Chapter 11: Biodiversity

Student: ___________________________________________________________________________ 1. We are usually referring to species diversity when we talk about biodiversity. However, genetic diversity is also important to ecological systems because diverse genes A. B. C. D. E. increase the efficiency and productivity of a system because all niches are filled. allow an individual organism to adapt to its changing environment. are necessary for a population to evolve in a changing environment. lead to diverse ecological processes in a biological community. are important for a balanced ecosystem.

2. Ecological diversity is a measure of the number of A. B. C. D. E. different kinds of organisms within a community or ecosystem. different versions of the same gene in an ecological community. sizes, colors, and shapes of organisms within an ecological community. niches, trophic levels, and ecological processes of a biological community. different species in an ecosystem.

Use the following scenario: Your friend is upset because his conception of what a species is has been challenged. His professor told him that there are some problems associated with the common way that a species is identified. Your friend learned what a species was while in high school and it was reinforced during his first year in college. He also refers to the third chapter in your environmental science book for this definition. Your friend wonders if this professor knows what she is talking about. You explain to him that there really are some problems associated with the common way that a species is defined and you think that this professor is correct. 3. The common way that a species is defined in biology (the way it is defined in Chapter 3) is in terms of reproductive isolation. This means that all organisms that are similar enough to A. B. C. D. E. produce fertile offspring in nature. look alike. fill the same niche. occupy the same community. live together.

4. The underlying assumption with the reproductive isolation definition of a species is that _______________________ prevents groups of similar organisms from exchanging genes. A. B. C. D. E. reproductive isolation caused by intraspecific competition reproductive isolation caused by interspecific competition genetic diversity ecological diversity reproductive isolation caused by geography, physiology, or behavior

5. You also mentioned to your friend that a new tool, DNA sequencing technology, is radically changing the way species are identified. In fact, some groups that were originally thought to be far apart now seem to be closely related. Which of the following statements does not reflect the implications of using this new tool? A. B. C. D. E. This tool will end the debate of what is or is not a species. This tool allows us to see how closely related species are in terms of their genetics. This tool helps us better understand molecular evolution. This tool helps us better understand how species actually originate. This tool helps us judge genetic diversity.

6. The total number of living species is probably A. B. C. D. E. about 450,000. between 500,000 and 1 million. between 3 million and 50 million. between 75 and 95 million. at least 300 million.

7. Approximately how many species have been identified on Earth? A. B. C. D. E. About 500,000 A little less than 1 million A little less than 1.5 million A little more than 3 million About 30 million

8. Most of the species that are yet undiscovered are probably A. B. C. D. E. mammals and reptiles. birds and fish. invertebrates and vertebrates. invertebrates, bacteria, and fungi. multicellular plants

Use the following scenario: There are three ecological communities, each with differing species, but all of them have 100 individual plants and animals. Community A has 21 species. Of the 110 individuals, there are 50 individuals of one species and 3 each of the other 20 species. Community B has 11 species. Of the 110 individuals, there are 90 individuals of one species and 2 each of the other 10 species. Community C has 11 species. Of the 110 individuals, there are 10 individuals of each species. 9. In the scenario above, which community has the highest species richness? A. B. C. D. E. Community A Community B Community C Community A and C are the same. Community A and B are the same.

10. In the scenario above, which communities have the same species evenness? A. B. C. D. E. Community A and C Community B and A Community C and B All three communities have the same species evenness. None of the communities have the same species evenness.

11. In the scenario above, which communities have the same species richness? A. B. C. D. E. Community A and C Community B and A Community C and B All three communities have the same species richness. None of the communities have the same species richness.

12. In the scenario above, if you walked through communities B and C, which one would seem to have more species richness? A. B. C. D. E. Community B Community C Community C and B would seem the same. All three communities have the same species richness. It is impossible to tell which one would seem to have more species richness.

13. One of the reasons humans rely heavily on only a few food crops is because A. B. C. D. E. we have not explored the cultivation of thousands of edible wild species. there are few edible wild species. we have already focused on the best tasting species for domestication and cultivation. it would be difficult for small farmers to cultivate the fragile wild species. All of these factors contribute to a heavy reliance on only a few species.

14. Which of the following is not a benefit of biodiversity for humans? A. B. C. D. E. aesthetics ecological services food drugs and medicines All of these are benefits of biodiversity.

15. How is Costa Rica dealing with the problem of biopiracy? A. They are writing stricter laws to prevent the export of local knowledge and products for medicinal use. B. They are selling data and specimens to finance scientific work and biodiversity protection. C. They are developing local pharmaceutical companies to screen local plants and animals for medicinal uses. D. They are making more areas inaccessible to foreign visitors. E. They are monitoring visitors to their forests with additional park rangers. 16. Which of the following drugs is not derived from a naturally occurring organism? A. B. C. D. E. penicillin aspirin cortisone morphine All of these are natural products.

17. An important drug for treating Hodgkin's disease was discovered in a periwinkle native to ______ and is valued at approximately _________ per year. A. B. C. D. E. Madagascar, $15 million New Guinea, $1 million Costa Rica, $15 million Greenland, $1 million Sri Lanka, $15 million

18. The pharmaceutical industry has an interest in preventing species extinction because A. B. C. D. E. people are healthier in a healthy environment. undiscovered species may provide lucrative new drugs. most taxonomists are drug makers. it wants to increase diversity in North America. they see the benefits of eco-design.

19. Soil formation and water purification are examples of _________ based on the biodiversity that benefit humans. A. B. C. D. E. aesthetic benefits geological cycles availability of food health benefits ecological services

20. Which of the following is or would be an example of a natural cause of extinction? A. B. C. D. E. Freshwater Great Lakes mussels that compete with the Zebra Mussel. Genetic assimilation as in the case of the hybridization of gray wolves or black ducks with mallards. The passenger pigeon that went extinct at the beginning of this century. An insect species in the tropical forest that cannot escape predation by native bird species in the forest. All of these are examples of a natural cause of extinction.

21. Extinction is the term used when all members of a species A. B. C. D. E. disappear in a locality. die. live in zoos. are threatened with imminent habitat loss. are in danger of disappearing in a locality.

22. Which of the following is true? A. Humans may have been causing extinctions thousands of years ago, but our impact has recently increased. B. Humans are responsible for many of the mass extinctions in the geologic record. C. Humans only began causing extinctions in the past 150 years. D. Humans have never had significant impact on species extinctions until the past four decades. E. Humans have been causing extinctions for thousands of years and we are still causing extinctions at about the same rate. 23. In general, an animal whose population is widely scattered geographically is _______ as/than one whose population is geographically restricted. A. B. C. D. E. more likely to become extinct less likely to become extinct equally likely to become extinct equally unlikely to become extinct less unlikely to become extinct

24. "Exotic" is another word for A. B. C. D. E. tropical. foreign. rare. beautiful. desirable.

25. Introduced (exotic) species tend to __________ the balance of ecosystems and ______ biodiversity. A. B. C. D. E. increase, decrease increase, enhance maintain, enhance upset, decrease upset, increase

26. The zebra mussel was introduced to the Great Lakes A. B. C. D. E. as a food source. accidentally in ocean-going ship ballast. intentionally by recreational anglers. from the Mississippi River. intentionally by professional anglers.

27. Which of the following would be a characteristic of an exotic plant species? A. B. C. D. E. Produces a few seeds after many years to reach maturity. Is a specialist, for example, has a low range of tolerance for soil acidity. Is an opportunist that is desired by humans for food or ornamental value. Has many predators and diseases. Is a secondary consumer (trophic levels).

28. Introduced disease organisms are especially dangerous to new environments because they destroy the nonnative host. This happens because the disease organisms A. B. C. D. E. have not evolved with this host to achieve the normal balance for long-term success. are opportunists and in order to survive must out compete all other species. are specialists and destroy the individual organisms that have not developed resistance. do not have natural predators. are generalists and highly competitive.

29. It is clear that a heavy dose of pesticides or other toxic pollutants can kill species. However, chronic exposure to pollutants seems to cause recent high mortality in marine mammals by A. B. C. D. E. decreasing the plants that are normally in their environment, such as kelp, that they use for shelter. killing off the prey species that they depend on for food. direct bioaccumulation of the chemicals, such as lead, in their tissues. causing weakened immune systems and increased vulnerability to infection. eventually killing them.

30. The US Army participated in extermination of the American bison because A. B. C. D. E. the Army desperately needed meat. the United States wanted the Great Plains free for agriculture. the Army needed leather for shoes. native peoples depended on the bison for food and shelter. None of these, the US Army did not participate in extermination of the American bison. Evidence of this is the fact that there are bison living in Yellowstone.

31. Habitat fragmentation usually leads to a(n) A. B. C. D. E. decrease in biodiversity. reduction in the number of introduced species. increase in biodiversity due to the isolated populations. increase in the number of introduced species. more stable environment.

32. The main reason for the current high rate of animal extinctions is A. B. C. D. E. uncontrolled sport hunting in the developed world. commercial harvesting of wildlife in Africa. drought conditions caused by the greenhouse effect. habitat destruction worldwide. None of these by themselves cause high rates of animal extinctions, but together they combine to cause high rates.

33. The drastic reduction in rhinoceros is due mostly to A. B. C. D. E. the supposed medicinal value of their horns. overharvesting for their meat and hide. introduction of exotic species that compete for their food. habitat destruction. All of these have contributed equally to the decrease in the rhinoceros population.

34. Which of the following is not true of CITES? A. B. C. D. E. When implemented properly it has provided foolproof protections of endangered species. It is an international organization. It lists more than 700 species as threatened with extinction. It was formed in 1975. All of the above are true.

35. The main reason for continued trade in endangered species is A. B. C. D. E. a surplus of these species in their home countries. ruthless traders and collectors in tropical countries. the need for international capital exchange in developing countries. pet lovers and collectors who like exotic species. the presence of poachers in tropical countries.

36. If you have an aquarium with salt-water fish, 75 percent of your fish probably came from A. B. C. D. E. captive breeding programs in the United States. captive breeding programs in Indonesia or the Philippines. wild fish populations caught with cyanide or nets. aquaculture programs in South Pacific countries. hybrid crosses of native United States fish.

37. Which of the following statements about trade in endangered species is false? A. B. C. D. E. The principal importers of endangered species are developed countries. Overharvesting affects animals more than plants. People who say they are animal lovers are the main contributors to the trade. The principal exporters of endangered species are developing countries. None of these statements are false.

38. A species in imminent danger of extinction is classified by the US Endangered Species Act as A. B. C. D. E. vulnerable. threatened. valuable. endangered. at risk.

39. Congress enacted the US Endangered Species Act in ____. A. B. C. D. E. 1973 1950 1988 1905 1990

40. Canada's legal equivalent of the US Endangered Species Act is called the A. B. C. D. E. Endangered Species Act of Canada (ESAC). Committee for the Prevention of Extinction. Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC). Canadian Green Party. Canada does not have any wildlife protection laws.

41. A species that is naturally rare or that has been depleted to dangerous levels is known, according to the Endangered Species Act, as a(n) ________ species. A. B. C. D. E. endangered threatened unusual vulnerable at risk

42. A threatened species may be extinct or near extinction A. B. C. D. E. already. in the near future. in certain localities. only in the distant future. in most of their natural range.

43. The main reason that there are relatively few invertebrates categorized as endangered species is because A. B. C. D. E. we consider other groups, such as mammals, to be more interesting and desirable. worldwide there are relatively few invertebrates when compared to plants. it is extremely difficult to identify and count invertebrates. Since there are 532 invertebrates considered endangered, none of the above is true. invertebrates are more numerous and the relative percentages are similar.

44. In general, funding for recovery programs is given to species that are A. B. C. D. E. in the most danger. the most important. most well known. most numerous. keystone species.

45. The objective of a species recovery plan is to A. B. C. D. E. interbreed threatened species with common species. increase an endangered species population until it is no longer endangered. invest corporate capital in species maintenance. study the species for a better understanding of its role in the biological community. protect the species to aid other organisms and resources in the ecosystem.

46. Conservationists and wildlife managers use gap analysis to A. B. C. D. E. predict the next evolutionary change an organism will undergo. find unprotected landscapes that are rich in species. bring different managing agencies into closer accord. isolate and contain populations. establish connecting corridors.

47. When Aldo Leopold said, "the first rule to intelligent tinkering is to save all the pieces," in terms of biodiversity he meant that we should A. B. C. D. E. save records of all species that have disappeared. not interfere with the disappearance of species. not cause species to disappear. not interfere with nature. Aldo Leopold did not intend to have this statement applied to biodiversity.

48. Using specific examples, discuss four ways that humans benefit from biodiversity.

49. Using population dynamics compare and contrast the population growth of a native species that is a specialist in an area and an exotic species that has been introduced to that area and is encountering no limiting factors. Draw the population curves for each species.

Chapter 11: Biodiversity Key

1.C 2.D 3.A 4.E 5.A 6.C 7.C 8.D 9.A 10.E 11.C 12.B 13.A 14.E 15.B 16.B 17.A 18.B 19.E 20.D 21.B 22.A 23.B 24.B 25.D 26.B 27.C 28.A

29.D 30.D 31.A 32.D 33.A 34.A 35.D 36.C 37.B 38.D 39.A 40.C 41.D 42.B 43.A 44.C 45.B 46.B 47.C 48.For a total of 40 points (Note: The numbers can be changed to fit your assessment needs.) 40 = Provided an accurate answer to the question; Provided four accurate examples; Supported the examples with accurate and appropriate descriptions; Communicated with a well written summary 30 = Provided an accurate answer to the question; Provided at least three accurate examples; Supported the examples with accurate and appropriate descriptions; Communicated with a fairly well written summary 20 = Provided a mostly accurate answer to the question; Provided at least two accurate examples; Supported the examples with accurate and appropriate descriptions; Communicated with a fairly well written summary 10 = Provided a mostly inaccurate answer to the question; Provided one accurate example; Supported the example with accurate and appropriate descriptions; Communicated with a poorly written summary 0 = Provided an inaccurate answer to the question; Provided no accurate examples; Did not support the examples with accurate and appropriate descriptions; Communicated with a very poorly written summary 49.For a total of 20 points (Note: The numbers can be changed to fit your assessment needs.) 20 = Provided at least three accurate comparisons; Supported the comparisons with accurate evidence; Provided at least three accurate contrasts; Supported the contrasts with accurate evidence; Communicated effectively with a well written summary; Drew accurate curves 15 = Provided at least two accurate comparisons; Supported the comparisons with accurate evidence; Provided at least two accurate contrasts; Supported the contrasts with accurate evidence; Communicated with a fairly well written summary; Drew accurate curves 10 = Provided at least one accurate comparison; Supported the comparison with accurate evidence; Provided at least one contrast; Supported the contrast with evidence; Communicated with a fairly well written summary; Drew accurate curves 5 = Provided at least one accurate comparison; Supported the comparison with accurate evidence OR Provided at least one accurate contrast; Supported the contrast with accurate evidence AND Communicated with a poorly written summary; Drew fairly accurate curves 0 = Provided at least one comparison; Did not support the comparison with accurate evidence OR Provided at least one contrast; Did not support the contrast with accurate evidence AND Communicated with a very poorly written summary; Did not draw accurate curves