FOR 435 Midterm

The most basic measurement of biodiversity that simply counts the number of species is:

Species that are unique to a specific geographic area and naturally found nowhere else are called:

The "sweet spot" whereby one can exploit a living resource in order to optimize harvest numbers while still keeping the population stable is called:

A fragmentation effect whereby some species, particularly birds, are most likely found in larger habitat patches then their individual needs (home range) indicate is called:

When new species are formed (speciation) as a result of geographic barriers we call this:

This definition of species is based on reproductive outputs (viable offspring and reproductive isolation) and is called:

This kind of drawing is used to illustrate a hypothesis about phylogeny, or how evidence suggests that organisms have evolved and are related across geological time. While in the past it was based largely on comparative morphology and embryology, when available, genetic data is usually given top consideration.

Continental drift and other geological or climatic events, as well as invasive species establishment, typically result in exchanges of species that suddenly come into contact with each other. Such events can lead to big changes in structure, function, and species composition. Which of these is an example of such an event AND is correctly paired with its outcome?

Rapid speciation, particularly when colonization events occurs in new habitats, is called:

In the U.S., we find the highest concentrations of biodiversity in all but which of the following areas?

Which is TRUE of the forest diversity model known as the intermediate disturbance hypothesis?

Which country (accompanied by its average latitude) would likely have the LOWEST alpha diversity?

Italy - 40 degrees N

Norway - 60 degrees N

Panama - 9 degrees N

Namibia - 22 degrees S

Laos - 17 degrees N

Which of the following pairs are the most important geophysical attributes that determine species presence or absence on a given patch of land or water?

Likewise, the 2 processes that dictate species presence or absence on a given patch of land or water, and operate to create a dynamic equilibrium are:

The hypothesis that best explains the relationship between species richness and ecosystem function is:

The measurement of species turnover (how frequently one encounters new species) from one ecosystem to another is called (answer 1), and true or false (answer 2) it is used to identify global biodiversity hotspots.

Why is the western and interior portions of the Amazon rainforest particularly vulnerable to current patterns of deforestation?

Which combination of habitats would you find the MOST threatened and endangered species in the U.S.?

The difference between adjacent habitats is called:

When species behaviorally remain on habitat patches and thus become self-isolating we call it this special fragmentation effect:

Where a species habitat occurs non-contiguously, we see the occasional exchange of individuals between patches, a structure we call a (Answer 1) and which is maintained via the dynamics of this theory (Answer 2).

As habitat patch size decreases, we should expect what to occur?

When an invasive plant species establishes within an ecosystem, which of the following is TRUE?

Which of the following chemicals are leading to declines in global vulture populations?

Hypoxic deadzones are caused by (Answer 1) and are often found here (Answer 2).

The introduction of cane toads into Australia had which of the following effects?

Elton studied invasive species and stated that species rich communities were much more likely to resist invasive species establishment? First, why? (Answer 1) and, second, how might an invasive species overcome this? (Answer 2)?

Observable characteristics with distinct groups

group of interbreeding individuals among populations that are genetically isolated from other groups

2 most commonly used species definitions are

evolutionary process whereby organisms rapidly give rise to new forms caused by abundant or novel resources, competition, predation, major or other environmental challenge

unique local selection pressures or genetic processes within contiguous populations/shared habitat lead to genetic polymorphisms.

What is Kentucky’s biome and 3 ecoregions?

use resources in similar ways but partition the resources by space (spatially) and time (temporally).

local occurrence individuals of the same species; typically the unit of management used to maintain viability in natural patterns, abundances, and distributions

Where is species richness often the highest?

rate of change in spp. across/among habitats, often communities or ecosystems; an approximation of regional diversity

# of species across a larger landscape or larger geographic time scales

Current major threats to biodiversity

What is an example of a synergistic threat

One factor can create a trophic cascading domino-like effect within an ecosystem that leads to secondary losses of other species

What factor is the most threatening to biodiversity?

can exploit a variety of habitats within an area/range; can easily switch from available and/or preferred to less preferred habitats (ex. white-tailed deer)

can exploit (usually very well) 1 or only a few habitats within an area/range; most habitats unsuitable and cannot be used (ex. desert pupfish)

What types of Species are Most Vulnerable To Extinction?

Three conservation databases:

change in habitat, can result in degradation or loss

habitat changed in way that usually adversely affects most or all species, effects longer term

decline in habitat quality, affects many but not all species, may be temporary

breaking habitat up into smaller pieces that are isolated from one another

Not able or willing to move among habitat patches because of poor habitat in between

an accumulation of excessive nutrients, particularly nitrates and phosphates from fertilizers and sewage, in aquatic systems that leads to explosive growth of phytoplankton.

Species Vulnerable to Fragmentation:

Other Major Causes of Habitat Loss and Degradation

The unsustainable exploitation (harvesting) of resources

Factors that determine invasiveness

Thus about 1/1000 species introduced will become invasive, as a general rule of thumb

species rich communities more stable and better able to deal with invasive species

highly disturbed communities more easily invaded.

Do invasive species increase or decrease biodiversity?

In Maigret et al. (2019), the primary focal species of the study was the:

In Maigret et al. (2019), how did they conduct their analysis, and what was the focal habitat component to construct their model?

The findings and conclusions of Maigret et al. (2019) suggest that mountain top removal surface coal mining practices cause:

In Myers et al (2007), we see the decline of this particular animal group (answer 1) leading to this ecological phenomenon (answer 2).

In the Myers et al. (2007) paper, to determine a top-down elasmobranch predatory effect vs a more widespread population decline of scallops, researchers used the following method

In Terborgh et al. (2001) a unique situation was created to examine trophic cascades and island biogeography. The event that allowed this was:

In Terborgh et al. (2001) the trophic group most easily and often first lost to extinction during forest fragmentation events was:

In Terborgh et al. (2001) the following was observed:

In Terborgh et al. (2001) answer the following as True/False for each statement about the study.

Tree seedling and sapling density was much lower on the smallest islands

In Terborgh et al. (2001) answer the following as True/False for each statement about the study.

Evidence of a top-down trophic cascade was supported in this opportunistic experiment

In Terborgh et al. (2001) answer the following as True/False for each statement about the study.

The long-term (decades) trajectory of the tree community on large islands indicates that they will likely have lower alpha diversity than those on small islands.

In the Davis et al. (2021) paper, the focal (study) species of interest included:

In the Davis et al. (2021) paper, models are created to examine future scenarios for the following 2 phenomenon:

The Davis et el. (2021) paper concludes: