Resource Management & Preservation Flashcards

Which federal agency administers the National Register of Historic Places?

Answer: National Park Service

The National Park Service, through its National Register Programs, maintains the National Register of Historic Places under the authority of the National Historic Preservation Act.

Invasive species management is relevant to interpretive planning because invasive species:

Answer: Can degrade native ecosystems, diminishing the resources that make a site interpretively significant

Invasive species displace native plants and animals, alter ecological processes, and can fundamentally change the character of the resources interpreters seek to highlight.

In the context of resource management, what does 'adaptive management' mean?

Answer: Using monitoring data to adjust management strategies based on observed outcomes

Adaptive management is a systematic, iterative approach where managers use monitoring results to evaluate whether actions are achieving desired outcomes and adjust strategies accordingly.

Which of the following is an example of 'in situ' resource preservation?

Answer: Preserving archaeological remains at their original location rather than excavating them

In situ preservation means protecting resources in their original location, maintaining contextual relationships that contribute to their significance.

A site manager is considering allowing a film crew to shoot a commercial at a historic battlefield. This decision should primarily be guided by:

Answer: Whether the activity is consistent with the site's purpose and will not harm the resource's integrity

Commercial uses of historic sites must be evaluated against the site's mission and potential impacts on the physical fabric and interpretive integrity of the resource.

The 'precautionary principle' in resource management suggests that when scientific uncertainty exists about potential harm, managers should:

Answer: Take protective action to prevent potential damage even without full scientific certainty

The precautionary principle prioritizes resource protection when outcomes are uncertain, recognizing that some damage may be irreversible if action is delayed.

Which of the following BEST describes the role of Traditional Cultural Properties (TCPs) in resource management?

Answer: Places that are eligible for National Register listing due to their role in the cultural practices and beliefs of living communities

TCPs are places that are associated with the cultural practices, beliefs, and identity of living communities, and their significance is rooted in ongoing cultural traditions rather than purely historical events.