CALIFORNIA RPF LATEST 2026 EXAM TEST PAPER
QUESTIONS AND SOLUTIONS RATED A+
✔✔100) The deleterious effect of one plant upon another through the production of
chemical inhibitors that are released into the environment is called - ✔✔Allelopathy
✔✔101) A commonly hand-held, satellite-based navigational device that records x, y,
and z, coordinates and other data allowing users to determine their location on the
surface of the earth is called a - ✔✔Global Positioning System Receiver
✔✔102) Define the term: "loam soil". - ✔✔A soil that is composed of equal parts sand,
silt and clay
✔✔103) The 1976 California Forest Taxation Reform Act made two principal changes in
the timberland property taxation law. What were the two changes? - ✔✔Tax on timber
harvested rather than standing value, created timber production zones
✔✔104) How do the Forest Practice Rules define "emergency"? - ✔✔means those
conditions that will cause waste or loss of timber resources to the Timber Owner that
may be minimized by immediate harvesting of infected, infested or damaged timber or
salvaging down timber; or those conditions that will cause appreciable financial loss to
the Timber Owner that may be minimized by immediate harvesting of timber
✔✔105) List three (3) PHYSICAL elements to consider when deciding whether to tractor
log or cable log a timber sale? - ✔✔Slope
Soil Type
Deflection/lift/topography
✔✔106) Name three types of road surface shape used to facilitate drainage. -
✔✔Inclope, outslope, crown
✔✔107) What are the three traditional approaches to timberland valuation? - ✔✔Sales
approach, cost approach, income approach
✔✔108) List 3 physical (not biological) environmental conditions or agents which may
predispose trees to insect, mite and disease damage. - ✔✔Drought, fire, poor drainage
✔✔109) The Forest Practice Act is intended to regulate timberlands to achieve what two
basic goals? - ✔✔Encourage prudent and responsible forest resource management
calculated to serve the public's need for timber and other forest products, while giving
consideration to the public's need for watershed protection, fisheries and wildlife,
sequestration of carbon dioxide, and recreational opportunities alike in this and future
generations.
,✔✔110) Cut-to-length harvesters generally work with a _________________ which
moves the logs to the landing. While Feller-bunchers usually use a
_____________________ to move bunches of whole trees to the landing. -
✔✔Forwarder
Skidder
✔✔111) What is the difference between a stand's arithmetic mean diameter and its
quadratic mean diameter? - ✔✔In practice Quadratic mean diameter tends to give more
weight to larger trees providing for a more useful measure of central tendency
✔✔112) State two silvicultural (not regulatory) reasons that reforestation surveys are
done. - ✔✔Ensure maximum utilization of growing space, check work of planting crews,
identify mortality factors, identify density and spatial arrangement of artificially or
naturally regenerated trees
✔✔113) List four counties in the State that have been granted special timber harvesting
rules by the Board of Forestry. - ✔✔Lake, Sonoma, Marin, Santa Clara
✔✔114) List 3 means (besides a licensing action by the Board of Forestry and Fire
Protection), which exist to sanction a RPF by CalFire? - ✔✔Civil penalties and charged
with misdemeanor, fine, stop order
✔✔115) Under the California Forest Practice Rules, a THP is reviewed by CDF first for
acceptance for filing and reviewed again before approval. Under the Forest Practice
Rules, what is the basic standard for a THP to be accepted for filing? - ✔✔Accurate and
complete
✔✔116) Under the California Forest Practice Rules, a THP is reviewed by CDF first for
acceptance for filing and reviewed again before approval. Under the Forest Practice
Rules, what is the basic standard for a THP to be accepted for approval after second
review? - ✔✔Complies with all laws and regulations
✔✔117) Give three silvicultural reasons why seed tree and shelterwood systems are
generally not used to regenerate coastal redwood stands. - ✔✔
✔✔118) Define the term "off-tracking" as it is used in forest road design and what is the
common adaptation made in the design of a forest road to accommodate off-tracking.
(You may use a sketch to supplement your text answer. - ✔✔The different paths that
the front and rear wheels take when cornering. The rear or trailer wheels will take a
shorter path around the curve, corner or turn.
,✔✔119) Increases in stream discharge following various forest management practices
have been demonstrated in many parts of the country. Water yield increases as a result
of decreased _____________ and
__________________. - ✔✔Ground Cover
Absorption
✔✔120) List 3 characteristics of a forested headwaters stream (Strahler orders 1
through 3). - ✔✔Intermittent, low energy input in the form of leaf fall, occupied by
species capable of migrating with water
✔✔121) Name two instruments which are commonly used in variable plot cruising to
determine if a tree is to be counted or not counted? - ✔✔Reliscope, measuring tape,
prism, crutch
✔✔122) A geomorphic feature formed by coalescing scars originating from landsliding
and erosional processes caused by active stream erosion and is identified as that area
situated immediately adjacent to the stream channel below the first break in slope is
called an - ✔✔Inner Gorge
✔✔123) State, in general terms, the objectives of the intent section of the Forest
Practice Act. - ✔✔The Legislature thus declares that it is the policy of this state to
encourage prudent and responsible forest resource management calculated to serve
the public's need for timber and other forest products, while giving consideration to the
public's need for watershed protection, fisheries and wildlife, sequestration of carbon
dioxide, and recreational opportunities alike in this and future generations.
✔✔124) When planning to build a new private timber access road which joins an
existing public (but not federal government) road, what type of permit, other than a THP,
is often needed and from which permitting authority? - ✔✔Encroachment permit from
Cal-Trans, the county, or municipality that governs the road
✔✔125) Define the term chlorosis - ✔✔an abnormal loss of green color of foliage-note
chlorosis is often a symptom of some mineral deficiency, virus infection, root or stem
girdling, or extremely reduced light
✔✔126) How does Net Present Value change as interest rates change? How? - ✔✔As
interest rates rise, so does the discount rate so NPV goes down. Example NPV=X/1.05
vs X/1.06
✔✔127) The genus Accipiter is a group of birds of prey in the family Accipitridae. These
birds are slender with short broad rounded wings and a long tail that helps them
maneuver in flight. They are commonly found in forested, wooded or shrubby areas.
, Name a sensitive species of Accipiter that is mentioned in the California FPRs. -
✔✔Northern goshawk
✔✔128) Today, forest managers generally recognize that large woody debris (LWD) is
important in influencing the biology and habitat values of streams in temperate
ecosystems. List four biological and/or habitat functions of LWD in forested streams of
California. - ✔✔Cover for protection for predators for Salmon. Cause scour pools for
salmon. Food for insect prey for salmon. Stream bank erosion protection leads to
decreased sedimentation. Reduce stream water velocity for fish to take refuge during
high water events
✔✔129) Define what is meant by the ecological term, "obligate species". - ✔✔relating to
a species that is limited in its habitat to few, specific environmental conditions, or a
parasite or pathogen to a specific host
✔✔130) When an alien or exotic species can establish, grow, reproduce, and maintain
itself in an area where it did not originally grow, it is said to be: - ✔✔Naturalized
✔✔131) The process by which a landscape is broken into small islands of forest within
a mosaic of other forms of land use or ownership is known as: - ✔✔Fragmentation
✔✔132) An Ecosystem can generally be defined as: - ✔✔a spatially explicit, relatively
homogeneous unit of the earth that includes all interacting organisms and components
of the abiotic environment within its boundaries
✔✔133) Why are watercourse crossings critical components of watershed protection in
managed forests? - ✔✔They are a potential source of significant sediment discharge
which can have a detrimental effect on a watershed
✔✔134) List three positive ecological roles of forest insects. - ✔✔Pollination, food for
wildlife, break down dead and decaying matter
✔✔135) Define Carbon Sequestration. - ✔✔The incorporation of carbon dioxide into
permanent plant tissues
✔✔136) Define Forest Carbon Stock - ✔✔is the amount of carbon that has been
sequestered from the atmosphere and is now stored within the forest ecosystem, mainly
within living biomass and soil, and to a lesser extent also in dead wood and litter.
✔✔137) What is the common name of a California native fern that may indicate wet
conditions in a forested environment? - ✔✔Deer fern
Skunk cabbage
QUESTIONS AND SOLUTIONS RATED A+
✔✔100) The deleterious effect of one plant upon another through the production of
chemical inhibitors that are released into the environment is called - ✔✔Allelopathy
✔✔101) A commonly hand-held, satellite-based navigational device that records x, y,
and z, coordinates and other data allowing users to determine their location on the
surface of the earth is called a - ✔✔Global Positioning System Receiver
✔✔102) Define the term: "loam soil". - ✔✔A soil that is composed of equal parts sand,
silt and clay
✔✔103) The 1976 California Forest Taxation Reform Act made two principal changes in
the timberland property taxation law. What were the two changes? - ✔✔Tax on timber
harvested rather than standing value, created timber production zones
✔✔104) How do the Forest Practice Rules define "emergency"? - ✔✔means those
conditions that will cause waste or loss of timber resources to the Timber Owner that
may be minimized by immediate harvesting of infected, infested or damaged timber or
salvaging down timber; or those conditions that will cause appreciable financial loss to
the Timber Owner that may be minimized by immediate harvesting of timber
✔✔105) List three (3) PHYSICAL elements to consider when deciding whether to tractor
log or cable log a timber sale? - ✔✔Slope
Soil Type
Deflection/lift/topography
✔✔106) Name three types of road surface shape used to facilitate drainage. -
✔✔Inclope, outslope, crown
✔✔107) What are the three traditional approaches to timberland valuation? - ✔✔Sales
approach, cost approach, income approach
✔✔108) List 3 physical (not biological) environmental conditions or agents which may
predispose trees to insect, mite and disease damage. - ✔✔Drought, fire, poor drainage
✔✔109) The Forest Practice Act is intended to regulate timberlands to achieve what two
basic goals? - ✔✔Encourage prudent and responsible forest resource management
calculated to serve the public's need for timber and other forest products, while giving
consideration to the public's need for watershed protection, fisheries and wildlife,
sequestration of carbon dioxide, and recreational opportunities alike in this and future
generations.
,✔✔110) Cut-to-length harvesters generally work with a _________________ which
moves the logs to the landing. While Feller-bunchers usually use a
_____________________ to move bunches of whole trees to the landing. -
✔✔Forwarder
Skidder
✔✔111) What is the difference between a stand's arithmetic mean diameter and its
quadratic mean diameter? - ✔✔In practice Quadratic mean diameter tends to give more
weight to larger trees providing for a more useful measure of central tendency
✔✔112) State two silvicultural (not regulatory) reasons that reforestation surveys are
done. - ✔✔Ensure maximum utilization of growing space, check work of planting crews,
identify mortality factors, identify density and spatial arrangement of artificially or
naturally regenerated trees
✔✔113) List four counties in the State that have been granted special timber harvesting
rules by the Board of Forestry. - ✔✔Lake, Sonoma, Marin, Santa Clara
✔✔114) List 3 means (besides a licensing action by the Board of Forestry and Fire
Protection), which exist to sanction a RPF by CalFire? - ✔✔Civil penalties and charged
with misdemeanor, fine, stop order
✔✔115) Under the California Forest Practice Rules, a THP is reviewed by CDF first for
acceptance for filing and reviewed again before approval. Under the Forest Practice
Rules, what is the basic standard for a THP to be accepted for filing? - ✔✔Accurate and
complete
✔✔116) Under the California Forest Practice Rules, a THP is reviewed by CDF first for
acceptance for filing and reviewed again before approval. Under the Forest Practice
Rules, what is the basic standard for a THP to be accepted for approval after second
review? - ✔✔Complies with all laws and regulations
✔✔117) Give three silvicultural reasons why seed tree and shelterwood systems are
generally not used to regenerate coastal redwood stands. - ✔✔
✔✔118) Define the term "off-tracking" as it is used in forest road design and what is the
common adaptation made in the design of a forest road to accommodate off-tracking.
(You may use a sketch to supplement your text answer. - ✔✔The different paths that
the front and rear wheels take when cornering. The rear or trailer wheels will take a
shorter path around the curve, corner or turn.
,✔✔119) Increases in stream discharge following various forest management practices
have been demonstrated in many parts of the country. Water yield increases as a result
of decreased _____________ and
__________________. - ✔✔Ground Cover
Absorption
✔✔120) List 3 characteristics of a forested headwaters stream (Strahler orders 1
through 3). - ✔✔Intermittent, low energy input in the form of leaf fall, occupied by
species capable of migrating with water
✔✔121) Name two instruments which are commonly used in variable plot cruising to
determine if a tree is to be counted or not counted? - ✔✔Reliscope, measuring tape,
prism, crutch
✔✔122) A geomorphic feature formed by coalescing scars originating from landsliding
and erosional processes caused by active stream erosion and is identified as that area
situated immediately adjacent to the stream channel below the first break in slope is
called an - ✔✔Inner Gorge
✔✔123) State, in general terms, the objectives of the intent section of the Forest
Practice Act. - ✔✔The Legislature thus declares that it is the policy of this state to
encourage prudent and responsible forest resource management calculated to serve
the public's need for timber and other forest products, while giving consideration to the
public's need for watershed protection, fisheries and wildlife, sequestration of carbon
dioxide, and recreational opportunities alike in this and future generations.
✔✔124) When planning to build a new private timber access road which joins an
existing public (but not federal government) road, what type of permit, other than a THP,
is often needed and from which permitting authority? - ✔✔Encroachment permit from
Cal-Trans, the county, or municipality that governs the road
✔✔125) Define the term chlorosis - ✔✔an abnormal loss of green color of foliage-note
chlorosis is often a symptom of some mineral deficiency, virus infection, root or stem
girdling, or extremely reduced light
✔✔126) How does Net Present Value change as interest rates change? How? - ✔✔As
interest rates rise, so does the discount rate so NPV goes down. Example NPV=X/1.05
vs X/1.06
✔✔127) The genus Accipiter is a group of birds of prey in the family Accipitridae. These
birds are slender with short broad rounded wings and a long tail that helps them
maneuver in flight. They are commonly found in forested, wooded or shrubby areas.
, Name a sensitive species of Accipiter that is mentioned in the California FPRs. -
✔✔Northern goshawk
✔✔128) Today, forest managers generally recognize that large woody debris (LWD) is
important in influencing the biology and habitat values of streams in temperate
ecosystems. List four biological and/or habitat functions of LWD in forested streams of
California. - ✔✔Cover for protection for predators for Salmon. Cause scour pools for
salmon. Food for insect prey for salmon. Stream bank erosion protection leads to
decreased sedimentation. Reduce stream water velocity for fish to take refuge during
high water events
✔✔129) Define what is meant by the ecological term, "obligate species". - ✔✔relating to
a species that is limited in its habitat to few, specific environmental conditions, or a
parasite or pathogen to a specific host
✔✔130) When an alien or exotic species can establish, grow, reproduce, and maintain
itself in an area where it did not originally grow, it is said to be: - ✔✔Naturalized
✔✔131) The process by which a landscape is broken into small islands of forest within
a mosaic of other forms of land use or ownership is known as: - ✔✔Fragmentation
✔✔132) An Ecosystem can generally be defined as: - ✔✔a spatially explicit, relatively
homogeneous unit of the earth that includes all interacting organisms and components
of the abiotic environment within its boundaries
✔✔133) Why are watercourse crossings critical components of watershed protection in
managed forests? - ✔✔They are a potential source of significant sediment discharge
which can have a detrimental effect on a watershed
✔✔134) List three positive ecological roles of forest insects. - ✔✔Pollination, food for
wildlife, break down dead and decaying matter
✔✔135) Define Carbon Sequestration. - ✔✔The incorporation of carbon dioxide into
permanent plant tissues
✔✔136) Define Forest Carbon Stock - ✔✔is the amount of carbon that has been
sequestered from the atmosphere and is now stored within the forest ecosystem, mainly
within living biomass and soil, and to a lesser extent also in dead wood and litter.
✔✔137) What is the common name of a California native fern that may indicate wet
conditions in a forested environment? - ✔✔Deer fern
Skunk cabbage
