Ecosystem Restoration Flashcards
7 cards from real GAP practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Ecosystem Restoration flashcards as text
Which soil health indicator is MOST directly improved by planting diverse cover crop mixes in a GAP restoration program?
Answer: Soil aggregate stability and microbial biomass improve
Diverse cover crops feed a wide range of soil microorganisms and produce varied root exudates, improving aggregate stability and increasing overall microbial biomass.
What is the ecological concept behind 'assisted migration' in climate-adapted restoration?
Answer: Intentionally relocating species to areas where future climate conditions will be suitable
Assisted migration proactively moves species or seed sources ahead of shifting climate zones so populations can persist under projected future conditions.
Under GAP guidelines, what is the recommended approach when restoration plantings fail in the first year?
Answer: Assess causes (drought, herbivory, poor seed quality), then replant with adjusted methods
Diagnosing the specific cause of failure before replanting prevents repeating the same mistake and allows targeted improvements to the restoration approach.
How does reducing pesticide use in buffer zones contribute to biodiversity restoration on GAP farms?
Answer: It protects beneficial insects, birds, and soil organisms from chemical toxicity
Pesticide-free buffer zones become refugia where beneficial predators, pollinators, and ground-nesting birds can survive and reproduce, supporting broader farm biodiversity.
What does 'trophic cascade' mean in the context of restoring predator populations on agricultural land?
Answer: The ripple effect on lower food web levels when apex predators are restored
Restoring top predators suppresses herbivore overgrazing, which allows vegetation to recover, illustrating how changes at the top of the food web cascade down to affect plants and soil.
Which GAP practice best promotes carbon sequestration as part of ecosystem restoration?
Answer: Establishing perennial native vegetation with deep root systems
Deep-rooted perennial native plants store large amounts of carbon in stable below-ground biomass and promote soil aggregate formation that protects organic matter from decomposition.
In a GAP restoration plan, what does 'adaptive management' require?
Answer: Regularly monitoring outcomes and adjusting practices based on what the data shows
Adaptive management is an iterative process where monitoring results feed directly into revised management actions, improving restoration effectiveness over time.