B.F. Bachelor of Forestry Bachelor of Forestry Forest Ecosystem 2

Question 1

Which biogeochemical cycle is most directly disrupted when forest soils are compacted by heavy machinery?

Accepted Answer

Water cycle

Answer

Carbon cycle

Answer

Nitrogen cycle

Answer

Phosphorus cycle

Question 2

A forest stand shows declining mycorrhizal diversity after repeated prescribed burns. What is the most likely ecological consequence?

Accepted Answer

Reduced nutrient uptake by trees

Answer

Increased canopy closure

Answer

Higher soil organic matter accumulation

Answer

Greater herbaceous understory diversity

Question 3

In a northern hardwood forest, which trophic level contains the greatest total biomass?

Accepted Answer

Producers

Answer

Primary consumers

Answer

Secondary consumers

Answer

Decomposers

Question 4

What is the term for the process by which fallen logs gradually release stored carbon back into the atmosphere through microbial decomposition?

Accepted Answer

Mineralization

Answer

Volatilization

Answer

Humification

Answer

Nitrification

Question 5

A forester observes that a riparian buffer strip significantly reduces nitrate concentrations in stream water. Which process is primarily responsible?

Accepted Answer

Denitrification

Answer

Volatilization

Answer

Ammonification

Answer

Fixation

Question 6

Which forest ecosystem type typically has the highest net primary productivity (NPP) per unit area?

Accepted Answer

Tropical rainforest

Answer

Boreal forest (taiga)

Answer

Temperate deciduous forest

Answer

Mediterranean shrubland

Question 7

In forest gap dynamics, what is the primary factor that determines which species colonizes a canopy gap first?

Accepted Answer

Dispersal mechanism and seed bank proximity

Answer

Seed size

Answer

Leaf area index of adjacent trees

Answer

Soil pH