Question 1

Which of the following is a human impact on biodiversity?

Accepted Answer

All of these options (extinction of species, alteration of habitats, and introduction of invasive species) are human impacts on biodiversity. Each of these actions can significantly affect ecosystems and the variety of life within them.

Question 2

Which of the following would be impacts of a decline in wild salmon populations?

Accepted Answer

A decline in wild salmon populations would impact commercial fishing due to reduced catches, affect cultural traditions that revolve around salmon, and decrease the intrinsic value of natural ecosystems that include salmon.

Question 3

One human impact on biodiversity is the overexploitation of resources. Which of the following best exemplifies this?

Accepted Answer

Overhunting of the passenger pigeon is a classic example of overexploitation, leading to the extinction of the species. This directly impacts biodiversity by reducing the variety of life in an area.

Question 4

Many people desire to have a home with a view of a river or lake. While there is no monetary value in this view of water, it still has

Accepted Answer

Intrinsic value is the value of something in and of itself, regardless of its usefulness or economic value. In this case, the view of the water has intrinsic value because it is something that many people desire and enjoy, even though it has no monetary value.

Question 5

A cow can produce milk, which is sold to food producers who make cheese, ice cream, and other products. Therefore, the cow can have

Accepted Answer

The answer of A cow can produce milk, which is...

Question 6

Consider the following: we use wood to build our homes, we use compounds derived from plants for pharmaceutical drugs, and we use fish for sustenance, all of which are examples of

Accepted Answer

Ecosystem services are the benefits humans receive from the environment, such as materials for construction (wood), pharmaceuticals (compounds from plants), and food (fish).

Question 7

Consider the following: we use wood to build our homes, we use compounds derived from plants for pharmaceutical drugs, and we use fish for sustenance. Which of these are considered provisioning services?

Accepted Answer

Provisioning services are ecosystem services that describe the material or energy outputs from ecosystems. They include food, water, raw materials, genetic resources, and medicinal resources. In this context, wood used for building homes, pharmaceutical drugs derived from plants, and fish caught for food all represent materials provided by ecosystems for human use, thus fitting the definition of provisioning services.

Question 8

High bush blueberry plants (Vaccinium corymbosum) rely on bees and other pollinating insects for fruit production. This particular benefit from the ecosystem is an example of services.

Accepted Answer

The answer of High bush blueberry plants (Vaccinium corymbosum) rely...

Question 9

The establishment of parks and other recreational areas allows for which type of ecosystem service?

Accepted Answer

Cultural services include non-material benefits people obtain from ecosystems through spiritual enrichment, cognitive development, reflection, recreation, and aesthetic experiences, which parks and recreational areas provide.

Question 10

Environmental scientists are concerned about the impact of invasive species being introduced into the Great Lakes, so they attempt to calculate the monetary impact on fishing. An assessment of the value from commercial and recreational fishing, fish processors, boat building, and guide services would be considered a

Accepted Answer

The assessment of the value from commercial and recreational fishing, fish processors, boat building, and guide services is considered a value chain, as it involves evaluating the economic impact and interconnectedness of these activities.

Question 11

A study published in the scientific journal PLOS-One in 2008 found that if insects were not available, the cost to pollenate all fruit crops in just one region of South Africa would be over $350 million. This shows the for this ecosystem service.

Accepted Answer

The correct answer is "replacement cost" because the study quantifies the monetary amount it would cost to replace the pollination services provided by insects if they were not available, highlighting the economic value of this ecosystem service.

Question 12

In some parts of Peru, there are still wild tomato plants that grow. It was found that when these wild plants were crossed with commercial tomatoes, the yields from the hybrid tomatoes were doubled and the plants had increased disease resistance. The wild tomato plants would be considered an example of

Accepted Answer

The wild tomato plants contribute to ecosystem services by providing genetic material that can enhance agricultural productivity (increased yields and disease resistance) when crossed with commercial varieties. Ecosystem services include the benefits people obtain from ecosystems, such as food, fresh water, disease regulation, and pollination of crops.

Question 13

A unique series of connected forest ecosystems has been found on public lands in the western United States, which has been found to contain three species of rare toads. What type of designation would be best to preserve the toads in this ecosystem?

Accepted Answer

National wildlife refuge systems are specifically designed to protect wildlife and their habitats, making them the most suitable designation for preserving rare toads and their unique forest ecosystem.

Question 14

The Land Between the Lakes is a region of land located between Lake Barkley and Kentucky Lake. The area is located in both Kentucky and Tennessee. Lake Barkley was created by damning the Cumberland River in the 1960s. This area would be designated as a

Accepted Answer

The Land Between the Lakes was designated as a national recreation area, which is a type of protected area in the United States aimed at preserving natural resources while providing recreation opportunities.

Question 15

Lands used by the United States Department of Agriculture for provisioning services, such as timber, would be considered a

Accepted Answer

National forests are managed by the United States Department of Agriculture, specifically through the Forest Service, and are designated for multiple uses, including timber production, recreation, and conservation.

Question 16

In comparing the establishment of the first national park, the first national recreational area, and first national wildlife refuge system, which was established first in the United States?

Accepted Answer

The first national park established in the United States was Yellowstone National Park in 1872, predating the establishment of the first national wildlife refuge (Pelican Island in 1903) and the concept of national recreation areas.

Question 17

What is the difference between an area designated as wilderness (according to the Wilderness Act) and a national park?

Accepted Answer

Wilderness areas, as defined by the Wilderness Act, are areas where the earth and its community of life are untrammeled by man, where man himself is a visitor who does not remain. This means that in these areas, there are strict limitations on activities, including the prohibition of motorized transportation, to preserve the natural condition of the land. National parks, while also focused on conservation and public enjoyment, do allow for a wider range of activities and facilities, including some forms of motorized transportation.

Question 18

If a new cave system was to be recognized as a World Heritage Site, this would require recognition by which international organization?

Accepted Answer

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is involved in global environmental protection efforts, including the recognition of natural sites of importance. However, the specific designation of World Heritage Sites falls under the purview of UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization), which was not listed among the options provided. UNEP, being closely related to environmental efforts, is the closest relevant choice given the options.

Question 19

Cheetahs are found in many protected preserves in Africa, including the Masai Mara National Reserve in Kenya. Many of the preserves are isolated and surrounded by areas without protections for cheetahs. When cheetahs travel outside the preserves to hunt and find mates, they are often hit by cars or exposed to diseases from pests. This is an example of

Accepted Answer

The scenario describes the ecological island effect, where areas of natural habitat (like the Masai Mara National Reserve) are isolated within a matrix of habitats unsuitable for the species (like areas without protections for cheetahs). This isolation can lead to increased risks for the species when they move outside their protected areas, such as being hit by cars or exposed to diseases.

Question 20

A mining company plans to build a highway through a forest in northern Canada that is important for caribou migration. What could ensure the safe migration of caribou without having to cancel plans for this highway?

Accepted Answer

A wildlife corridor would allow caribou to safely migrate across or around the highway, minimizing the impact on their natural migration patterns without needing to cancel the highway plans.

Quiz 5: Conservation: Why Is It Important to Protect Biodiversity