Bachelor of Landscape Architecture Environmental Science Ecology Flashcards
7 cards from real BLArch Bachelor of Landscape Architecture practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Bachelor of Landscape Architecture Environmental Science Ecology flashcards as text
Which ecological concept describes the maximum population size that an environment can sustainably support?
Answer: Carrying capacity
Carrying capacity (K) is the maximum population size a given environment can support indefinitely given available resources.
In landscape ecology, a 'corridor' primarily functions to:
Answer: Connect fragmented habitat patches
Corridors link isolated habitat patches, facilitating wildlife movement, gene flow, and species recolonization.
Which biogeochemical cycle is most directly affected by wetland destruction?
Answer: Nitrogen cycle
Wetlands are critical sites for denitrification, where bacteria convert nitrates back to atmospheric nitrogen, so their loss disrupts the nitrogen cycle.
The concept of 'edge effect' in ecology refers to:
Answer: Increased species diversity at habitat boundaries
The edge effect describes the tendency for greater species richness and density at the boundary between two adjacent habitat types.
Which of the following best describes a keystone species?
Answer: A species whose removal causes dramatic ecosystem change
A keystone species has a disproportionately large effect on its ecosystem relative to its abundance, and its removal causes major structural changes.
What is the primary driver of primary succession on a newly formed volcanic island?
Answer: Wind-dispersed seeds and spores colonizing bare substrate
Primary succession begins with pioneer organisms like lichens and wind-dispersed seeds colonizing bare, lifeless substrate with no existing soil.
In the context of urban ecology, which landscape feature most effectively reduces the urban heat island effect?
Answer: Tree canopy cover and green roofs
Tree canopy and green roofs reduce urban heat islands through evapotranspiration and shading, lowering surface and air temperatures significantly.