Question 1

According to MacArthur's definition, what is the primary focus of geographic ecology?

Accepted Answer

The search for patterns of plant and animal life that can be put on a map.

Question 2

Which of the following best describes the relationship between island area and species richness, as observed in both terrestrial and aquatic environments?

Accepted Answer

Species richness increases as island area increases.

Question 3

Lomolino et al. found a strong negative relationship between isolation and the number of mammal species living on mountaintops. Which equation best represents this relationship?

Accepted Answer

$$S = k - mD$$

Question 4

In the equilibrium model of island biogeography, what happens to the rate of immigration as the number of species present on an island increases?

Accepted Answer

The rate of immigration decreases.

Question 5

Which factor is most responsible for increased extinction rates on islands according to MacArthur and Wilson's model?

Accepted Answer

Presence of more species, leading to smaller populations and increased competition.

Question 6

If two islands are equally isolated but differ in size, which island is predicted to have a lower extinction rate according to the equilibrium model of island biogeography?

Accepted Answer

The larger island.

Question 7

Which of the following hypotheses explains higher species richness in the tropics due to longer periods without major disturbances?

Accepted Answer

Time Since Perturbation hypothesis.

Question 8

A lake in northern Wisconsin is considered a habitat island. According to studies by Tonn and Magnuson, what would you expect to happen to fish species richness as the area of the lake increases?

Accepted Answer

Fish species richness will increase.

Question 9

Which of the following is NOT one of the six categories of hypotheses proposed by Brown to explain latitudinal gradients in species richness?

Accepted Answer

Genetic Drift.

Question 10

The Cape Floristic Region of South Africa has approximately twice the species diversity of similar Mediterranean climates in California and SW Australia, despite its smaller area. Which historical factor contributed to this high diversity?

Accepted Answer

Selection for arid-adapted plants began in a much larger area north of the Cape during the late Tertiary.

Question 11

Which technology is best suited for analyzing large quantities of geographic data and displaying multiple layers of information, such as land cover and zoning?

Accepted Answer

Geographic Information System (GIS)

Question 12

Remote sensing satellites are often used to estimate vegetative biomass. Which color in the electromagnetic spectrum is commonly associated with high vegetative biomass in satellite images?

Accepted Answer

Red

Question 13

Which of the following statements about the equilibrium model of island biogeography is correct?

Accepted Answer

The number of species on an island is determined by a balance between immigration and extinction rates.

Question 14

Which equation best represents the equilibrium number of species ($$S^*) on an $$island according to the MacArthur-Wilson model, where immigration rate ($$I) $$and extinction rate ($$E) $$are functions of $$S$$?

Accepted Answer

$$I(S^*) = E(S^*)$$

Question 15

East Asia has approximately three times as many temperate forest tree species as North America and six times as many as Europe, despite similar areas of temperate forest. What is a major reason for this pattern?

Accepted Answer

Temperate tree taxa originated in Asia and migrated to Europe and North America, but barriers to dispersal and ongoing speciation increased diversity in Asia.

Question 16

Which of the following scenarios would likely result in the highest species richness according to the equilibrium model of island biogeography?

Accepted Answer

A large island near the mainland.

Question 17

Which hypothesis for latitudinal gradients in species richness suggests that more energy available in the tropics allows for more species to coexist?

Accepted Answer

Productivity hypothesis.

Question 18

A researcher uses GIS to overlay data on topography, land cover, and floodplains for a region. What is the primary advantage of using GIS in this context?

Accepted Answer

It allows for the simultaneous analysis and visualization of multiple spatial data layers.

Question 19

Which of the following is a real-world example of a habitat island on a continent?

Accepted Answer

A mountain top with isolated alpine forest.

Question 20

Which process promoted speciation in the Cape Floristic Region during the Pleistocene, contributing to its high species diversity?

Accepted Answer

Expansion and contraction of species ranges during climate fluctuations.

Geographic Ecology: Patterns of Diversity and Distribution

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