for food
C) Cattle ranching
D) No-till farming
E) Building a large sugarcane plantation in a tropical rain forest

Question 25

The leading cause of extinction by human activities worldwide is

A) habitat fragmentation.
B) overexploitation.
C) invasive species.
D) predation.
E) pollution.

Question 26

Large mammals and birds require_________ acres of continuous suitable habitat for food and territory.

A) millions of
B) 4
C) 2
D) hundreds of
E) dozens of

Question 27

The most likely explanation for any mass-extinction event is

A) rapid environmental change.
B) human activity.
C) loss of genetic diversity due to inbreeding.
D) a gradual increase in global temperature.
E) coevolution of predator and prey species.

Question 28

Some biologists believe that life on Earth is in the midst of a sixth major mass-extinction event caused by

A) human activity.
B) loss of genetic diversity due to inbreeding.
C) a gradual decrease in global temperature.
D) sustainable agriculture efforts.
E) coevolution of predator and prey species.

Question 29

Overexploitation of many species has increased due to the growing demand for wild animals and plants, and

A) an increase in the number of core reserves.
B) global warming.
C) the dramatic increase in world population.
D) technological advances that have made it easier to obtain the animals and plants.
E) sustainable agriculture, which has become more popular.

Question 30

Comparison of the human ecological footprint to Earthʹs biocapacity suggests that

A) the human population is growing slowly.
B) global warming is seriously damaging most ecosystems.
C) the human population will soon rapidly decrease in size.
D) the human population cannot sustain its current level of resource usage.
E) the human population can continue at its present level of resource usage indefinitely.

Question 31

As a result of global warming,

A) there are greater extremes in weather patterns.
B) speciesʹ ranges are shifting toward the equator.
C) species are becoming active later in the spring.
D) forests are expanding in range.
E) the ozone layer is becoming thicker.

Question 32

It is difficult to estimate current rates of extinction, but we know that extinction rates have risen dramatically in recent years because

A) most species in danger of extinction are microscopic.
B) background extinction rates have increased.
C) the fossil record is unreliable.
D) current rates of extinction are much higher than that of background rates.
E) new species are evolving as fast as species are becoming extinct.

Question 33

Even when a natural ecosystem is not completely destroyed, it may become broken into small pieces. This is known as

A) habitat destruction.
B) clear-cutting.
C) habitat fragmentation.
D) pollution.
E) no-till cropping.

Question 34

In less-developed countries, many species are being harvested unsustainably because

A) they are hunted and killed because they carry human diseases.
B) they are considered a danger to humans.
C) the people must eat or sell the speciesʹ products to survive.
D) people thoughtlessly destroy what they do not need.
E) pollution has reduced their population sizes dramatically.

Question 35

Pollutants such as_________ may affect the reproduction of organisms.

A) carbon monoxide
B) bisphenol A
C) sulfur
D) nitrogen
E) water

Question 36

A_________ species is fundamentally essential to an ecosystem; its loss changes the structure of the entire community, even though it may only represent a small portion of the population.

A) footprint
B) keystone
C) redundant
D) baseline
E) rivet

Question 37

An introduced species is ʺinvasiveʺ if it

A) is a threat to humans.
B) does not cause significant harm to native species.
C) survives in its new habitat and forms mutually beneficial relationships with native species.
D) cannot successfully maintain a population in the new habitat.
E) outcompetes native species in its new habitat.

Question 38

The largest threat to global biodiversity, as identified by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), is

A) global warming.
B) habitat destruction.
C) phosphate pollution.
D) introduced species.
E) lack of farmland.

Question 39

The ecological footprint of the human species is about

A) equal to Earthʹs biocapacity.
B) 80% of Earthʹs biocapacity.
C) 50% of Earthʹs biocapacity.
D) 50% greater than Earthʹs biocapacity.
E) 80% greater than Earthʹs biocapacity.

Question 40

Sea turtle populations are threatened with extinction by natural dangers, and humans increase that threat because sea turtles

A) are difficult prey for human poachers to capture.
B) are overexploited for research and development.
C) are spreading into coral reefs.
D) are caught in nets along with other species being fished.
E) are overexploited as pets.

Question 41

In the wild, plants depend on bacteria in the soil to provide nitrogen.

Question 42

The detritivores and decomposers in soil are responsible for recycling nutrients.

Question 43

In heavily forested areas, the trees reduce evaporation and disrupt the normal water cycle.

Question 44

Under the redundancy hypothesis, if one species is removed from an ecosystem, then another organism in that ecosystem that occupies a similar niche will take its place, leading to minimal disruption.

Question 45

Trees alter runoff patterns, causing increased erosion and potential flooding.

Question 46

Food that is produced using unsustainable farming practices tends to

A) be cheaper.
B) have more complex carbohydrates.
C) have a lower fat content.
D) have a longer shelf life.
E) be less susceptible to pest damage.

Question 47

The goals of conservation biologists include all of the following EXCEPT

A) studying the natural impacts of human activities.
B) working toward resource sustainability.
C) reversing the loss of biodiversity.
D) maintaining and restoring natural ecosystems.
E) cataloguing the number of species.

Question 48

Plant roots increase the soilʹs capacity to hold water, so vegetation contributes to erosion and flood control.

Question 49

Adult sea turtles are primarily threatened by

A) beach development and hunting.
B) hunting.
C) beach development.
D) polluted ocean waters.
E) beach development, hunting, and polluted ocean waters.

Question 50

The greatest natural threat to newly hatched sea turtles is

A) ecotourism.
B) beach development.
C) predation by native species.
D) polluted ocean waters.
E) drowning.

Question 51

Organic farming involves

A) allowing natural predators to control pests.
B) using large farm equipment to fertilize, plow, and harvest.
C) using organic pesticides and herbicides.
D) planting genetically engineered crops only.
E) adding organic fertilizers to the soil.

Question 52

Removal of a keystone species from an ecosystem has minimal effect because other species compensate and take over its role.

Question 53

The conservation organization TAMAR has had some success in protecting sea turtles by

A) making beautiful jewelry from turtle shells.
B) lobbying for legislation that supports the cause.
C) engaging the local community in conservation efforts.
D) increasing the market for turtle eggs.
E) fundraising in wealthy countries.

Question 54

Habitat fragmentation has forced many species into smaller habitats, which results in increased mortality within populations. To give these species access to larger habitats, wildlife biologists developed

A) underground tunnels for animal movement.
B) wildlife corridors.
C) diverse communities of plants.
D) enormous water tanks.
E) minimum critical areas.

Question 55

Unsustainable farming practices include

A) abandoning fields and allowing them to go through natural succession.
B) planting different crops in the same field in alternating years.
C) abandoning the use of irrigation to water fields.
D) using herbicides and pesticides.
E) mulching fields after harvest.

Question 56

_________occurs when human developments break up natural ecosystems into smaller areas.

A) Overexploitation
B) Sustainable development
C) Conservation biology
D) Habitat fragmentation
E) Species invasion

Question 57

Which of the following does NOT represent a sustainable approach to development?

A) Using energy-efficient compact fluorescent or LED bulbs
B) Choosing the most fuel-efficient form of vehicle that meets your needs
C) Identifying recycling options in your community and recycling only those things that are accepted
D) Continuing human population growth at current levels
E) Installing energy-efficient features, such as good insulation and tight weather stripping, in your house

Question 58

Core reserves are areas where

A) only human activities that have low impact on the native wildlife are allowed.
B) humans are allowed to use and develop the areas as they see fit.
C) humans are forbidden from entering.
D) humans have irrevocably destroyed the local ecosystem.
E) wildlife species benefit from extensive conservation programs, including nurseries and clinics.

Question 59

Wetlands purify water by removing sediments and pollutants.

Question 60

One goal of conservation biology is to prevent extinction caused by

A) human activity.
B) predation.
C) interaction of native species.
D) asteroid impacts.
E) disease.

Question 61

Rich consumers support sustainability and biodiversity by paying high prices for rare products, such as elephant-tusk ivory, rare orchids, and exotic birds.

Question 62

The mass extinction currently taking place is most likely due to human activities.

Question 63

The discipline of _________measures the trade-offs between the monetary value of human developments and the loss of ecosystem services.

Question 64

Human population growth poses a threat to sustainable development.

Question 65

Wildlife corridors are designed to keep predators and their prey isolated from one another.

Question 66

The term_________ refers to the ways in which ecosystems provide benefits to people, either directly or indirectly.

Question 67

Farmers who practice no-till methods commonly use herbicides.

Question 68

In the ocean, whales are the keystone species.

Question 69

Habitat fragmentation increases the breeding success of a species.

Question 70

Global warming is accelerating the growth of coral reefs.

Question 71

A rapidly growing recreation industry where people travel to visit unique biological communities is called_________ .

Question 72

The term_________ describes the variety of living organisms that inhabit Earth.

Question 73

Aquatic species found in lakes are not particularly vulnerable to invasive species.

Question 74

Global climate change will cause deserts to become hotter and wetter.

Question 75

Invasive species cannot be introduced to the Great Lakes because they are isolated from the oceans.

Question 76

The most serious threat to biodiversity is habitat destruction.

Question 77

In aquatic environments, high levels of nutrients can act as pollutants.

Question 78

Buying food that is commercially produced supports sustainable agriculture.

Question 79

Once commercial whaling stopped, whale populations quickly returned to their pre-whaling sizes.)

Question 80

Sustainable agriculture depends on planting large tracts of high -profit crops.