CORE CORE Natural Resource Management 2

Question 1

What is a keystone species in an ecosystem?

Accepted Answer

A species that has a disproportionately large effect on its ecosystem relative to its biomass

Answer

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.

Question 2

What management strategy is used to control invasive species in US public lands?

Accepted Answer

Integrated pest management combining mechanical, chemical, and biological controls

Answer

Integrated pest management (IPM) combines multiple control methods — including manual removal, targeted herbicide use, and biological controls — to manage invasive species cost-effectively.

Question 3

In the context of CORE education, what is a 'prescribed burn' and why is it used?

Accepted Answer

A controlled fire set by managers to reduce fuel loads and restore fire-adapted ecosystems

Answer

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.

Question 4

Which principle guides the selection of species for habitat restoration projects on US public lands?

Accepted Answer

Prioritize native species that are genetically appropriate for the local region

Answer

Restoration ecology prioritizes locally sourced, genetically appropriate native species because they are adapted to local climate, soils, and ecological relationships.

Question 5

What does the term 'trophic cascade' refer to in natural resource science?

Accepted Answer

Indirect ecological effects caused when a top predator regulates prey, which in turn affects vegetation

Answer

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.

CORE - Conservation and Outdoor Recreation Education Practice Test

CORE - Conservation and Outdoor Recreation Education Practice Test

CORE CORE Natural Resource Management 2