Wildlife Conservation Flashcards
7 cards from real CORE practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Wildlife Conservation flashcards as text
What is 'edge effect' in wildlife habitat management?
Answer: The increased species diversity found at the boundary between two habitat types
Edge effect refers to the higher species richness and activity often found where two different habitat types meet, as species from both habitats can use the area.
Which of the following best describes 'habitat fragmentation'?
Answer: The division of large, continuous habitats into smaller isolated patches
Habitat fragmentation occurs when large continuous areas of habitat are broken into smaller, isolated pieces by roads, development, or agriculture, reducing their value for wildlife.
A keystone species is best defined as one that:
Answer: Has a disproportionately large effect on its ecosystem relative to its abundance
A keystone species has an outsized ecological impact on its ecosystem, and its removal can cause dramatic changes or collapse of the system.
What is the primary purpose of a wildlife census or population survey?
Answer: To estimate population size and trends to inform management decisions
Wildlife censuses provide population size estimates and trend data that wildlife managers use to set harvest quotas and conservation priorities.
Which land use practice is generally MOST harmful to ground-nesting birds?
Answer: Early mowing of hayfields during nesting season
Mowing hayfields during the spring and early summer nesting season destroys nests and kills flightless chicks of ground-nesting birds like bobolinks and meadowlarks.
The 'trophic cascade' effect occurs when:
Answer: Top predators are removed, triggering chain reactions down the food web
A trophic cascade happens when removing a top predator causes a ripple effect through lower trophic levels, often leading to overabundance of prey and degradation of vegetation.
What does 'biodiversity hotspot' refer to in conservation?
Answer: A region with exceptionally high species richness and significant habitat loss
A biodiversity hotspot is a region with exceptionally high numbers of endemic species that is also significantly threatened by human activity and habitat destruction.