Question 1

The number of species on an island has remained stable over the past 200 years.This suggests that

Accepted Answer

The fact that the number of species on the island has remained stable suggests that the rate of extinction is counterbalanced by the rate of immigration. Therefore, the processes of extinction and immigration are balanced, making option E the correct answer. Option A is incorrect because it implies that no species have gone extinct, which is not necessarily true. Option B is also incorrect because it implies that no new species have immigrated to the island, which is also not necessarily true. Option C and D are incorrect because they suggest that only one process (immigration or emigration) is affecting the number of species on the island, when in fact both extinction and immigration are likely playing a role.

Question 2

Why are islands and island-like habitats considered appropriate models for illustrating the species-area relationship?

Accepted Answer

Islands provide a defined and isolated area that can more easily be studied, making them ideal for examining the species-area relationship.

Question 3

Situations of habitat fragmentation in the Amazon rainforest suggest that the process of fragmentation is important in all ecosystems because it

Accepted Answer

Habitat fragmentation is known to greatly deplete species diversity as it results in the isolation of populations and limits their ability to disperse and interact with other populations, ultimately leading to the loss of genetic diversity and the extinction of species. The situation in the Amazon rainforest is indicative of the negative impacts of fragmentation, and it is likely that similar impacts are seen in other ecosystems undergoing fragmentation. Therefore, it is important to take steps to mitigate the effects of habitat fragmentation and protect ecosystem biodiversity.

Question 4

An explorer looking for species diversity patterns would most likely not find

Accepted Answer

Species diversity is not typically correlated with longitude, as the distance between east and west does not necessarily have a significant impact on the number or variety of species in an area. The other choices are all commonly observed patterns of species diversity.

Question 5

The short-term state of the temperature and atmospheric conditions in a given locality is referred to as its _______.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The short-term state of the temperature and...

Question 6

Cool, dry air at latitudes of approximately 30° N and S sinks due to high atmospheric pressure, and warms.At these latitudes are found the world's largest _______.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Cool, dry air at latitudes of approximately...

Question 7

Northwestern Europe is warmer than comparable latitudes in North America due to the influence of a current called the _______.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Northwestern Europe is warmer than comparable latitudes...

Question 8

A region has a relatively small area and a climate with extreme wet and dry cycles during the year.As climate change progresses, the dry cycles are becoming longer, with essentially no wet cycle during some years.Based on the species diversification rate hypothesis, what future trend might be expected in the processes of speciation and extinction?

Accepted Answer

With longer dry cycles and essentially no wet cycle during some years, it is likely that the region will become more hostile to many species. As a result, species may struggle to survive and reproduce, leading to increased extinction rates. Additionally, with the environment becoming more inhospitable and challenging, there may be fewer opportunities for speciation to occur, leading to a decrease in the rate of new species formation. Therefore, speciation is likely to decrease and extinction is likely to increase.

Question 9

The major difference between ecology and environmentalism is that environmentalism always includes issues that involve _______.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The major difference between ecology and environmentalism...

Question 10

Temperature in the tundra is too low to support the growth of trees.This is an example of a limitation in the distribution of a vegetation type based on _______.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Temperature in the tundra is too low...

Question 11

Ecological studies encompass both biotic and abiotic factors in the environment.The amount of moisture in a desert ecosystem limits which organisms can live there.This is an example of a(n) _______ factor.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Ecological studies encompass both biotic and abiotic...

Question 12

Wilson and MacArthur's theory of island biogeography is based on two processes that balance each other.These two processes are

Accepted Answer

Wilson and MacArthur's theory of island biogeography is based on the balance between immigration to an island and extinction of resident species. This balance determines the number of species present on an island at any given time. As the rate of immigration decreases and the rate of extinction increases, the number of species on the island will decrease. Conversely, as the rate of immigration increases and the rate of extinction decreases, the number of species on the island will increase. Thus, the theory is based on the balance between these two processes.

Question 13

Much of the solar radiation received by Earth is absorbed and radiated back into the atmosphere in the form of _______.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Much of the solar radiation received by...

Question 14

A group of scientists wants to design a project to determine the cause or causes of latitudinal patterns in species diversity.Which is not a correct statement regarding possible problems in the design of their project?

Accepted Answer

Latitudinal patterns of species diversity are well documented on Earth, making it an ideal subject of study.

Question 15

Tropical latitudes have not experienced the large number of ice ages experienced at higher latitudes.Instead, their climates have remained moderate and stable.This provides evidence for which hypothesis related to latitudinal species diversity patterns?

Accepted Answer

The stability of climates in tropical latitudes over long periods allows for uninterrupted species evolution and diversification, supporting the hypothesis that species diversity is higher in these regions due to longer periods of species diversification time.

Question 16

When solar radiation strikes Earth, it passes through the most atmosphere if it strikes in _______ regions.

Accepted Answer

The answer of When solar radiation strikes Earth, it passes...

Question 17

Refer to the graph below, which represents island size, distance from New Guinea, and number of bird species present.  Based on the diagram, which statement best summarizes the relationship of the three factors described?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Refer to the graph below, which represents...

Question 18

Early explorers such as Darwin, Wallace, and Humboldt analyzed species diversity along their journeys by comparing each region's diversity with the species diversity

Accepted Answer

The question asks what early explorers such as Darwin, Wallace, and Humboldt compared species diversity to along their journeys, and the best answer is B, on their home continent of Europe. This is because they were European explorers, so it makes sense that they would compare the species diversity they found in other parts of the world with the species diversity they were familiar with in Europe.

Question 19

The largest level of organization, or scale, in ecological study is the _______.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The largest level of organization, or scale,...

Question 20

The speed of Earth's east-to-west rotation varies with latitude.This determines Earth's wind and ocean currents by creating the process known as the _______ effect.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The speed of Earth's east-to-west rotation varies...

Quiz 53: The Physical Environment and Biogeography of Life