Question 1

Which of the following best describes the difference between exponential and logistic population growth curves?

Accepted Answer

Exponential growth shows a population increasing rapidly without limits, while logistic growth incorporates carrying capacity, causing the population to level off as resources become limited.

Question 2

A population of deer in a forest is observed to have a Type III survivorship curve. Which of the following best describes the population's life history?

Accepted Answer

Most individuals die early in life, but those that survive the early period live much longer.

Question 3

Which of the following is a correct sequence in the ecological hierarchy from smallest to largest?

Accepted Answer

Organism → Population → Community → Ecosystem → Biosphere

Question 4

In a food chain, only about 10% of the energy is transferred from one trophic level to the next. If a grassland ecosystem has 10,000 kcal of energy available at the producer level, how much energy would be available to secondary consumers?

Accepted Answer

$$100 \, 	ext{kcal}$$

Question 5

Which of the following best explains why rain shadows occur on the leeward side of mountain ranges?

Accepted Answer

Moist air rises and cools on the windward side, releasing precipitation, so dry air descends on the leeward side, creating arid conditions.

Question 6

Which of the following is a primary reservoir for phosphorus in the phosphorus cycle?

Accepted Answer

Rocks and sediments

Question 7

A wetland is being considered for restoration to improve water quality and biodiversity. Which of the following ecosystem services is most directly provided by wetlands?

Accepted Answer

Filtering pollutants and reducing nutrient runoff

Question 8

Which of the following best describes the role of nitrifying bacteria in the nitrogen cycle?

Accepted Answer

They convert ammonia ($$NH_3) $$into nitrites ($$NO_2$$^-$$) and then nitrates (NO_3$^-$$), making nitrogen available to plants.

Question 9

A population of birds is declining due to habitat fragmentation. Which conservation strategy would most likely help maintain genetic diversity and reduce the risk of an extinction vortex?

Accepted Answer

Establishing movement corridors between habitat fragments

Question 10

Which of the following is an example of biological augmentation in ecosystem restoration?

Accepted Answer

Adding nitrogen-fixing plants to improve soil fertility

Question 11

Which of the following best describes a K-selected species?

Accepted Answer

A species that produces few offspring, invests heavily in parental care, and has a stable population near carrying capacity

Question 12

Which of the following is a likely consequence of eutrophication in a freshwater lake?

Accepted Answer

Decreased oxygen levels leading to fish kills

Question 13

Which of the following best explains why the standing crop of biomass is typically lower at higher trophic levels?

Accepted Answer

Energy is lost as heat and through metabolic processes at each trophic transfer, resulting in less biomass available at higher levels.

Question 14

Which of the following is a defining characteristic of an estuary?

Accepted Answer

It is a transition zone where freshwater from rivers mixes with saltwater from the ocean.

Question 15

Which of the following is a real-world example of an edge species that benefits from forest fragmentation?

Accepted Answer

Brown-headed cowbird

Question 16

Which of the following best describes the process of primary production in an ecosystem?

Accepted Answer

The conversion of inorganic carbon (usually $$CO_2) $$into organic molecules by autotrophs using energy from sunlight or chemicals.

Question 17

Which of the following is a major threat to biodiversity at the genetic, species, and ecosystem levels?

Accepted Answer

Habitat loss due to human activity

Question 18

Which of the following best describes the difference between the small population approach and the declining population approach in conservation biology?

Accepted Answer

The small population approach focuses on genetic factors and inbreeding, while the declining population approach identifies and addresses external causes of population decline.

Question 19

Which of the following is a key feature of sustainable development as practiced in Costa Rica?

Accepted Answer

Balancing economic growth with conservation of biodiversity and ecosystem services

Ecology and Conservation Biology: Study Guide

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