Forest Ecology and Silviculture Flashcards

What is the ecological term for organisms that break down dead organic matter into simpler compounds?

Answer: Decomposers

Decomposers (primarily fungi and bacteria) break down dead organic matter, returning nutrients to the soil.

Which forest type is most characteristic of the Pacific Northwest coast of the United States?

Answer: Temperate rainforest with Douglas-fir and western red cedar

The Pacific Northwest coast supports temperate rainforest dominated by Douglas-fir, Sitka spruce, and western red cedar.

In even-aged silviculture, what is a 'rotation age'?

Answer: The planned age at which a stand is harvested and regenerated

Rotation age is the planned age at which an even-aged stand is harvested, defining the length of one production cycle.

What is the primary function of mycorrhizal fungi in forest ecosystems?

Answer: Enhance tree nutrient and water uptake in exchange for carbohydrates

Mycorrhizal fungi form symbiotic associations with tree roots, greatly expanding nutrient and water absorption capacity in exchange for photosynthate.

Which of the following describes a 'wolf tree' in forest stand terminology?

Answer: A large, dominant tree with wide-spreading crown that suppresses neighbors

A wolf tree is a large, open-grown tree with a wide crown that occupies excessive growing space and suppresses surrounding trees.

What is the ecological concept of 'carrying capacity' as applied to forest wildlife?

Answer: Maximum population size an ecosystem can sustainably support

Carrying capacity is the maximum population size of a species that an ecosystem can indefinitely sustain given available resources.

Which of the following is a characteristic of 'climax' forest communities?

Answer: Relative stability and self-replacement under current conditions

Climax communities are characterized by relative stability and the ability to self-replace under the prevailing climate and soil conditions.