Question 1

Which of the following is NOT a major strategy for protecting biodiversity threatened by human activities, as outlined in conservation biology?

Accepted Answer

Harvesting populations at unsustainable rates to maximize economic gain

Question 2

Which of the following best describes 'genetic diversity' in the context of biodiversity?

Accepted Answer

The genetic variation within a population and between populations

Question 3

Why is the loss of genetic diversity within a population particularly concerning for conservation biologists?

Accepted Answer

It reduces the population's ability to respond to environmental changes

Question 4

Which of the following is an example of an ecosystem service provided by biodiversity?

Accepted Answer

Purification of air and water

Question 5

A population of bats is important for pollination and seed dispersal in an island ecosystem. If this bat species goes extinct locally, what is a likely consequence?

Accepted Answer

A negative impact on plant reproduction and ecosystem function

Question 6

Which of the following best defines an 'introduced species'?

Accepted Answer

A species that has been moved by humans to a new geographic region

Question 7

The introduction of zebra mussels to the Great Lakes is an example of which threat to biodiversity?

Accepted Answer

Introduced species

Question 8

Which of the following is a consequence of overharvesting a wild population?

Accepted Answer

Population decline below the minimum viable population size

Question 9

Which of the following equations best represents the concept of 'minimum viable population' (MVP)?

Accepted Answer

$$N_{MVP} is $$the smallest population size at which a species can survive natural catastrophes and maintain genetic diversity

Question 10

Which of the following is a likely effect of habitat fragmentation on biodiversity?

Accepted Answer

Decline of species adapted to large, continuous habitats

Question 11

Movement corridors are important in conservation because they:

Accepted Answer

Promote dispersal and gene flow between habitat fragments

Question 12

Which of the following best describes a biodiversity hotspot?

Accepted Answer

A small area with many endemic, endangered, and threatened species

Question 13

Which of the following is a direct effect of nutrient enrichment in aquatic ecosystems?

Accepted Answer

Phytoplankton blooms followed by oxygen depletion (dead zones)

Question 14

Biological magnification results in:

Accepted Answer

Increased concentration of toxins in organisms at higher trophic levels

Question 15

Which of the following greenhouse gases is most directly linked to the increase in global average temperature since 1900?

Accepted Answer

Carbon dioxide ($$CO_2)$$

Question 16

A population of caribou migrates based on the timing of plant emergence. Climate change causes plants to emerge earlier, but caribou migration timing does not change. What is the likely consequence?

Accepted Answer

A mismatch that reduces caribou survival and reproductive success

Question 17

Which of the following best describes sustainable development?

Accepted Answer

Development that meets present needs without compromising future generations

Question 18

Which of the following is a real-world example of a successful conservation strategy involving genetic diversity?

Accepted Answer

Importing individuals to increase genetic variation in the greater prairie chicken population

Question 19

Which of the following is a likely effect of climate change on Arctic ecosystems?

Accepted Answer

Melting ice, exposure of dark ground, and further warming

Question 20

The ecological footprint concept is used to:

Accepted Answer

Summarize the land and water area needed to sustain a person, city, or nation

Conservation Biology and Global Change: Protecting Biodiversity

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