Conservation Biology - Biology 1720

What is the main goal of Conservation Biology?

a.) To study geological processes.

b.) To conserve biodiversity through an integrated scientific approach.

c.) To increase Earth's carrying capacity for humans.

d.) To classify species into ecological groups.

b.) To conserve biodiversity through an integrated scientific approach.

Why did Conservation Biology emerge as a scientific discipline in 1985?

a.) To address global loss of biodiversity.

b.) To study the carbon cycle.

c.) To focus solely on animal population growth.

d.) To increase agricultural productivity.

a.) To address global loss of biodiversity.

Why is considering humans in conservation planning necessary?

a.) Human population dynamics affect ecological systems.

b.) Humans have limited influence on the environment.

c.) Conservation planning is unrelated to ecological dynamics.

d.) Biodiversity is entirely unaffected by human activities.

a.) Human population dynamics affect ecological systems.

What does genetic diversity refer to?

a.) The variety of ecosystems on Earth

b.) The number of species in an ecosystem

c.) Genetic variation within and between populations

d.) The total biomass of an ecosystem

c.) Genetic variation within and between populations

Why is genetic diversity important?

a.) It ensures species can adapt to environmental changes

b.) It increases the number of ecosystems

c.) It reduces the need for species diversity

d.) It prevents the formation of new species

a.) It ensures species can adapt to environmental changes

What does species diversity measure?

a.) The genetic variation within a population

b.) The number of species in an ecosystem or across the biosphere

c.) The variety of ecosystems on Earth

d.) The total population of a single species

b.) The number of species in an ecosystem or across the biosphere

How does species diversity benefit ecosystems?

a.) It enhances ecosystem stability and productivity

b.) It limits genetic variation in populations

c.) It reduces the formation of new species

d.) It prevents environmental changes

a.) It enhances ecosystem stability and productivity

What does ecosystem diversity refer to?

a.) The genetic variation within a population

b.) The number of species in an ecosystem

c.) The variety of ecosystems on Earth

d.) The total biomass of an ecosystem

c.) The variety of ecosystems on Earth

Why is ecosystem diversity important?

a.) It provides diverse habitats for species

b.) It reduces the need for genetic diversity

c.) It limits species diversity

d.) It prevents climate regulation

a.) It provides diverse habitats for species

What is the definition of an endangered species?

a.) A species likely to become threatened in the near future.

b.) A species in danger of becoming extinct throughout all or much of its range.

c.) A species that has already gone extinct locally.

d.) A species found only in one ecosystem.

b.) A species in danger of becoming extinct throughout all or much of its range.

What is the definition of a threatened species?

a.) A species likely to become endangered in the near future.

b.) A species in danger of becoming extinct globally.

c.) A species exclusively found in isolated regions.

d.) A species already extinct.

a.) A species likely to become endangered in the near future.

According to the IUCN, how many species were considered threatened in 2023?

a.) Over 30,000 species (20%).

b.) Over 42,100 species (28%).

c.) Over 50,000 species (35%).

d.) Over 10,000 species (15%).

b.) Over 42,100 species (28%).

Can extinction occur at different scales?

a.) No, extinction only happens globally.

b.) Yes, extinction can be local or global.

c.) Yes, but only for endangered species.

d.) No, extinction impacts threatened species only.

b.) Yes, extinction can be local or global.

What are ecosystem services?

a.) Artificial processes developed to assist agriculture.

b.) Natural ecosystem processes that help sustain human life.

c.) Technological methods for environmental control.

d.) Human-designed systems for water purification.

b.) Natural ecosystem processes that help sustain human life.

Which of the following is an example of an ecosystem service?

a.) Purification of air and water.

b.) Urban development.

c.) Industrial waste production.

d.) Creation of synthetic fertilizers.

a.) Purification of air and water.

What is the estimated yearly value of ecosystem services?

a.) $20 trillion.

b.) $33 trillion.

c.) $50 trillion.

d.) $15 trillion.

b.) $33 trillion.

How are ecosystem services provided?

a.) Through costly infrastructure.

b.) For free by natural ecosystems.

c.) Via paid environmental technologies.

d.) By governmental policies.

b.) For free by natural ecosystems.

What is a major cause of habitat loss?

a.) Natural expansion of ecosystems

b.) Agriculture, development, mining, fragmentation, and pollution

c.) The introduction of native species

d.) Reduced human activity in natural habitats

b.) Agriculture, development, mining, fragmentation, and pollution

Why are introduced species a threat to biodiversity?

a.) They spread slowly without predators, parasites, or pathogens

b.) They spread quickly without native predators, parasites, or pathogens

c.) They adapt poorly to new environments

d.) They help native species flourish

b.) They spread quickly without native predators, parasites, or pathogens

What does overharvesting refer to?

a.) Harvesting organisms faster than they can naturally replenish

b.) Protecting organisms to prevent extinction

c.) Removing invasive species to conserve biodiversity

d.) Collecting resources sustainably

a.) Harvesting organisms faster than they can naturally replenish

Which species have been affected by overharvesting?

a.) American bison, bluefin tuna, and passenger pigeon

b.) Arctic fox, giant panda, and green sea turtle

c.) Domestic cattle, honey bees, and house sparrows

d.) Monarch butterfly, polar bear, and emperor penguin

a.) American bison, bluefin tuna, and passenger pigeon

How does global change threaten biodiversity?

a.) By reducing interactions among species

b.) By altering climate, ocean, and atmospheric chemistry

c.) By increasing habitat fragmentation

d.) By spreading invasive species faster

b.) By altering climate, ocean, and atmospheric chemistry

What caused the decline in the Bald Eagle population by 1963, leaving only 417 nesting pairs?

a.) Habitat loss, hunting, pollution, and DDT contamination

b.) Overharvesting of eggs for consumption

c.) Competition with invasive species

d.) Lack of suitable food sources

a.) Habitat loss, hunting, pollution, and DDT contamination

What factors contributed to the decline of the Gray Wolf population, leaving only an estimated 300 wolves by the 1960s?

a.) Hunting, loss of American Bison, and federal bounties

b.) Habitat destruction due to urbanization

c.) Overcompetition with other predators

d.) Lack of water sources and climate change

a.) Hunting, loss of American Bison, and federal bounties

What is the goal of population conservation?

a.) To protect large populations exclusively

b.) To focus on small, vulnerable populations and critical habitats

c.) To expand urban development in conservation zones

d.) To reduce biodiversity by limiting population growth

b.) To focus on small, vulnerable populations and critical habitats

What does Minimum Viable Population (MVP) refer to?

a.) The maximum population size for ecosystem survival

b.) The minimum population size at which a species can survive

c.) The total number of breeding individuals in a population

d.) The genetic variation within a population

b.) The minimum population size at which a species can survive

How is Minimum Viable Population (MVP) modeled?

a.) Based on habitat size alone

b.) Using birth/death rates and the probability of chance events

c.) Exclusively through genetic diversity

d.) By estimating the total number of individuals

b.) Using birth/death rates and the probability of chance events

Why is Effective Population Size important in conservation planning?

a.) It determines the total population size of a species.

b.) It estimates the breeding potential of a population to predict Minimum Viable Population (MVP).

c.) It assesses the ecosystem’s carrying capacity for a species.

d.) It measures the geographic range of the species.

b.) It estimates the breeding potential of a population to predict Minimum Viable Population (MVP).

What is the primary goal of landscape and regional conservation?

a.) To sustain biodiversity of entire communities, ecosystems, and landscapes

b.) To focus solely on protecting individual species

c.) To reduce habitat sizes for better management

d.) To isolate habitats for research purposes

a.) To sustain biodiversity of entire communities, ecosystems, and landscapes

What are habitat edges, and why can they be problematic?

a.) Boundaries between habitats; they often have lower biodiversity where few species thrive

b.) Central areas of habitats; they are rich in biodiversity and support many species

c.) Pathways connecting habitats; they always enhance species movement

d.) Water boundaries; they regulate habitat size

a.) Boundaries between habitats; they often have lower biodiversity where few species thrive

What are the consequences of habitat fragmentation into smaller habitats?

a.) Isolation of species, crowding, and creation of more habitat edges

b.) Increased biodiversity and ecosystem stability

c.) Reduced habitat edges and enhanced resource distribution

d.) Formation of larger, connected ecosystems

a.) Isolation of species, crowding, and creation of more habitat edges

How do corridors benefit fragmented habitats?

a.) By connecting otherwise isolated habitats

b.) By reducing the size of ecosystems

c.) By creating additional habitat edges

d.) By isolating species for better study

a.) By connecting otherwise isolated habitats

What is the primary purpose of protected areas?

a.) To promote urban development

b.) To create artificial ecosystems

c.) To protect and maintain biodiversity and natural processes

d.) To focus solely on marine habitats

c.) To protect and maintain biodiversity and natural processes

2. What percentage of terrestrial and freshwater habitats are currently protected?

a.) 10%

b.) 16%

c.) 8%

d.) 30%

b.) 16%

What percentage of marine habitats are currently protected?

a.) 20%

b.) 16%

c.) 8%

d.) 30%

c.) 8%

What is the global goal for protected areas by 2030?

a.) Protect 50% of all ecosystems globally

b.) Focus exclusively on biodiversity hotspots

c.) Establish protected areas only for marine habitats

d.) Protect 30% of habitats globally

d.) Protect 30% of habitats globally

What are biodiversity hotspots?

a.) Small areas with many endemic, endangered, or threatened species

b.) Large areas with minimal species diversity

c.) Regions unaffected by human activity

d.) Natural reserves surrounded by urban development

a.) Small areas with many endemic, endangered, or threatened species

How are nature reserves described in relation to altered habitats?

a.) As connected corridors between ecosystems

b.) As protected “islands” in a sea of altered habitat

c.) As fragmented areas isolated from species movement

d.) As expanded ecosystems for urban use

b.) As protected “islands” in a sea of altered habitat