- 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) The history of musical instruments
C) Island biogeography and extinction
D) A biography of Charles Darwin
- 2. Who developed the theory of island biogeography that Quammen discusses?
A) Charles Darwin and Alfred Wallace
B) Robert MacArthur and E.O. Wilson
C) Carl Linnaeus and Georges Cuvier
D) Stephen Jay Gould and Richard Dawkins
- 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) Logarithmic scale
B) Normal distribution
C) Species-area relationship
D) Exponential growth curve
- 5. The book's title references the dodo's extinction on which island?
A) Borneo
B) Galapagos
C) Mauritius
D) Madagascar
- 6. What key concept explains why smaller islands have fewer species?
A) Higher extinction rates
B) Better competition
C) Fewer predators
D) Lower mutation rates
- 7. Quammen argues that conservation efforts often fail because they ignore what?
A) Public opinion
B) Political considerations
C) Economic factors
D) Island biogeography principles
- 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) Time to reach new equilibrium
B) Duration of species adaptation
C) Interval between immigrations
D) Period without human contact
- 10. What concept describes islands further from mainland having fewer species?
A) Isolation principle
B) Distance effect
C) Migration barrier
D) Geographic limitation
- 11. The dodo became extinct mainly due to...
A) Natural disasters
B) Climate change
C) Introduced species and hunting
D) Disease
- 12. Quammen's book ultimately serves as what?
A) A travel memoir
B) A field guide to islands
C) A history of ornithology
D) A warning about biodiversity loss
- 13. According to Quammen, what makes islands particularly important for studying evolution?
A) They lack predators
B) They have more species
C) They are natural laboratories
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) Species Loss Over Short Span
D) Sustainable Local Organic Small Scale
- 15. Which extinct bird from New Zealand does Quammen discuss alongside the dodo?
A) Cassowary
B) Emu
C) Kiwi
D) Moa
- 16. What is the significance of the Krakatau eruption in the book?
A) Example of climate change
B) Natural experiment in recolonization
C) Source of new species
D) Cause of dodo extinction
- 17. Which concept describes how isolated populations evolve differences?
A) Allopatric speciation
B) Hybridization
C) Sympatric speciation
D) Genetic engineering
- 18. Which concept explains why some species survive fragmentation better?
A) Random chance
B) Edge effects
C) Genetic mutation
D) Human preference
- 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) Madagascar
D) Greenland
- 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 great auk
B) The bald eagle
C) The emperor penguin
D) The arctic tern
- 25. How does Quammen describe the process of speciation on islands?
A) As impossible on islands
B) As only affecting plants
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) Conservation hinders science
C) Science should inform conservation efforts
D) They should remain separate
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