Quiz: Forest Ecosystem
Quiz 4
1. Though underappreciated, novel forests are an important ecosystem for many different plant and animal species. They are a mix of native and non-native plants that compose an entirely new type of forest. Since the land was previously used as a cattle pasture, the soil will be severely compacted, leaving little space in the soil for air, water, and other nutrients to reach the roots of plants that germinate. To assist with the development of the soil, going in to aerate soil on bare land and around the trees that have begun to colonize the land will aid them in receiving the water, oxygen, and other nutrients they need to thrive. Aerating the soil would solve the issues caused by it being compacted and make it easier for more trees
to germinate and for the forest to continue to grow. 2. When dealing with non-native flora and fauna in the developing forests, the plan is to handle them on a case-by-case basis. Non-native is not synonymous with bad, and while previously it was normal to try to remove all non-native species now it’s clear that those ideas are outdated. Non-native species provide valuable habitat and niche space and are able to grow on land that is too degraded for native species to grow on. However, native species still have a part to play and should be preserved because some fauna species may rely on one native species of tree.
1. Though underappreciated, novel forests are an important ecosystem for many different plant and animal species. They are a mix of native and non-native plants that compose an entirely new type of forest. Since the land was previously used as a cattle pasture, the soil will be severely compacted, leaving little space in the soil for air, water, and other nutrients to reach the roots of plants that germinate. To assist with the development of the soil, going in to aerate soil on bare land and around the trees that have begun to colonize the land will aid them in receiving the water, oxygen, and other nutrients they need to thrive. Aerating the soil would solve the issues caused by it being compacted and make it easier for more trees
to germinate and for the forest to continue to grow. 2. When dealing with non-native flora and fauna in the developing forests, the plan is to handle them on a case-by-case basis. Non-native is not synonymous with bad, and while previously it was normal to try to remove all non-native species now it’s clear that those ideas are outdated. Non-native species provide valuable habitat and niche space and are able to grow on land that is too degraded for native species to grow on. However, native species still have a part to play and should be preserved because some fauna species may rely on one native species of tree.