Conservation Biology Exam 1

1.  What are the primary causes of the loss of biodiversity?

2.  What is the “blitzkrieg” hypothesis for the extinction of the pleistocene mammals?  Are                  there any arguments to challenge this hypothesis?

3.  List the priniciples of conservation biology discussed in the text.

4.  Discuss the “Land Ethic” and the significance of this work in modern conservation

            Biology (You may also read the Land Ethic: please refer to the reading in the                 laboratory reports).

5.  What are the “precautionary principles” and what do they mean for conservation?

6.  Discuss the importance of “beta” diversity?

7.  What are “ecoregions”?  Whay are they important to the preservation of biodiversity?

Conservation Biology Exam 2 (Chapters 3, 4, 5)

1.  What types of species are the most vulnerable to extinction?

2.  Discuss the major threats to the loss of biodiversity.

3.  What is the IUCN Red List System?  Discuss the categories defined the the IUCN              system.

4.  Discuss the difference between utilitarian and intrinsic ethics.

5.  Discuss the difference between biocentrism and ecocentrism.

Conservation Biology Exam 3 (Chapters 6,7,8)

1.  List the forms of habitat degradation.

2.  Discuss the human activities that cause habitat destruction.

3.  What are “debt for nature” swaps?

4.  What are the biological consequences of habitat fragmentation?

5.  Which species are more vulnerable to fragmentation pressure?

6.  List some strategies for countering the effects of fragmentation.

7.  What is “MSY”.  Why is this concept important in the managment of exploited                                 populations?

8.  What is the “tragedy of the commons”?

Conservation Biology Exam 4 (Chapters 9, 10,11)

1.  Discuss the genetic variation in a population and how it is partitioned.

2.   Discuss the factors that can be sources of genetic diversity in populations.

3.  Discuss factors that can reduce the “effective” population size.

4.  Discuss the biological impacts of climate change.

5.  What factors determine whether a nonnative species becomes invasive?

6.  What can be done to manage an invasive species?

Conservation Biology Exam 5 (Chapters 12, 13, 14, 15)

1.  Discuss the concepts of “source” and “sink”.

2.  What is a “metapopulation”?

3.  What is “ecosystem management”?

4.  What is “adaptive management”?

5.  Discuss the IUCN categories of protected areas.

6.  Discuss the three primary goals of conservation reserve systems.

7.  What is “restoration” and what processes should ecological restoration include?

8.  Discuss the IUCN guidelines for animal reintroductions.

Conservation Biology Exam 6 (Chapters 16, 17, 18)

1.  Why is growth not sustainable development?

2.  What are the principles of sustainability?  Please provide a list and discuss them.

3.  What is “ecotourism”?  How can ecotourism be sustainable?

4.  Ecotourism planning as part of a biodiversity conservation strategy involves three key                    issues.....please list/discuss them.

5.  How can conservation biologists better work with policy makers to achieve more                              effective conservation policies?  Please include an example from the text in your

            answer.