BSC 3052 - CONSERVATION BIOLOGY MIDTERM 1
QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS
Conservation biology definition: - Answers - a multidisciplinary science focused on
protecting and restoring biodiversity
Goals of conservation biology = - Answers - document biodiversity, investigate human
impact, develop practical approaches to prevent extinction
The ethical foundation of conservation biology = - Answers - intrinsic value of species
and ecosystems, responsibility to future generations
Morphological - definition - Answers - relating to form or structure
3 levels of biodiversity - Answers - genetic diversity, species diversity, ecosystem
diversity
Why biodiversity is important for ecosystem resilience? - Answers - biodiversity
strengthens ecosystems by allowing them to recover from disturbances (like fire, floods,
or disease outbreaks). Diverse species perform overlapping roles, so if one declines,
other can fill the gap
Why is biodiversity important for evolutionary potential? - Answers - genetic diversity
within and between species provides the raw material for evolution. It enables
populations to adapt to changing environments, resist diseases, and survive long-term.
Why is biodiversity important for human benefits? - Answers - medicine (many drugs
are derived from plants, fungi, and animals), agriculture (genetic diversity in crops and
livestock improves yields, disease resistance, and climate adaptability), ecosystem
services (clean water, pollination, soil fertility, and climate regulation all depend on
biodiversity
3 common species concepts: - Answers - biological species concept, phylogenetic
species concept, morphological species concept
Biological species concept - definition - Answers - individuals that interbreed in the wild
to produce viable, fertile offspring are considered to be members of the same species.
Interbreeding populations reproductively isolated from others.
Problems / weaknesses with the biological species concept: - Answers - can be hard to
observe interbreeding directly. Not useful for asexual or extinct species.
, Strength of biological species concept: - Answers - focuses on reproductive isolation
Phylogenetic species concept - definition - Answers - a distinct evolutionary lineage
based on average genetic relatedness.
Smallest group sharing a common ancestor.
Morphological species concept - definition: - Answers - individuals are grouped into
species on the basis of morphological and physiological similarities
Phylogenetic species concept is also known as... - Answers - evolutionary species
concept
Problems / weaknesses with evolutionary/phylogenetic species concept: - Answers -
can split species too finely.
Mtdna, electrophoretic marker.
Alpha diversity is _ at a global scale. - Answers - declining
Alpha diversity is _ at a continental and regional scale. - Answers - increasing
Alpha diversity at local scales: - Answers - going up in some studies, going down in
other studies
Alpha diversity - defintion: - Answers - diversity of a local community on some scale of
interest (like... Within a pond, in a field, on a reef, etc.)
Species richness in a single community.
Within-habitat diversity
Beta diversity - defintion: - Answers - change (or turnover) in species composition over
some distance (ex. Between adjacent habitats)
Change in species composition between communities.
Between-habitat diversity
Gamma diversity - defintion: - Answers - total diversity over a large geographic area
such as a biome, continent, or ocean basis.
Gamma diversity represents: - Answers - combined influence of local alpha diversity
and beta diversity
Gamma diversity is a _ function of alpha and beta diversity - Answers - positive
QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS
Conservation biology definition: - Answers - a multidisciplinary science focused on
protecting and restoring biodiversity
Goals of conservation biology = - Answers - document biodiversity, investigate human
impact, develop practical approaches to prevent extinction
The ethical foundation of conservation biology = - Answers - intrinsic value of species
and ecosystems, responsibility to future generations
Morphological - definition - Answers - relating to form or structure
3 levels of biodiversity - Answers - genetic diversity, species diversity, ecosystem
diversity
Why biodiversity is important for ecosystem resilience? - Answers - biodiversity
strengthens ecosystems by allowing them to recover from disturbances (like fire, floods,
or disease outbreaks). Diverse species perform overlapping roles, so if one declines,
other can fill the gap
Why is biodiversity important for evolutionary potential? - Answers - genetic diversity
within and between species provides the raw material for evolution. It enables
populations to adapt to changing environments, resist diseases, and survive long-term.
Why is biodiversity important for human benefits? - Answers - medicine (many drugs
are derived from plants, fungi, and animals), agriculture (genetic diversity in crops and
livestock improves yields, disease resistance, and climate adaptability), ecosystem
services (clean water, pollination, soil fertility, and climate regulation all depend on
biodiversity
3 common species concepts: - Answers - biological species concept, phylogenetic
species concept, morphological species concept
Biological species concept - definition - Answers - individuals that interbreed in the wild
to produce viable, fertile offspring are considered to be members of the same species.
Interbreeding populations reproductively isolated from others.
Problems / weaknesses with the biological species concept: - Answers - can be hard to
observe interbreeding directly. Not useful for asexual or extinct species.
, Strength of biological species concept: - Answers - focuses on reproductive isolation
Phylogenetic species concept - definition - Answers - a distinct evolutionary lineage
based on average genetic relatedness.
Smallest group sharing a common ancestor.
Morphological species concept - definition: - Answers - individuals are grouped into
species on the basis of morphological and physiological similarities
Phylogenetic species concept is also known as... - Answers - evolutionary species
concept
Problems / weaknesses with evolutionary/phylogenetic species concept: - Answers -
can split species too finely.
Mtdna, electrophoretic marker.
Alpha diversity is _ at a global scale. - Answers - declining
Alpha diversity is _ at a continental and regional scale. - Answers - increasing
Alpha diversity at local scales: - Answers - going up in some studies, going down in
other studies
Alpha diversity - defintion: - Answers - diversity of a local community on some scale of
interest (like... Within a pond, in a field, on a reef, etc.)
Species richness in a single community.
Within-habitat diversity
Beta diversity - defintion: - Answers - change (or turnover) in species composition over
some distance (ex. Between adjacent habitats)
Change in species composition between communities.
Between-habitat diversity
Gamma diversity - defintion: - Answers - total diversity over a large geographic area
such as a biome, continent, or ocean basis.
Gamma diversity represents: - Answers - combined influence of local alpha diversity
and beta diversity
Gamma diversity is a _ function of alpha and beta diversity - Answers - positive
