Ecology and Conservation Quiz

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Questions and Answers

What is a primary characteristic of K-strategists?

High juvenile death rate

Few offspring produced (correct)

Exploit unstable environments

Short lifespan

Which biome is characterized by harsh cold temperatures and low biodiversity?

Wetlands

Tundra (correct)

Desert

Forests

Which of the following is NOT a category of ecosystem services?

Cultural

Compensating (correct)

Regulating

Supporting

What trend is observed in biodiversity as one moves from the equator towards the poles?

Biodiversity decreases significantly Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant feature of R-strategists?

Produce many offspring Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the main purposes of regulating ecosystem services?

Climate regulation Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of a provisioning service?

Timber production Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'biome' refer to?

A large area with distinct climatic and biological features Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the main reasons a species can be listed as endangered?

Habitat destruction or modification Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'take' include regarding endangered species?

Harass, harm, pursue, hunt, or kill Signup and view all the answers

Which appendix of CITES provides the greatest level of protection?

Appendix I Signup and view all the answers

How many U.S. species of animals are listed as endangered?

744 species Signup and view all the answers

What is one factor that must be addressed in a recovery plan for an endangered species?

Predation that affects nesting Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a consequence of listing a species as endangered?

Ban on trading species under Appendix III Signup and view all the answers

What role does international cooperation play in species conservation efforts?

It encourages worldwide conservation of endangered species. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following does NOT contribute to the listing of species as endangered?

Sustainable habitat management Signup and view all the answers

What does Aldo Leopold's concept of ethics focus on?

Limiting self-serving behavior and defining right from wrong Signup and view all the answers

Which philosophical approach asserts that all life has a right to exist, emphasizing sustainability?

Biocentrism Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the Ecocentric Approach to environmental ethics?

Emphasizes the moral consideration of the environment itself Signup and view all the answers

What primary value is associated with the Instrumental/Utilitarian perspective?

Achieving the greatest good for the greatest number Signup and view all the answers

Which of these issues suggests a need for global agreement on environmental ethics?

The use of biological chemical warfare Signup and view all the answers

What does Leopold's Land Ethic extend the definition of the community to include?

Soils, waters, plants, and animals collectively Signup and view all the answers

Intrinsic or inherent values in environmental ethics are primarily associated with which approaches?

Biocentric and Ecocentric Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect is NOT considered a fundamental principle of ethics as defined by Aldo Leopold?

Promote individual freedom without restrictions Signup and view all the answers

What does the Clean Water Act require regarding wetlands?

A restoration of integrity for all Nation’s waters. Signup and view all the answers

Which act emphasizes the minimization of impacts to endangered species?

Endangered Species Act Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the primary goals of species reintroduction?

To establish a viable, free-ranging population. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of wildlife restoration?

To move a damaged system to an acceptable ecological state Signup and view all the answers

How does habitat selection differ from habitat preference?

Habitat selection involves actual choices made by animals Signup and view all the answers

What factor contributed to the near extinction of the red wolf?

Predator control. Signup and view all the answers

What is meant by the term 'metapopulation'?

Groups of populations that experience partial isolation but can interbreed Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the Reintroduction Specialist Group (IUCN)?

To combat biodiversity loss through reintroductions. Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'deme' refer to in ecology?

A local, stable population of interbreeding individuals Signup and view all the answers

During the feasibility study for red wolf reintroduction, what was a crucial aspect to assess?

Biology of the species and availability of individuals. Signup and view all the answers

Which characteristic is NOT a reason charismatic vertebrates are often targeted for reintroduction?

They typically require less habitat compared to other species. Signup and view all the answers

What are the two main concerns addressed by the wolf management strategy in Montana?

Maintaining a sustainable wolf population and minimizing livestock conflicts Signup and view all the answers

What was one major threat to the red wolf during its decline?

Coyote hybridization. Signup and view all the answers

Why is knowledge of wildlife populations crucial for successful restoration?

It is essential for understanding chances of interbreeding in metapopulations Signup and view all the answers

What does ecological restoration involve?

The practice of restoring degraded ecological systems Signup and view all the answers

What is the importance of maintaining a connected wolf population?

To ensure genetic diversity and resilience in the population Signup and view all the answers

What is the greatest effect on the recovery of species facing extinction?

Addressing pollution and overexploitation Signup and view all the answers

Which threat is considered the biggest for species recovery?

Habitat loss Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary focus of Category IV protected areas?

Active management and intervention Signup and view all the answers

Which type of protected area includes the opportunity for ecological research without human recreation?

Strict Nature Reserves Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of protected areas is often referred to as 'paper parks'?

Designated parks that lack resources for actual protection Signup and view all the answers

Why is the Ngorongoro Crater Conservation Area significant?

It supports sustainable practices like grazing while protecting species. Signup and view all the answers

What challenge do migrating species face concerning protected areas?

Inability to access needed water supplies Signup and view all the answers

What is NOT a characteristic of Ramsar Wetlands?

Focused on marine ecosystems only Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes Category II protected areas from other categories?

They are designated as National Parks. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a necessary need for future conservation strategies?

Innovative thinking for boundary protection Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

General Wildlife Ecology

A niche is an organism's functional role, also known as its "job".
Niches are multidimensional, encompassing factors like time of hunting, prey size, and location.
Animals cannot occupy the same niche at the same time in the same location.
Specialists thrive in specific conditions, feeding on particular species.
Generalists thrive in a wider range of conditions, feeding on various species.
Natural selection involves the process determining which individuals pass on their genes, favoring individuals with favorable traits and decreasing those with unfavorable traits.
Logistic growth occurs when a population grows until it reaches its carrying capacity, then stabilizes.
Limiting factors, like density-dependent factors (starvation, disease) and density-independent factors (drought, natural disasters), affect population growth.

Energy Pyramid

The energy pyramid displays energy transfer in a food web, from producers to consumers.
Producers (grass, shrubs, trees) have the most energy and biomass, with energy decreasing as trophic levels increase.
The top trophic levels have the fewest organisms but the least energy.
Food and shelter are necessary components of an animal's habitat.

Ecosystem Services

Ecosystem services are categorized as provisioning, regulating, supporting, and cultural services.
Provisioning services include food, timber, fuel, water, etc.
Regulating services include climate regulation, water purification, etc.
Supporting services include photosynthesis and nutrient cycling.
Cultural services include recreation, spiritual, and cultural practices.

K-strategists and R-strategists

K-strategists are large organisms with long lifespans, few offspring, and extensive prenatal care.
R-strategists are small organisms with short lifespans, many offspring, and limited parental care.

Threats to Wildlife

Overexploitation, often fueled by climate change, is a threat to megafauna.
Habitat loss and destruction is the biggest threat to terrestrial biodiversity.
DDT is an insecticide that severely affected bird populations and had links to human health problems.

Pathways of Invasion

Pathways of invasion are intentional or unintentional routes animals take to move beyond their native range.
Propagule pressure is determined by quantity, quality, and frequency of arriving organisms.
Acid rain is sulfur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide mixing in the atmosphere to form sulfuric and nitric acid.

Carbon Sequestration

Carbon gets sequestered into fossil fuels as plants grow and are buried over time, trapping carbon inside the fossil fuels.
Cretaceous period's climate was characterized by warm and wet conditions, high carbon levels.

IUCN Red List

The IUCN Red List is a list of endangered and threatened species.

Vectors

Vectors carry pathogens, either inside the body (biological vectors) or outside (mechanical vectors).

Wildlife Conservation Ethics

Ethical considerations in conservation involve weighing economic, ethical and sustainability factors.
Instrumental (utilitarian) values consider the use of an animal, while intrinsic (inherent) values consider the existence of an animal.
Aldo Leopold's Land Ethic emphasizes caring for the land itself and all of its components.

Wildlife Conservation: Laws and Management

The Endangered Species Act (ESA) is a significant piece of legislation for wildlife conservation in the USA.
The ESA protects endangered and threatened species, including their critical habitats.
The ESA's primary goals and actions for conservation include conservation of species, prevent habitat destruction, and prevent the taking of species.
CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna) regulates international trade in endangered species.

Protected Areas

Protected areas such as national parks are instrumental for conservation efforts.
They are integral to numerous conservation strategies and agreements.

NGOs and Conservation Funding

Numerous NGOs play significant roles in conservation efforts.
Many NGOs raise funds from a range of sources including private donations and member dues.

Community Based Conservation

Community-based conservation programs often involve local people in conservation strategies.
This encourages a broader ownership and responsibility toward wildlife conservation.
E.g. the CAMPFIRE program in Zimbabwe.
Incentive programs use financial or social incentives to improve conservation outcomes.

Ecological Restoration

Ecological restoration aims to recreate degraded ecosystems based on historical conditions.
Restoration techniques vary, depending on the specific goals and needs of the restoration area.
This includes efforts to address specific habitat needs and ecosystem functions, as well as stakeholders' preferences.

Reintroduction

Reintroduction programs aim to establish viable free-ranging populations of threatened species.
This often involves a feasibility study, selecting reintroduction sites, monitoring reintroduced populations, and evaluating outcomes.

Black-Footed Ferret

The case study of the black-footed ferret highlights significant challenges in endangered species recovery that include issues surrounding health, genetics, fitness and population management.

Education and Final Thoughts

Effective conservation of wildlife requires education and public awareness at all levels.
Collaborative efforts are a key feature.

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Description

Test your knowledge on K-strategists, ecosystem services, and biomes in this exciting ecology quiz. Explore questions about biodiversity trends, endangered species, and their conservation. Perfect for students looking to enhance their understanding of ecology and environmental science.