Chapter 55Biodiversity and Conservation Biology

Biological Science, 3e (Freeman)

1) If the last remaining population of a particular bird species were all highly related, which type of diversity would be of greatest concern when planning to keep the species from going extinct?

A) genetic diversity

B) species diversity

C) ecosystem diversity

D) Both A and B

E) Both B and C

Answer: A

Diff: 2

Reference: Section 55.1

Question Type: Conceptual/Applied

Skill/Objective: General

Source/Use: Exam

2) Which of the following is the true statement regarding species diversity and taxonomic diversity?

A) Species diversity measures the relative frequency of all alleles present in a species.

B) In taxonomic diversity, the evolutionary relationships of species in a lineage are important.

C) In species diversity, the numbers of animals in a particular lineage is important.

D) The variety of species in a given area represents taxonomic diversity.

Answer: B

Diff: 2

Reference: Section 55.1

Question Type: Factual

Skill/Objective: Recall

Source/Use: Exam

3) In a debate about the destruction of tropical wet forests, the arguments keep focusing on

biodiversity and how this affects the animals themselves, as well as the ecosystem. What is one direct benefit of biodiversity to humans that you can argue to help people understand why these forests need to be preserved?

A) This diversity could contain undocumented insect species.

B) The areas could be visited by tourists for profit.

C) The diversity could contain novel drugs for consumers.

D) The diversity could contain a new crop plant for agriculture.

Answer: C

Diff: 2

Reference: Section 55.1

Question Type: Conceptual/Applied

Skill/Objective: General

Source/Use: Exam

4) How can biodiversity affect the way we decontaminate industrial sites?

A) Bacteria have been found to be able to detoxify certain chemicals; perhaps there are more.

B) Trees produce sawdust, which can be used to soak up chemicals.

C) Species evolving in contaminated areas could adapt and detoxify the area.

D) None of the answers given is correct.

Answer: A

Diff: 2

Reference: Section 55.1

Question Type: Conceptual/Applied

Skill/Objective: General

Source/Use: Exam

5) Ecosystems services include processes that increase the quality of the abiotic environment. Which of the following processes would not fall under this category?

A) Keystone predators have a marked effect on species diversity.

B) Green plants produce the oxygen we breathe.

C) The presence of land plants builds soil.

D) The presence of diverse wetlands helps in flood control.

Answer: A

Diff: 2

Reference: Section 55.1

Question Type: Conceptual/Applied

Skill/Objective: General

Source/Use: Exam

Figure 55.1

6) According to Figure 55.1, which of the following groups is particularly important to preserve?

A) turtles

B) tuataras

C) lizards

D) snakes

Answer: B

Diff: 2

Reference: Section 55.1

Question Type: Conceptual/Applied

Skill/Objective: General

Source/Use: Exam

7) Why is it important to preserve the tuataras (see Figure 55.1)?

A) The group has very few representatives of its lineage.

B) The group is particularly sensitive to environmental disturbances.

C) The group has low genetic diversity.

D) The group is economically important.

Answer: A

Diff: 3

Reference: Section 55.1

Question Type: Conceptual/Applied

Skill/Objective: General

Source/Use: Exam

8) Environmental sequencing has brought to light what crucial finding?

A) Genetic diversity is highest in the most complex ecosystems.

B) Genetic diversity is very difficult to detect in small ecosystems.

C) Even the world's simplest ecosystems contain an enormous amount of genetic diversity.

D) Individual diversity is as important as ecosystem diversity.

Answer: C

Diff: 2

Reference: Section 55.1, Box 55.1

Question Type: Factual

Skill/Objective: Recall

Source/Use: Exam

9) Approximately how many species have we described out of the species alive today?

A) We have described about half of the species on Earth.

B) We have described almost all of the species on Earth.

C) Apart from the tropics, we have described almost all the species on Earth.

D) We have described only a small fraction of the species on Earth.

Answer: D

Diff: 1

Reference: Section 55.1

Question Type: Factual

Skill/Objective: Recall

Source/Use: Exam

Figure 55.2

10) By knowing the interrelatedness of various snake species, the type of antivenom can be chosen depending on the species involved in the bite. Based on Figure 55.2, which snake antivenom would you administer to a person bitten by an Australian copperhead?

A) taipan

B) common brown snake

C) red-bellied black snake

D) death adder

E) tiger snake

Answer: E

Diff: 2

Reference: Section 55.1

Question Type: Conceptual/Applied

Skill/Objective: General

Source/Use: Exam

11) Based on Figure 55.2, what snake antivenom would you administer to a person bitten by a king brown snake?

A) taipan

B) common brown snake

C) red-bellied black snake

D) death adder

E) tiger snake

Answer: C

Diff: 2

Reference: Section 55.1

Question Type: Conceptual/Applied

Skill/Objective: General

Source/Use: Exam

12) Based on how you would go about measuring biodiversity, which of the following is true?

A) Bacteria are among the easiest to count regarding numbers of different species.

B) Species in the tropics are much easier to study than species in other biomes.

C) The easiest animals to study are the insects.

D) The most intensively studied lineages are vertebrates.

Answer: D

Diff: 1

Reference: Section 55.2

Question Type: Conceptual/Applied

Skill/Objective: General

Source/Use: Exam

13) During the inventory of bacterial genes present in the Sargasso Sea, a research team concluded that at least 1800 bacterial species were discovered. Based on what you know about this area, what would expect to see in coral reef waters?

A) slightly greater genetic diversity

B) slightly smaller genetic diversity

C) equal genetic diversity

D) markedly greater genetic diversity

E) markedly smaller genetic diversity

Answer: D

Diff: 2

Reference: Section 55.2

Question Type: Conceptual/Applied

Skill/Objective: General

Source/Use: Exam

14) Philippe Bouchet and colleagues conducted a massive survey of marine molluscs on the west coast of New Caledonia. Twenty percent of the species found were represented by a single specimen. What does that suggest about the diversity of molluscs in this area?

A) There are only a few species of molluscs in the area.

B) They did not look very hard for those 20 percent.

C) Many of the species from this 20 percent are probably rare.

D) Most of the species from this 20 percent are quite common.

Answer: C

Diff: 1

Reference: Section 55.2

Question Type: Conceptual/Applied

Skill/Objective: General

Source/Use: Exam

15) Erwin and Scott used an insecticidal fog to knock down insects from the top of a L. seemannii tree. The researchers identified over 900 species of beetles among the individuals that fell. Erwin also projected that this entire tree is host to about 600 specialist arthropods. There are approximately 50,000 species of tropical trees. Although it could not be entirely accurate, what would be the best way to estimate the total number of arthropod species?

A) Estimate the species density and then multiply by 50,000.

B) Multiply 900 by 50,000.

C) Multiply 600 by 50,000.

D) Divide 900 by 600 and then multiply by 50,000.

Answer: C

Explanation:C) Numbers could be changed as well as the insect order to increase the difficulty, although this would make the question more fictional unless data were actually looked up.

Diff: 3

Reference: Section 55.2

Question Type: Conceptual/Applied

Skill/Objective: General

Source/Use: Exam

16) While traveling in the Alps, you come across a butterfly that you cannot identify. You quickly find out that it is a new species. Which of the following is not a step in understanding the biodiversity of this new species?

A) naming and describing the species

B) measuring general physiology of the species

C) looking at what other species are related to the new species

D) assessing the species' geographic range

E) understanding the species' ecology

Answer: B

Diff: 2

Reference: Section 55.2

Question Type: Factual

Skill/Objective: Recall

Source/Use: Exam

17) Based on your class discussions and looking at available data, do ecosystems function better when biodiversity is high?

A) yes

B) no

C) mostly yes

D) mostly no

E) There are no data to indicate either way.

Answer: C

Explanation:C) This could be used as a Exam or In-Class question before (modified) and after lectures on this topic.

Diff: 2

Reference: Section 55.2

Question Type: Conceptual/Applied

Skill/Objective: General

Source/Use: Exam or In-Class

Figure 55.3

18) Upon looking at Figure 55.3 regarding Tilman's experiments, what can you conclude about the data?

A) As species richness changes, plant biomass remains consistent.

B) As species richness increases, plant biomass increases.

C) As species richness increases, plant biomass increases and then levels off.

D) As species richness decreases, plant biomass increases.

Answer: C

Diff: 2

Reference: Section 55.2

Question Type: Conceptual/Applied

Skill/Objective: General

Source/Use: Exam

Figure 55.4

19) Hypothesis: Productivity increases with species richness because certain species or functional groups facilitate the growth of other species by providing them with nutrients, partial shade, or other benefits. In looking at the data in Figure 55.4, how would you relate it to this hypothesis?

A) The hypothesis is supported.

B) The hypothesis is partially supported.

C) The hypothesis is rejected.

D) The hypothesis is proven.

E) The data do not relate to the hypothesis given.

Answer: B

Diff: 3

Reference: Section 55.2

Question Type: Conceptual/Applied

Skill/Objective: General

Source/Use: Exam

20) Which one of the following is likely not a hotspot for birds?

A) Amazon River basin

B) East Africa

C) Southwest China

D) Southwest United States

Answer: D

Diff: 2

Reference: Section 55.2

Question Type: Conceptual/Applied

Skill/Objective: General

Source/Use: Exam

21) Which of the following statements regarding species diversity is false?

A) More than 99% of the species known to science are now extinct.

B) As much as 20% of the world's biodiversity will be lost during the next 50 years.

C) Through agriculture, humans have actually increased the number of plant species.

D) About 85 mammal species and 113 species of birds have become extinct in the last 400 years.

Answer: C

Diff: 2

Reference: Section 55.3

Question Type: Conceptual/Applied

Skill/Objective: General

Source/Use: Exam

Figure 55.5

22) According to Figure 55.5, what is occurring after 1985?

A) The population is increasing exponentially.

B) The population is increasing.

C) The population growth rate is increasing.

D) The sheep are climbing a hill.

Answer: C

Diff: 2

Reference: Section 55.3, Box 55.2

Question Type: Conceptual/Applied

Skill/Objective: Graph Analysis

Source/Use: Exam

23) According to Figure 55.5, what is the least likely explanation for the data after 1985?

A) emigration

B) immigration

C) introduction of new individuals to the population

D) increased resources in the area

Answer: A

Diff: 2

Reference: Section 55.3, Box 55.2

Question Type: Conceptual/Applied

Skill/Objective: Graph Analysis

Source/Use: Exam

24) Which of the following statements regarding extinction is false?

A) Only certain species are immune from extinction.

B) Species are vanishing today faster than at any other time in Earth's history.

C) Extinction occurs whether humans interfere or not.

D) Extinctions can even be caused indirectly by humans.

Answer: A

Diff: 2

Reference: Section 55.3

Question Type: Factual

Skill/Objective: Recall

Source/Use: Exam

25) On Easter Island, data show that it was once covered by massive palm trees. How can an ecosystem collapse from removal of just one species of large tree?

A) Without large trees, soil erosion increases and reduces productivity.

B) Species of plants needing shade no longer have it.

C) Large trees are habitats for many species.

D) Humans use the trees as a resource.

E) All of the above apply.

Answer: E

Diff: 2

Reference: Section 55.3

Question Type: Conceptual/Applied

Skill/Objective: General

Source/Use: Exam

26) Which of the following criteria have to be met in order for a species to qualify as invasive?

A) endemic to the area, spreads rapidly, and eliminates foreign species

B) introduced to a new area, spreads rapidly, and eliminates native species

C) introduced to a new area, spreads rapidly, and eliminates other invasive species

D) endemic to the area, spreads slowly, and eliminates native species

E) none of the above

Answer: B

Explanation:B) This could be used as a CRS/In-Class question as well and could also be set up in a series of yes/no questions.

Diff: 2

Reference: Section 55.3

Question Type: Factual

Skill/Objective: Recall

Source/Use: Exam

27) A land developer is arguing with a group of ecologists. Of course the land developer wants the most land possible for building houses, but has to compromise by saving some land for animal habitat. The land developer offers 20 hectares in evenly distributed but isolated 1-hectare portions. The ecologists keep arguing for one 20 hectare area to remain intact. Why are the ecologists making this proposal?

A) There really is no difference; they should both work equally well.

B) The isolated hectare plots are better because they spread out the habitat.

C) The isolated plots are more vulnerable to edge effects.

D) The large plot will create more inbreeding in many species.

Answer: C

Diff: 2

Reference: Section 55.3

Question Type: Conceptual/Applied

Skill/Objective: General

Source/Use: Exam

Figure 55.6

28) In looking at Figure 55.6, what can be said about edge effects?

A) Biomass declines sharply along edges of forest fragments.

B) Biomass increases along the edges of forest fragments.

C) Species diversity decreases along the edges of forest fragments.

D) Fragmentation does not affect biomass.

Answer: A

Diff: 2

Reference: Section 55.3

Question Type: Conceptual/Applied

Skill/Objective: Data Interpretation

Source/Use: Exam

29) The main focus in combating loss of biodiversity is ______.

A) habitat fragmentation.

B) habitat destruction.

C) industrialization.

D) transportation.

Answer: B

Diff: 3

Reference: Section 55.3

Question Type: Factual

Skill/Objective: Recall

Source/Use: Exam

Figure 55.7

30) In looking at the species-area plot in Figure 55.7, what can be concluded?

A) Number of bird species increases linearly with island area.

B) Number of bird species is different on various islands.

C) Diversity is independent from island area.

D) Number of bird species increases exponentially with island area.

Answer: D

Diff: 3

Reference: Section 55.3

Question Type: Conceptual/Applied

Skill/Objective: General

Source/Use: Exam

31) Based on the species-area plot in Figure 55.7, if habitable area on an island were reduced from 10,000 km2 to 1,000 km2, roughly what percentage of the species would disappear?

A) 0.3%

B) 3%

C) 30%

D) 60%

Answer: C

Explanation:C) Different graphs and different numbers can be substituted to increase the variety of calculations.

Diff: 2

Reference: Section 55.3

Question Type: Conceptual/Applied

Skill/Objective: General

Source/Use: Exam

32) Researchers have been studying a rare population of 87 voles in an isolated area. Ten voles from a larger population were added to this isolated population. Besides having 10 additional animals, what benefits are there to importing individuals?

A) Additional animals from a distant population will likely bring genetic diversity and reduce inbreeding depression.

B) Additional animals will bring additional competition and could hurt the population.

C) Additional animals would increase beneficial genetic drift.

D) There is no benefit other than increasing the overall population size.

Answer: A

Diff: 2

Reference: Section 55.3, Box 55.2

Question Type: Conceptual/Applied

Skill/Objective: General

Source/Use: Exam

33) Which of the following is not likely a mechanism for biodiversity increasing productivity?

A) Resource use is more efficient.

B) Certain species facilitate the growth of other species.

C) More species means greater biomass.

D) Undersampling may miss big producers in the area.

Answer: C

Diff: 2

Reference: Section 55.4

Question Type: Factual

Skill/Objective: Recall

Source/Use: Exam

34) You discover, in your massive 2000-hectare forest, a species of bat that is not found anywhere else. Which of the following agencies would not be involved in helping you formulate a plan to conserve this species?

A) U.S. Forest Service

B) U.S. Department of the Interior

C) U.S. Department of Commerce

D) The Nature Conservancy

Answer: C

Explanation:C) This could be set up as a series of yes/no questions and could be used as a CRS/In-Class question. The endangered species could also be changed to an aquatic species in international water. Although this information may have been removed from the text chapter, it is important to know what agencies govern species conservation.

Diff: 2

Reference: Section 55.4

Question Type: Conceptual/Applied

Skill/Objective: General

Source/Use: Exam or In-Class

35) The habitat of your bat population (question 34) is designated as a protected area. What, if any, would be an advantage of removing a small number of bats and placing them in a zoo?

A) Removing bats would do too much harm to the original population.

B) Some animals in the zoo could breed more readily and maybe repopulate another area.

C) It is better to isolate bats into breeding groups in the wild than to put them in a zoo.

D) Zoos offer no advantage at all to the population.

Answer: B

Diff: 2

Reference: Section 55.4

Question Type: Conceptual/Applied

Skill/Objective: General

Source/Use: Exam

36) What is the main difference between sustainable development and adaptive management?

A) Adaptive management has a more international aspect.

B) They are both essentially the same thing.

C) Sustainable development uses resources carefully so they do not decline over time.

D) Adaptive management is an ongoing process of reevaluating and re-implementing management plans though time.

Answer: D

Diff: 2

Reference: Section 55.4

Question Type: Factual

Skill/Objective: Recall

Source/Use: Exam

37) What is the main purpose of the wildlife corridor?

A) to slow down the introduction of new individuals of a species