CORE Natural Resource Management Flashcards
6 cards from real CORE practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 CORE Natural Resource Management flashcards as text
What is a keystone species in an ecosystem?
Answer: A species that has a disproportionately large effect on its ecosystem relative to its biomass
A keystone species exerts an outsized ecological influence — such as the gray wolf reshaping vegetation through trophic cascades — far beyond what its population size alone would suggest.
What management strategy is used to control invasive species in US public lands?
Answer: Integrated pest management combining mechanical, chemical, and biological controls
Integrated pest management (IPM) combines multiple control methods — including manual removal, targeted herbicide use, and biological controls — to manage invasive species cost-effectively.
In the context of CORE education, what is a 'prescribed burn' and why is it used?
Answer: A controlled fire set by managers to reduce fuel loads and restore fire-adapted ecosystems
A prescribed burn is a planned, controlled fire used by land managers to reduce hazardous fuel accumulation, promote native plant regeneration, and restore natural fire regimes.
Which principle guides the selection of species for habitat restoration projects on US public lands?
Answer: Prioritize native species that are genetically appropriate for the local region
Restoration ecology prioritizes locally sourced, genetically appropriate native species because they are adapted to local climate, soils, and ecological relationships.
What does the term 'trophic cascade' refer to in natural resource science?
Answer: Indirect ecological effects caused when a top predator regulates prey, which in turn affects vegetation
A trophic cascade occurs when changes at one level of a food web (often the top predator) ripple down through lower levels, altering plant communities and ecosystem structure.
What is the primary purpose of a habitat connectivity corridor in land management?
Answer: To link fragmented habitat patches so wildlife can move, breed, and maintain genetic diversity
Habitat corridors connect isolated patches of natural habitat, allowing animals to move between them for foraging, breeding, and seasonal migration while maintaining genetic diversity.