Ecological Risk Assessment & Biodiversity Flashcards
7 cards from real CES practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Ecological Risk Assessment & Biodiversity flashcards as text
Which of the following stressors is considered a 'chemical stressor' in the ERA stressor characterization phase?
Answer: Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in sediment
PCBs are chemical contaminants that constitute a chemical stressor category in ERA, distinct from physical or biological stressors.
Under the Endangered Species Act, which agency has jurisdiction over marine and anadromous species?
Answer: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
NOAA Fisheries (NMFS) has ESA jurisdiction over marine mammals and anadromous fish, while USFWS covers terrestrial and freshwater species.
A bioaccumulation factor (BAF) differs from a bioconcentration factor (BCF) in that BAF:
Answer: Includes dietary and waterborne exposure routes
BAF reflects accumulation from all exposure routes including diet, while BCF is measured only from waterborne exposure in lab settings.
The concept of 'umbrella species' in conservation biology refers to a species whose protection:
Answer: Covers the habitat needs of many other co-occurring species
Umbrella species have large habitat requirements such that protecting them simultaneously protects many other species within their range.
In the Habitats Directive (EU), 'favorable conservation status' for a species requires all EXCEPT which of the following?
Answer: The species is present in every member state
Favorable conservation status requires stable/expanding population, adequate habitat, and stable range — but not presence in every EU member state.
Which mathematical model is commonly used to describe logistic population growth in ERA population-level risk assessments?
Answer: Verhulst logistic equation
The Verhulst logistic equation (dN/dt = rN[(K-N)/K]) models density-dependent population growth approaching carrying capacity (K).
During ERA problem formulation, a conceptual site model (CSM) primarily serves to:
Answer: Illustrate exposure pathways linking stressors to ecological receptors
The CSM visually depicts the relationships among stressor sources, exposure pathways, and ecological receptors to guide the risk assessment.