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
What is the primary role of 'trophic cascades' in ecosystem restoration?
Answer: Illustrating how apex predator recovery can restructure vegetation and lower trophic levels
Trophic cascades demonstrate that restoring apex predators can suppress herbivore populations, which releases vegetation recovery and transforms ecosystem structure across multiple levels.
Which principle guides the 'no net loss' policy applied to wetland restoration projects in the United States?
Answer: Any wetland filled must be offset by creating, restoring, or enhancing wetland area elsewhere
No net loss requires that wetland losses from permitted activities be compensated by equivalent or greater gains in wetland area and function through mitigation.
In forest restoration monitoring, what does BACI stand for?
Answer: Before-After Control-Impact design
BACI (Before-After Control-Impact) is an experimental monitoring design that compares treated and untreated sites before and after intervention to isolate restoration effects.
Which soil characteristic is the MOST reliable early indicator of improving soil health in a newly restored forest ecosystem?
Answer: Increased soil microbial biomass and activity
Soil microbial biomass and activity respond quickly to restoration interventions and drive nutrient cycling, making them sensitive early indicators of improving soil health.
What is 'phenological mismatch' and why is it important for forest restoration under climate change?
Answer: Temporal misalignment between plant and animal life cycles that can disrupt pollination and seed dispersal
Phenological mismatch occurs when climate change shifts species' seasonal timing at different rates, disrupting mutualistic interactions like pollination that restoration depends on.
When evaluating restoration success, 'trajectory monitoring' is preferred over single-point assessments because:
Answer: It captures ecosystem development trends over time, revealing whether the system is moving toward restoration goals
Trajectory monitoring tracks directional change across multiple time points, showing whether the restored system is progressing toward, stagnating, or diverging from its ecological targets.
In an agroforestry-based restoration approach, which system BEST integrates timber production with biodiversity recovery on degraded agricultural lands?
Answer: Silvopastoral systems combining native trees, shrubs, and managed grazing
Silvopastoral systems integrate native woody species with livestock management, restoring habitat structure and connectivity while maintaining agricultural productivity on degraded lands.