Metapopulations and species distribution MCQs

By: Prof. Dr. Fazal Rehman Shamil | Last updated: September 12, 2024

1. What is a “metapopulation” in ecology?
a) A single large population of a species in a specific habitat
b) A collection of local populations of a species connected by migration
c) The total population of all species within an ecosystem
d) A population that has become extinct in its entire range
Answer: b) A collection of local populations of a species connected by migration

2. Which factor is critical for the persistence of metapopulations?
a) High levels of genetic diversity within each local population
b) Frequent extinction and recolonization events among local populations
c) Complete isolation of each local population
d) Absence of migration between local populations
Answer: b) Frequent extinction and recolonization events among local populations

3. What is “source-sink dynamics” in the context of metapopulations?
a) A model where all local populations are equally productive and self-sustaining
b) A model where some habitats (sources) have higher reproductive rates than others (sinks)
c) A situation where local populations never interact with each other
d) A concept where species distributions are entirely random
Answer: b) A model where some habitats (sources) have higher reproductive rates than others (sinks)

4. How do “corridors” influence metapopulations?
a) They increase the isolation between local populations
b) They facilitate movement and gene flow between local populations
c) They decrease the overall habitat quality for species
d) They have no effect on metapopulation dynamics
Answer: b) They facilitate movement and gene flow between local populations

5. What is “habitat fragmentation”?
a) The process of combining multiple habitats into a larger, continuous area
b) The creation of new habitats in previously unoccupied areas
c) The division of a large habitat into smaller, isolated patches
d) The complete destruction of a habitat
Answer: c) The division of a large habitat into smaller, isolated patches

6. What is the “rescue effect” in metapopulation dynamics?
a) The phenomenon where a local population is saved from extinction by immigrants from other populations
b) The process of a local population becoming extinct due to lack of resources
c) The enhancement of local population growth rates due to better habitat quality
d) The isolation of local populations from the rest of the metapopulation
Answer: a) The phenomenon where a local population is saved from extinction by immigrants from other populations

7. Which of the following is a primary factor affecting species distribution?
a) Random variation in population sizes
b) The availability of suitable habitat and resources
c) The amount of migration between local populations
d) The level of genetic diversity within a population
Answer: b) The availability of suitable habitat and resources

8. What is “niche modeling”?
a) A technique used to predict the geographic distribution of a species based on environmental conditions
b) A method for analyzing the genetic structure of a population
c) A model for calculating the carrying capacity of a habitat
d) A strategy for managing invasive species
Answer: a) A technique used to predict the geographic distribution of a species based on environmental conditions

9. How does “climate change” impact species distribution?
a) It has no effect on species distribution
b) It can cause shifts in the geographic range of species by altering habitat conditions
c) It always leads to increased population sizes across species
d) It decreases the overall migration rates between local populations
Answer: b) It can cause shifts in the geographic range of species by altering habitat conditions

10. What is the primary benefit of understanding metapopulation dynamics for conservation?
a) It helps in predicting the exact locations where species will become extinct
b) It allows for the design of conservation strategies that maintain connectivity and gene flow between populations
c) It provides a method for increasing the reproductive rates of individual species
d) It ensures that all local populations are completely isolated from each other
Answer: b) It allows for the design of conservation strategies that maintain connectivity and gene flow between populations

MCQs on wildlife