Question 1

Which of the following best describes 'biodiversity' as used in ecology?

Accepted Answer

The variety of important ecological entities across multiple spatial scales, including genes, species, and communities.

Question 2

Which group makes up the largest proportion of described multi-celled species on Earth?

Accepted Answer

Invertebrates

Question 3

Why do lower latitudes generally have higher species richness?

Accepted Answer

They receive more solar energy, supporting greater productivity and more niches.

Question 4

When estimating the number of species in a community, why is it important to sample until the species accumulation curve plateaus?

Accepted Answer

To ensure that most species present have been detected and additional sampling yields few new species.

Question 5

Which of the following is the correct formula for the Shannon Index ($$H') $$used to measure species diversity?

Accepted Answer

$$H' = -\sum_{i=1}^{s} p_i \ln p_i$$

Question 6

A community has 5 species with the following proportions: 0.6, 0.133, 0.133, 0.067, 0.067. What is the species richness ($$S) of $$this community?

Accepted Answer

$$S = 5$$

Question 7

Which scenario would result in a higher Shannon Index ($$H') $$value?

Accepted Answer

A community with high species richness and high evenness.

Question 8

Why is standardized sampling important when comparing species diversity between different locations?

Accepted Answer

It allows for the determination of relative abundance and fair comparison across sites.

Question 9

Which of the following best describes 'species evenness'?

Accepted Answer

The proportion of each species relative to the total number of individuals in the community.

Question 10

A scientist is comparing two communities with the same species richness but different evenness. What can be inferred about their Shannon Index values?

Accepted Answer

The community with higher evenness will have a higher Shannon Index.

Question 11

Which hypothesis predicts a linear increase in community function as species richness increases?

Accepted Answer

Complementarity hypothesis

Question 12

What is the main consequence of higher biodiversity for ecosystem stability?

Accepted Answer

It increases the community's resilience and ability to maintain structure and function after disturbances.

Question 13

Which of the following is NOT a community function enhanced by biodiversity?

Accepted Answer

Increased genetic mutation rates

Question 14

In a rank-abundance curve, what does a longer line extending to the right indicate?

Accepted Answer

Greater species richness

Question 15

Which of the following best explains why environmental complexity increases species diversity?

Accepted Answer

It provides more niches and resources, allowing more species to coexist.

Question 16

A researcher uses indicator taxa to estimate species diversity in a forest. What is the main advantage of this approach?

Accepted Answer

Indicator taxa are easy to find and reflect overall community diversity.

Question 17

Which of the following is a limitation of using diversity indices like the Shannon Index?

Accepted Answer

They do not account for the commonness or rarity of species at the landscape scale.

Question 18

If a community is described as 'dominant,' what does this mean in terms of species abundance?

Accepted Answer

One or a few species have much higher abundance than others.

Question 19

Which of the following best describes the redundancy hypothesis in the diversity-function relationship?

Accepted Answer

There is an upper limit to the effect of species richness on community function, after which additional species are redundant.

Question 20

Which of the following is a real-world application of understanding species diversity in a community?

Accepted Answer

Predicting how an ecosystem will recover after a wildfire.

8.1 Species Abundance, Diversity, and Biodiversity: Community Ecology Study Notes

Study Guide - Practice Questions

Study Guide - Flashcards