Question 1

Which of the following is a consequence of biological magnification?

Accepted Answer

Biological magnification is the process by which certain chemicals become more concentrated in the tissues of organisms as they move up the food chain. This means that top-level predators, who consume many lower-level consumers, may accumulate very high levels of toxic chemicals in their bodies, which can pose a greater risk to their health than to the health of lower-level consumers.

Question 2

Your friend is wary of environmentalists' claims that global warming could lead to major biological change on Earth.Which of the following statements can you use in response to your friend's suspicions?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Your friend is wary of environmentalists' claims...

Question 3

Which of the following strategies would most rapidly increase the genetic diversity of a population in an extinction vortex?

Accepted Answer

Introducing new individuals transported from other populations of the same species would most rapidly increase the genetic diversity of the population in an extinction vortex. This is because new individuals would bring different alleles to the population, increasing its genetic variation. Captive breeding and reintroduction may increase genetic diversity, but it can be a slow process and may not introduce genetic variation from other populations. Establishing a reserve and controlling predators and competitors may help protect the population, but it does not directly increase genetic diversity. Sterilizing the least fit individuals would reduce genetic diversity by removing alleles from the population.

Question 4

Of the following statements about protected areas that have been established to preserve biodiversity,which one is not correct?

Accepted Answer

The statement that about 25% of Earth's land area is now protected is not correct. As of my last update, approximately 15% of the Earth's land area and about 7% of the ocean area have been designated as protected areas, not 25%.

Question 5

Some populations of sea turtles and Galápagos tortoises are maintained by people who collect their eggs and hatch/rear the young in captivity.Why is this practice supported by conservationists?

Accepted Answer

Introduced predators can pose a threat to the survival of sea turtle and Galápagos tortoise populations by consuming their eggs. Collecting the eggs and rearing the young in captivity allows for more successful hatching and ensures that a sufficient number of individuals survive to adulthood. This practice is supported by conservationists as a way to help protect these species from extinction.

Question 6

The main cause of the increase in the amount of CO₂ in Earth's atmosphere over the past 150 years is

Accepted Answer

The burning of larger amounts of wood and fossil fuels is the main cause of the increase in the amount of CO₂ in Earth's atmosphere over the past 150 years. This is due to the release of carbon dioxide during the combustion of these fuels.

Question 7

You are trying to determine if a particular species will become invasive in your province.You know there are common attributes of invasive species; which attribute would be least applicable to invasive species?

Accepted Answer

Low ecological tolerance would be least applicable to invasive species as invasive species are able to adapt and thrive in various ecological conditions, often outcompeting native species.

Question 8

Suppose you attend a town meeting at which some experts tell the audience that they have performed a cost-benefit analysis of a proposed transit system that would probably reduce overall air pollution and fossil fuel consumption.The analysis,however,reveals that ticket prices will not cover the cost of operating the system when fuel,wages,and equipment are taken into account.As a biologist,you know that if ecosystem services had been included in the analysis the experts might have arrived at a different answer.Why are ecosystem services rarely included in economic analyses?

Accepted Answer

Ecosystem services are often not included in economic analyses because their cost is difficult to estimate and people take them for granted. Ecosystem services, such as clean air and water, pollination, and climate regulation, are often seen as "free" and not given a monetary value in economic analyses. This makes it difficult to accurately assess their cost and benefits in relation to other factors.

Question 9

What is the single greatest threat to biodiversity?

Accepted Answer

Habitat alteration, fragmentation, and destruction is the single greatest threat to biodiversity as it directly impacts the availability and suitability of habitats for various species. It causes the loss of important ecological connections and reduces the carrying capacity of the ecosystem. It also restricts the movement of species, which can lead to genetic isolation and reduced gene flow, ultimately affecting the long-term survival of the species.

Question 10

One characteristic that distinguishes a population in an extinction vortex from most other populations is that

Accepted Answer

The answer of One characteristic that distinguishes a population in...

Quiz 56: Conservation Biology and Global Change