Deck 31: Conserving Earths Biodiversity

Question 1

Plants help reduce flooding by

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

Answer 1

A

Question 2

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

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

Answer 2

D

Question 3

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

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

Answer 3

E

Question 4

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

A) Plants increase levels of CO₂, by releasing CO₂ as a by- product of photosynthesis.
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) Plant roots stabilize soil and prevent erosion.
E) Leafy trees provide shade, thereby reducing temperatures.

Question 5

What human activity can cause flooding along riverbanks?

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

Question 6

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

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

Question 7

Plants prevent erosion by

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

Question 8

Coastal wetlands, or marshes, serve to

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

Question 9

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

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

Question 10

In 1947, prolonged flooding of the Kissimmee River, located in Florida's 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 decrease in erosion of the river basin.
B) enhanced natural water purification.
C) a decline in populations of invasive species.
D) a pollution problem.
E) an increase in native plant populations with an accompanying decline in herbivore species.

Question 11

Deforestation affects the climate in what way?

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

Question 12

The major goal of conservation biology is to

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

Question 13

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

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

Question 14

Most of the world's food supply comes from

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

Question 15

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

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

Question 16

Tropical rain forests provide all of the following EXCEPT

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

Question 17

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

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

Question 18

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

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

Question 19

Cutting down rain forests may result in the local climate becoming

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

Question 20

Forests influence local climates by

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

Question 21

Comparison of the human ecological footprint to Earth's biocapacity suggests that

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

Question 22

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

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

Question 23

An introduced species is "invasive" if it

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

Question 24

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

Question 25

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

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

Question 26

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

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

Question 27

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

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

Question 28

The ecological footprint of the human species is about

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

Question 29

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

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

Question 30

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

Question 31

Which human activity is NOT a threat to biodiversity?

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

Question 32

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

Question 33

Pollutants such as may affect the reproduction of organisms.

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

Question 34

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

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

Question 35

The minimum viable population is the

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

Question 36

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

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

Question 37

The leading cause of extinction by human activities worldwide is

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

Question 38

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

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

Question 39

As a result of global warming,

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

Question 40

The most likely explanation for any mass- extinction event is

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

Question 41

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

Question 42

Unsustainable farming practices include

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

Question 43

The greatest natural threat to newly hatched sea turtles is

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

Question 44

Wetlands purify water by removing sediments and pollutants.

Question 45

Core reserves are areas where

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

Question 46

One goal of conservation biology is to prevent extinction caused by

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

Question 47

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

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

Question 48

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

Question 49

Adult sea turtles are primarily threatened by

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

Question 50

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 51

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

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

Question 52

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

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

Question 53

Food that is produced using unsustainable farming practices tends to

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

Question 54

Organic farming involves

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

Question 55

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

Question 56

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

Question 57

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

Question 58

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

Question 59

The goals of conservation biologists include all of the following EXCEPT

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

Question 60

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

Question 61

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

Question 62

Human population growth poses a threat to sustainable development.

Question 63

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

Question 64

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

Question 65

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

Question 66

In the ocean, whales are the keystone species.

Question 67

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

Question 68

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

Question 69

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

Question 70

Habitat fragmentation increases the breeding success of a species.

Question 71

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

Question 72

Global warming is accelerating the growth of coral reefs.

Question 73

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

Question 74

Farmers who practice no- till methods commonly use herbicides.

Question 75

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

Question 76

The most serious threat to biodiversity is habitat destruction.

Question 77

Buying food that is commercially produced supports sustainable agriculture.

Question 78

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

Question 79

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

Question 80

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