B.F. Bachelor of Forestry Forest Hydrology and Watershed Management 3

Question 1

What is 'soil compaction' and how does it affect hydrology?

Accepted Answer

Compression of soil that reduces pore space, decreasing infiltration and increasing runoff

Answer

Soil compaction from equipment traffic reduces soil porosity, decreasing infiltration rates and increasing surface runoff and erosion potential.

Question 2

What is 'stream order' in watershed classification?

Accepted Answer

A hierarchical numbering system that classifies streams based on the number of tributaries upstream

Answer

Stream order is a hierarchical classification where headwater streams with no tributaries are first-order, and order increases at each tributary junction.

Question 3

How does forest road construction affect watershed hydrology?

Accepted Answer

It increases surface runoff and sediment delivery to streams

Answer

Forest roads create impervious surfaces, intercept subsurface flow, and deliver sediment-laden runoff directly to streams, increasing erosion and peak flows.

Question 4

What is 'water yield' in forest hydrology?

Accepted Answer

The total amount of water leaving a watershed as streamflow

Answer

Water yield is the total streamflow output from a watershed, representing precipitation minus evapotranspiration and storage changes.

Question 5

What is the significance of 'channel morphology' to watershed management?

Accepted Answer

It describes stream channel shape and dimension, which affects flood risk, habitat, and sediment transport

Answer

Channel morphology—including width, depth, sinuosity, and gradient—determines a stream's capacity to transport sediment, support aquatic habitat, and convey floods.

B.F. Bachelor of Forestry Practice Test

B.F. Bachelor of Forestry Practice Test

B.F. Bachelor of Forestry Forest Hydrology and Watershed Management 3