RH Wildcrafting & Sustainable Harvesting 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which concept describes the minimum viable population size needed to maintain genetic diversity in a wild plant colony?
- Carrying capacity
- Minimum critical abundance threshold
- Effective population size (Correct answer)
- Ecological niche breadth
Correct answer: Effective population size
Effective population size refers to the number of individuals that contribute genetically to the next generation, and harvesting below this threshold threatens genetic diversity.
Question 2: Which harvesting time maximizes medicinal alkaloid concentration in most aerial (above-ground) herbs?
- Early morning after dew has dried, just before or at peak flowering (Correct answer)
- Midday in full summer sun
- Late afternoon after photosynthesis peaks
- At night when volatile oils are most concentrated in the leaves
Correct answer: Early morning after dew has dried, just before or at peak flowering
Most aerial herbs have highest alkaloid and volatile oil content just before or at peak flowering, harvested in the morning after dew evaporates but before heat degrades volatiles.
Question 3: The United Plant Savers (UpS) 'At-Risk' list is best used by wildcrafters to:
- Identify plants that require USDA harvest permits
- Prioritize cultivation over wildcrafting for listed species (Correct answer)
- Locate the most potent medicinal populations
- Determine which plants are legal to export internationally
Correct answer: Prioritize cultivation over wildcrafting for listed species
UpS At-Risk species should be cultivated rather than wildcrafted whenever possible to relieve pressure on vulnerable wild populations.
Question 4: When wildcrafting in a state park, a harvester's most important first step is to:
- Identify the dominant plant species present
- Contact the park authority to determine harvest rules and obtain any required permit (Correct answer)
- Assess soil quality for contaminant risk
- Survey the area for rare species using iNaturalist
Correct answer: Contact the park authority to determine harvest rules and obtain any required permit
Many state parks prohibit or restrict plant harvest; contacting the park authority first prevents illegal collection and potential fines.
Question 5: Which characteristic makes a wild plant population more resilient to periodic harvesting pressure?
- Annual life cycle with prolific seed set (Correct answer)
- Dependence on a single animal pollinator
- Deep taproot with limited lateral spread
- Clonal reproduction only with no seed production
Correct answer: Annual life cycle with prolific seed set
Annuals with high seed output can recover population numbers quickly between harvest cycles compared to slow-growing perennials or clonal species.
Question 6: What does the term 'at-cause' wildcrafting mean in herbalist ethics?
- Harvesting only plants causing ecological harm as invasives
- Harvesting with full awareness and responsibility for long-term ecosystem impact (Correct answer)
- Collecting plants only for charitable or community health causes
- Harvesting to support endangered plant recovery programs
Correct answer: Harvesting with full awareness and responsibility for long-term ecosystem impact
'At-cause' wildcrafting means the harvester takes conscious, accountable responsibility for the ecological consequences of every collection decision.
Question 7: Which action is MOST likely to spread invasive plant species while wildcrafting?
- Harvesting roots in wet soil
- Failing to clean boots and tools between collection sites (Correct answer)
- Picking aerial parts without gloves
- Using a metal trowel instead of plastic
Correct answer: Failing to clean boots and tools between collection sites
Seeds and plant fragments clinging to boots, tools, and clothing can be transported to new sites, establishing invasive species in previously unaffected areas.
RH Wildcrafting & Sustainable Harvesting 3
Which concept describes the minimum viable population size needed to maintain genetic diversity in a wild plant colony?