Ecosystem Restoration Flashcards
7 cards from real SAF 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 concept describes the range of environmental conditions within which a restored ecosystem can maintain its structure and function despite disturbances?
Answer: Resilience envelope
The resilience envelope defines the range of conditions an ecosystem can tolerate while still recovering and maintaining its ecological functions.
In forest restoration, what is the primary purpose of using nurse logs?
Answer: To facilitate seedling establishment by providing moisture and nutrients
Nurse logs create favorable microsites for seedling germination and establishment by retaining moisture and providing nutrients as they decompose.
What term describes the re-establishment of a native species in an area where it has been extirpated but where suitable habitat still exists?
Answer: Reintroduction
Reintroduction specifically refers to returning a species to an area within its historical range from which it has been eliminated.
Which fire behavior characteristic is MOST important to assess when planning a prescribed burn for ecosystem restoration?
Answer: Rate of spread
Rate of spread determines fire intensity and the area burned per unit time, which is critical for achieving restoration objectives safely.
The 'assembly rules' concept in restoration ecology refers to:
Answer: Predictable sequences governing which species can colonize restored sites
Assembly rules describe the ecological filters and biotic interactions that determine which species can successfully establish in a community in a given sequence.
When restoring a degraded riparian zone, which practice BEST addresses both bank stability and habitat complexity simultaneously?
Answer: Large wood placement combined with native riparian plantings
Large wood placement with native riparian plantings creates pool-riffle structure, provides cover, stabilizes banks, and builds diverse habitat in a single intervention.
What is 'ecological memory' in the context of forest restoration?
Answer: The capacity of legacies like soil, seeds, and organisms to influence post-disturbance recovery
Ecological memory encompasses biological legacies — residual seeds, soil organisms, organic matter — that retain information about pre-disturbance conditions and guide recovery.