Forest Ecology Test 1 Review

1) Define forest. Are forests considered 2-dimensional? Why or why not?

A 3-D ecological system ("ecosystem") dominated by trees and woody vegetation that exists in dynamic interaction with the air-earth matrices -Multi layer -complex

6) Define heritability.

strength of genetic influence or as the ability of a trait/character to be passed on to successive generation

6) Which approach (vertical or horizontal) is taken to study the function of forested ecosystems?

-"Vertical plane" -How ecosystem functions -Internal approach

19) What is the spatial and temporal scale at which meso-scale extends?

-100-10000 hectares -within 10000 years

9) What is the difference between hydric and xeric species?

hydric- wet xeric- dr

7) Which step in sexual reproduction is the most critical?

establishment

18) Describe the relationship between seed dispersal distance and probability of survival.

further dispersal has higher chance of survival

5) Define gymnosperm and angiosperm.

gmnosperms not enclosed in an ovary or fruit

21) Which evolved first, gymnosperms or angiosperms?

gymnosperm

19) Define cotyledon.

an embryonic leaf in seed-bearing plants, one or more of which are the first leaves to appear from a germinating seed.

2) List the 2 different reproduction strategies. Which one requires fertilization?

- sexual - asexual -sexual

3) Define ecosystem.

" a relatively homogenous unit of the earth that includes interactions biotic organism(biotic community) and comparison of the environment"

11) Why is gene flow important? What material/s can be involved in gene flow?

- Exchange of genes between populations -pollen and seed act as migrates

23) Under what conditions are gymnosperms more dominant?

- Exclude angiosperms in cold, short growing seasons, aridity, fire, high winds, mid-summer

List 2 traits known to have a weak heritability.

- Hight, diameter, - -rooting habits - adjust to reach water tables in soil

26) Provide 3 examples of forest cover types discussed in class or your reading.

- Named for predominant species or groups of species inhabiting an area Oak Hickory, Longleaf slash pine, loblolly shortleaf pine.

10) Define oikos. What is the origin for this term?

- household - Ernst Haeckel

14) What factors should be considered when delineating a forest stand? Why is this concept important to forest management?

-Distinguishable unit -continuous group of similar plants -spatially explicit

5) List and describe the two major sources of genetic variation.

-Forced or intentionally introduced -Natural sources

4) Define monoecious.

-Male and female on same plants -pines

2) Define genotype and phenotype.

-Your genotype is your complete heritable genetic identity; - phenotype is its observable characteristics

15) Define synecology.

-art and science of controlling the establishment

19) Define tree improvement. List 5 reasons we invest $$$ into tree improvement programs.

-disease resistance

16) Why is ecosystem scale important when one studies forest ecology?

-from a log to a forest

7) Which approach (vertical or horizontal) addresses the spatial distribution of forested ecosystems?

-horizontal plane -Spatial component -Distribution -diversity

13) List 3 reasons why studying forest ecology is important.

-reforestation of forest sustainability regeneration concerns -Growth and composition

5) What is meant by ecosystem structure? vs. ecosystem function?

-spatial arrangement Atmosphere, soil, biota -landscape -starta within ecosystem, layers -processes -soil development, cycles -photosynthesis

6) List the 4 major steps in sexual reproduction. Describe what must occur in each step.

1) Seed production 2) Dispersal 3) Germination 4) establishment

10) Provide an example of why understanding the heritability of a trait is important to forest management.

1. Breeding 2. Introduce/ modify genes

20) What is the difference between a monocot and dicot?

A monocot seed has an embryo with a single cotyledon, and a dicot seed has an embryo with two cotyledons. Monocots have stem vascular systems with their bundles scattered, and dicots have their stem vascular systems with their bundles in a ring.

24) What role has genetics played in restoring American chestnut?

Blight resistance

What role do environmental conditions play in the recruitment process?

Cotyledons above ground

9) Explain what is meant by epigeal and hypogeal germination. Provide an example species for each type of germination.

Cotyledons below ground

7) Define allele.

Different forms of a gene

12) Define forest ecology.

Forest Ecology is the scientific study of the patterns and ecosystems in forests.

3) What is the formula for a phenotype?

G+E+GE -(G) genotype = the genetic makeup of an individual -(E)= Enviroment -(GE) = Genotype x Enviroment

12) Define seed stratification

In horticulture, stratification is the process of treating stored or collected seed prior to sowing to simulate natural winter conditions that a seed must endure before germination. Some seed species undergo an embryonic dormancy phase, and generally will not sprout until this dormancy is broken.

15) List 4 types of fruit.

List 4 types of fruit.

Define dioecious.

Male and female flowers on separate plants - ash, sassafras, persimmon

18)Based on Delcourts' scale paradigm, which temporal and spatial scale is most relevant to geologists, paleontologists, and evolutionists?

Meso

17) List the 4 scale classes in Delcourts' scale paradigm.

Micro, Meso, Macro, Mega

2) Which scientist introduced the term "ecosystem"?

Origin- Ernst Haeckel (1866) proposed "oecology" - Greek "oikos" = home or place to live - dealing with environmental relationships

18) What is meant by a common garden experiment? Explain how this experiment can be used to determine the effects of genotype and environmental factors

Provenance testing-seedsplanted in different environments -To establish a provenance trial series, seeds are collected throughout an area of interest. -Can also look at genetic variation from the same provenance (so between individu

seed scarification

Scarification in botany involves weakening, opening, or otherwise altering the coat of a seed to encourage germination. Scarification is often done mechanically, thermally, and chemically.

11) Draw the natural reproduction triangle. Consider factors that could break each side.

Seedbed, Enviroment, seed supply

20) Should changes in forest composition and structure following a small-scale forest disturbance (i.e., prescribed fire) be considered as a short or long-term change?

Short

11) Define ecology.

Study of ecological systems and interacting biotic and abiotic

16) Define provenance.

The origin of seed from population

22) Describe mass controlled pollination (refer back to your ArborGen notes).

To control which genetics to use when breeding.

12) Describe the process of "grafting"? What is the intent of this process? (refer back to your ArborGen notes)

To graft, the first step is to strip the needles off the plant, then compare the scion to the rootstock. After making an engrave in the rootstock and scion, it is then possible to make a unification of the two. Once they have been combined, a budding strip is used to wrap the two together. After being released, the rootstock is slashed away.

8) Define catena.

Topographic sequence of soils

17) Define race.

a population within a species that is distinct in some way, especially a subspecies.

4) List 3 biotic and abiotic components of an ecosystem.

producers, consumers, decomposers wind, soil, rain

21) Does evolution occur at a faster rate with sexual or asexual reproduction? Why?

sexual

3) Which reproduction strategy typically results in greater genetic diversity? Why?

sexual

1) Define adaptedness.

the ability of organisms to live and reproduce in a range of enviroments -genetic adaptations -Plasticity

Provide 2 examples of non-plastic

the ability to change genetically

8) Define plasticity of phenotype.

the ability to change non-genetically

9) Provide 2 examples of plastic traits.

the ability to change non-genetically

1) What is meant by "regeneration" and why is it so important?

the action or process of regenerating or being regenerated, in particular the formation of new animal or plant tissue.

23) Define introgression.

the transfer of genetic information from one species to another as a result of hybridization between them and repeated backcrossing.

16) List 4 mechanisms by which seed can be dispersed.

wind, water, explosion, animal

14) In general, which are more genetically diverse: woody or herbaceous plants? Why?

woody