Compare Biodiversity Solutions Practice Test

A school campus wants to maintain biodiversity in a small pond that has frequent algae blooms. Two solutions are proposed.

Solution A: Reduce fertilizer use on nearby lawns and add a vegetated buffer strip around the pond. This lowers nutrient runoff and provides habitat.

Constraints/tradeoffs: Grass may grow less quickly; buffer takes space; results may take a season.

Solution B: Add an algaecide chemical to the pond when blooms appear. This can reduce algae quickly.

Constraints/tradeoffs: May harm some aquatic organisms; does not stop new nutrients from entering; may require repeated treatments.

Data from similar ponds: fertilizer reduction + buffer lowered phosphorus by 35% and increased aquatic insect family diversity from 6 to 9 in 1 year. Algaecide reduced algae within 1 week, but insect diversity dropped from 7 to 5 and blooms returned within 2 months.

Which comparison of solutions is supported by evidence about biodiversity, considering constraints?

A farming region wants to maintain pollinator biodiversity (bees, butterflies, and other insects) while still producing crops. Two solutions are proposed.

Solution 1: Plant native wildflower strips along field edges (2% of land area). Provides nectar/pollen and nesting habitat.

Constraints/tradeoffs: Reduces crop area slightly; requires choosing native species and mowing at the right times.

Solution 2: Use broad-spectrum insecticide on a schedule to reduce crop pests. Can increase short-term crop yield.

Constraints/tradeoffs: Can kill non-target insects; pests may develop resistance; requires repeated applications.

At similar farms after 2 seasons: wildflower strips increased pollinator species richness from 12 to 18 and increased fruit set by 8%. Scheduled insecticide farms had pollinator richness drop from 13 to 7 and fruit set increased by 3% in year 1 but returned to baseline in year 2.

Which prediction about solution outcomes is supported by evidence for maintaining biodiversity?