- 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) Island biogeography and extinction
B) Deep ocean marine biology
C) The history of musical instruments
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) Habitat fragmentation
B) Ocean currents
C) Volcanic activity
D) Climate change
- 4. What mathematical relationship describes species diversity on islands?
A) Logarithmic scale
B) Species-area relationship
C) Normal distribution
D) Exponential growth curve
- 5. The book's title references the dodo's extinction on which island?
A) Madagascar
B) Galapagos
C) Mauritius
D) Borneo
- 6. What key concept explains why smaller islands have fewer species?
A) Fewer predators
B) Higher extinction rates
C) Better competition
D) Lower mutation rates
- 7. Quammen argues that conservation efforts often fail because they ignore what?
A) Public opinion
B) Economic factors
C) Political considerations
D) Island biogeography principles
- 8. What is the 'rescue effect' in island biogeography?
A) Human intervention saving species
B) Immigration preventing extinction
C) Government protection laws
D) Captive breeding programs
- 9. What is the 'relaxation time' for an island?
A) Period without human contact
B) Time to reach new equilibrium
C) Duration of species adaptation
D) Interval between immigrations
- 10. What concept describes islands further from mainland having fewer species?
A) Geographic limitation
B) Migration barrier
C) Distance effect
D) Isolation principle
- 11. The dodo became extinct mainly due to...
A) Climate change
B) Disease
C) Introduced species and hunting
D) Natural disasters
- 12. Quammen's book ultimately serves as what?
A) A travel memoir
B) A warning about biodiversity loss
C) A history of ornithology
D) A field guide to islands
- 13. According to Quammen, what makes islands particularly important for studying evolution?
A) They never change
B) They have more species
C) They lack predators
D) They are natural laboratories
- 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) Natural experiment in recolonization
B) Example of climate change
C) Source of new species
D) Cause of dodo extinction
- 17. Which concept describes how isolated populations evolve differences?
A) Sympatric speciation
B) Genetic engineering
C) Hybridization
D) Allopatric speciation
- 18. Which concept explains why some species survive fragmentation better?
A) Edge effects
B) Human preference
C) Random chance
D) Genetic mutation
- 19. What is the main message about conservation in the book?
A) Connect isolated habitats
B) Focus on single species
C) Stop all development
D) Build more zoos
- 20. Which historical event accelerated island extinctions?
A) Human colonization
B) Volcanic activity
C) Ice ages
D) Meteor impacts
- 21. Which real island serves as a key case study in the book?
A) Madagascar
B) Greenland
C) Iceland
D) Australia
- 22. What does Quammen mean by 'continental islands'?
A) The largest islands in the world
B) Islands made entirely of continental rock
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) Continental growth
B) Migration adaptation
C) Insular dwarfism
D) Gigantism syndrome
- 24. Which extinct bird does Quammen discuss alongside the dodo?
A) The arctic tern
B) The bald eagle
C) The emperor penguin
D) The great auk
- 25. How does Quammen describe the process of speciation on islands?
A) As identical to mainland processes
B) As impossible on islands
C) As accelerated by isolation
D) As only affecting plants
- 26. How does Quammen view the relationship between science and conservation?
A) Science should inform conservation efforts
B) Conservation hinders science
C) Science is irrelevant to conservation
D) They should remain separate
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