- 1. The Song of the Dodo by David Quammen is a captivating exploration of island biogeography and extinction that intertwines science with compelling storytelling. The book delves into the complex relationships between nature, evolution, and human impact, all revolving around the fascinating tale of the dodo, a flightless bird that once inhabited the island of Mauritius before being driven to extinction by human activities in the 17th century. Quammen artfully discusses the broader implications of the dodo's demise, serving as a poignant metaphor for the fragility of ecosystems and the consequences of human encroachment on wildlife. With a blend of personal narrative, history, and scientific research, Quammen takes readers on a journey through various remote islands, illustrating how isolation shapes species and discussing the ongoing threats to biodiversity. The book not only informs but also evokes a deep emotional response, prompting readers to reflect on the delicate balance of nature and the responsibility humans bear in preserving the natural world. Through vivid prose and illustrative anecdotes, Quammen captivates his audience, making The Song of the Dodo both an enlightening read for those interested in ecology and an urgent call to action to recognize and mitigate the impacts of human behavior on the environment.
What is the primary subject of 'The Song of the Dodo'?
A) Deep ocean marine biology
B) A biography of Charles Darwin
C) The history of musical instruments
D) Island biogeography and extinction
- 2. Who developed the theory of island biogeography that Quammen discusses?
A) Robert MacArthur and E.O. Wilson
B) Carl Linnaeus and Georges Cuvier
C) Charles Darwin and Alfred Wallace
D) Stephen Jay Gould and Richard Dawkins
- 3. According to Quammen, what creates 'islands' for terrestrial species?
A) Habitat fragmentation
B) Volcanic activity
C) Climate change
D) Ocean currents
- 4. What mathematical relationship describes species diversity on islands?
A) Normal distribution
B) Species-area relationship
C) Logarithmic scale
D) Exponential growth curve
- 5. The book's title references the dodo's extinction on which island?
A) Mauritius
B) Madagascar
C) Galapagos
D) Borneo
- 6. What key concept explains why smaller islands have fewer species?
A) Fewer predators
B) Better competition
C) Higher extinction rates
D) Lower mutation rates
- 7. Quammen argues that conservation efforts often fail because they ignore what?
A) Economic factors
B) Island biogeography principles
C) Political considerations
D) Public opinion
- 8. What is the 'rescue effect' in island biogeography?
A) Captive breeding programs
B) Immigration preventing extinction
C) Government protection laws
D) Human intervention saving species
- 9. What is the 'relaxation time' for an island?
A) Time to reach new equilibrium
B) Duration of species adaptation
C) Period without human contact
D) Interval between immigrations
- 10. What concept describes islands further from mainland having fewer species?
A) Distance effect
B) Migration barrier
C) Isolation principle
D) Geographic limitation
- 11. The dodo became extinct mainly due to...
A) Climate change
B) Introduced species and hunting
C) Natural disasters
D) Disease
- 12. Quammen's book ultimately serves as what?
A) A travel memoir
B) A warning about biodiversity loss
C) A field guide to islands
D) A history of ornithology
- 13. According to Quammen, what makes islands particularly important for studying evolution?
A) They are natural laboratories
B) They lack predators
C) They have more species
D) They never change
- 14. What does SLOSS stand for in conservation biology as discussed in the book?
A) Systematic Land Ocean Survey System
B) Single Large Or Several Small
C) Sustainable Local Organic Small Scale
D) Species Loss Over Short Span
- 15. Which extinct bird from New Zealand does Quammen discuss alongside the dodo?
A) Kiwi
B) Emu
C) Cassowary
D) Moa
- 16. What is the significance of the Krakatau eruption in the book?
A) Source of new species
B) Cause of dodo extinction
C) Natural experiment in recolonization
D) Example of climate change
- 17. Which concept describes how isolated populations evolve differences?
A) Allopatric speciation
B) Sympatric speciation
C) Hybridization
D) Genetic engineering
- 18. Which concept explains why some species survive fragmentation better?
A) Human preference
B) Random chance
C) Edge effects
D) Genetic mutation
- 19. What is the main message about conservation in the book?
A) Build more zoos
B) Stop all development
C) Connect isolated habitats
D) Focus on single species
- 20. Which historical event accelerated island extinctions?
A) Volcanic activity
B) Ice ages
C) Meteor impacts
D) Human colonization
- 21. Which real island serves as a key case study in the book?
A) Madagascar
B) Iceland
C) Greenland
D) Australia
- 22. What does Quammen mean by 'continental islands'?
A) Islands made entirely of continental rock
B) The largest islands in the world
C) Islands recently separated from continents
D) Islands with no native species
- 23. Which concept explains why large animals often become smaller on islands?
A) Migration adaptation
B) Continental growth
C) Gigantism syndrome
D) Insular dwarfism
- 24. Which extinct bird does Quammen discuss alongside the dodo?
A) The arctic tern
B) The bald eagle
C) The great auk
D) The emperor penguin
- 25. How does Quammen describe the process of speciation on islands?
A) As only affecting plants
B) As accelerated by isolation
C) As impossible on islands
D) As identical to mainland processes
- 26. How does Quammen view the relationship between science and conservation?
A) Conservation hinders science
B) Science is irrelevant to conservation
C) Science should inform conservation efforts
D) They should remain separate
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