Environmental Stewardship Flashcards

Which practice best demonstrates the Leave No Trace principle of 'traveling on durable surfaces'?

Answer: Hiking single-file on established trails

Staying on established trails and hiking single-file concentrates impact on already-disturbed ground, protecting surrounding vegetation.

A riparian zone refers to the area:

Answer: Adjacent to rivers, streams, and other water bodies

Riparian zones are the vegetated areas bordering water bodies and are critical habitats that filter runoff and provide wildlife corridors.

What is the primary reason hunters and anglers should properly dispose of fish entrails and carcasses?

Answer: To reduce disease transmission and maintain ecosystem balance

Improper disposal of carcasses can spread diseases like chronic wasting disease and disrupt natural scavenger behavior.

Which of the following is considered a non-point source of water pollution?

Answer: Agricultural runoff from fields

Non-point source pollution comes from diffuse areas like agricultural fields rather than a single identifiable pipe or outlet.

The concept of 'carrying capacity' in wildlife management refers to:

Answer: The maximum population a habitat can sustainably support

Carrying capacity is the largest population size a given environment can support indefinitely given available resources.

When camping in bear country, food should be stored:

Answer: In a bear canister or hung at least 10 feet high and 4 feet from tree trunks

Proper food storage prevents bears from associating humans with food, which protects both people and bears.

What does the term 'biodiversity' specifically measure?

Answer: The variety of species, genes, and ecosystems in a region

Biodiversity encompasses genetic diversity within species, species diversity within communities, and ecosystem diversity across landscapes.