Environmental Science Biodiversity and Conservation

Question 1

Which U.S. law provides the primary legal framework for protecting threatened and endangered species and their habitats?

Accepted Answer

Endangered Species Act (ESA)

Answer

Marine Mammal Protection Act

Answer

Lacey Act

Answer

National Wildlife Refuge Act

Question 2

What is habitat fragmentation and why is it a concern for wildlife?

Accepted Answer

Breaking up continuous habitat into isolated patches; reduces gene flow and increases extinction risk

Answer

Loss of individual habitat patches; reduces total habitat area

Answer

Conversion of habitat to farmland; eliminates biodiversity

Answer

Introduction of invasive species that fragment ecosystems

Question 3

What is the IUCN Red List?

Accepted Answer

The global inventory of threatened species' conservation status

Answer

A list of banned pesticides and chemicals

Answer

A database of invasive species by country

Answer

A registry of protected national parks worldwide

Question 4

What is an invasive species?

Accepted Answer

A non-native species that spreads rapidly and harms native ecosystems

Answer

A species that evolved in a location and dominates native species

Answer

A protected species reintroduced to its former range

Answer

A species found only in a small geographic area

Question 5

Which biodiversity hotspot concept identifies areas for conservation priority based on what criteria?

Accepted Answer

High endemic species richness combined with severe habitat loss

Answer

Largest total species count

Answer

Regions with the most endangered vertebrates

Answer

Areas with the highest primary productivity

Question 6

What does in-situ conservation mean?

Accepted Answer

Conserving species within their natural habitats

Answer

Breeding endangered species in captivity

Answer

Preserving genetic material in seed banks

Answer

Relocating species to safer areas