Mixed Deck — All ESA Topics Flashcards

In Ecological Society of America Certified Ecologist, how should quality assurance & control initiatives be prioritized?

Answer: Based on impact on outcomes, feasibility, and alignment with strategic goals

Prioritizing by impact, feasibility, and strategic alignment ensures resources are directed where they will produce the greatest benefit.

An ecotone is best described as:

Answer: A transition zone between two adjacent ecological communities

An ecotone is the transitional area between two different ecosystems, often exhibiting higher biodiversity than either adjacent community.

An ecological guild is defined as a group of species that:

Answer: Exploit the same class of environmental resources in a similar way

A guild groups species by functional role in resource use, regardless of taxonomic relationships.

The Redfield ratio describes the stoichiometric relationship in marine phytoplankton as approximately:

Answer: C:N:P = 106:16:1

The Redfield ratio (C:N:P ≈ 106:16:1) reflects the consistent elemental composition of marine phytoplankton and guides understanding of nutrient limitation.

What type of survivorship curve is typical of species that produce many offspring with low survival rates?

Answer: Type III

A Type III survivorship curve is characteristic of species that produce a large number of offspring but provide little to no parental care, resulting in very high mortality rates early in life. However, those few individuals that survive their early vulnerable stages tend to live relatively long lives. Examples include many insects, fish, and marine invertebrates.

Which of the following is a key consideration when selecting species for ecological restoration?

Answer: Prioritizing native species suited to the ecosystem

When selecting species for ecological restoration, it is crucial to prioritize native species that are ecologically appropriate for the specific site and its historical conditions. Native species are adapted to the local climate, soil, and biotic interactions, increasing their chances of survival and successful integration into the restored ecosystem, contributing to its long-term stability and function.

Which element is CRITICAL for maintaining proficiency in research methodology & design within Ecological Society of America Certified Ecologist?

Answer: Regular practice with ongoing professional development and skill updates

Maintaining proficiency requires regular practice combined with ongoing professional development to stay current with evolving best practices.

Adaptive management in wildlife ecology is defined as:

Answer: A structured decision-making process that treats management actions as experiments to reduce uncertainty

Adaptive management uses structured learning from monitoring outcomes to iteratively refine management actions, treating interventions as experiments.

Methane (CH4) is produced in anaerobic soils and sediments primarily by:

Answer: Methanogenic archaea

Methanogenic archaea are strict anaerobes that produce CH4 as a metabolic end product during the decomposition of organic matter in anoxic environments.

What is a critical component of ecological restoration success?

Answer: Restoration of native species and ecological processes

A critical component of successful ecological restoration is the re-establishment of native species and the restoration of the ecological processes they participate in. Native species are adapted to the local conditions and contribute to the ecosystem's resilience and functionality, while restoring processes like hydrology or nutrient cycling ensures long-term health. Focusing on these elements ensures a self-sustaining and functional ecosystem.

Who initiates energy flow in an ecosystem?

Answer: Producers

Producers, primarily photosynthetic organisms like plants and algae, are at the base of every food web and initiate the flow of energy in an ecosystem. They convert light energy (or chemical energy in some cases) into organic compounds through photosynthesis, making this energy available to all other trophic levels. Without producers, there would be no energy source for consumers or decomposers.

Which type of wildlife corridor is designed to connect large, isolated habitat patches to reduce the effects of habitat fragmentation?

Answer: Landscape linkage

Landscape linkages are wildlife corridors designed to connect fragmented habitat patches, allowing species movement and gene flow between populations.

The intermediate disturbance hypothesis predicts that species diversity is highest at:

Answer: Intermediate disturbance frequencies

Intermediate disturbance prevents competitive exclusion by dominants while still allowing recolonization by early successional species, maximizing diversity.

Which principle of environmental ethics argues that all living beings, human and non-human, have intrinsic value?

Answer: Deep ecology

Deep ecology is an environmental philosophy that posits all living beings, including humans and non-humans, possess inherent or intrinsic value, independent of their usefulness to humanity. It advocates for a fundamental shift in human perception and societal structures to recognize and protect the inherent worth of nature itself. This contrasts with anthropocentric views that prioritize human interests.

Which soil order in the US Soil Taxonomy is characterized by a permanently frozen subsurface layer (permafrost)?

Answer: Gelisols

Gelisols are defined by the presence of permafrost within 100 cm of the surface and are dominant in arctic and subarctic regions.

Which of the following is considered a key principle of environmental law?

Answer: Sustainable use of natural resources

A key principle of environmental law is the sustainable use of natural resources, aiming to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. This involves regulating resource extraction, pollution, and land use to ensure long-term ecological integrity and resource availability, balancing human needs with environmental protection.

Habitat suitability models (HSMs) in wildlife ecology are most commonly used to:

Answer: Predict the spatial distribution of species based on environmental variables

Habitat suitability models use species occurrence data and environmental predictor variables to predict the probability of suitable habitat across a landscape.

Trophic cascade effects occur when:

Answer: Changes in predator abundance indirectly alter plant biomass through effects on herbivores

A trophic cascade propagates indirect effects through food webs, typically with top predators controlling herbivores that in turn affect vegetation.

The competitive exclusion principle (Gause's Law) states that:

Answer: Complete competitors cannot coexist indefinitely on a single limiting resource

Gause's Law states that two species competing for the exact same limiting resource cannot stably coexist; one will be excluded.

Radio telemetry studies in wildlife ecology primarily provide data on:

Answer: Individual movement patterns, home range, and habitat use

Radio telemetry allows researchers to track individual animals over time, yielding data on movement, home range, habitat selection, and behavior.