Kit Fox Ecology
The San Joaquin kit fox is a small fox, about the size of a house cat. It is native to the San Joaquin Valley, which is the southern part of California's Central Valley. Table 1 shows some characteristics of San Joaquin kit foxes. In the 1800s, the San Joaquin Valley of California was mostly open grassland and marshes with a few sparsely wooded areas.
In the 1800s, the San Joaquin Valley of California was mostly open grassland and marshes with a few sparsely wooded areas. Today, humans have changed much of the Central Valley for agricultural and urban use. Figure 1 shows the results of a study about how a portion of Fresno County in the Central Valley Changed over time.
These changes in the Central Valley led to a decline in the San Joaquin kit fox population, and the species was placed on the endangered species list in1967. In addition to the changes in land use in the Central Valley, kit foxes are threatened by other factors, such as climate change and predators.Scientists have noted that as the San Joaquin kit fox population has declined, the populations of some of its predators, such as coyotes, have increased.The outlook for the kit fox is poor unless serious human intervention occurs The human population in the Central Valley is expected to grow over the next two decades. The added pressure of more people could possibly create an even worse situation for the remaining population of kit foxes. Humans have been trying to save kit foxes for decades. Map 1 shows where kit foxes are most often seen in Fresno County.
Question 1
Use the information in Table 1 and Figure 1 to answer the question. Which change is most responsible for the decline of the kit fox population?(1 point)
Responses
a reduction in carrying capacity due to habitat loss
a reduction in carrying capacity due to habitat loss
an increase in predator habitat due to reduced competition
an increase in predator habitat due to reduced competition
a reduction in carrying capacity due to decreased temperatures
a reduction in carrying capacity due to decreased temperatures
an increase in insect populations due to agriculture
an increase in insect populations due to agriculture
Question 2
Use the information in Figure 1 to answer the questions.
Part A
Which claim about changes in biodiversity in the San Joaquin Valley is supported by the information in Figure 1?(1 point)
Responses
Biodiversity has decreased because species have migrated out of the valley.
Biodiversity has decreased because species have migrated out of the valley.
Biodiversity has increased because woodlands have been removed.
Biodiversity has increased because woodlands have been removed.
Biodiversity has decreased because a variety of habitats have been reduced.
Biodiversity has decreased because a variety of habitats have been reduced.
Biodiversity has increased because of the expansion of agriculture.
Biodiversity has increased because of the expansion of agriculture.
Question 3
Part B
Which statement best explains why biodiversity is important for all life on Earth?(1 point)
Responses
Low biodiversity prevents the loss of species by increasing the types of organisms that can live in one area.
Low biodiversity prevents the loss of species by increasing the types of organisms that can live in one area.
High biodiversity changes an ecosystem by reducing the survival rate of all but the individuals best suited to an area.
High biodiversity changes an ecosystem by reducing the survival rate of all but the individuals best suited to an area.
Low biodiversity results in stable ecosystems by increasing competition for resources among individuals.
Low biodiversity results in stable ecosystems by increasing competition for resources among individuals.
High biodiversity tends to stabilize an ecosystem by reducing the rate at which species become extinct.
High biodiversity tends to stabilize an ecosystem by reducing the rate at which species become extinct.
Question 4
Which human intervention would most likely protect and maintain kit fox populations?(1 point)
Responses
Move kit foxes to areas with large populations of similar mammals.
Move kit foxes to areas with large populations of similar mammals.
Introduce a species that could be a new kit fox food source.
Introduce a species that could be a new kit fox food source.
Move kit foxes to sparsely populated mountainous regions.
Move kit foxes to sparsely populated mountainous regions.
Protect grasslands and prairies from development.
Protect grasslands and prairies from development.
Skip to navigation
Question 1: A reduction in carrying capacity due to habitat loss is most responsible for the decline of the kit fox population.
Question 2:
Part A: Biodiversity has decreased because a variety of habitats have been reduced.
Question 3:
Part B: High biodiversity tends to stabilize an ecosystem by reducing the rate at which species become extinct.
Question 4: Protecting grasslands and prairies from development would most likely protect and maintain kit fox populations.