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

The Endangered Species Act (1973) prohibits harm to listed species and requires recovery plans and critical habitat designation.

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

Fragmentation isolates wildlife populations in smaller patches, limiting movement, reducing genetic diversity, and increasing local extinction risk.

Question 3

What is the IUCN Red List?

Accepted Answer

The global inventory of threatened species' conservation status

Answer

The IUCN Red List is the world's most comprehensive inventory of species' global conservation status, categorizing extinction risk.

Question 4

What is an invasive species?

Accepted Answer

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

Answer

Invasive species are non-native organisms introduced to new areas where they spread aggressively and disrupt native ecosystems.

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

Biodiversity hotspots are defined by having at least 1,500 endemic plant species and having lost at least 70% of their original habitat.

Environmental Science Practice Test