One characteristic that distinguishes a population in an extinction vortex from most other populations is that

a. It is a rare, top-level predator

b. Its effective population size is lower than its total population size

c. Its genetic diversity is very low

d. It is not well adapted to edge conditions

The main cause of the increase in the amount of CO₂ in Earth’s atmosphere over the past 170 years is

a. Increased worldwide primary production

b. Increased worldwide fertilizer production

c. Increased infrared radiation absorption by the atmosphere

d. The burning of fossil fuels and deforestation

What is the single greatest threat to biodiversity?

a. Overharvesting of commercially important species

b. Habitat alteration, fragmentation, and destruction

c. Introduced species that compete with native species

d. Novel pathogens

Which of these is a consequence of biological magnification?

a. Toxic chemicals in the environment pose greater risk to top-level predators than to primary consumers.

b. Populations of top-level predators are generally smaller than populations of primary consumers.

c. The biomass of producers in an ecosystem is generally higher than the biomass of primary consumers.

d. Only a small portion of the energy captured by producers is transferred to consumers.

Which of the following strategies would most rapidly increase the genetic diversity of a population in an extinction vortex?

a. Establish a reserve that protects the population's habitat

b. Introduce new individuals transported from other populations of the same species

c. Sterilize the least fit individuals in the population

d. Control populations of the endangered population's predators and competitors

Which of the following statements about protected areas established to preserve biodiversity is true?

a. About 25% of Earth's land area is now protected

b. National parks are the only type of protected area

c. Management of a protected area does not need to be coordinated with management of the surrounding area

d. It is especially important to protect biodiversity hot spots