Natural World & Ecology Flashcards

Green infrastructure stormwater practices such as bioswales and rain gardens primarily benefit aquatic ecosystems by:

Answer: Reducing peak runoff volumes and filtering pollutants before water reaches streams

Green infrastructure mimics natural hydrology by infiltrating and slowly releasing stormwater, reducing flashy peak flows and pollutant loads that degrade stream habitats.

Under Envision's Natural World credits, a project team should address 'Avoid Contaminating Groundwater' primarily by:

Answer: Preventing the introduction of pollutants into soil and subsurface flow paths that recharge aquifers

Groundwater protection requires proactive source control—managing hazardous materials, fuels, and sediment on site to prevent subsurface contamination.

What ecological principle supports the use of wildlife underpasses and overpasses along highways?

Answer: Island biogeography theory, which links habitat patch size and connectivity to species persistence

Island biogeography shows that isolated habitat 'islands' lose species over time; crossings reconnect fragmented patches, improving long-term species persistence.

When a project team conducts a 'jurisdictional wetland delineation,' they are primarily determining:

Answer: The boundaries of wetlands subject to regulatory protection under the Clean Water Act

A jurisdictional delineation establishes which wetland areas fall under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act, triggering permit requirements before disturbance.

The 'precautionary principle' as applied in Envision's Natural World context means project teams should:

Answer: Err on the side of protecting ecological systems when uncertainty exists about potential harm

The precautionary principle holds that when an action risks harm to the environment, precautionary measures should be taken even if full scientific certainty is lacking.

Which metric would a sustainability professional most likely use to quantify habitat quality changes caused by an infrastructure project?

Answer: Habitat Quality Index (HQI) or Habitat Units derived from rapid assessment methods

Habitat Quality Indices and Habitat Units from standardized rapid assessment methods provide a scientifically defensible way to compare pre- and post-project ecological conditions.

A project disturbs a native prairie remnant, which is subsequently restored using regional seed mixes. The ecological rationale for using regionally sourced native seed is to:

Answer: Maintain local genetic adaptation, support native pollinators, and avoid introducing non-local genotypes

Locally sourced native seed preserves the genetic integrity of regional ecotypes, which are adapted to local climate and soils and support specialist pollinators and wildlife.