Geog 237 Final Exam Study Guide filled

Concepts for Geog 237 Final Exam

1. Forests

  • FAO Definition: Land that is more than 120 feet wide, with at least 10% cover by trees.

  • US Definition: Land recognized for its tree coverage, including areas with varying widths and cover levels.

  • Potential for regeneration emphasized.

2. Nontimber Forest Products (NTFP)

  • Includes materials like medicine, herbs, and fungus, focusing on ecological and economic sustainability.

3. Xylem and Phloem

  • Xylem: Conducts water and minerals, consisting of dead cells in trees that transport these from roots to shoots.

  • Phloem: Transports glucose from leaves downward, remains alive to function effectively.

4. Tracheids and Vessels in Xylem

  • Tracheids: Long, narrow cells aiding in transport and support.

  • Vessels: Wider pipes for quick water and nutrient movement.

5. Biodiversity

  • Species Biodiversity Measures:

    • Alpha Diversity: Total number of species in a specific area.

    • Beta Diversity: Unique species between different ecosystems.

    • Gamma Diversity: Overall diversity across larger regions.

6. Wildlife and Species Status

  • Endangered Species: Low survival prospects, at risk of extinction.

  • Threatened Species: Not currently endangered but at risk of becoming so.

7. Watershed and Water Balance

  • Watershed: Area collecting and draining water, crucial for managing water resources.

  • Water Balance Equation: P - ET = R (Precipitation - Evapotranspiration = Runoff).

8. Population, Community, Ecosystem

  • Defines groups of interrelated organisms and their environments.

9. Shade Tolerance, Self-Thinning, Yoda’s Rule

  • Strategies trees use to survive in specific light conditions; self-thinning refers to density-dependent growth.

10. Remote Sensing and NDVI

  • NDVI: Normalized Difference Vegetation Index, measures vegetation health by reflecting on near-infrared light absorption.

11. Landscape Composition and Configuration

  • Important for habitat diversity, encompassing type and arrangement of land cover.

12. Allometry and Diameter at Breast Height (DBH)

  • Study of organism growth concerning size and material properties.

13. Natural vs. Artificial Regeneration

  • Natural: Forest regrowth without human assistance.

  • Artificial: Human-planted trees in previously used areas.

14. Photosynthesis Types: C3 and C4 Plants

  • C3 Plants: More common, converting CO2 into a three-carbon compound.

  • C4 Plants: Adapted to high light and temperature; includes corn and sugarcane.

15. Phenology

  • Annual rhythms of plant growth and how they are influenced by temperature and day length.

16. Growing Degree Days / Chilling Degree Days

  • Metrics used to track growth and development stages in plants.

17. Vapor Pressure Metrics

  • Definitions: Saturated vapor pressure, vapor pressure deficit, and relative humidity explain moisture movement.

18. Soil Water Potential

  • Reflects water availability; influenced by soil type and environmental conditions.

19. Primary Production Figures

  • Gross Primary Production (GPP): Total carbon fixed in photosynthesis.

  • Net Primary Production (NPP): GPP minus autotrophic respiration.

20. Niche Definitions

  • Fundamental Niche: All potential resource use by a species.

  • Realized Niche: Actual use considering competition and other environmental constraints.

21. Forest Succession and Theories

  • Clement’s Climax Theory: Views forests as reaching stable endpoints.

  • Gleason’s Theory: Emphasizes individualistic species interactions during succession.

22. Ecosystem Services Payment

  • Various programs aimed at compensating landowners for enhancing ecosystem services, e.g., CRP and REDD+.

Short Answer Topics

  1. US Forest Cover and Area

  2. Global Forest Cover and Area

  3. Top Five US Tree Species and Their Distribution

  4. At-Risk Forests in the US

  5. Primary Forest Ownership in the US

  6. Growth Tissues in Trees (Vertical and Horizontal)

  7. Essential Nutrients for Trees

  8. Guard Cells Function in Stomatal Regulation

  9. Biodiversity Variation with Latitude and Elevation

  10. Processes Generating New Species

  11. Primary Global Forest Types by Climate Zones

Essay Questions Focus

  1. Influencing Factors of Photosynthesis Rate

  2. Models for Estimating Forest Productivity

  3. Major Carbon Sources/Sinks and Their Changes

  4. Importance of Phenology and Influential Factors

  5. Ecosystem Services Provided by Forests

  6. Critique on Forest Cover as a Resource Measure

  7. Importance of Forests to Wildlife

  8. Sources of Forest Disturbance and Their Impacts

  9. Forest Impact on Poverty Dynamics for Dependent People

  10. Critique of "The Tragedy of the Commons" based on course learnings

  11. Forest Effects on Water Supply and Soil Storage