AEP AEP Ecological Systems & Biodiversity 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which federal law requires federal agencies to consult with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service before undertaking projects that may affect listed threatened or endangered species?
- National Environmental Policy Act
- Migratory Bird Treaty Act
- Endangered Species Act Section 7 (Correct answer)
- Clean Water Act Section 404
Correct answer: Endangered Species Act Section 7
ESA Section 7 requires federal agencies to consult with USFWS (or NMFS for marine species) to ensure their actions do not jeopardize listed species or adversely modify designated critical habitat.
Question 2: What is a 'Biological Assessment' (BA) under the Endangered Species Act?
- A population survey of all wildlife species on a project site
- A document prepared to determine whether a federal action may affect listed species (Correct answer)
- An annual report on species recovery progress
- A scientific study of biodiversity in a region
Correct answer: A document prepared to determine whether a federal action may affect listed species
A Biological Assessment is a document prepared by or for a federal agency to determine whether a proposed federal action may affect listed threatened or endangered species or critical habitat.
Question 3: In ecology, which term describes a species that has a disproportionately large effect on its ecosystem relative to its abundance?
- Indicator species
- Umbrella species
- Keystone species (Correct answer)
- Foundation species
Correct answer: Keystone species
A keystone species has a disproportionately large influence on ecosystem structure and function relative to its biomass or abundance, and its removal can cause major ecological cascades.
Question 4: Which U.S. federal agency administers the Endangered Species Act for terrestrial and freshwater species?
- National Marine Fisheries Service
- U.S. Forest Service
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Correct answer)
- Bureau of Land Management
Correct answer: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) administers the Endangered Species Act for terrestrial and freshwater species, while NMFS covers marine and anadromous species.
Question 5: What is 'mitigation banking' in the context of wetland and species conservation?
- A financial reserve for emergency cleanup costs
- Pre-approved restoration of wetlands or habitat to offset future project impacts (Correct answer)
- A tax credit for voluntary conservation activities
- A federal fund for purchasing endangered species habitat
Correct answer: Pre-approved restoration of wetlands or habitat to offset future project impacts
Mitigation banking involves the restoration, creation, enhancement, or preservation of wetlands or habitat at one location to offset anticipated impacts at another location through the sale of mitigation credits.
Question 6: Which ecological concept describes the sequence of community changes in an ecosystem following a disturbance until a stable state is reached?
- Eutrophication
- Ecological succession (Correct answer)
- Biological magnification
- Carrying capacity
Correct answer: Ecological succession
Ecological succession is the gradual, directional process by which biological communities change over time following disturbance, progressing from pioneer species toward a climax community.
AEP AEP Ecological Systems & Biodiversity 1
Which federal law requires federal agencies to consult with the U.S.
Fish & Wildlife Service before undertaking projects that may affect listed threatened or endangered species?