Ecology Conservation

Choose and answer three (3) questions from below. Clearly indicate the numbers of the questions you are answering. If the wrong number is indicated, points could be deducted. If more than three questions are answered, only the first three will be graded. Use your own words. 10 points

1. Explain what CITES is and how does it contribute to conservation biology.
2. Explain how remote sensing can be used to measure NPP in terrestrial ecosystems.
3. Explain what mesopredator release is, including its potential effect, in the context of
   trophic cascade.
4. List and explain the main components of landscape heterogeneity.
5. Explain the similarities and differences between introduced species and invasive
   species.
6. Explain the function of genetic rescue in conservation biology and why is it
   considered somewhat controversial.

Short answers 2. Choose and answer one (1) question from below. Clearly indicate the number of the question you are answering. If the wrong number is indicated, points could be deducted. If more than one question is answered, only the first one will be graded. Use your own words. 10 points

1. Explain how does the color of the vegetation or surface of an area affect its climate.
2. Explain the similarities and differences between a parasite and a parasitoid.
3. Explain why female tends to be the choosier sex in intersexual selection. What
   qualities or behavior would likely afford a male to be choosier in intersexual selection?

Essay question 1. Choose and answer one (1) question from below. Clearly indicate the number of the question you are answering. If the wrong number is indicated, points could be deducted. If more than one question is answered, only the first one will be graded. Be careful about providing citation(s) where asked. Use your own words. 30 points

10.List and explain the different components of trophic efficiency. What are the factors affecting each component? Provide explanation for each factor.

11.List and explain the major drivers of decline in biodiversity. Give an example of each driver.

12.Explain what edge effect is and its potential effects on both abiotic and biotic factors. Describe one example from a peer-reviewed study. Give the citation by including the URL of the article.

 

Essay question 2. Choose and answer one (1) question from below. Clearly indicate the number of the question you are answering. If the wrong number is indicated, points could be deducted. If more than one question is answered, only the first one will be graded. Be careful about providing citation(s) where asked. Use your own words. (30 pts.)

13.Explain what an extinction vortex is. List and explain all the potential factors contributing to the phenomenon. What type of population is the most vulnerable to an extinction vortex and what conservation methods can potentially mitigate it?

14.Explain how does resource partitioning (niche partitioning) contribute to the structuring of a community. Describe one example from a peer-reviewed study demonstrating this phenomenon. Give the citation by including the URL of the article.

15.Explain the differences between species richness and species evenness of a community. How is each value quantified? Describe one example from a peer- reviewed study using one or both of these values in studying a community. Give the citation by including the URL of the article.

Answer the following.
B1. Do you consider soil as non-living or living entity? Justify your answer.