NCF-Envirothon Forestry Test Sample Questions with Solutions

Tree Identification and Forest Measurements

1. Tree Identification:
- A: Red Maple
- B: Northern Red Oak
- C: Sweetgum
- D: Mockernut Hickory
- E: American Hornbeam
- F: Silktree Mimosa
2. Merchantable Board Volume (using Biltmore stick):
- Diameter: 14 inches
- Merchantable height: 1 log
- Volume: 80 bd ft
3. Basal Area Determination:
- Using 10 factor wedge prism: 120 sq. feet per acre
- Using metric 2 factor wedge prism: 12 m^2/ha
4. Past Land Use History:
- Historically overgrazed.
- Significantly affected by human settlement.

5. Uses of GIS in Forestry:
- Mapping and analyzing geographic (spatial) information.
- Locating endangered species habitat.
- Forest cover typing.
- Locating ecologically sensitive land types.
- Ownership boundaries.
- Transportation or facilities siting.
- Capability analysis (including insect/disease potential, watershed condition, erosion potential).

6. Ecological Sustainability: Ecosystem composition, structure, and process (function).
- Ponderosa Pine Forest Issues:
  - Composition: Invasive species, increase in shade tolerant firs.
  - Structure: Increased stand density, more small trees, harvest focused on large trees.
  - Process: Fire suppression, increased high intensity fires-fewer low intensity fires.

7. Negative Impacts of Invasive Understory:
- Shade out native vegetation trying to establish.
- Inhibits travel lanes for wildlife.
- Significantly inhibits the growth of desirable species for future harvest.
- Could attract insect and disease problems.
- No native species for insect/wildlife habitat.

8. Soil Characteristics and Aspect:
- North facing aspects:
  - Receive less direct sunlight.
  - Cooler soil temperatures.
  - More moisture available.
- South facing slopes:
  - Receive direct sunlight.
  - Droughty or drier.
  - Increased soil temperatures.
  - Soils dry out more quickly.
- Affects productivity, species composition, fire effects, soil conditions, etc.

9. Additional Education for Urban/Community Foresters:
- Arboriculture.
- Horticulture.
- Plant pathology.
- Landscape architecture.
- Entomology.
- Community planning and development.
- Political science.

10. Invasive Species Samples:
- Specimen A – Garlic Mustard:
  - Impacts: Crowds out native plants, changes soil chemistry.
  - Introduction Vector: Imported as decorative garden plant.
- Specimen B – Emerald Ash Borer:
  - Impacts: Attacks native ashes which have no defense, lack of predators allows population to explode, will eventually kill all ashes in a contaminated area.
  - Introduction Vector: Accidentally introduced through trade.

11. Effects of Stream Re-Routing:
- Current trees: Root systems were most likely damaged and water-logged, and some species are not adapted to constant water.
- Future trees: All future trees will need to be water-loving species.

12. Reasons for Using Prescribed Fire:
- Preventing the buildup of ground fuels/prevent high intensity wildfire kill weakened, diseased, or undesirable trees.
- Stimulate regeneration in the forest.
- Maintain a fire dependent ecosystem.
- Create openings for wildlife habitat.
- Fire is also used to fight wildfires (backfires).

13. Stocking Chart:
- Basal area: 95 square feet per acre
- Trees per acre: 300
- Fully stocked at 90 percent

14. Crown Classes:
- A. Co-dominant
- B. Dominant
- C. Intermediate
- D. Suppressed
15. Co-Dominant vs. Intermediate:
- Co-dominant: Medium sized crowns that form the general crown cover (canopy) and receive sunlight from above.
- Intermediate: Small-crowned and shorter trees that just reach into the general canopy and receive little direct sunlight. May also be referred to as the under story.

16. Site Index Determination:
- Base age: 50
- Plot 1 Site Index: 70
- Plot 2 Site Index: 100
- A. Crown classification used: Dominant
- B. Measurement needed: Tree height or Tree age
- C. Difference: Plot 1 is a lower quality site that will grow shorter trees than Plot 2 when measured and compared at age 50.

17. Tree Part Identification and Function:
- C: BARK - 4: Protects the tree from pests, diseases, etc.
- B: CAMBIUM - 3: A layer of living tissue that forms new cells.
- E: HEARTWOOD - 2: Provides support and strengthens the tree.
- D: PHLOEM - 5: Moves glucose from the leaves to the rest of the tree and roots.
- A: XYLEM - 1: Carries nutrients and water from the roots to the crown of the tree.

18. Silviculture Practices:
- A. Clearcut
- B. Group Selection
- C. Single Tree
- D. Seed Tree
- E. Shelterwood

19. Factors Determining Forest Type:
- Elevation
- Topography (slope)
- Annual rainfall
- Soil type/depth
- Exposure to elements (harsh weather)

20. Forestry Tools and Uses:
- A. Driptorch: Used to ignite fuels as part of a prescribed burn or wildfire operations to burn out vegetative fuel.
- B. Densitometer: Used for measuring the density of canopy cover.
- C. Increment Borer: Used to take core samples to determine the rate of a tree’s radial growth and its age.

21. Slope Measurement (Clinometer):
- Measured on site between points “19A” and “19B”.

22. Negative Impacts of Invasive Understory:
- Shade out native vegetation trying to establish.
- Inhibits travel lanes for wildlife.
- Significantly inhibits the growth of desirable species for future harvest.
- Could attract insect and disease problems.
- No native species for insect/wildlife habitat.