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AP Environmental Science Unit 2: The Living World: Biodiversity

12 questions

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Unit 2: The Living World: Biodiversity

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Question 1

A conservation biologist studying wolves reintroduced to Yellowstone observed that elk began avoiding stream banks, allowing willows and aspens to recover. This ripple effect through the ecosystem is an example of:

A.Bottom-up regulationB.Competitive exclusionC.Trophic cascade driven by a keystone predatorD.Island biogeography equilibrium

Question 2

A population of cheetahs shows very little variation in immune system genes, making them highly susceptible to the same diseases. This problem illustrates a loss of:

A.Species diversityB.Ecosystem diversityC.Genetic diversityD.Functional diversity

Question 3

Ecological succession on a newly formed volcanic island begins with:

A.Climax community establishmentB.Secondary succession, because existing soil is present.C.Pioneer species colonizing bare rockD.A diverse mix of K-selected species competing for resources

Question 4

A small island 500 km from the mainland has fewer bird species than an equally sized island located 50 km from the mainland. This pattern is best explained by:

A.The distant island has more volcanic activity, reducing habitat quality.B.The distant island has a lower immigration rate from the mainland source pool.C.The distant island experiences higher extinction rates due to its isolation.D.The distant island is older and has less primary succession habitat.

Question 5

Which biome is characterized by permafrost, low plant diversity dominated by mosses and grasses, and is found at high latitudes?

A.Boreal forest (taiga)B.Temperate grasslandC.Arctic tundraD.Savanna

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Question 6

The tropical rainforest, coral reef, and Mediterranean shrubland are all considered biodiversity hotspots. What TWO criteria define a biodiversity hotspot?

A.High species richness AND location in the tropicsB.High endemism AND significant habitat loss (≥70%)C.High genetic diversity AND economic value of ecosystem servicesD.Large area AND protected status under international law

Question 7

A landscape ecologist comparing two forest fragments finds that the 100 ha fragment supports more species than the 10 ha fragment. An additional finding is that even within the 100 ha fragment, interior forest species are more abundant than edge-tolerant species. These observations together support the importance of:

A.Biotic resistance and invasive species controlB.Habitat area and interior-to-edge ratio in conservation designC.Primary productivity as the sole driver of biodiversityD.The founder effect in isolated populations

Question 8

Tropical rainforests cover ~6% of Earth's land surface but contain an estimated 50–80% of all terrestrial species. The primary reason for this extraordinary species richness is:

A.Tropical soils are exceptionally nutrient-rich, supporting more plant species.B.Year-round warmth and rainfall allow high productivity and diverse niches over long evolutionary time.C.Tropical regions have fewer predators, so more species can coexist.D.Humans have introduced many species to tropical regions for agriculture.

Question 9

According to the species-area relationship, if an island's area is reduced by 90%, approximately what fraction of its species are expected to survive?

A.90% of species surviveB.~50% of species surviveC.~10% of species surviveD.All species survive because they adapt to smaller habitat

Question 10

When two different species of Paramecium are grown together in the same culture on a limited food resource, one species always outcompetes and eliminates the other. This outcome is an example of:

A.MutualismB.ParasitismC.Competitive exclusionD.Character displacement

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Question 11

A forest fire destroys a pine forest. Five years later, the area is dominated by fast-growing shrubs and grasses. After 50 years, pines re-establish dominance. This process is called:

A.Primary successionB.Secondary successionC.Ecosystem facilitationD.Competitive exclusion

Question 12

A tropical rainforest is cleared and replaced by a crop monoculture. Which type of biodiversity loss occurs FIRST and MOST directly?

A.Loss of genetic diversity within crop varietiesB.Loss of species diversity (species richness)C.Loss of ecosystem diversityD.Loss of biome diversity

AP Environmental Science Unit 2: The Living World: Biodiversity — Free with Answer Explanations | Test Practice Hub