Biogeography Simulation

Question 1 of 4

Activity 53.4 Quiz

According to results from the simulation, which island characteristics are associated with the highest species richness?

Small and close to the mainland

Large and close to the mainland

Small and distant from the mainland

Large and distant from the mainland

Correct. See Key Concept 53.5 Geographic Area and Humans Affect Regional Species Diversity

Incorrect. See Key Concept 53.5 Geographic Area and Humans Affect Regional Species Diversity

Activity 53.4 Quiz

Which statement is supported by the MacArthur–Wilson model simulation?

Only large islands or islands close to the mainland reach equilibrium between colonization and extinction rates.

With time, colonization rates go up and extinction rates go down, leading to an equilibrium characterized by no net change in species richness.

Eventually, no matter the size of an island or its distance from the mainland, the rates of colonization and extinction of species reach zero.

Species diversity depends on the rates of colonization and extinction, which depend on the size and location of an island.

Correct. See Key Concept 53.5 Geographic Area and Humans Affect Regional Species Diversity

Incorrect. See Key Concept 53.5 Geographic Area and Humans Affect Regional Species Diversity

Activity 53.4 Quiz

Suppose a tsunami strikes a large peninsula, destroying the bird populations living there. The tsunami also fragments the peninsula into three islands of similar size but different distances from the mainland. What would the MacArthur–Wilson model predict about bird populations on these islands in the future? (Assume that birds do not migrate between islands.)

Eventually, the number of bird species inhabiting the islands will be the same, although the amount of time it takes for this to be established on each island will differ.

Eventually, the rates of colonization and extinction of birds on all of the islands will be the same, although the amount of time it takes for this to be established on each island will differ.

The number of bird species will be constant across all islands as a consequence of their similar sizes.

The rates of colonization of bird species will decrease with increasing distance of the island from the mainland, leading to lesser diversity with distance.

Correct. See Key Concept 53.5 Geographic Area and Humans Affect Regional Species Diversity

Incorrect. See Key Concept 53.5 Geographic Area and Humans Affect Regional Species Diversity

Activity 53.4 Quiz

Refer to the table below.

Biologists collected the data shown above from bird species inhabiting two islands near a mainland. According to the MacArthur–Wilson model, what could be the relationship between the two islands?

Island 1 could be larger than Island 2 and farther from the mainland than Island 2.

Island 1 could be the same size as Island 2 and closer to the mainland than Island 2.

Island 1 could be the same size as Island 2 and farther from the mainland than Island 2.

Island 1 could be the same distance from the mainland as Island 2 and smaller than Island 2.

Correct. See Key Concept 53.5 Geographic Area and Humans Affect Regional Species Diversity

Incorrect. See Key Concept 53.5 Geographic Area and Humans Affect Regional Species Diversity

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Chapter 53. Biogeography Simulation