Biology (Raven), 9th Edition

Chapter 60: Conservation Biology

Post-Test

1
Endemic species "hotspots" are particularly important for the preservation of biodiversity because:
A)they only occur in tropical rainforests which are particularly threatened.
B)in total they contain nearly half of the terrestrial species in the world.
C)they contain species found only in that area.
D)they are able to fluctuate in species number do to their high temperatures.
E)none of these
2
Why is biodiversity important for healthy ecosystems?
A)It helps maintain the chemical quality of natural water
B)It buffers ecosystems against storms and drought
C)It preserves soils and prevents loss of minerals and nutrients
D)It moderates local and regional climates.
E)All of these are correct.
3
Why is the decline in amphibian populations of particular concern?
A)Because of their aesthetic value.
B)They have declined in well-protected, unpolluted habitats.
C)They are very sensitive to the environment.
D)It has occurred in particularly important ecosystems.
E)More than one answer are correct.
4
Captive breeding programs followed by re-introduction of a species into the wild:
A)can preserve unique genetic variation that otherwise would have been lost.
B)can restore the ecosystem to a healthy state.
C)usually fail.
D)have little benefit.
E)both can preserve unique genetic variation that otherwise would have been lost and can restore the ecosystem to a healthy state.
5
Corridors linking undisturbed areas of habitat are an effective way of helping preserve biodiversity because:
A)they increase population sizes.
B)they allow recolonization if a population disappears in one area.
C)they provide routes for migrating species.
D)they allow for gene flow.
E)all of these
6
The fossil record shows that 99% of all species that have ever existed are now extinct. Given this, why should we be concerned about the current rate of extinction?
A)It is caused largely by human activity.
B)It is very rapid.
C)Endemic species hotspots are particularly threatened.
D)Since only a small fraction of species have been described we don't know what valuable species have been lost.
E)all of these
7
What is the most important reason for maintaining biodiversity?
A)direct economic benefits
B)indirect economic benefits
C)ethical reasons
D)aesthetic reasons
E)all of these
8
What is the major factor responsible for causing species extinctions today?
A)introduced species
B)overexploitation
C)habitat loss
D)catastrophic disturbances
E)loss of genetic variability
9
Sometimes an ecosystem has been disrupted by a single introduced species. Removal of the species is all that is necessary to allow the ecosystem to recover.
A)True
B)False
10
It is not sufficient to just preserve the most important species within an ecosystem to ensure ecosystem health.
A)True
B)False
11
Over the last several centuries, the rate of species extinction has been
A)increasing.
B)decreasing.
C)holding steady.
D)fluctuating wildly.
E)not measurable.
12
The majority of extinctions in recent times have occurred
A)in Africa.
B)in South America.
C)on the northern continents.
D)on islands.
E)in the oceans.
13
When talking about biodiversity, the term "hotspots" refers to areas that have a lot of
A)pollution.
B)global warming.
C)poaching.
D)endemic species.
E)endangered species.
14
Approximately what percentage of prescription and nonprescription drugs on the market today contain active ingredients extracted from plants and animals?
A)20%
B)40%
C)60%
D)75%
E)80%
15
Which of the following is an example of a trophic cascade?
A)Loss of sea otters in Alaska.
B)Loss of the golden toad in Costa Rica.
C)Loss of songbirds in North America.
D)All of these.
E)None of these.
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