KEY: AP PRACTICE CHAPTER 11 BIODIVERSITY TEST QUESTIONS
1. Biodiversity refers to… the different types of living organisms found in the natural world.
2. The total number of living species is probably
A. about 450,000.
B. between 500,000 and 1 million.
C. between 3 million and 50 million.
D. between 75 and 95 million.
E. at least 300 million.
3-5. Match the correct vocabulary word with its definition!
Word Bank: A. Evolutionary diversity
B. Genetic diversity
C. Species diversity
D. Ecological diversity
3. The measure of the variety of different versions of the same genes within an individual species. B
4. The number of different kinds of organisms within individual ecosystems or communities. C
5. This type of diversity assesses the richness and complexity of a biological community. D
6. Population biologists are concerned about introduced (invasive) species such as zebra
mussels in North America because: they reproduce very quickly and compete for resources more
aggressively.
7. Areas where there are at least 1500 endemic (native) species and have lost 70 percent of their
habitat from deforestation or habitat loss is called: Biodiversity Hotspot
8. True (A) or False (B): A species is a group of similar looking animals that can interbreed and
produce fertile offspring.
9. True (A) or False (B) Extinction is the elimination of a species and is a normal process of the natural
world.
10. Table 1 reflects the 5 mass extinctions over millions of years (see gray areas in table). What are the
two theories that may have caused these extinctions to occur.
Asteroids and natural disasters
Table 1 Mass Extinctions
Historic Period
Time (Before
% of Species
Present)
Extinct
Ordovician
444 million years
85
Devonian
370 million years
83
Permian
250 million years
95
Triassic
210 million years
80
Cretaceous
65 million years
76
Quaternary
Present
33-66
11. During the Quaternary Period, biologist E.O. Wilson, predicted that the cause of the next mass
extinction will be caused by:
Accumulation of greenhouse gases / climate change
12. The most important extinction threat for most species, especially terrestrial ones, is:
Habitat destruction
13. Name a keystone species and state why it is a keystone? Sea Otter- top of food chain and
keeps pressure on lower trophic levels
14. The species, Daphnia magnum,in which was exposed to copper sulfate,a serious water pollutant,
could not survive in high concentrations. This type of species that is tied to determining the health of
certain environment is considered a(n):
An Indicator Species
15. Pandas are extremely popular with the public and are listed on the International Union for
Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Animals. These species
are considered:
Flagship species
16. Guinea pigs have been classified as rodents, however, recent genetic studies suggest that
guinea pigs likely diverged from rats and mice far earlier in evolutionary time than was previously
realized. This makes the guinea pigs less genetically similar to rodents than previously expected. This
reclassification is called evolutionary species concept…why?
Evolutionary Species Concept
17. Name 3 examples of habitat destruction and fragmentation ?
Mining, Dam Building & Deforestation
18. The northern spotted owl populations are declining for several reasons. Name 2 of the best
answers describing the reasons why this species is considered “endangered”.
1) Habitat destruction due to logging companies that would like to take the “oldgrowth
forest wood”.
2) The migration of the Barred Owl from the eastern U.S. is larger and more
competitive for resources of the northern spotted owl.
19. Name the conditions which would be characteristics of endangered species:
specialized feeding habitat
few offspring per breeding season
a highly specialized diet
20. The Austrialian brush-tailed possum, Trichosurus vulpecula, was introduced to New Zealand in
1837 to establish a fur trade. In Australia, this possum’s population is held in check by dingoes, fires,
diseases, etc. Why is this species considered an invasive species in New Zealand?
This species is exceptionally adaptable to New Zealand’s climate.
21. Ducks, swans, and cranes ingest shot-gun pellets instead of stones
Into their gizzards that have fallen into lakes and marshes. The shotgun pellets
Contain lead which is a form of a deadly pollutant, that is stored in the fatty tissues of their body.
What is this called? Bioaccumulation
22. The zebra mussel was introduced to the Great Lakes by being carried by the ballast water of
large cargo ships.
24. How does an Introduced (invasive) species affect the environment and its biodiversity?
Upsets the balance of the ecosystem & decreases biodiversity
25. The main reason for the current high rate of animal extinctions is
habitat destruction worldwide.
26. A species in imminent danger of extinction is classified by the US Endangered Species Act as
Endangered species
27. Congress enacted the US Endangered Species Act in 1973
28. What is the purpose of the Lacey Act? To preserve the animals which were killed for their
feathers, skin, etc. used for fashion.
29. The drastic reduction in rhinoceros is due mostly to . the supposed medicinal value of their horns
.
30. The main reason for continued trade in endangered species is the presence of poachers
in tropical countries.
31. If you have an aquarium with saltwater fish, 75 percent of your fish probably came from
wild fish populations caught with cyanide or nets.
32. Which of the following statements about trade in endangered species is false?
A. The principal importers of endangered species are developed countries.
B. Overharvesting affects animals more than plants.
C. People who say they are animal lovers are the main contributors to the trade.
D. The principal exporters of endangered species are developing countries.
E. Enforcing laws about trade in endangered species has proven to be difficult.
33. Define a threatened species: a species which may be likely to be endangered within the
foreseeable future.
34-37: Use the following scenario in Table 2:
There are three ecological communities, each with differing species, but all of them have various
species of frogs. Please read over and answer the questions #34-37.
Table 2
Species of Frogs
Community A
Community B
Community C
A
45
6
5
B
1
4
5
C
1
7
5
D
1
3
5
E
1
6
5
F
1
4
5
G
1
5
5
H
1
5
5
I
1
4
5
J
1
6
5
Total
54
50
50
34. In the scenario above, which community has the highest species richness? Community 1
35. In the scenario above, which communities have the same species evenness? Communities A and C
36. In the scenario above, if you walked through communities B and C, which one would seem to
have more species richness?
Community A
37. True (A) or False (B) Opponents of the Endangered Species Act have repeatedly tried to require
that economic costs and benefits be incorporated into endangered species planning.
38. The Shannon Weiner Index was formula):
A. overall size of an ecosystem
B. estimation of how” diverse” the ecosystem is in relation to other ecosystems.
C. measurement of the habitat for critically endangered species.
D. estimated time frame for a species’ extinction
42-43. The whooping cranes migrate from Wood Buffalo National Park in Canada to Arkansas
National Wildlife Refuge in Texas. The species is critically endangered. Upon the arrival of the cranes
at the national refuge, the Fish and Wildlife Service took counts of the cranes within key quadrants
within the refuge. They calculated the species diversity using the Shannon – Weiner Index. Their
results are as follows:
H Value
Species
Richness
Quadrant A
1.2360
10
Quadrant B
3.3979
30
Quadrant C
3.4123
30
42. Which quadrant(s) has the same species richness?
Quadrant D
1.6010
15
Quadrant E
2.6327
22
B and C
43. Which quadrant has the greatest diversity of whooping cranes? B
44. Which of the following is not true of CITES?
A. When implemented properly it has provided foolproof protections of endangered species.
B. It is an international organization.
C. It lists more than 700 species as threatened with extinction.
D. It was formed in 1975.
E. It was a significant step toward worldwide protection of endangered flora and fauna.
45. True (A) or False (B): Listing of endangered species is based on how popular or interesting the
species is in the public eye.
Short Answer:
46. Describe the importance of the Simpson’s Diversity Index and the Shannon Weiner Index.
47. Calculate the Shannon Weiner Index of Biodiversity for Table 2, comparing Community A to
Community B. Show the formula and all of your work.
48. The Shannon Weiner Index uses a factoring value when the use of the natural log is used in the
calculation. What does this factoring take into consideration?
49. Which community is more diverse and why?
50. Define HIPPO and describe what it means for biodiversity conservation.
Part A: Whooping Cranes – Protecting Biodiversity
1. How does this human intervention improve the whooping cranes?
2. Why are the individuals who monitor the whooping cranes dressed as “whooping cranes”?
3. Which category does the whooping crane fit into:
a. Keystone
c. umbrella
b. Indicator
d. flagship
Part B: Captive Breeding
Some captive breeding programs in zoos are so successful that they often produce surplus animals that cannot be
released into the wild because no native habitat remains. Should the surplus animals be euthanized? What types of
animals should be in zoos? Should zoos be modified? How would you handle this if you were in charge of the zoo?
Develop a plan to resolve this concern.
How do we save rare species in the wild? Should we move them from Indonesia to a large zoo within the domestic
United States? What are some ideas you can come up to determine how to reduce stress to these rare, possibly
endangered animals?