- 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) A biography of Charles Darwin
B) Island biogeography and extinction
C) The history of musical instruments
D) Deep ocean marine biology
- 2. Who developed the theory of island biogeography that Quammen discusses?
A) Stephen Jay Gould and Richard Dawkins
B) Robert MacArthur and E.O. Wilson
C) Carl Linnaeus and Georges Cuvier
D) Charles Darwin and Alfred Wallace
- 3. According to Quammen, what creates 'islands' for terrestrial species?
A) Habitat fragmentation
B) Ocean currents
C) Volcanic activity
D) Climate change
- 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) Galapagos
C) Madagascar
D) Borneo
- 6. What key concept explains why smaller islands have fewer species?
A) Higher extinction rates
B) Better competition
C) Lower mutation rates
D) Fewer predators
- 7. Quammen argues that conservation efforts often fail because they ignore what?
A) Island biogeography principles
B) Economic factors
C) Public opinion
D) Political considerations
- 8. What is the 'rescue effect' in island biogeography?
A) Immigration preventing extinction
B) Government protection laws
C) Human intervention saving species
D) Captive breeding programs
- 9. What is the 'relaxation time' for an island?
A) Duration of species adaptation
B) Interval between immigrations
C) Period without human contact
D) Time to reach new equilibrium
- 10. What concept describes islands further from mainland having fewer species?
A) Distance effect
B) Geographic limitation
C) Isolation principle
D) Migration barrier
- 11. The dodo became extinct mainly due to...
A) Introduced species and hunting
B) Disease
C) Climate change
D) Natural disasters
- 12. Quammen's book ultimately serves as what?
A) A history of ornithology
B) A field guide to islands
C) A warning about biodiversity loss
D) A travel memoir
- 13. According to Quammen, what makes islands particularly important for studying evolution?
A) They lack predators
B) They never change
C) They are natural laboratories
D) They have more species
- 14. What does SLOSS stand for in conservation biology as discussed in the book?
A) Sustainable Local Organic Small Scale
B) Species Loss Over Short Span
C) Single Large Or Several Small
D) Systematic Land Ocean Survey System
- 15. Which extinct bird from New Zealand does Quammen discuss alongside the dodo?
A) Moa
B) Kiwi
C) Emu
D) Cassowary
- 16. What is the significance of the Krakatau eruption in the book?
A) Example of climate change
B) Source of new species
C) Cause of dodo extinction
D) Natural experiment in recolonization
- 17. Which concept describes how isolated populations evolve differences?
A) Genetic engineering
B) Allopatric speciation
C) Hybridization
D) Sympatric speciation
- 18. Which concept explains why some species survive fragmentation better?
A) Edge effects
B) Random chance
C) Human preference
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) Meteor impacts
C) Human colonization
D) Ice ages
- 21. Which real island serves as a key case study in the book?
A) Madagascar
B) Iceland
C) Australia
D) Greenland
- 22. What does Quammen mean by 'continental islands'?
A) Islands recently separated from continents
B) Islands with no native species
C) Islands made entirely of continental rock
D) The largest islands in the world
- 23. Which concept explains why large animals often become smaller on islands?
A) Gigantism syndrome
B) Migration adaptation
C) Continental growth
D) Insular dwarfism
- 24. Which extinct bird does Quammen discuss alongside the dodo?
A) The arctic tern
B) The emperor penguin
C) The great auk
D) The bald eagle
- 25. How does Quammen describe the process of speciation on islands?
A) As only affecting plants
B) As impossible on islands
C) As identical to mainland processes
D) As accelerated by isolation
- 26. How does Quammen view the relationship between science and conservation?
A) Science is irrelevant to conservation
B) Science should inform conservation efforts
C) They should remain separate
D) Conservation hinders science
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