How The Ecological Island Effect Can Limit The Benefits Of A Protected Area

The exam consists of FIVE essay questions. You have choice in the questions you answer for this portion of the exam, however you must meet the following requirements.

1. Answer a total of FIVE questions, each question is worth 10 points and will be graded using the Exam Rubric.
2. Answer  two questions from Ch 4, and three questions from Ch 5. **Questions below**
3. Answer these questions in your own words (i.e., no plagiarism) and cite sources (e.g., textbook, websites, articles) you have used to formulate your response.
4. Upload a Word document that includes the question prompts and responses. There is no time limit, but your file must be uploaded by the deadline.

Students must select questions from the following list.

Chapter 4  – Select TWO question from this chapter

• Define and describe the process of natural selection. Provide an example of the role gene mutations have in natural selection.
• Define and describe gene flow. Does gene flow increase or decrease the genetic diversity of a population?

• If a friend or relative were to express one of the misconceptions about evolution listed in your textbook (see pg 84), how would you respond in a way that corrects them?
• The concept of biodiversity hotspots can be controversial. Describe the controversy that surrounds this concept (using a specific area as an example might help) and give your view on how humans should prioritize efforts to protect biodiversity.
• Population size can be limited by both density-dependent and density-independent factors. Provide TWO examples of ways that humans are causing density-independent factors to affect the population growth of other species.

Chapter 5 – Select THREE questions from this chapter

• Describe and give examples of the four types of ecosystem services. Then explain how you would assign a dollar value to each type of ecosystem service.
• Explain how the ecological island effect can limit the benefits of a protected area. Give a real world example of protected areas that are essentially ‘islands’ and explain actions that can be taken to manage these areas effectively.
• Describe sustainable forest management and how this can reduce deforestation. Given that consumers still need wood products, do you think sustainable forest management is feasible?  Explain your stance based on what you have learned in the class.
• We discussed TWO kinds of values – instrumental and intrinsic. Which type of value do you think is most compelling? If you are using these values to argue for protection of a species, how would you make your case to fellow citizens in the Quad Cities?
• In areas with rapid growth there is a need for housing.  Take the position of someone who is opposed to development in favor of maintaining habitat for protection of endangered species and describe which conservation strategy you would advocate for and why.

• Humans have always made use of natural resources and will continue to do so.  What are some strategies (local, national, or global) that you can think of which would balance the need to use resources with conservation of biodiversity.