Question 1

According to the Theory of Island Biogeography, which combination of island characteristics would result in the highest equilibrium number of species?

Accepted Answer

Large and close to the mainland

Question 2

Which of the following best explains why extinction rates are higher on small islands compared to large islands?

Accepted Answer

Small islands support smaller populations, making them more vulnerable to random events

Question 3

Which equation correctly represents the per-capita rate of increase ($$r) in a $$population, assuming no immigration or emigration?

Accepted Answer

$$r = \frac{\Delta N}{N \Delta t}$$

Question 4

A population of deer in a forest has a birth rate of 0.2/year and a death rate of 0.1/year. What is the per-capita rate of increase ($$r$$)?

Accepted Answer

$$r = 0.1$$

Question 5

Which of the following is NOT a prediction of the Theory of Island Biogeography?

Accepted Answer

Immigration rates increase as the number of species increases

Question 6

Which of the following habitats might behave like 'islands' in a biogeographical sense?

Accepted Answer

Mountain tops surrounded by lowlands

Question 7

Why is species diversity generally higher at the equator than at the poles?

Accepted Answer

Environmental conditions are more stable and productive at the equator

Question 8

Which process would NOT directly cause a population to grow?

Accepted Answer

Emigration

Question 9

If a population is experiencing unlimited resources and minimal threats, which type of growth curve would you expect?

Accepted Answer

Exponential growth

Question 10

Carrying capacity ($$K) is $$best defined as:

Accepted Answer

The maximum number of individuals a population can sustain over time

Question 11

Which of the following is a fitness trade-off observed in life-history strategies?

Accepted Answer

Producing many offspring with low survivorship

Question 12

A population of frogs has 100 individuals. Over one year, there are 30 births, 10 deaths, 5 immigrants, and 15 emigrants. What is the net change in population size?

Accepted Answer

Increase by 5

Question 13

Which of the following best describes the feedback loop between human decision-making and plant population dynamics in ethnobiology?

Accepted Answer

Plant population changes can influence human harvesting strategies, which in turn affect plant populations

Question 14

Which of the following would most likely cause a population to shrink?

Accepted Answer

High emigration rate

Question 15

Which of the following is true about $$r_{max} ($$intrinsic rate of increase)?

Accepted Answer

$$r_{max} is $$species-specific and depends on life history traits

Question 16

Which scenario best illustrates the concept of 'conservation through use'?

Accepted Answer

Allowing sustainable harvesting practices that maintain plant populations

Question 17

Which of the following is NOT a parameter used in demography to determine population growth?

Accepted Answer

Carrying capacity

Question 18

Which of the following best explains why gene flow is more likely on islands closer to the mainland?

Accepted Answer

Closer islands have more frequent immigration events

Question 19

Which of the following is a real-world example of a habitat acting as an 'island' for species diversity?

Accepted Answer

A patch of forest surrounded by farmland

Question 20

If a population's growth rate is negative, which of the following must be true?

Accepted Answer

Death rate is greater than birth rate

Population Ecology and Island Biogeography: Key Concepts and Applications

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