Quiz 1

Question 1

Define Frequency, Magnitude, and Return Interval in the Context of Ecosystem DIsturbance

Answer 1

Frequency: How often the disturbance occurs

Magnitude: The scale of the disturbance

Return Interval: The time between disturbances

Question 2

What is the difference between resistance and resilience?

Answer 2

Resistance is responding to the disturbance by resisting ecological change

Resilience is the time it takes the ecosystem to recover after disturbance or the amount of disturbance an ecosystem can tolerate before the regime shift occurs

Question 3

Why is it critical to restore for resilience?

Answer 3

We need to restore for resilience because throughout time, if disturbances continue, they will escalate and push the ball over the edge, continuing to the bottom of the cup, where the ecosystem will have irreversible degredation

Question 4

Provide 4 of the 8 Principles for the practice of restoration as outlined by SER International?

Answer 4

1. Engages stakeholders
2. Draws on many types of knowledge
3. Is informed by native reference ecosystems while considering environmental change
4. Supports ecosystem recovery processes
5. Is assessed against clear goals and objectives using measurable indicators
6. Seeks the highest level of recovery possible
7. Gains cumulative value when applied at large scales
8. Is part of a continuum of restorative activities

Question 5

What is a reference ecosystem?

Answer 5

A benchmark used to guide the restoration project, representing the target condition that is aimed to achieve
- represents the sites ecosystem as if the degradation never occurred

Question 6

Name and describe 3 of the 6 key attributes of restored ecosystems

Answer 6

1. Absence of Threats: Direct threats to the ecosystem such as over-utilization, contamination, or invasive species are absent.
2. Physical Conditions: Environmental conditions (including the physical and chemical conditions of soil and water, and topography) required to sustain the target ecosystem are present.
3. Species Composition: Native species characteristic of the appropriate reference ecosystem are present, whereas undesirable species are absent.
4. Structural Diversity: Appropriate diversity of key structural components, including demographic stages, tropic levels, vegetation strata and spatial habitat diversity are present.
5. Ecosystem Function: Appropriate levels of growth and productivity, nutrient cycling, decomposition, species interactions, and rates of disturbance.
6. External Exchanges: The ecosystem is appropriately integrated into its larger landscape or aquatic context through abiotic and biotic flows and exchanges

Question 7

Why are large-scale efforts needed as part of restoration?

Answer 7

Degradation occurring at larger scales can overwhelm smaller restoration efforts

Question 8

Explain how restoration is related to conservation and landscape architecture

Answer 8

Restoration and Conservation: Conservation focuses on preserving existing ecosystems, restoration aims to repair and renew degraded ones.

Restoration and Landscape Architecture: Landscape architecture is integrated closely with conservation and restoration. During restoration projects, landscape architecture is used to maximize biodiversity in the ecosystem, meanwhile making it sustainable to maintain through the years with conservation efforts by the community.

Question 9

According to Clewell, what are the 4 main values that must be considered in restoration?

Answer 9

• personal
• ecological
• cultural
• socioeconomic

Question 10

Which values are collective or individual and subjective or objective?

Answer 10

Personal: Individual and subjective
Ecological: Individual and objective
Cultural: Collective and subjective
Socioeconomic: Collective and objective

Question 11

Provide one example of each value?

Answer 11

Personal: Oneness with nature
Ecological: Gaia
Cultural: World peace
Socioeconomic: Ecosystem services

Question 12

What are the two key acts under Federal Regulation used for environmental protection and assessment?

Answer 12

Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA)
Impact Assessment Act (IAA)

Question 13

What should be included in all ecological objectives?

Answer 13

Attribute or sub-attribute that is being manipulated
Desired outcome (income, decrease, maintain)
Magnitude of effect (40% increase in plant cover)
Time frame

Question 14

Why is it essential to set goals and objectives for restoration projects

Question 15

Give and describe the 6 key ecological attributes of restored ecosystems

Answer 15

1. Absence of threats: overutilization, and contamination; elimination or control of invasive species
2. Physical conditions: reinstatement of hydrological and substrate conditions
3. Species composition: presence of desirable plant and animal species and absence of undesirable plants
4. Structural diversity: reinstatement of layers, faunal food webs, and spatial habitat diversity
5. Ecosystem functionality: appropriate levels of growth and productivity, reinstatement of nutrient cycling, decomposition, habitat elements, plant-animal interactions, normal stressors, on-going reproduction and regeneration of the ecosystems species
6. External exchanges: reinstatement of linkages and connectivity for migration and gene flow; and for flows including hydrology, fire, or other landscape-scale processes