Chapter 18 AP® Environmental Science Practice Exam

Section 1: Multiple-Choice Questions

Choose the best answer for questions 1–11.

Question 1

1. Which is a cause of declining global biodiversity?

  1. Pollution

  2. Habitat loss

  3. Overharvesting

  1. I

  2. I and II

  3. I and III

  4. II and III

  5. I, II, and III

Question 2

2. Which statement about global biodiversity is correct?

  1. Species diversity is decreasing but genetic diversity is increasing.

  2. Species diversity is decreasing and genetic diversity is decreasing.

  3. Species diversity is increasing but genetic diversity is decreasing.

  4. Declines in genetic diversity are occurring in wild plants but not in crop plants.

  5. Declines in genetic diversity are occurring in crop plants but not in wild plants.

Question 3

3. Which group of animals is declining in species diversity around the world?

  1. Fish and amphibians

  2. Birds and reptiles

  3. Mammals

  1. I

  2. I and II

  3. I and III

  4. II and III

  5. I, II, and III

Question 4

4. Which of the following species was historically overharvested?

  1. Brown-headed cowbird

  2. Honeybee

  3. Kudzu vine

  4. Dodo bird

  5. Zebra mussel

Question 5

5. Which statement is NOT correct regarding the genetic diversity of livestock?

  1. The use of only the most productive breeds improves genetic diversity.

  2. Livestock come from very few species.

  3. The genetic diversity of livestock has declined during the past century.

  4. Different breeds are adapted to different climatic conditions.

  5. Different breeds are adapted to resist different diseases.

Question 6

6. Which statement is NOT correct about invasive exotic species?

  1. Their populations grow rapidly.

  2. They often have no major predators or herbivores.

  3. Most introduced species become established in new regions.

  4. A well-known invasive exotic plant is the kudzu vine.

  5. A well-known invasive exotic animal is the zebra mussel.

661

Question 7

7. Which is an example of the single-species approach to conservation?

  1. The Endangered Species Act

  2. The Marine Mammal Protection Act

  3. The Biosphere Reserve

  1. I

  2. I and II

  3. I and III

  4. II and III

  5. I, II, and III

Question 8

8. Which is NOT an example of how the Endangered Species Act can affect human activities?

  1. It has been used to prevent new construction.

  2. It has prevented logging in particular areas.

  3. It prevents the killing of listed species.

  4. It prevents the trade of any parts of listed species.

  5. It prevents human use of biosphere reserves.

Question 9

9. Which principle of island biogeography is NOT correct?

  1. A larger protected area should contain more species.

  2. Protected areas that are closer together should contain more species.

  3. National parks can be thought of as islands of biodiversity.

  4. A larger protected area will have fewer habitats.

  5. Marine reserves can be thought of as islands of biodiversity.

Question 10

10.In a biosphere reserve

  1. sustainable agriculture and tourism are permitted in different zones.

  2. human activities are allowed throughout the reserve.

  3. human activities are restricted to the central core of the reserve.

  4. no human activities are permitted in a biosphere reserve.

  5. sustainable agriculture is permitted, but tourism is not.

Question 11

11.Which statement is correct regarding swapping debt for nature?

  1. Protecting land and water is typically not expensive.

  2. Developing countries can pay part of their debt by investing in their own environment.

  3. Developing countries pay their debt to the United States by investing in U.S. national parks.

  4. Having a plan to improve the economy of a developing country is not important.

  5. The only expense of protecting biodiversity is the purchase of an area.

Section 2: Free-Response Questions

Write your answer to each part clearly. Support your answers with relevant information and examples. Where calculations are required, show your work.

Question 1

1. The conservation of biodiversity is an international problem.

  1. Name and describe one U.S. law that is intended to prevent the extinction of species. (4 points)

  2. Name and describe one international treaty that is intended to prevent the extinction of species. (4 points)

  3. Explain the benefits of taking an ecosystem approach, as opposed to a single-species approach, to conserving biodiversity. (2 points)

Question 2

2. Tropical rainforests are home to a tremendous diversity of species. You have been asked to develop a plan to protect this diversity.

  1. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of protecting a single large area versus several small areas. (2 points)

  2. How might increasing the amount of edge habitat affect species that typically live deep in the forest? (3 points)

  3. Discuss the merits of preserving individual species that are threatened and endangered versus preserving the function of the ecosystem. (3 points)

  4. Describe three characteristics of organisms that would make them particularly vulnerable to extinction. (2 points)