final answers

Question 1

1. There are so many species in need of protection, but we have special reasons to prioritize species we call
   “endemic species”. “keystone species”, or “umbrella species”. Define each of these, explain why these might be
   preferred species to preserve, and then give one example of each. [9 pts]

Question 2

Name the three most important protections that the U. S. Endangered Species Act provides to an
endangered species that has gone through the listing process

Question 3

What have been three major problems of the Act that remain even after amendment with the Habitat
Conservation Plan (+ the ”No Surprises” clause)?

Question 4

Name two other U. S. laws that help conservation of biodiversity and give one example of how they help
species and their habitats.

Question 5

Perhaps conceding that construction of an oil refinery would bring in more cash, what could you say that
might happen or could deliberately be done (give 3 ways) to enhance the economic value of a park, either
directly or indirectly, to local and more distant human populations
Cite 2 examples of where such economic benefits have happened

Question 6

(a) What are the principal two phenomena in island biogeography theory that would account for the increase
or decrease (indicate which) in number of species on an isolated island (say 1000 miles from nearest mainland)
over a relatively short span of years, say roughly several thousand? [4 pts]
(b) If you were comparing this island with an archipelago of islands (also 1000 miles from nearest mainland)
of equal total area, what differences might you expect in the number of species on the islands of the
archipelago? Assume both the isolated island and the archipelago have been in existence for a few million
years. (Hint: the theory of island biogeography doesn’t have much to say about this.).

Question 7

Briefly, why is the theory of island biogeography of much wider application than just to oceanic islands?

Question 8

a. Describe 3 major problems that affect populations in fragments that are less detrimental in less fragmented
ecosystems. [3 pts]
b. What are 3 ways that can mitigate one or more of these problems? [3 pts]
c. Give 2 examples of where this has worked (or hoped to have worked), naming the organisms or group of
organisms benefitted and sites involved

Question 9

Describe 3 ways that local people can be helped
economically by a conservation action and still accomplish effective conservation.

Question 10

What does certification of natural products signify, and how does it contribute to conservation of species
and/or ecosystems?

Question 11

Give 2 examples of certified products, one from terrestrial and one from marine systems, naming (as
closely as you can) who certifies them

Question 12

What evidence is there that certification actually works for conservation?

Question 13

calculate Ne for a population of 100 with a 1:1 sex ratio (Ne = (4NmNf)/(Nm+Nf))

Question 14

calculate Ne for a population with a ratio of 10 males: 90 females

Question 15

Say you’re explaining the need for a conservation action for this species to people less knowledgeable than
you, and they say “Oh, but a population of 100 is pretty good, so no worry.” What’s your answer? (Say it
clearly but concisely as you would to those people.)

Question 16

Name two characteristics of a real population that would make Ne less that N

Question 17

a) Explain how the traditional exploitation (say pre-1960s) of the oceans has been an example of the
“tragedy of the commons.” [4 pts]
(b) Discuss two different ways in which this “tragedy” has been ameliorated if not solved completely, naming
the species that have benefitted. (Note: be sure to address how the “tragedy” has been ameliorated, not just how
some species has benefitted.

Question 18

The wetlands along the parking lot behind the West Gym provide several ecosystem services. Name two
ecosystem services that these wetland serve to mitigate the environmental effects of the parking lot and one
more general ecosystem service.

Question 19

We showed you several fenced-in areas. What did you see, what purpose do these serve, and what
limitations might they have as representatives of natural ecosystems

Question 20

We visited some “vernal pools” (temporary spring ponds) in the Nature Preserve. What principal purpose
do those pools serve for biodiversity conservation and why isn’t that purpose served by permanent ponds?

Question 21

Name 5 things that you will or might do as an individual in your future to further the conservation cause. If
you can conjure up situations you are or might be in to do these, identify them.

Question 22

Name 5 things that you will or might do as an individual in your future to further the conservation cause. If
you can conjure up situations you are or might be in to do these, identify them.

Question 23

alpha, beta, and gamma diversity and how to calculate

Question 24

species evenness and how to calculate