B.F. Bachelor of Forestry Forest Hydrology and Watershed Management 1

Question 1

What is 'interflow' (also called subsurface stormflow) in a forested watershed?

Accepted Answer

Water that moves laterally through the soil above an impeding layer and discharges into a stream during or shortly after rainfall

Answer

Interflow is lateral water movement through the upper soil horizons, above a less permeable layer, that reaches streams relatively quickly after rain — faster than groundwater baseflow but slower than overland flow.

Question 2

Which process describes the uptake of soil water by tree roots and its subsequent release as vapor through leaf stomata?

Accepted Answer

Transpiration

Answer

Transpiration is the biological process by which plants absorb water through roots and release it as water vapor through stomata; it is a major pathway of water loss from forested watersheds.

Question 3

What does the term 'evapotranspiration' (ET) represent in a watershed water balance?

Accepted Answer

The combined water loss through soil evaporation and plant transpiration

Answer

Evapotranspiration combines evaporation from soil and water surfaces with transpiration from vegetation; together these represent the dominant water output from most forested watersheds.

Question 4

In the variable source area concept, where does overland flow (saturation excess runoff) most commonly originate in a forested watershed?

Accepted Answer

From saturated areas near streams, seeps, and concave hollows

Answer

Saturation excess overland flow occurs where soils become fully saturated; this typically happens first in low-lying riparian zones, topographic hollows, and areas adjacent to streams where the water table is near the surface.

Question 5

What is a 'riparian buffer strip' and why is it important in watershed management?

Accepted Answer

A vegetated zone along stream banks that filters runoff, stabilizes banks, and protects water quality

Answer

A riparian buffer strip is a band of native vegetation maintained along streams; it traps sediment and nutrients from upslope runoff, provides bank stability through root reinforcement, moderates stream temperature with shade, and supports aquatic habitat.

B.F. Bachelor of Forestry Practice Test

B.F. Bachelor of Forestry Practice Test

B.F. Bachelor of Forestry Forest Hydrology and Watershed Management 1