CFP Conservation & Sustainability 2

Question 1

Which federal act provides the primary framework for protecting and restoring riparian habitat critical to anadromous fish species in the United States?

Accepted Answer

Clean Water Act

Answer

The Clean Water Act regulates water quality and protects wetlands and riparian zones that anadromous fish depend on for spawning and rearing.

Question 2

In watershed management, what is the primary purpose of maintaining a vegetated riparian buffer strip?

Accepted Answer

Filter sediment and nutrients before they enter the stream

Answer

Vegetated riparian buffers intercept surface runoff, trapping sediment and excess nutrients that would otherwise degrade aquatic habitat.

Question 3

Large woody debris (LWD) placed in a stream during habitat restoration primarily benefits fish by:

Accepted Answer

Creating hydraulic complexity and pool habitat

Answer

LWD slows flow, creates scour pools, and forms cover, increasing habitat complexity and diversity for fish.

Question 4

A fisheries manager identifies excessive fine sediment smothering salmonid spawning gravels. The MOST direct upstream cause to investigate is:

Accepted Answer

Riparian vegetation removal and soil disturbance

Answer

Removal of riparian vegetation destabilizes stream banks and allows eroded soil to deliver fine sediment that clogs spawning gravel interstitial spaces.

Question 5

Which spawning habitat characteristic is measured using an Embeddedness Index?

Accepted Answer

Degree to which gravels are surrounded by fine sediment

Answer

Embeddedness describes how deeply gravels are buried in fine sediment, which directly affects egg-to-fry survival by limiting hyporheic water flow.

(CFP) Certified Fisheries Professional Practice Test

(CFP) Certified Fisheries Professional Practice Test

CFP Conservation & Sustainability 2