B.F. Bachelor of Forestry Bachelor of Forestry Forest Ecosystem 3

Question 1

Which ecological concept describes the maximum population size that a forest ecosystem can sustainably support?

Accepted Answer

Carrying capacity

Answer

Carrying capacity (K) represents the upper limit of population size that available resources can sustain over time.

Question 2

A forest manager notices that soil respiration rates spike sharply after a summer rainstorm following drought. This phenomenon is called:

Accepted Answer

The Birch effect

Answer

The Birch effect is the pulse of CO2 released when dry soils are rewetted, due to sudden microbial activity.

Question 3

In which forest zone does photosynthesis typically exceed respiration on an annual basis, making it a net carbon sink?

Accepted Answer

Young aggrading second-growth forest

Answer

Young aggrading forests rapidly accumulate biomass, so net ecosystem production (NEP) is strongly positive.

Question 4

What role do woodpeckers play in forest ecosystem function beyond foraging for insects?

Accepted Answer

They create cavity habitat used by secondary nesters

Answer

Woodpecker-excavated cavities are used by owls, ducks, bats, and other secondary cavity nesters, increasing biodiversity.

Question 5

Which term describes the functional role of a species within its ecosystem, including its resource use and interactions?

Accepted Answer

Niche

Answer

An ecological niche encompasses all biotic and abiotic conditions a species requires and its functional role.

B.F. Bachelor of Forestry Practice Test