Final Flashcards
To be considered habitat for a species, what three basic things must be provided? Traditional HSI models also focus on these 3 elements as life requisites
Water, Cover, Food
Direct or Indirect: Release of snowshoe hares that were captive reared
Direct
Direct or Indirect: Removal of red maple trees less than 10-cm diameter
Indirect
Direct or Indirect: Installation of a water guzzler to augment desert bighorn sheep habitat
Indirect
Direct or Indirect: Regulated hunting of wild turkey
Direct
Direct or Indirect: Use of goats to forage on invasive kudzu vine
Indirect
Direct or Indirect: Prescribed fire on a tall grass prairie
Indirect
Does the following longleaf-wiregrass ecosystem have relatively high or low vertical structure?
Low
List 3 specific micro-habitat variables that could be measured (must be quantifiable!) in the longleaf-wiregrass ecosystem pictured above. At least 1 variable must pertain directly to structure and at least 1 variable directly to floristics.
- Basal area
- Understory plant diversity
- Max dbh longleaf pine/ha
Which of the four habitats in the figure would you expect to support the highest animal diversity?
Habitat 4
Which of the four habitats is most likely a prairie?
Habitat 2 is best answer
First-order habitat selection
Selection of geographic range
- Habitat quality
Implies some measure of fitness payoff for an organism’s use of a particular resource or patch of habitat
- Fourth-order habitat selection
Selection of a specific food resource
- Habitat selection
Process of how habitats are chosen
- Habitat preference
Resource or habitat selection independent of availability
Briefly describe the difference between habitat use and habitat selection
Use is simply that, just use – it tells us nothing about how available a food resource or habitat type is from the other choices available. Selection is use proportional to availability.
Assuming Ideal Free Distribution, if you have 100 animals, how many would occupy each patch based on the available resources, as indicated by the bolded numbers?
A. 40
B. 10
C. 50
If a species is distributed among habitat patches following the ideal despotic distribution, habitat suitability will decline at a faster rate as density increases than if distributed following the ideal free distribution.
True
In addition to abundance and density, list three ways that can be used to evaluate the quality of a habitat for a particular species
- Health / Condition of Individuals
- Reproductive Success
- Survival Rate
Briefly explain why abundance or density are not always good indicators or habitat quality
Territoriality by dominant individuals may result in highest quality habitats having the fewest number of individuals
What is a major limitation when conducting surveys of wildlife that can be affected by weather, time of day, vegetation density, or researcher skill level (to name a few)?
Detectability
American Crows (Corvus brachyrhynchos) are able to access the entire landscape, and spend 35% of their time foraging in forests, 15% foraging in prairies, and 50% of their time foraging in agricultural fields. Describe the use of each habitat by crows as either random, avoiding, or selecting.
Prairie:
Forest:
Agriculture:
A. Avoidance
B. Avoidance
C: Selection
Which of the following can be said of HSI models?
- Additive HSI models better describe more generalist, rather than specialist, species
- It’s typically easier to construct a reliable HSI model for specialist species
Which of the following is not an uncertainty or unknown with wildlife habitat models?
- Imprecise data
- Uncertain inference
- Limiting assumptions
- Unforeseen circumstances
- All of the above
- None of the above
All of the Above
If research found that structure was the ONLY thing that mattered to your target wildlife species, what would be the implications of that finding on invasive species management?
Then if an invasive plant species provided structure that was compatible or even beneficial to the wildlife species you are managing for, eradication or control may not be ultra-important
Describe an ecological trap or a sink habitat in terms of proximate and ultimate cues
The proximate cues indicate that a site is worth settling, but the ultimate cues result in conditions less favorable than perceived for a host of various potential reasons; essentially the proximate / ultimate cues are mismatched
The number for each patch is how many cumulative successfully fledged offspring were reared by mated pairs of blue-winged teal. Patch A was home to 4 mated pairs, patch B 5 mated pairs, and patch C 10 mated pairs. If one is studying habitats with the aim to guide future management choices by describing resources and conditions that are most advantageous to blue-winged teal, which patch should be the focus.
(Patch A:20) (Patch B: 5) (Patch C: 25)
Patch A: 20
The Cerulean warbler is neo‐tropical migrant songbird that has decreased in abundance over 70% in the past 40 years. Declines are largely attributable to habitat destruction and fragmentation and shifts in forest communities, though
they were historically one of the most common birds in N. America. Cerulean warblers inhabit predominantly forested landscapes and are very sensitive to hard, abrupt edges. They are most commonly associated with oak‐dominated forest communities possessing a well‐developed understory as well as high vertical structure within the upper midstory and upper canopy layers – more complex structural characteristics associated with “old growth” forests. Cerulean warblers glean insects from mid‐upper canopy deciduous tree leaves and place nests on horizontal limbs with substantial foliage cover. Nests are commonly constructed using bark torn from grapevines and woven into an open cup structure. Nesting and foraging activities occur most commonly in white
oaks with avoidance of maples and other shade‐tolerant hardwood species. Despite being so sensitive to hard edges, Cerulean warblers are surprisingly tolerant of more temporary disturbances caused by silvicultural practices. Ceruleans frequently experience increases in density where light‐moderate intensity tending and harvest treatments are implemented. The resulting structure and lower stocking density of remnant stands associated with those
treatments is similar to key structural features that Ceruleans would normally inhabit within an unmanaged “old growth” forest landscape. The balance is that due to the Cerulean warbler’s selection of oak‐dominated woodlands, silvicultural practices enabling regeneration of these shade intolerant tree
species must be utilized without causing excessive disturbance.
Thinking about general forest conditions throughout Ohio (and in contrast to pre‐European
settlement conditions), what factors have likely contributed to a long‐term decline in Cerulean
warbler and other mature forest songbirds—species which favor more xeric forest communities
and more complex forest stands reminiscent of “old growth” characteristics.
One primary factor is mesophication. Define mesophication
Xeric to mesic forest community shifts
Oak dominance to maple‐beech dominance
Positive feedback cycle whereby cool damp shaded conditions coupled with less flammable fuel
beds produce better and better conditions for shade‐tolerant mesophytic forest communities
The Cerulean warbler is neo‐tropical migrant songbird that has decreased in abundance over 70% in the past 40 years. Declines are largely attributable to habitat destruction and fragmentation and shifts in forest communities, though
they were historically one of the most common birds in N. America. Cerulean warblers inhabit predominantly forested landscapes and are very sensitive to hard, abrupt edges. They are most commonly associated with oak‐dominated forest communities possessing a well‐developed understory as well as high vertical structure within the upper midstory and upper canopy layers – more complex structural characteristics associated with “old growth” forests. Cerulean warblers glean insects from mid‐upper canopy deciduous tree leaves and place nests on horizontal limbs with substantial foliage cover. Nests are commonly constructed using bark torn from grapevines and woven into an open cup structure. Nesting and foraging activities occur most commonly in white
oaks with avoidance of maples and other shade‐tolerant hardwood species. Despite being so sensitive to hard edges, Cerulean warblers are surprisingly tolerant of more temporary disturbances caused by silvicultural practices. Ceruleans frequently experience increases in density where light‐moderate intensity tending and harvest treatments are implemented. The resulting structure and lower stocking density of remnant stands associated with those
treatments is similar to key structural features that Ceruleans would normally inhabit within an unmanaged “old growth” forest landscape. The balance is that due to the Cerulean warbler’s selection of oak‐dominated woodlands, silvicultural practices enabling regeneration of these shade intolerant tree
species must be utilized without causing excessive disturbance.
Thinking about general forest conditions throughout Ohio (and in contrast to pre‐European
settlement conditions), what factors have likely contributed to a long‐term decline in Cerulean
warbler and other mature forest songbirds—species which favor more xeric forest communities
and more complex forest stands reminiscent of “old growth” characteristics.
Describe 2 other factors likely responsible for the current trend in Cerulean warbler populations
and which reflect Question 1’s focus.
Less overall forest cover; more fragmentation/edge, less core/interior forest
Intermediate aged forests
More homogenous stand structures
Climate change (partial credit for this, oaks likely to be more favored in most scenarios)
New ecosystem engineers/herbivory, oak regeneration
Fire suppression / changing forestry practices
The Cerulean warbler is neo‐tropical migrant songbird that has decreased in abundance over 70% in the past 40 years. Declines are largely attributable to habitat destruction and fragmentation and shifts in forest communities, though
they were historically one of the most common birds in N. America. Cerulean warblers inhabit predominantly forested landscapes and are very sensitive to hard, abrupt edges. They are most commonly associated with oak‐dominated forest communities possessing a well‐developed understory as well as high vertical structure within the upper midstory and upper canopy layers – more complex structural characteristics associated with “old growth” forests. Cerulean warblers glean insects from mid‐upper canopy deciduous tree leaves and place nests on horizontal limbs with substantial foliage cover. Nests are commonly constructed using bark torn from grapevines and woven into an open cup structure. Nesting and foraging activities occur most commonly in white
oaks with avoidance of maples and other shade‐tolerant hardwood species. Despite being so sensitive to hard edges, Cerulean warblers are surprisingly tolerant of more temporary disturbances caused by silvicultural practices. Ceruleans frequently experience increases in density where light‐moderate intensity tending and harvest treatments are implemented. The resulting structure and lower stocking density of remnant stands associated with those
treatments is similar to key structural features that Ceruleans would normally inhabit within an unmanaged “old growth” forest landscape. The balance is that due to the Cerulean warbler’s selection of oak‐dominated woodlands, silvicultural practices enabling regeneration of these shade intolerant tree
species must be utilized without causing excessive disturbance.
Thinking about general forest conditions throughout Ohio (and in contrast to pre‐European
settlement conditions), what factors have likely contributed to a long‐term decline in Cerulean
warbler and other mature forest songbirds—species which favor more xeric forest communities
and more complex forest stands reminiscent of “old growth” characteristics.
What are the 3 most likely reasons mesophication has proliferated?
Fire suppression
Herbivory / white‐tailed deer
Changing forestry practices/silviculture
The Cerulean warbler is neo‐tropical migrant songbird that has decreased in abundance over 70% in the past 40 years. Declines are largely attributable to habitat destruction and fragmentation and shifts in forest communities, though
they were historically one of the most common birds in N. America. Cerulean warblers inhabit predominantly forested landscapes and are very sensitive to hard, abrupt edges. They are most commonly associated with oak‐dominated forest communities possessing a well‐developed understory as well as high vertical structure within the upper midstory and upper canopy layers – more complex structural characteristics associated with “old growth” forests. Cerulean warblers glean insects from mid‐upper canopy deciduous tree leaves and place nests on horizontal limbs with substantial foliage cover. Nests are commonly constructed using bark torn from grapevines and woven into an open cup structure. Nesting and foraging activities occur most commonly in white
oaks with avoidance of maples and other shade‐tolerant hardwood species. Despite being so sensitive to hard edges, Cerulean warblers are surprisingly tolerant of more temporary disturbances caused by silvicultural practices. Ceruleans frequently experience increases in density where light‐moderate intensity tending and harvest treatments are implemented. The resulting structure and lower stocking density of remnant stands associated with those
treatments is similar to key structural features that Ceruleans would normally inhabit within an unmanaged “old growth” forest landscape. The balance is that due to the Cerulean warbler’s selection of oak‐dominated woodlands, silvicultural practices enabling regeneration of these shade intolerant tree
species must be utilized without causing excessive disturbance.
Thinking about general forest conditions throughout Ohio (and in contrast to pre‐European
settlement conditions), what factors have likely contributed to a long‐term decline in Cerulean
warbler and other mature forest songbirds—species which favor more xeric forest communities
and more complex forest stands reminiscent of “old growth” characteristics.
Which of the primary Eastern forest communities do you suppose provide the core of the Ceruleans summer (breeding) distribution?
Central Hardwoods
The Cerulean warbler is neo‐tropical migrant songbird that has decreased in abundance over 70% in the past 40 years. Declines are largely attributable to habitat destruction and fragmentation and shifts in forest communities, though
they were historically one of the most common birds in N. America. Cerulean warblers inhabit predominantly forested landscapes and are very sensitive to hard, abrupt edges. They are most commonly associated with oak‐dominated forest communities possessing a well‐developed understory as well as high vertical structure within the upper midstory and upper canopy layers – more complex structural characteristics associated with “old growth” forests. Cerulean warblers glean insects from mid‐upper canopy deciduous tree leaves and place nests on horizontal limbs with substantial foliage cover. Nests are commonly constructed using bark torn from grapevines and woven into an open cup structure. Nesting and foraging activities occur most commonly in white
oaks with avoidance of maples and other shade‐tolerant hardwood species. Despite being so sensitive to hard edges, Cerulean warblers are surprisingly tolerant of more temporary disturbances caused by silvicultural practices. Ceruleans frequently experience increases in density where light‐moderate intensity tending and harvest treatments are implemented. The resulting structure and lower stocking density of remnant stands associated with those
treatments is similar to key structural features that Ceruleans would normally inhabit within an unmanaged “old growth” forest landscape. The balance is that due to the Cerulean warbler’s selection of oak‐dominated woodlands, silvicultural practices enabling regeneration of these shade intolerant tree
species must be utilized without causing excessive disturbance.
Cerulean warblers are vulnerable to fragmentation because they are area‐sensitive species, which of the following other species groups are NOT sensitive to fragmentation
A. rare species
B. species with large home ranges
C. high reproductive rates
D. poor dispersers
C. High Reproductive Rates
The Cerulean warbler is neo‐tropical migrant songbird that has decreased in abundance over 70% in the past 40 years. Declines are largely attributable to habitat destruction and fragmentation and shifts in forest communities, though
they were historically one of the most common birds in N. America. Cerulean warblers inhabit predominantly forested landscapes and are very sensitive to hard, abrupt edges. They are most commonly associated with oak‐dominated forest communities possessing a well‐developed understory as well as high vertical structure within the upper midstory and upper canopy layers – more complex structural characteristics associated with “old growth” forests. Cerulean warblers glean insects from mid‐upper canopy deciduous tree leaves and place nests on horizontal limbs with substantial foliage cover. Nests are commonly constructed using bark torn from grapevines and woven into an open cup structure. Nesting and foraging activities occur most commonly in white
oaks with avoidance of maples and other shade‐tolerant hardwood species. Despite being so sensitive to hard edges, Cerulean warblers are surprisingly tolerant of more temporary disturbances caused by silvicultural practices. Ceruleans frequently experience increases in density where light‐moderate intensity tending and harvest treatments are implemented. The resulting structure and lower stocking density of remnant stands associated with those
treatments is similar to key structural features that Ceruleans would normally inhabit within an unmanaged “old growth” forest landscape. The balance is that due to the Cerulean warbler’s selection of oak‐dominated woodlands, silvicultural practices enabling regeneration of these shade intolerant tree
species must be utilized without causing excessive disturbance.
Based on what you know about Cerulean warblers, would you think they are more negatively impacted by which of the following
Edges Ecotones
Inherent Edges Induced Edges
Abrupt Edges Gradual Edges
Edges,
Induced Edges
Abrupt Edges
What are three specific ways that wildlife may benefit from fire?
Nutrient Recycling
invasive species removal
opening up the understory provides a more diverse forest and early successional habitat
Circle the type of prescribed burn that I describe which each statement
Winter Burns or Summer Burns: Also known as growing season burns
Winter Burns or Summer: Burns Fires kill the rootstock and control of
competition is more complete.
Winter Burns or Summer Burns: Less risk of incidental mortality to wildlife
A. Summer Burns
B. Summer Burns
C. Winter Burns
Researchers with a more patch‐biased perspective on habitat
loss and fragmentation, would attribute more of the Cerulean warblers’ decline to habitat loss.
True or False
False
Cerulean warblers commonly utilize SMZs as corridors between larger patches of
contiguous forest. What does the acronym SMZ stand for?
Streamside Management Zones
If an SMZ only serves to facilitate movement across the
landscape, it is properly termed a habitat corridor
True or False
False
Put the following in correct order after a major (stand replacing) disturbance and assuming
no additional major disturbances occur. (5 points)
A. “Old Growth” or Climax
B. Stem Exclusion or Pole stage
C. Stand Initiation or Old Field or Shrub Sapling Stage
D. Understory Re‐initiation or Mature Forest
E. Pioneer Community
- E
- C
- B
- D
- A
What are the 2 forest stages which best describe where
the bulk of Ohio’s forests are today?
Stem -exclsuion/pole stage
Understore re-initiation/mature forest
Which stage is generally considered
to have the least overall value for wildlife?
Stem exclusion/pole stage
________ ____________is a term used to describe the “old growth” or
“climax” state in which forest stands are in a constant flux of mature tree mortality and growth
of understory trees to fill those gaps.
Dynamic equilibrium
The Cerulean warbler is neo‐tropical migrant songbird that has decreased in abundance over 70% in the past 40 years. Declines are largely attributable to habitat destruction and fragmentation and shifts in forest communities, though
they were historically one of the most common birds in N. America. Cerulean warblers inhabit predominantly forested landscapes and are very sensitive to hard, abrupt edges. They are most commonly associated with oak‐dominated forest communities possessing a well‐developed understory as well as high vertical structure within the upper midstory and upper canopy layers – more complex structural characteristics associated with “old growth” forests. Cerulean warblers glean insects from mid‐upper canopy deciduous tree leaves and place nests on horizontal limbs with substantial foliage cover. Nests are commonly constructed using bark torn from grapevines and woven into an open cup structure. Nesting and foraging activities occur most commonly in white
oaks with avoidance of maples and other shade‐tolerant hardwood species. Despite being so sensitive to hard edges, Cerulean warblers are surprisingly tolerant of more temporary disturbances caused by silvicultural practices. Ceruleans frequently experience increases in density where light‐moderate intensity tending and harvest treatments are implemented. The resulting structure and lower stocking density of remnant stands associated with those
treatments is similar to key structural features that Ceruleans would normally inhabit within an unmanaged “old growth” forest landscape. The balance is that due to the Cerulean warbler’s selection of oak‐dominated woodlands, silvicultural practices enabling regeneration of these shade intolerant tree
species must be utilized without causing excessive disturbance.
Based on what you know about quality Cerulean warbler habitat, prescribe a tending (intermediate) treatment that could create and/or prolong “good” habitat characteristics for
the species. Name a specific treatment and specify its general effect on forest stand structure. Assume you are starting with an oak‐hickory stand in late pole stage or very early stages of
understory re‐initiation.
Thinning is the best answer, fire also given credit
Reallocates growth to remaining trees, temporarily allows light back into stand; increases spacing between trees, can alter both hor. and vertical structure
The Cerulean warbler is neo‐tropical migrant songbird that has decreased in abundance over 70% in the past 40 years. Declines are largely attributable to habitat destruction and fragmentation and shifts in forest communities, though
they were historically one of the most common birds in N. America. Cerulean warblers inhabit predominantly forested landscapes and are very sensitive to hard, abrupt edges. They are most commonly associated with oak‐dominated forest communities possessing a well‐developed understory as well as high vertical structure within the upper midstory and upper canopy layers – more complex structural characteristics associated with “old growth” forests. Cerulean warblers glean insects from mid‐upper canopy deciduous tree leaves and place nests on horizontal limbs with substantial foliage cover. Nests are commonly constructed using bark torn from grapevines and woven into an open cup structure. Nesting and foraging activities occur most commonly in white
oaks with avoidance of maples and other shade‐tolerant hardwood species. Despite being so sensitive to hard edges, Cerulean warblers are surprisingly tolerant of more temporary disturbances caused by silvicultural practices. Ceruleans frequently experience increases in density where light‐moderate intensity tending and harvest treatments are implemented. The resulting structure and lower stocking density of remnant stands associated with those
treatments is similar to key structural features that Ceruleans would normally inhabit within an unmanaged “old growth” forest landscape. The balance is that due to the Cerulean warbler’s selection of oak‐dominated woodlands, silvicultural practices enabling regeneration of these shade intolerant tree
species must be utilized without causing excessive disturbance.
Prescribe the optimal even‐aged harvest strategy that would create and/or prolong
“good” Cerulean warbler habitat.
Shelterwood
Prescribe the optimal uneven‐aged harvest strategy that would supply similar structural characteristics, perhaps even providing those beneficial conditions for a longer period of time for Ceruleans.
Group Selection
Regardless of whether you ultimately chose the uneven‐aged over the even‐aged method or vice versa, what spatial configuration (i.e., shape) of your management compartments would minimize fragmentation and edge effect impacts?
Circular
Given even‐ versus uneven‐aged management favors certain types of tree species (floristics!) for regeneration, given what else you know about Cerulean warbler habitat requirements, what is the best choice?
Shelterwood
Cerulean warblers commonly utilize SMZs as corridors between larger patches of contiguous forest. A SMZ is one specific type of corridor. Corridors in general are an important tool that wildlife managers use to combat fragmentation and create linkages through landscape which preserve and facilitate the genetic integrity of populations.
As a general rule of thumb, longer corridors can be effective with relatively narrower width. True or False
False
Cerulean warblers commonly utilize SMZs as corridors between larger patches of contiguous forest. A SMZ is one specific type of corridor. Corridors in general are an important tool that wildlife managers use to combat fragmentation and create linkages through landscape which preserve and facilitate the genetic integrity of populations.
A landscape‐based approach (as opposed to a patch‐based
approach) to corridor design is far better at conveying the true
complexity and heterogeneity inherent in spatial connectivity. True or False
True
Cerulean warblers commonly utilize SMZs as corridors between larger patches of contiguous forest. A SMZ is one specific type of corridor. Corridors in general are an important tool that wildlife managers use to combat fragmentation and create linkages through landscape which preserve and facilitate the genetic integrity of populations.
An extinction vortex describes the cyclical manner in which
populations may eventually go extinct. True or False
True
Corridors are by nature at least somewhat “edgy”, what is a forest habitat management technique you could use to combat unnaturally abrupt edges and create less deleterious conditions for species using the corridor?
Edge feathering
CREP
Conservation Reserve Enhancement program
CREP in Ohio
Lake Erie CREP
Upper Big Walnut Creek CREP
Scioto River Watershed CREP
Which generation of the monarch butterfly lays eggs in ohio
Last generation
Ohio Pollinator Habitat Initiative
All you can - where you can
What are the 3 main objectives of CRP
Water quality
soil erosion
wildlife habitat
CRP
A mid-contract voluntary program to ensure plant diversity, protect soil and water. Resources, field assessments, establish
Farmbill
To keep prairie (mid-contract management) mowing, grazing, selective herbicides. Thatch layer (burn/ lay it/ discing or tilling) Interseeding
Precision Agriculture
Farming mgmt concept based on observing, measuring, and responding to inter and intra field variability in crops (GIS heavy)
What are the criteria of wetlands for the divisin of wildlife private lands?
Hydrology
Hydric soils
hydrophilic plants
What criteria makes an edge non-profitable
wet, animals use it, sunlight
Why do we map soil composition while harvesting?
Tells where it is profitable and where it isn’t
True or False: non-profitable edges create buffers, these are typically include native species grasses and wildlife habitat
True
What are the ABC’s of wetlands mgmt?
A. Water level mgmt
B. vegetation response
C. wildlife utilization
Division of Wildlifes private lands wetland program
Cost share/ program
Tiered incentives for tiered easement options
What are the tiered easement options in wetlands management?
Permanent
30 year
restoration
What is the difference between mgmt and mitigation?
mitigation there was an impact/damage, mgmt wholestanding, what you have, what objectives are and what it would like, and how to do it
What is the difference between mitigation and restoration?
mitigation is changing habitat/ altering for better or worse and restoration is returning land to historical habitat
What are the 3 tiers of mitigation
level 1 - avoid
level 2 - minimize
level 3 - compensate (ruined / try to find somewhere else)
What is WRP?
Wetlands Reserve Program
What is CRP?
Conservation Reserve Program - must be agricultural
What is the purpose of CRP?
- wildlife habitat
- manage nutrient runoff
- improve soil conditions
What is EQIP?
Environmental quality incentives program
What does EQIP do?
WHIP
Brush control
field border
timerstand improvement
restoration of rare or declining natural communities
early successional habitat development/ mgmt
conservation crop rotation
What is WHIP?
Wildlife habitat incentive program
What does WHIP do
offers up to 75% cost share to carry out recommended activities.
True or False: Reclaimed minelands may be a good representation of novel ecosystems.
True
What are the criteria of novel ecosystems?
- can’t come back
- no historical analog
- no active mgmt
Why are horses more damaging to grass lands than deer, elk, goats, sheep and cows?
They have different dental structure with incisors on top and bottom.
What make prairie dogs unique?
They interact with others in the food web through trophic linkages
they have engineering relationships
Regeneration Harvest
Clear-cutting - removal of all trees in a specific area larger than 1 ha
Shelterwood
process of allowing new seed growth under the shelter of existing trees that will later be cut down to allow more light for the seedlings
Seed tree cut
almost complete harvest of a tree stand except for a few retained for natural reseeding and future harvest
Group selection harvest
Removal of 2+ trees creating a canopy gap
Streamsize Management Zones (SMZs)
Forested buffers along streams with the goal of limiting sediment and surface runoff and regulating temperature fluctuations.
What is a grassland?
a plant community dominated by grasses and forbs
trees and shrubs less prominent, even absent
little rainfall
regions with wide seasonal fluctuations in temperature and moisture
can be both temperate and tropical
What are the different types of grasslands?
Prairies, steppes, savannahs
Prairie (The Wilds)
moister subset of grasslands
Steppe (The gunnison Basin, CO)
Higher altitude, often drier grasslands or shrublands
Savannah
grassland with scattered trees (Daughmer state nature preserve)
