Question 1

Some biologists have suggested that overexploitation in the harvesting of some sharks (i.e. top predators) has caused drastic changes in marine communities. Which of the following would you expect after removal of a top predator from a community?

Accepted Answer

Removing top predators often leads to population growth of their prey species due to decreased predation pressure.

Question 2

In order for the red areas on the figure below to represent biodiversity hotspots, which of the following criteria would have to be TRUE?

Accepted Answer

The answer of In order for the red areas on...

Question 3

Some logging companies that exploit tree species in northern boreal forests plant a tree of the same species for each that is cut down. This is an example of:

Accepted Answer

Planting a tree of the same species for each one that is cut down is an example of sustainable development. It allows for the continued use of a natural resource while also ensuring its conservation for future generations.

Question 4

In the fall of 2012, Hurricane Sandy caused more than 110 deaths and an estimated $65.5 billion of damage along the Atlantic coast of the United States. Who needs to be involved in preparing for the next "Sandy"?

Accepted Answer

Preparing for future emergencies and disasters requires the collective effort of everyone, including politicians, engineers, and scientists, but most importantly, every individual must take responsibility for their own safety and preparedness. Awareness and education about potential hazards, emergency planning, and community preparedness are essential in minimizing the impact of the next disaster.

Question 5

Zoos play a critical role in the conservation of biodiversity through maintaining:

Accepted Answer

Zoos play a crucial role in conserving biodiversity by breeding populations of endangered species for release back into the wild, which contributes to the recovery of endangered or threatened species. While maintaining individuals of endangered species in different zoos and showcasing them to the public is essential, it is not the primary reason for the existence of zoos as conservation institutions. Breeding populations that can adapt and survive in the captive environment of zoos is also essential, but this is in support of the ultimate goal of releasing healthy individuals back into the wild.

Question 6

Biologists who study biodiversity describe new species and monitor species of which we are aware. Why is the study of biodiversity important in the Anthropocene?

Accepted Answer

The study of biodiversity is important in the Anthropocene because human activities have significant impacts on the distribution and abundance of species. Biologists can monitor changes in population sizes, distributions, and other traits, allowing us to quantify the effects of human actions and identify conservation priorities. Understanding biodiversity is also important for maintaining ecosystem services, such as pollination and water purification, that are critical for human well-being. The other choices do not accurately reflect the importance of biodiversity in the Anthropocene.

Question 7

Most human-dominated ecosystems have lower diversity than natural ecosystems in a similar environment. What ecosystem services are diminished in human-dominated ecosystems?

Accepted Answer

All of these choices are correct. Human-dominated ecosystems with lower diversity are less resilient to disturbances, have fewer candidate organisms for new sources of food or medicine, and lower levels of primary production. This highlights the importance of preserving natural ecosystems and their diversity.

Question 8

Conservation biologists have to consider multiple factors when they establish protected areas. Assume for example that there is a nature reserve already established that has no habitat degradation. However, the area is overhunted and large herbivores have been almost completely removed from the area. What, if any, is the MOST important consideration for a conservation biologist?

Accepted Answer

The removal of large herbivores can affect the food web and ecosystem processes in the area, so addressing this issue would be the most important consideration for a conservation biologist. Options A and B are incorrect because action is needed to address the overhunting issue. Option D is also incorrect because expanding the reserve does not necessarily address the specific issue of overhunting and herbivore removal.

Question 9

While some may consider that the goal of conservation biology is to preserve all species on the planet, which of the following is a more accurate statement of conservation biology's goals?

Accepted Answer

Conservation biology aims to maintain the ecosystem services provided by species in a community, which requires maintaining levels of species diversity. While biodiversity hotspots may be a focus, the broader goal is to preserve communities and their functional roles in the ecosystem. Conservation biology also aims to predict areas that may need conserving in the future, rather than just responding to dire circumstances.

Question 10

Based on the figure below, which of the following statements is/are a direct reflection of the data presented?

Accepted Answer

Option A is not supported by the data presented, as there are instances (such as between 2002 and 2004) where ivory price is decreasing but the illegal killing is increasing. 
Option B is partially supported by the data, as the natural mortality rate is higher than the illegal killing rate between 1998 and 2006. However, it doesn't give any information about what happens after 2006. 
Option C is supported by the data, as there is a clear upward trend in illegal killing after 2008 coinciding with an increase in ivory prices. 
Option D is also supported by the data, as we can see that in 2010 the illegal killing rate surpassed the natural mortality rate.

Question 11

The red portions on the figure below represent biodiversity hotspots for birds.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The red portions on the figure below...

Question 12

In the past, many species of whales were overexploited, and their population sizes decreased dramatically. Eventually, regulations were put in place that made harvesting whales illegal, and populations rebounded. Certain groups of Pacific killer whales are known to have diets that include many different species of marine mammals including gray whale calves. When gray whale populations plummeted during heavy harvesting of whales, populations of killer whales had to rely on other species of marine mammals for food. Which of the following statements reflects a potential result of the overexploitation of whales in the Pacific?

Accepted Answer

The overexploitation of whales in the Pacific resulted in a decline in gray whale populations. This decline may have negatively impacted other species that relied on gray whales as a food source, such as the Stellar sea lion. Therefore, populations of Stellar sea lions may have declined just after population declines in gray whales. Option B is incorrect because it contradicts the premise of the question. Option C is unlikely as salmon are not a known prey item for killer whales that specialize in feeding on marine mammals. Option D is unlikely as the decline in gray whale populations would not have a direct positive relationship with sea lion populations.

Question 13

Which of these fish species is the best candidate for sustainable harvesting? (You will have to look up the properties of these species on the Internet. Try HYPERLINK "http://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/"http://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/)

Accepted Answer

Herring is considered a sustainable choice as it has a high reproductive rate and is harvested using sustainable fishing methods. The population of herring is also closely monitored by organizations like NOAA to ensure that overfishing does not occur.

Question 14

Establishment of biological reserves has shown that they can be very important for the recovery of endangered species. In the case of the white rhino the establishment of a reserve has helped:

Accepted Answer

The establishment of a reserve has been instrumental in increasing the white rhino population significantly. In fact, the white rhino population has increased more than a hundredfold due to the establishment of reserves. Thus, option A is the correct choice.

Question 15

The U.S. Department of Energy's energy outlook report for 2015 estimates that electricity generation in the United States will increase by nearly 25% by 2040. Both the amount and percentage of electricity generated by burning coal, however, will drop, as more and more electricity is generated by burning natural gas and exploiting renewable energy sources. Which is an expected consequence of this shift?

Accepted Answer

While burning natural gas and using renewable energy sources will still produce carbon dioxide emissions, the decrease in the amount of electricity generated from coal burning will lower the overall rate of increase in carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere. Therefore, carbon dioxide levels will still increase, but at a lower rate than if coal burning continued to be the major source of electricity.

Question 16

One of the goals of conservation biology is to conserve biodiversity. An important part of conservation strategy is the design of reserves. Reserves are often designed to be as large as possible. How does the theory of island biogeography support biologists' efforts to utilize large reserves in order to conserve as much biodiversity as possible?

Accepted Answer

The theory of island biogeography states that larger islands (or reserves) generally have more species than smaller islands (or reserves). This is represented in the species-area curve, which shows a positive correlation between island size (or reserve size) and the number of species that can be supported within that area. Therefore, designing larger reserves can help conserve more biodiversity.

Question 17

Sustainable development plans are designed to allow:

Accepted Answer

Sustainable development plans aim to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Therefore, conservation of species used by humans without causing their decline or extinction is the most appropriate choice for sustainable development plans.

Question 18

Examine the figure below that shows when different species of migratory hummingbirds arrived at spring breeding grounds.  Which of the following statements reflects changes over approximately the past 130 years in hummingbirds and their utilization of the spring breeding grounds?

Accepted Answer

The figure shows that most species of migratory hummingbirds are arriving at their spring breeding grounds earlier in recent years compared to 100 years ago.

Question 19

Why do corridors increase the effectiveness of conservation reserves?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Why do corridors increase the effectiveness of...

Question 20

Biological reserves are an important tool in maintaining biodiversity because a reserve:

Accepted Answer

Biological reserves are areas designated for the preservation of plant and animal species and their habitats. By designating an area as a reserve, it ensures that the natural environment is protected and maintained for the long-term. While reserves can be designed with a focus on a single species, protecting that species often benefits other species in the area as well. This is because a single species is often dependent on other species and the habitat in which it lives. Therefore, by conserving the habitat, it also benefits other species that live in the same area.

Quiz 49: The Anthropocene: Humans As a Planetary Force