Question

2.010) the endangered species act protects biodiversity by ___.
a. preserving habitat
b. making a list of protected animals
c. prohibiting the sale of endangered species
d. all of these
2.011) desertification might result from ___.
a. habitat loss
b. pollution
c. infectious disease
d. slash-and-burn agriculture
2.012) seed banks help to preserve ___.
a. genetic diversity of plants
b. habitats
c. disease-free seeds
d. fauna
2.013) the conflict between preserving biodiversity and fulfilling human needs most often centers on ___.
a. which species to save
b. different ethnic groups
c. economics
d. national parks
2.014) preserving biodiversity is important because ___.
a. 25% of medicines come from plants
b. more variety leads to a future of sustainable agriculture
c. we use different species to make clothing
d. all of these
2.015) using the precautionary principle helps conservationists decide ___.
a. which species to spend money on with political funds
b. which species to spend money on with limited resources
c. which conservation method is best for a certain species
d. which conservation method is best for a certain habitat

Explanation:

• 2.010: The Endangered Species Act (ESA) aims to protect biodiversity. It does so by preserving habitats (as habitats are crucial for species survival), making lists of protected animals (to identify which species need protection), and prohibiting the sale of endangered species (to prevent exploitation). So all these actions contribute to biodiversity protection.
• 2.011: Desertification is the process of land degradation in arid, semi - arid, and dry sub - humid areas. Slash - and - burn agriculture can remove vegetation cover, disrupt soil structure, and lead to soil erosion and degradation, which are factors in desertification. Habitat loss (A) is more about the direct loss of living areas for species rather than a direct cause of desertification in the context of land degradation. Pollution (B) and infectious disease (C) are not the main causes of desertification.
• 2.012: Seed banks store seeds of various plant species. By storing these seeds, they help preserve the genetic diversity of plants. Habitats (B) are preserved through habitat conservation efforts like creating protected areas, not seed banks. Disease - free seeds (C) is not the main goal of seed banks (though they may store healthy seeds), and fauna (D) refers to animals, while seed banks are for plants.
• 2.013: When considering the conflict between biodiversity preservation and human needs, economics often plays a central role. For example, decisions about land use (for agriculture, logging, etc.) which affect biodiversity are often influenced by economic factors (cost - benefit analysis). While which species to save (A) can be a part of conservation decisions, it is not the most central factor in the conflict with human needs. Different ethnic groups (B) and national parks (D) are more specific aspects rather than the central factor.
• 2.014: Preserving biodiversity is important for multiple reasons. 25% of medicines come from plants (A), more variety in plant species can lead to sustainable agriculture (B) (e.g., through crop rotation, using different plant species for pest control), and we use different species for making clothing (C) (e.g., cotton, flax). So all of these are valid reasons.
• 2.015: The precautionary principle in conservation is about taking preventive action in the face of uncertainty. When conservationists have limited resources, the precautionary principle helps them decide which species to spend money on. It is more about prioritizing species conservation with limited resources (B) rather than political funds (A), or choosing conservation methods for species (C) or habitats (D).

Answer:

2.010) D. all of these
2.011) D. slash - and - burn agriculture
2.012) A. genetic diversity of plants
2.013) C. economics
2.014) D. all of these
2.015) B. which species to spend money on with limited resources