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 concept describes the ability of an ecosystem to return to its original state after a disturbance?
Answer: Resilience
Ecological resilience is the capacity of an ecosystem to recover and return to its pre-disturbance structure and function after being disturbed.
In watershed management, a riparian buffer strip is most effective at:
Answer: Filtering agricultural runoff before it enters waterways
Riparian buffer strips of vegetation intercept agricultural runoff, filtering nutrients, sediments, and pesticides before they reach streams and rivers.
Which of the following is an example of an abiotic factor in an ecosystem?
Answer: Soil pH level
Abiotic factors are non-living physical and chemical components of an environment; soil pH is a chemical property not produced by living organisms.
The intermediate disturbance hypothesis predicts that species diversity is highest when:
Answer: Disturbance occurs at intermediate frequency and intensity
The intermediate disturbance hypothesis states that moderate disturbance levels prevent competitive exclusion while allowing recovery, maximizing species diversity.
In landscape architecture, 'green infrastructure' primarily refers to:
Answer: Networks of natural and semi-natural areas providing ecosystem services
Green infrastructure encompasses interconnected networks of natural spaces and ecological systems that deliver ecosystem services like stormwater management and air purification.
Which type of plant adaptation is most commonly found in xeric (dry) environments?
Answer: Thick waxy cuticles and succulent tissue to reduce water loss
Xerophytes adapt to drought through thick waxy cuticles, succulence, and reduced leaf area to minimize transpiration water loss.
What ecological role do nurse plants play in desert ecosystems?
Answer: They provide shade and shelter that facilitates seedling establishment
Nurse plants create favorable microclimates beneath their canopy—reducing heat, desiccation, and herbivory—that enable vulnerable seedlings to establish.