Environmental Science Unit 4 Questions
& Answers
Public resources - ANSWERSResources that are considered owned by all members of
society
The Canada Constitution Act - ANSWERSThis act of 1982 consolidated this
jurisdictional authority and it continues to define the responsibilities of provincial
governments as the primary custodians of environmental resources.
Ecosystem Management - ANSWERSAchieving societal goals for the interacting biotic
communities and their abiotic attributes in a defined geographic area. An evolving
concept that recognizes the need to use ecological components in environmental
decision making.
Biological Diversity - ANSWERSThe variety of life in all forms, at all levels, and in all
combinations in a defined area. It can be considered at the level of genes species,
populations, communities ecosystems, and landscapes. The area is defined by humans
and can vary in size from something as large as the Earth to a country, province, region,
municipality, or a puddle in your backyard.
Biotic communities - ANSWERSLiving things that are found in a particular area,
including humans, plants, animals, microrganisms, and any other living thing.
Abiotic attributes - ANSWERSAnything that is not living but is still an important
component in the area under examination. This can include such things as soil, water,
air, and other physical components of the environment
Principle 1 - ANSWERSThe objectives of management of land, water and living
resources are a matter of societal choice
Principle 11 - ANSWERSThe ecosystem approach should consider all forms of relevant
information, including scientific and indigenous and local knowledge, innovations and
practices.
Principle 12 - ANSWERSThe ecosystem approach should involve all relevant sectors of
society and scientific disciplines
The administrative basis - ANSWERSA basis where each region has it's own set of
parameters to manage the environment. However overlapping variables may cause
specific administrative jurisdictions to overlap and result in inconsistent decision-
making.
, Ecological Classification Basis - ANSWERSA basis where managing transcends
government and other administrative boundaries. However because of this, these
groups must work together to coordinate their management efforts.
Monumentalism - ANSWERSThis concept was a driving factor in setting aside and
designating regions as parks. Monuments of nature were protected so that society could
travel to these sites and witness the scenic grandeur.
The minimum Viable Population - ANSWERSThe estimated smallest population that
can maintain itself and its genetic variability indefinitely.
Ecological islands - ANSWERSWhen protected areas/parks become isolated and
surrounded by different and perhaps conflicting land uses.
Wildlife corridor - ANSWERSA protected zone that connects isolated unlogged or
undeveloped areas
Biosphere Reserve - ANSWERSWhere multiple land uses an various stakeholders take
interest and consider an overall plan to manage resources while generally
Silviculture - ANSWERSThe science of forest and harvest management. There are two
different harvesting approaches which can be distilled into a single question: Are
specific trees selected or are they all chopped down?
Selective cutting - ANSWERSInvolves the removal of intermediate aged and mature
trees and results in a forest in a forest in which the trees are evenly aged
Clearcutting - ANSWERSAn approach where an entire stand or large block is harvested
with adjacent stands taken in alternate years
Annual Allowable cut (AAC) - ANSWERSDefined as the volume of trees to be logged
from an area in a given year.
Old-growth forests - ANSWERSForests that have attained at least an age of 100 years.
Second growth or Secondary growth forests - ANSWERSResult from the regeneration
of tree species that occurs after either a natural disturbance, such as a wildfire or a
windstorm, or forestry operations.
Extinction - ANSWERSThe elimination of species from Earth.
Extirpated species - ANSWERSA species that is no longer present in the wild in
Canada
Endangered species - ANSWERSA species that is facing imminent extinction or
extirpation
& Answers
Public resources - ANSWERSResources that are considered owned by all members of
society
The Canada Constitution Act - ANSWERSThis act of 1982 consolidated this
jurisdictional authority and it continues to define the responsibilities of provincial
governments as the primary custodians of environmental resources.
Ecosystem Management - ANSWERSAchieving societal goals for the interacting biotic
communities and their abiotic attributes in a defined geographic area. An evolving
concept that recognizes the need to use ecological components in environmental
decision making.
Biological Diversity - ANSWERSThe variety of life in all forms, at all levels, and in all
combinations in a defined area. It can be considered at the level of genes species,
populations, communities ecosystems, and landscapes. The area is defined by humans
and can vary in size from something as large as the Earth to a country, province, region,
municipality, or a puddle in your backyard.
Biotic communities - ANSWERSLiving things that are found in a particular area,
including humans, plants, animals, microrganisms, and any other living thing.
Abiotic attributes - ANSWERSAnything that is not living but is still an important
component in the area under examination. This can include such things as soil, water,
air, and other physical components of the environment
Principle 1 - ANSWERSThe objectives of management of land, water and living
resources are a matter of societal choice
Principle 11 - ANSWERSThe ecosystem approach should consider all forms of relevant
information, including scientific and indigenous and local knowledge, innovations and
practices.
Principle 12 - ANSWERSThe ecosystem approach should involve all relevant sectors of
society and scientific disciplines
The administrative basis - ANSWERSA basis where each region has it's own set of
parameters to manage the environment. However overlapping variables may cause
specific administrative jurisdictions to overlap and result in inconsistent decision-
making.
, Ecological Classification Basis - ANSWERSA basis where managing transcends
government and other administrative boundaries. However because of this, these
groups must work together to coordinate their management efforts.
Monumentalism - ANSWERSThis concept was a driving factor in setting aside and
designating regions as parks. Monuments of nature were protected so that society could
travel to these sites and witness the scenic grandeur.
The minimum Viable Population - ANSWERSThe estimated smallest population that
can maintain itself and its genetic variability indefinitely.
Ecological islands - ANSWERSWhen protected areas/parks become isolated and
surrounded by different and perhaps conflicting land uses.
Wildlife corridor - ANSWERSA protected zone that connects isolated unlogged or
undeveloped areas
Biosphere Reserve - ANSWERSWhere multiple land uses an various stakeholders take
interest and consider an overall plan to manage resources while generally
Silviculture - ANSWERSThe science of forest and harvest management. There are two
different harvesting approaches which can be distilled into a single question: Are
specific trees selected or are they all chopped down?
Selective cutting - ANSWERSInvolves the removal of intermediate aged and mature
trees and results in a forest in a forest in which the trees are evenly aged
Clearcutting - ANSWERSAn approach where an entire stand or large block is harvested
with adjacent stands taken in alternate years
Annual Allowable cut (AAC) - ANSWERSDefined as the volume of trees to be logged
from an area in a given year.
Old-growth forests - ANSWERSForests that have attained at least an age of 100 years.
Second growth or Secondary growth forests - ANSWERSResult from the regeneration
of tree species that occurs after either a natural disturbance, such as a wildfire or a
windstorm, or forestry operations.
Extinction - ANSWERSThe elimination of species from Earth.
Extirpated species - ANSWERSA species that is no longer present in the wild in
Canada
Endangered species - ANSWERSA species that is facing imminent extinction or
extirpation
