weeks 11 Flashcards
Q: What is conservation biology, and what fields does it marry?
A: Conservation biology is the integration of ecology, population biology, and genetics, aimed at studying how populations and their habitats respond to anthropogenic change to protect and restore biodiversity.
Q: What is an evolutionary trap, and give an example?
A: An evolutionary trap occurs when species’ decision-making behaviors are maladaptive due to environmental changes. For example, robins selecting invasive Lonicera shrubs for nesting, which offer lower nest success due to predator exposure.
Q: What was the historical focus of wildlife management before the emergence of conservation biology?
A: Wildlife management primarily focused on increasing populations of species for human consumption, such as ducks and deer, rather than the intrinsic value of wildlife.
Q: What effect does artificial light pollution have on birds’ mating behaviors?
A: Males near streetlights started singing earlier, which may disrupt mate choice by leading females to perceive them as healthier, despite being an artifact of light pollution rather than true condition.
Q: Why is understanding animal behavior critical to conservation efforts?
A: Behavioral researchers are concerned about the decline of species, the loss of habitats, and the potential misinterpretation of behaviors due to changes in the environment induced by humans.
Q: How does noise pollution affect bird behavior, as seen in black-capped chickadees?
A: Black-capped chickadees increased the minimum frequency of their calls in noisy environments to avoid overlap with traffic noise, potentially impacting communication and reproductive success.
Q: Explain the impact of endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs) on animal behavior.
A: EDCs, such as EE2 from contraceptives, can alter behaviors in species like guppies, with males showing reduced risk-taking and females increasing risky behaviors, thus affecting their fitness.
Q: Why is urbanization a concern for wildlife behavior?
A: Urban environments can force species to adapt their behaviors, leading to increased boldness and problem-solving abilities that may give urban populations an advantage over their rural counterparts.
Q: What was the outcome of the experiment involving whooping cranes and sandhill cranes in the context of imprinting?
A: The management effort failed because whooping cranes fostered by sandhill cranes mis-imprinted on them, leading to wasted resources and failure in the conservation of the endangered species.
Q: How can theoretical and atheoretical approaches to animal behavior contribute to conservation biology?
A: Theoretical approaches can offer insights into behavioral mechanisms (e.g., imprinting), while atheoretical methods apply behavior case-by-case to solve specific conservation problems, enhancing effectiveness.
Q: What does sex allocation theory propose regarding offspring sex ratios?
Q: What does sex allocation theory propose regarding offspring sex ratios?
Q: How should a female’s condition influence her offspring’s sex ratio according to sex allocation theory?
A: A female in good condition should produce more sons (the larger, more costly sex), while a female in poor condition should produce more daughters (the less expensive sex).
Q: What findings were observed regarding the kakapo population and sex allocation?
A: Supplementary feeding of kakapo females led to a male-biased population, with fed females producing 67% males and unfed females only 29% males, highlighting the need to consider sex allocation theory in conservation strategies.
Q: What is meant by “sophisticated natural history” in the context of behavioral conservation?
A: It refers to using detailed observations of animal behavior to address specific conservation problems, ensuring interventions are well-informed about the species’ natural habits and needs.
Q: Can you give an example of how song playback has been used in conservation?
A: Acoustic anchoring, such as playing kokako songs, has been utilized to reduce dispersal of translocated birds, increasing their chance of remaining in an area to breed.
