BSC3052 CONSERVATION BIOLOGY FSU EXAM 2 |2025 UPDATE
COMPREHENSIVE FREQUENTLY TESTED QUESTIONS AND
VERIFIED ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES
Question 1
Stochastic models are primarily characterized by their ability to:
A) Predict a single, precise outcome from given initial conditions.
B) Always yield the same result for the same set of inputs.
C) Give a range of outcomes from the same initial conditions.
D) Only apply to large population sizes.
E) Only make long-term predictions.
Correct Answer: C) Give a range of outcomes from the same initial conditions.
Rationale: The provided text states that "Stochastic Models - Give a range of
outcomes from the same initial conditions".
Question 2
When studying small populations and making short to medium-term predictions, stochastic
models are considered:
A) Irrelevant.
B) Less accurate than deterministic models.
C) Most important.
D) Only useful for long-term forecasts.
E) Secondary to genetic models.
Correct Answer: C) Most important.
Rationale: The provided text indicates that stochastic models are "Most important
when studying small populations and making short to medium term predictions".
,Question 3
Most population viability analyses (PVAs) typically include some form of:
A) Determinism.
B) Genetic drift.
C) Stochasticity.
D) Exponential growth.
E) Logistic growth.
Correct Answer: C) Stochasticity.
Rationale: The provided text states that "Most population viability analyses will
include some form of stochasticity".
Question 4
Which of the following is identified as a source of variation that can impact population
dynamics?
A) Genetic mutation.
B) Hybridization.
C) Demographic stochasticity.
D) Density-dependence.
E) Inbreeding depression.
Correct Answer: C) Demographic stochasticity.
Rationale: The provided text lists "Demographic stochasticity" as a source of
variation under "Sources of Variation".
Question 5
What is defined as temporal variation in vital rates driven by changes in the biotic or abiotic
,environment?
A) Demographic stochasticity.
B) Catastrophes.
C) Genetic drift.
D) Allee effect.
E) Environmental stochasticity.
Correct Answer: E) Environmental stochasticity.
Rationale: The provided text defines "Environmental Stochasticity" as "Temporal
variation in vital rates driven by changes in the biotic or abiotic environment".
Question 6
Which type of populations are often most at risk from environmental stochasticity?
A) Large and widespread populations.
B) Populations with high genetic diversity.
C) Local and small populations.
D) Populations in stable environments.
E) Populations with long generation times.
Correct Answer: C) Local and small populations.
Rationale: The provided text states that "Local and small populations are often most
at risk from environmental stochasticity".
Question 7
How does environmental stochasticity generally affect extinction risk?
A) It decreases extinction risk.
B) It has no impact on extinction risk.
, C) It stabilizes extinction risk.
D) It increases extinction risk.
E) It only affects very large populations.
Correct Answer: D) It increases extinction risk.
Rationale: The provided text states that environmental stochasticity "Increases
extinction risk".
Question 8
What is the impact of "bad years" on the average growth rate of a population, according to the
text?
A) They improve the average growth rate.
B) They have no significant effect.
C) They lead to increased reproduction.
D) They are detrimental to the average growth rate.
E) They cause genetic mutations.
Correct Answer: D) They are detrimental to the average growth rate.
Rationale: The provided text states that "Bad years are bad for the average growth
rate".
Question 9
In population modeling, if you add variability (stochasticity) to a count-based model, it generally
predicts:
A) A higher population size.
B) The same population size as a non-stochastic model.
C) A lower population size.
COMPREHENSIVE FREQUENTLY TESTED QUESTIONS AND
VERIFIED ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES
Question 1
Stochastic models are primarily characterized by their ability to:
A) Predict a single, precise outcome from given initial conditions.
B) Always yield the same result for the same set of inputs.
C) Give a range of outcomes from the same initial conditions.
D) Only apply to large population sizes.
E) Only make long-term predictions.
Correct Answer: C) Give a range of outcomes from the same initial conditions.
Rationale: The provided text states that "Stochastic Models - Give a range of
outcomes from the same initial conditions".
Question 2
When studying small populations and making short to medium-term predictions, stochastic
models are considered:
A) Irrelevant.
B) Less accurate than deterministic models.
C) Most important.
D) Only useful for long-term forecasts.
E) Secondary to genetic models.
Correct Answer: C) Most important.
Rationale: The provided text indicates that stochastic models are "Most important
when studying small populations and making short to medium term predictions".
,Question 3
Most population viability analyses (PVAs) typically include some form of:
A) Determinism.
B) Genetic drift.
C) Stochasticity.
D) Exponential growth.
E) Logistic growth.
Correct Answer: C) Stochasticity.
Rationale: The provided text states that "Most population viability analyses will
include some form of stochasticity".
Question 4
Which of the following is identified as a source of variation that can impact population
dynamics?
A) Genetic mutation.
B) Hybridization.
C) Demographic stochasticity.
D) Density-dependence.
E) Inbreeding depression.
Correct Answer: C) Demographic stochasticity.
Rationale: The provided text lists "Demographic stochasticity" as a source of
variation under "Sources of Variation".
Question 5
What is defined as temporal variation in vital rates driven by changes in the biotic or abiotic
,environment?
A) Demographic stochasticity.
B) Catastrophes.
C) Genetic drift.
D) Allee effect.
E) Environmental stochasticity.
Correct Answer: E) Environmental stochasticity.
Rationale: The provided text defines "Environmental Stochasticity" as "Temporal
variation in vital rates driven by changes in the biotic or abiotic environment".
Question 6
Which type of populations are often most at risk from environmental stochasticity?
A) Large and widespread populations.
B) Populations with high genetic diversity.
C) Local and small populations.
D) Populations in stable environments.
E) Populations with long generation times.
Correct Answer: C) Local and small populations.
Rationale: The provided text states that "Local and small populations are often most
at risk from environmental stochasticity".
Question 7
How does environmental stochasticity generally affect extinction risk?
A) It decreases extinction risk.
B) It has no impact on extinction risk.
, C) It stabilizes extinction risk.
D) It increases extinction risk.
E) It only affects very large populations.
Correct Answer: D) It increases extinction risk.
Rationale: The provided text states that environmental stochasticity "Increases
extinction risk".
Question 8
What is the impact of "bad years" on the average growth rate of a population, according to the
text?
A) They improve the average growth rate.
B) They have no significant effect.
C) They lead to increased reproduction.
D) They are detrimental to the average growth rate.
E) They cause genetic mutations.
Correct Answer: D) They are detrimental to the average growth rate.
Rationale: The provided text states that "Bad years are bad for the average growth
rate".
Question 9
In population modeling, if you add variability (stochasticity) to a count-based model, it generally
predicts:
A) A higher population size.
B) The same population size as a non-stochastic model.
C) A lower population size.
