Biology Test Conservation Biology 3

Question 1

Which human activity is considered the single largest driver of tropical deforestation globally?

Accepted Answer

Agricultural conversion for livestock and crops

Answer

Agricultural conversion—especially for cattle ranching, palm oil, and soy—accounts for the majority of tropical forest loss worldwide.

Question 2

What does the term 'rewilding' specifically emphasize in modern conservation practice?

Accepted Answer

Restoring natural processes and reintroducing keystone species to allow ecosystems to self-regulate

Answer

Rewilding focuses on restoring ecological processes and apex predators or keystone species so that ecosystems can recover and function with minimal ongoing management.

Question 3

Which principle explains why a larger reserve will typically support more species than a smaller one?

Accepted Answer

Island biogeography theory

Answer

Island biogeography theory predicts that species richness increases with area because larger areas support larger populations and more diverse habitats.

Question 4

Ex situ conservation differs from in situ conservation in that ex situ:

Accepted Answer

Protects species outside their natural habitat in facilities like zoos or seed banks

Answer

Ex situ conservation preserves species away from their natural environment, serving as a safety net while in situ efforts protect habitat.

Question 5

A population viability analysis (PVA) is used by conservation biologists primarily to:

Accepted Answer

Estimate the probability that a population will persist for a defined period

Answer

PVA uses demographic and environmental data to model extinction probability and minimum viable population size over time.

Biology Practice Test

Biology Practice Test

Biology Test Conservation Biology 3