Question 1

Describe the importance of the wetlands in Canada, and the wetlands throughout the world, using statistical data as evidence.

Accepted Answer

Canada: 
 -204 or the 578 species in Canada may be found in wetlands at some point throughout their lives.
- 50 mammal species 
- 47 species of endangered, threatened or rare species
Worldwide:
- 2/3 of harvested fish originate in tidal wetlands

Question 2

What were the responses to the wetland losses? Describe a little bit of the history. What was the North American Waterfowl Management Plan? Who signed it, in light of what, and when?

Accepted Answer

Canada signed the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International Importance (81) which designates the protection of 32 sites in Canada. More drastic measures were needed in 1986, hence the creation of NAWMP, which was signed by Canada and US (1995=Mexico)

Question 3

What park has the highest concentration of breeding ducks? Describe its topography and climate.

Accepted Answer

The Aspen Parkland hosts over 50% of duck species during their breeding in NA. The topography changes from flat, to rolling, to hilly, with many potholes. Climate is also variable, with hot summers, cold winters, and variable precipitation.

Question 4

What are the most important wetlands for breeding ducks? When are lakes used?

Accepted Answer

Potholes. Lakes are most important for moulting and staging.

Question 5

What are the 4 factors that make potholes important. Briefly describe why each is important.

Accepted Answer

1.Distribution (a lot of edge habitat); 2.Variation of size and vegetation (provides important habitat for breeding, brood-rearing, molting);3. Fertility (supports many floral and faunal spp);4. Natural succession (various spp through time)

Question 6

What are the seven variations regarding potholes?

Accepted Answer

1. Plankton and planktonic algae; 2. Submerged plants; 3. Deep-water emergents; 4. Shallow-water emergents; 5. Floating plants; 6. Woody plants; 7. Croplands

Question 7

What are the limiting factors of waterfowl abundance?

Accepted Answer

1. Availability of nesting sites; 2. Open water for courtship and breeding.

Question 8

What three groups of waterfowl are most important both numerically and economically.

Accepted Answer

Geese, dabbling and diving ducks.

Question 9

Describe the physical features of geese, and their eating habits.

Accepted Answer

Long neck; round bodies; larger than ducks; legs are more farther forward than ducks, giving them better balance, thus allowing them to walk on land. 
Eat aquatic plants, invertebrates, and will graze on grasses and waste grain on upland areas.

Question 10

Name one way that we can manage populations.

Accepted Answer

Plant on uplands under flyways, even if there is no water nearby, or inadequate cover or food.

Question 11

Why is there less management for geese than ducks?

Accepted Answer

-Large nesting area (too much $$)
-Nest farther North (little human disturbance, until recently)

Question 12

What are the two phases of the Lesser Snow Geese? Which is more common? What are its food sources throughout the year? How does the bill of a goose compare to that of a duck? Why are they not hunted year-round?

Accepted Answer

Blue & white. White is more common, even though blue is the dominant gene; Arctic: grasses and sedges. Migration: corn, peas and grain. Winters: roots tubers and grasses; Bills serrated for cutting and tearing; During the summer, they are very far North.

Question 13

What does the topography influence in an environment? What is the preferred topography when creating a wetland? The _ and the _ of the watershed directly affect the water _, peak levels of _, and _ of flood.

Accepted Answer

The location of dikes and dams, as well as whether or not local soils can be transported easily and cheaply.; little gradient with gently rolling surfaces.; Slope, size, volume, runoff, duration.

Question 14

What factors are you looking at when determining water quality and supply?

Accepted Answer

Water depth, pH, water chemistry, pollution, stain, runoff periods and peak levels during runoff periods, turbidity

Question 15

Why are soils important? What are the characteristics of agricultural soils vs clay soils. When would they each be used?

Accepted Answer

Must know if the soils will support heavy equipment; Agricultural soils have a lot of limestone, making them ideal for plant growth. Clay soils are good when constructing dams, but cause turbidity and poor aeration.

Question 16

What physical characteristics may a plant tell you about the an area? Why would wetlands in croplands be preferable than one under a coniferous stand? Well vegetated wetlands are more _ in water _ and water _. Why?

Accepted Answer

pH, bottom type, frequency of flooding, fertility; Croplands are more fertile, offer a smoother texture and are less acidic.; constant, flow, quality; because it, for example, filters out silt during runoff.

Question 17

What are the 11 factors that should be considered when trying to improve a natural wetland?

Accepted Answer

1) Crowding; 2) Territory; 3) Variety; 4) 50-50 open water and emergent vegetation; 5) Islands; 6) >1 acre; 7) Shallow water; 8) Deep water; 9) Maintain nesting cover; 10) Females return to where raised; 11) Too many emergents

Ornithology Exam

Notes regarding Ornithology exam

Question	Answer
Describe the importance of the wetlands in Canada, and the wetlands throughout the world, using statistical data as evidence.	Canada: -204 or the 578 species in Canada may be found in wetlands at some point throughout their lives. - 50 mammal species - 47 species of endangered, threatened or rare species Worldwide: - 2/3 of harvested fish originate in tidal wetlands
What were the responses to the wetland losses? Describe a little bit of the history. What was the North American Waterfowl Management Plan? Who signed it, in light of what, and when?	Canada signed the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International Importance (81) which designates the protection of 32 sites in Canada. More drastic measures were needed in 1986, hence the creation of NAWMP, which was signed by Canada and US (1995=Mexico)
What park has the highest concentration of breeding ducks? Describe its topography and climate.	The Aspen Parkland hosts over 50% of duck species during their breeding in NA. The topography changes from flat, to rolling, to hilly, with many potholes. Climate is also variable, with hot summers, cold winters, and variable precipitation.
What are the most important wetlands for breeding ducks? When are lakes used?	Potholes. Lakes are most important for moulting and staging.
What are the 4 factors that make potholes important. Briefly describe why each is important.	1.Distribution (a lot of edge habitat); 2.Variation of size and vegetation (provides important habitat for breeding, brood-rearing, molting);3. Fertility (supports many floral and faunal spp);4. Natural succession (various spp through time)
What are the seven variations regarding potholes?	1. Plankton and planktonic algae; 2. Submerged plants; 3. Deep-water emergents; 4. Shallow-water emergents; 5. Floating plants; 6. Woody plants; 7. Croplands
What are the limiting factors of waterfowl abundance?	1. Availability of nesting sites; 2. Open water for courtship and breeding.
What three groups of waterfowl are most important both numerically and economically.	Geese, dabbling and diving ducks.
Describe the physical features of geese, and their eating habits.	Long neck; round bodies; larger than ducks; legs are more farther forward than ducks, giving them better balance, thus allowing them to walk on land. Eat aquatic plants, invertebrates, and will graze on grasses and waste grain on upland areas.
Name one way that we can manage populations.	Plant on uplands under flyways, even if there is no water nearby, or inadequate cover or food.
Why is there less management for geese than ducks?	-Large nesting area (too much $$) -Nest farther North (little human disturbance, until recently)
What are the two phases of the Lesser Snow Geese? Which is more common? What are its food sources throughout the year? How does the bill of a goose compare to that of a duck? Why are they not hunted year-round?	Blue & white. White is more common, even though blue is the dominant gene; Arctic: grasses and sedges. Migration: corn, peas and grain. Winters: roots tubers and grasses; Bills serrated for cutting and tearing; During the summer, they are very far North.
What does the topography influence in an environment? What is the preferred topography when creating a wetland? The _ and the _ of the watershed directly affect the water _, peak levels of _, and _ of flood.	The location of dikes and dams, as well as whether or not local soils can be transported easily and cheaply.; little gradient with gently rolling surfaces.; Slope, size, volume, runoff, duration.
What factors are you looking at when determining water quality and supply?	Water depth, pH, water chemistry, pollution, stain, runoff periods and peak levels during runoff periods, turbidity
Why are soils important? What are the characteristics of agricultural soils vs clay soils. When would they each be used?	Must know if the soils will support heavy equipment; Agricultural soils have a lot of limestone, making them ideal for plant growth. Clay soils are good when constructing dams, but cause turbidity and poor aeration.
What physical characteristics may a plant tell you about the an area? Why would wetlands in croplands be preferable than one under a coniferous stand? Well vegetated wetlands are more _ in water _ and water _. Why?	pH, bottom type, frequency of flooding, fertility; Croplands are more fertile, offer a smoother texture and are less acidic.; constant, flow, quality; because it, for example, filters out silt during runoff.
What are the 11 factors that should be considered when trying to improve a natural wetland?	1) Crowding; 2) Territory; 3) Variety; 4) 50-50 open water and emergent vegetation; 5) Islands; 6) >1 acre; 7) Shallow water; 8) Deep water; 9) Maintain nesting cover; 10) Females return to where raised; 11) Too many emergents

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