ENV SP Natural World & Ecology 2

Question 1

Which Envision credit category directly addresses the protection of wetlands and riparian buffers during infrastructure construction?

Accepted Answer

Natural World

Answer

The Natural World credit category in Envision includes credits focused on protecting wetlands, floodplains, and riparian areas from disturbance.

Question 2

What is the primary ecological function of a riparian buffer zone adjacent to a stream?

Accepted Answer

Filtering runoff pollutants and stabilizing stream banks

Answer

Riparian buffers intercept sediment and nutrient runoff from uplands and their root systems physically stabilize streambanks.

Question 3

Under the Envision framework, a project that restores previously degraded habitat beyond its original footprint would likely earn credit under which performance level?

Accepted Answer

Restorative

Answer

The Restorative performance level in Envision is achieved when a project restores ecological function or habitat beyond pre-project conditions.

Question 4

Keystone species are important to ecosystem management because they:

Accepted Answer

Have a disproportionately large effect on ecosystem structure relative to their abundance

Answer

Keystone species exert outsized influence on ecosystem structure and function relative to their biomass, so their loss can trigger dramatic community shifts.

Question 5

Which ecological concept describes the process by which a disturbed ecosystem gradually returns to its climax community over time?

Accepted Answer

Ecological succession

Answer

Ecological succession is the sequential replacement of species communities in a habitat following a disturbance until a stable climax community is reached.

(ENV SP) Certified Envision Sustainability Professional Practice Test

(ENV SP) Certified Envision Sustainability Professional Practice Test

ENV SP Natural World & Ecology 2