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Island Biogeography and Species-Area Relationships

Description: This quiz covers the concepts of island biogeography and species-area relationships, including factors affecting species richness, the equilibrium theory of island biogeography, and the application of these concepts in conservation biology.
Number of Questions: 15
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Tags: island biogeography species-area relationships equilibrium theory conservation biology
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According to the equilibrium theory of island biogeography, what is the main factor determining the number of species found on an island?

  1. Island size

  2. Distance from the mainland

  3. Habitat diversity

  4. Climate


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The equilibrium theory of island biogeography states that the number of species found on an island is determined primarily by the island's size, with larger islands supporting more species than smaller islands.

Which of the following is NOT a factor that affects species richness on an island?

  1. Island size

  2. Distance from the mainland

  3. Habitat diversity

  4. Predation pressure


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Predation pressure is not a factor that directly affects species richness on an island, although it can influence the abundance and distribution of species.

The species-area relationship describes the relationship between:

  1. Island size and species richness

  2. Distance from the mainland and species richness

  3. Habitat diversity and species richness

  4. Climate and species richness


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The species-area relationship describes the positive correlation between the size of an island and the number of species found on it.

Which of the following is NOT a consequence of the species-area relationship?

  1. Larger islands have more species than smaller islands

  2. Smaller islands have higher extinction rates than larger islands

  3. Island species are more likely to be endemic than mainland species

  4. Island species are more likely to be generalists than mainland species


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Island species are more likely to be specialists, rather than generalists, due to the limited resources and competition on islands.

The equilibrium theory of island biogeography predicts that:

  1. The number of species on an island will increase over time

  2. The number of species on an island will decrease over time

  3. The number of species on an island will remain constant over time

  4. The number of species on an island will fluctuate over time


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

The equilibrium theory of island biogeography predicts that the number of species on an island will reach an equilibrium, where the rate of immigration and extinction is balanced.

Which of the following is NOT a conservation implication of the species-area relationship?

  1. Larger islands should be prioritized for conservation

  2. Habitat corridors should be created to connect fragmented habitats

  3. Invasive species should be controlled to prevent extinctions

  4. Climate change should be mitigated to reduce the impacts on island ecosystems


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

Invasive species control is not a direct conservation implication of the species-area relationship, although it is important for protecting island ecosystems.

The concept of island biogeography is applied in the field of:

  1. Conservation biology

  2. Ecology

  3. Evolutionary biology

  4. Biogeography


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Island biogeography is applied in conservation biology to inform conservation strategies, such as prioritizing areas for protection and managing invasive species.

Which of the following is NOT a factor that affects the rate of species extinction on an island?

  1. Island size

  2. Distance from the mainland

  3. Habitat diversity

  4. Predation pressure


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Predation pressure is not a factor that directly affects the rate of species extinction on an island, although it can influence the abundance and distribution of species.

The species-area relationship can be expressed mathematically as:

  1. $$S = cA^z$$

  2. $$S = cA^{1/2}$$

  3. $$S = cA^{1/4}$$

  4. $$S = cA^{3/4}$$


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The species-area relationship can be expressed mathematically as $$S = cA^z$$, where $$S$$ is the number of species, $$A$$ is the area of the island, $$c$$ is a constant, and $$z$$ is the slope of the relationship.

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of island species?

  1. They are more likely to be endemic

  2. They are more likely to be generalists

  3. They are more likely to have smaller population sizes

  4. They are more likely to have higher extinction rates


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

Island species are more likely to be specialists, rather than generalists, due to the limited resources and competition on islands.

The equilibrium theory of island biogeography was developed by:

  1. Robert MacArthur and Edward O. Wilson

  2. Charles Darwin and Alfred Russel Wallace

  3. Alexander von Humboldt and Aimé Bonpland

  4. James Hutton and John Playfair


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The equilibrium theory of island biogeography was developed by Robert MacArthur and Edward O. Wilson in the 1960s.

Which of the following is NOT a factor that affects the rate of species immigration to an island?

  1. Distance from the mainland

  2. Habitat diversity

  3. Predation pressure

  4. Climate


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

Predation pressure is not a factor that directly affects the rate of species immigration to an island, although it can influence the survival of immigrants.

The species-area relationship has implications for:

  1. Conservation biology

  2. Ecology

  3. Evolutionary biology

  4. Biogeography


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The species-area relationship has implications for conservation biology, as it can be used to identify areas of high species richness and prioritize them for protection.

Which of the following is NOT a factor that affects the slope of the species-area relationship?

  1. Habitat diversity

  2. Distance from the mainland

  3. Taxonomic group

  4. Climate


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Climate is not a factor that directly affects the slope of the species-area relationship, although it can influence the species richness of an island.

The equilibrium theory of island biogeography predicts that the number of species on an island will:

  1. Increase over time

  2. Decrease over time

  3. Remain constant over time

  4. Fluctuate over time


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

The equilibrium theory of island biogeography predicts that the number of species on an island will reach an equilibrium, where the rate of immigration and extinction is balanced.

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