FM Forest Ecology & Silviculture 5

Question 1

What is the ecological concept of 'carrying capacity' as applied to wildlife in a forest ecosystem?

Accepted Answer

Maximum population size an ecosystem can sustain indefinitely

Answer

Carrying capacity is the maximum population of a given species that a habitat can support long-term given its food, water, shelter, and space resources.

Question 2

Which of the following tree species is classified as a FACULTATIVE mycorrhizal associate, commonly forming both ectomycorrhizal and arbuscular mycorrhizal relationships?

Accepted Answer

Black cottonwood

Answer

Black cottonwood (Populus trichocarpa) and related poplars can associate with both ectomycorrhizal and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi depending on site conditions.

Question 3

In forest fire ecology, what term describes the accumulation of fuels that connects ground-level fuels to the tree canopy, enabling ground fires to transition to crown fires?

Accepted Answer

Fuel ladder

Answer

Ladder fuels are vertical fuel continuity (shrubs, low branches, snags) that allow fire to climb from the surface into the tree canopy, dramatically increasing fire severity.

Question 4

A forest manager wants to increase structural complexity. Which management action would be LEAST effective for achieving this goal?

Accepted Answer

Conducting commercial clearcutting and removing all slash

Answer

Commercial clearcutting with complete slash removal simplifies stand structure by eliminating vertical layering, legacy features, and coarse woody debris that contribute to structural complexity.

Question 5

Which phenomenon explains why species diversity often peaks at intermediate levels of disturbance in forest ecosystems?

Accepted Answer

The intermediate disturbance hypothesis

Answer

The intermediate disturbance hypothesis proposes that moderate, periodic disturbances prevent competitive dominants from excluding other species, maintaining higher diversity than either very low or very high disturbance regimes.

(FM) Forest Management Certification Practice Test

(FM) Forest Management Certification Practice Test

FM Forest Ecology & Silviculture 5