Sunset

Graduate Take-Home Exam

This exam is open-book, open-notes. Please do not collaborate on your responses; let Guy know if you require clarification or additional information. Submit your responses, using an alias, by 9 May 2001 at 11:00 a.m. Please type your answers (double-spaced), and adhere strictly to the indicated length limits.

  1. Some conservation biologists seem to believe that non-human species are as important as human species. Provide a compelling, science-based argument to the contrary. [200 words or fewer; 10 points]

  2. List several of the goals of the Lakeside Ranger District of the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest. Describe how these goals depend on site characteristics, as described by Ed Collins on 21 April 2001. Briefly describe one of these goals and translate the goal into a specific objective that can be quantified objectively. [400 words or fewer; 40 points]

In-Class Exam

  1. Briefly but specifically describe the influence of site productivity--as mediated by elevation--on aspen growth on Mt. Lemmon. [4 points]

  2. The following non-native plant(s) have been found in Saguaro National Park. Circle all that apply. [5 points]

    buffel grass, fountain grass, Lehmann lovegrass, Natal grass, red brome

  3. Briefly describe the grass-fire cycle in the Sonoran Desert and its effects on native perennial vegetation. [6 points]

  4. Precipitation in the southwestern United States is bi-modal, with peaks in summer and winter. On a map of North America, illustrate and briefly describe sources of precipitation for each season. [6 points]

  5. Approximately how much land is converted from Sonoran Desert to developed land in the Tucson metropolitan area? [2 points]

    1. 12 acres/day
    2. 12 acres/week
    3. 12 acres/month
    4. 12 acres/year
    5. 12 acres/decade

  6. Describe human-induced changes in global temperatures with respect to alterations in means, extremes, and seasonal shifts in extreme events. [6 points]

  7. In class, we discussed the codes of ethics of 3 professional organizations. Which organization's code of ethics includes the strongest protocols for enforcement of violations? [2 points; select the single best answer]

    1. Ecological Society of America
    2. The Nature Conservancy
    3. Society of American Foresters
    4. Society for Range Management
    5. The Wildlife Society

  8. Which organization's code of ethics includes consideration of non-human species? [2 points; select the single best answer]

    1. Ecological Society of America
    2. The Nature Conservancy
    3. Society of American Foresters
    4. Society for Range Management
    5. The Wildlife Society

  9. What does your "ecological footprint" tell us about individual patterns of consumption, and the resultant implications for other species? [5 points]

  10. The Lakeside Ranger District of the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest has determined that several plant communities are too common, and others are too rare. Specifically, they would like to increase Vegetative Structural States (VSS) 2A, 3A, 4A, and 5A at the expense of VSS 1, 4C, and 5C. Briefly describe the physiognomy of the desired states relative to the undesired states, and describe several specific strategies that are being used to facilitate the transformation of states. [10 points]

  11. Which VSS class is used to describe a ponderosa pine forest with 30% overstory canopy cover and an average dbh of 14"? [2 points]

    1. VSS3B
    2. VSS3C
    3. VSS4A
    4. VSS4B
    5. VSS4C
    6. VSS5A
    7. VSS5B
    8. VSS5C

  12. If the forest stand in the previous question is re-evaluated in 10 years and it changes classes, which class would it "grow into?" [2 points]

    1. VSS3B
    2. VSS3C
    3. VSS4A
    4. VSS4B
    5. VSS4C
    6. VSS5A
    7. VSS5B
    8. VSS5C

  13. If you reduce canopy cover of the original stand by half, but average dbh remains the same, which class would describe the stand? [2 points]

    1. VSS3B
    2. VSS3C
    3. VSS4A
    4. VSS4B
    5. VSS4C
    6. VSS5A
    7. VSS5B
    8. VSS5C

  14. What factors constrain the total area treated with prescribed fire on the Lakeside Ranger District of the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest? [3 points]

  15. Recycling is generally believed to be an environmentally "friendly" activity. Describe a consequence of recycling that constrains management of vegetation in the White Mountains. [6 points]

  16. What is the goal of conservation biology? [3 points]

  17. List 7 reasons we should be concerned about non-human species. [7 points]

  18. What are the 4 components of The Nature Conservancy's "conservation process?" [4 points]

  19. List the five S's in The Nature Conservancy's framework for site conservation. [5 points]

  20. Select one of the categories of research described by McArdle (1996). Provide an example of the use of this type of research in vegetation management. [4 points]

  21. Approximately how many people occupy earth? [3 points]

  22. List 6 steps that can be used to increase biological diversity in communities managed for multiple use. [6 points]

  23. List and briefly describe the three most important items or concepts you learned in this class. In your response, indicate why these items are particularly important for management of natural resources. [5 points]