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 process best describes how soil organic matter improves soil structure?
Answer: Binding soil particles into aggregates that improve aeration and water retention
Soil organic matter acts as a binding agent, creating stable aggregates that improve porosity, aeration, water-holding capacity, and overall soil tilth.
The 'metapopulation' concept in conservation biology describes:
Answer: A network of spatially separated subpopulations connected by migration
A metapopulation consists of distinct local subpopulations linked by dispersal, with local extinctions offset by recolonization from other patches.
Which US federal legislation most directly governs the protection of wetlands in landscape planning?
Answer: Section 404 of the Clean Water Act
Section 404 of the Clean Water Act requires permits for discharge of dredged or fill material into waters of the US, including wetlands.
In ecological terms, 'biomass' refers to:
Answer: The total mass of living organic matter in an ecosystem
Biomass is the total mass of living organisms in a given area or volume, typically expressed in grams of dry weight per unit area.
What distinguishes a climax community from earlier successional stages?
Answer: It is a stable, self-replacing community in equilibrium with its environment
A climax community represents the stable endpoint of ecological succession, where species composition remains relatively constant over time without major disturbance.
Which type of environmental impact assessment tool maps the overlay of multiple landscape constraints?
Answer: McHarg's suitability analysis
Ian McHarg's suitability analysis overlays transparent maps of ecological, geological, and social constraints to identify land best suited for specific uses.
What is the primary ecological function of decomposers in nutrient cycling?
Answer: Breaking down dead organic matter and releasing nutrients back to the soil
Decomposers like fungi and bacteria break down dead organic matter, mineralizing nutrients and returning them to the soil for uptake by plants.