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