1. What is the primary goal of conservation biology?
a) To increase species population globally
b) To prevent the extinction of endangered species
c) To promote human activities in protected areas
d) To monitor climate change impacts
Answer: b) To prevent the extinction of endangered species
2. Which of the following is a direct threat to endangered species?
a) Habitat destruction
b) Ecological balance
c) Reproductive health
d) Migration patterns
Answer: a) Habitat destruction
3. Which term describes a species at risk of becoming extinct in the near future?
a) Extinct
b) Vulnerable
c) Endangered
d) Critical
Answer: c) Endangered
4. What is the main reason for the decline in biodiversity worldwide?
a) Overhunting
b) Climate change
c) Habitat loss and fragmentation
d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above
5. What does the Endangered Species Act (ESA) primarily aim to do?
a) Establish wildlife sanctuaries
b) Provide financial incentives for hunting endangered species
c) Protect and recover species listed as endangered
d) Promote urbanization near wildlife habitats
Answer: c) Protect and recover species listed as endangered
6. Which of the following is NOT considered a method of ex-situ conservation?
a) Wildlife sanctuaries
b) Zoos
c) Botanical gardens
d) Seed banks
Answer: a) Wildlife sanctuaries
7. What is a key characteristic of a “keystone species”?
a) It is the largest species in its ecosystem
b) It has a disproportionately large effect on its environment
c) It is found in multiple habitats worldwide
d) It has the ability to adapt quickly to changes in the environment
Answer: b) It has a disproportionately large effect on its environment
8. Which of the following is a threat to marine species?
a) Coral bleaching
b) Ocean acidification
c) Overfishing
d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above
9. In the context of conservation biology, what does “habitat fragmentation” refer to?
a) The splitting of large habitats into smaller, isolated patches
b) The creation of new habitats
c) The restoration of destroyed habitats
d) The expansion of urban areas into natural habitats
Answer: a) The splitting of large habitats into smaller, isolated patches
10. What is the main purpose of captive breeding programs?
a) To raise awareness about endangered species
b) To reintroduce animals back into their natural habitat
c) To increase the genetic diversity of populations
d) Both b and c
Answer: d) Both b and c
11. Which of the following is an example of a flagship species?
a) House mouse
b) Bengal tiger
c) Common pigeon
d) Cabbage
Answer: b) Bengal tiger
12. Which conservation strategy involves the creation of protected areas for species?
a) In-situ conservation
b) Ex-situ conservation
c) Assisted migration
d) Species reintroduction
Answer: a) In-situ conservation
13. What is the primary aim of habitat restoration?
a) To rebuild entire ecosystems from scratch
b) To recreate human environments in natural habitats
c) To restore habitats to a state where species can thrive
d) To breed endangered species in captivity
Answer: c) To restore habitats to a state where species can thrive
14. What does the term “biodiversity hotspot” refer to?
a) Areas with the most variety of plant species
b) Regions with high levels of endangered species and biodiversity
c) Locations prone to frequent environmental disasters
d) Protected areas for animal species
Answer: b) Regions with high levels of endangered species and biodiversity
15. What role do ecological corridors play in conservation?
a) They increase human access to wildlife reserves
b) They connect fragmented habitats and allow species migration
c) They provide food and water sources for species
d) They help in breeding endangered species
Answer: b) They connect fragmented habitats and allow species migration
16. Which of the following is an example of an endangered species?
a) Giant panda
b) Common rat
c) American bison (in the past)
d) Brown rat
Answer: a) Giant panda
17. What is the role of seed banks in conservation?
a) To increase the number of species in the wild
b) To store seeds for future restoration of plant species
c) To provide habitats for endangered plant species
d) To breed endangered plants in the laboratory
Answer: b) To store seeds for future restoration of plant species
18. The concept of “sustainable use” in conservation refers to:
a) Exploiting species without damaging their populations
b) Using natural resources at a rate that allows for their regeneration
c) Banning all human activity in protected areas
d) Both a and b
Answer: d) Both a and b
19. Which of the following is a major factor contributing to the extinction of species?
a) Natural disasters
b) Climate change
c) Natural selection
d) Overpopulation of species
Answer: b) Climate change
20. What is the role of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)?
a) To establish national parks
b) To evaluate and list endangered species
c) To breed endangered species in captivity
d) To promote eco-tourism
Answer: b) To evaluate and list endangered species
21. Which of the following is an effect of pollution on endangered species?
a) Disruption of reproductive cycles
b) Loss of habitat
c) Accumulation of toxins in organisms
d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above
22. Which of the following is an example of “in-situ” conservation?
a) Establishing a wildlife reserve
b) Breeding endangered species in zoos
c) Storing seeds in banks
d) Growing endangered species in controlled environments
Answer: a) Establishing a wildlife reserve
23. Which concept refers to the idea that ecosystems should be managed as a whole, rather than focusing on individual species?
a) Habitat destruction
b) Ecosystem-based conservation
c) Species-specific management
d) Extinction risk assessment
Answer: b) Ecosystem-based conservation
24. The “Red List” maintained by the IUCN is used for:
a) Ranking species based on their financial value
b) Listing species that are at risk of extinction
c) Identifying all living species
d) Setting the international price for endangered species
Answer: b) Listing species that are at risk of extinction
25. What does “species reintroduction” refer to?
a) Transplanting species into laboratories for research
b) Restoring lost species populations to their natural habitats
c) Creating artificial habitats for species
d) Making endangered species available for trade
Answer: b) Restoring lost species populations to their natural habitats
26. What is “overexploitation” in the context of conservation biology?
a) Using resources at a sustainable rate
b) Harvesting natural resources faster than they can replenish
c) Protecting species from human interaction
d) Reducing the need for conservation efforts
Answer: b) Harvesting natural resources faster than they can replenish
27. Which of the following factors contributes to the “biodiversity crisis”?
a) Habitat destruction
b) Pollution
c) Overexploitation of species
d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above
28. What does the term “endemic species” refer to?
a) Species found all over the world
b) Species that are native and confined to a specific region
c) Species that are artificially introduced into new habitats
d) Species that are not yet discovered
Answer: b) Species that are native and confined to a specific region
29. What is the role of ecotourism in conservation?
a) Generating revenue for conservation efforts
b) Promoting the exploitation of endangered species
c) Reducing awareness about endangered species
d) Preventing people from visiting protected areas
Answer: a) Generating revenue for conservation efforts
30. Which of the following is NOT a strategy used for species conservation?
a) Habitat restoration
b) Genetic modification of species
c) Protected areas
d) Wildlife corridors
Answer: b) Genetic modification of species
