ECOSCAPER LEVEL 1 SAMPLE/PRACTICE TEST

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Welcome to the Ecoscaper Level 1 Sample/Practice Test page. We are pleased you have decided to undertake this educational certification process. Answers to all questions asked in this test can be found in the following Wild Ones resource materials:
1. Wild Ones New Member Handbook
2. Wild Ones Landscaping with Native Plants
3. Wild Ones web site at www.for-wild.org

Correct answers of 75% or more of the test questions will give you a passing grade. You are welcome to take the test over as many times as you wish. This sample test will not be sent to Wild Ones, and will not be scored.

We wish you luck in this new challenge.

SAMPLE/PRACTICE TEST

1. What characteristics of soil are important to know before selecting plants for a particular location? (Click all correct answers.)
A. The soil’s moisture holding capacity and how quickly water drains through it
B. The soil’s color
C. The general classification that the soil falls into: sandy, clay, or loamy
D. The soil’s pH
E. Whether or not winter wheat was ever planted in that same soil

2. Why avoid adding un-composted manure directly to soil that will be planted soon? (Click the one most important factor.)
A. The odor may be too offensive
B. It is likely to contain a large number of weed seeds
C. Native plants did not naturally co-exist with manure

3. A field that was formerly used for farming usually requires at least one full growing season to prepare the site, especially if it will be seeded to native vegetation.
True
False

4. Once you've determined what type of soil your prairie-planting site contains, removing vegetation is the next step. If you prefer to avoid using herbicides, similar results can be accomplished by: (Click all correct answers.)
Well-timed, careful cultivation of the site during at least one growing season to kill weeds after they germinate but before they come up
Cultivating loamy soil one foot deep every five to seven days
Using a drag on sandy soils to cultivate the site instead of a plow or rototiller
Smothering the weeds with black plastic, old rugs, pieces of old plywood, or a thick layer of newspapers covered with leaves or grass clippings for a full year

5. An acceptable way to eliminate existing vegetation when preparing to plant a woodland is to place several layers of newsprint right over the existing vegetation and cover the newsprint with bark. This also works with sunny spots in a small yard or planting site.
True
False

6. The minimum required sun exposure for most prairie plants is: (Click the one correct answer.)
A. One-half day of full sun
B. One-third day of full sun
C. Full sun virtually all day

7. When planting a prairie, if it is located next to an “old field” that contains invasive weeds, you should maintain a mowed strip 75’ to 100’ wide between the prairie and the old field.
True
False

8. Reasons to include native grasses when planting a prairie include: (Click all correct answers.)
A. The grasses’ warm autumn colors extend the prairie’s interest well into winter
B. Their dense root systems help squeeze out weeds
C. Grass roots emit a chemical that helps suppress growth of certain invasive plants like European buckthorn
D. Grasses help hold the flowers upright
E. Grasses provide cover and seeds for birds
F. Dead grass thatch burns much more slowly than the forbs during a fire
G. Grasses help rebuild soil

9. The primary methods of controlling weeds to maintain a seeded prairie are mowing, hand weeding, and burning.
True
False

10. The minimum required sunlight for plants to thrive and bloom in a water garden is: (Click the one correct answer.)
A. 3 hours per day
B. 5 hours per day
C. 8 hours per day
D. Full sun all day

11. Invasive species have competitive advantages over native plant species that often include: (Click the one correct answer.)
A. Profuse seed production and highly effective dispersal techniques
B. A longer growing season that allows them to shade out native plants before the natives have a chance to grow, or to take more than “their share” of moisture and nutrients from the soil
C. An absence of the insect predators and plant diseases that helped to keep their numbers in check in their homelands
D. All of the above

12. Which of the following constitute the four essential elements needed for survival in a wildlife habitat? (Click the four correct answers.)
A. Food
B. Man-made birdhouses
C. Water
D. Grass
E. Good views
F. Cover
G. Legumes
H. Space

13. The term “niche” refers to the concept that each individual species in a community has its own role within that community.
True
False

14. Within a forest ecosystem, plants grow in different layers.
True
False

15. The place where two or more different plant communities meet (for example, a meadow and a forest), is called “borderline habitat.”
True
False

16. When purchasing plants, beware of plant material dug from the wild. Plants should be “nursery propagated” from seed or cuttings, not collected directly from the wild.
True
False

17. Collect seed from many individual plants rather than taking seeds from only the biggest plants and do not take all the seeds from any plant.
True
False

18. Which of the following statements is true? (Click the one correct answer.)
A. Wild Ones® is a direct outgrowth of a natural landscape workshop held in 1977
B. Wild Ones® had nine members in 1979
C. Wild Ones® is a fast growing, non-profit organization advocating natural yards
D. Wild Ones®’ resident expert is Lorrie Otto
E. All of the above

19. Soil or dirt is lifeless and consists solely of sand, silt, and clay.
True
False

20. Ecosystems: (Click the one correct answer.)
A. Enrich soil
B. Consist of only plants
C. Create the air we breathe
D. Both A and C above
E. All of the above

21. An ecosystem is similar to a spider’s web with its points of connection.
True
False

22. “If you plant it, they will come,” is an apt description of the diversity of wildlife (birds, butterflies, and small mammals) that will be able survive as we rebuild the natural diversity of plants on our planet.
True
False

23. A forest is composed of layers. (Click all correct answers.)
A. The topmost layer is called the penthouse or top floor
B. Herbaceous plants, small shrubs, and seedling trees form between the duff layer and the understory
C. The next layer from the top is the understory
D. The layer on top of the soil is composed of humus and duff (decaying leaves and branches)

24. In spring, blooming and leafing out begins from the top down.
True
False

25. Some factors that shaped the great American prairies are: (Click all correct answers.)
A. A drier climate that occurred over millions of year
B. Rock and soil debris left over and deposited by glaciers
C. Prairie dogs which aerated the soil
D. Fire which returns nutrients to the soil
E. Large grazing herbivores

26. Adaptations of prairie plants include: (Click all correct answers.)
A. A type of photosynthesis that allows plants to be active at higher temperatures and uses less water
B. Large stomata or openings which allow water to enter and hydrate the leaf
C. Finely cut leaves that reduce evaporation
D. Hairy surfaces that reduce air flow, shade the leaf, and catch the dew
E. Numerous leaves close to the ground
F. Wide spreading, shallow roots on grasses to catch precious rainfall

27. In the plant world only a few kinds of bacteria and fungi breathe oxygen and use it to burn (oxidize) their food.
True
False

28. Wet areas in your yard should be drained in order to plant native plants.
True
False

29. Songbirds, children, and pets are immune to and unharmed by today’s chemically treated lawns.
True
False

30. In general, modern autos pollute the air more than a small lawn mower.
True
False

31. Lawn mowing is a very safe activity.
True
False

32. In some cities 30 percent of potable water is used on lawns.
True
False

33. It is a known fact that meadows attract rats and mosquitoes and lower property values.
True
False

34. Mosquitoes and other pests breed in natural landscapes.
True
False

35. Which do NOT cause allergic reactions/hay fever? (Click all correct answers.)
A. Goldenrod
B. Birches, Hickories, and Ashes
C. Ragweed
D. Kentucky Blue Grass
E. Sunflowers
F. Bermuda Grass
G. Walnuts and Oaks

36. The acronym BRASH, identifying five simple steps, is used by Wild Ones: (Click all correct answers.)
A. To impose our ideas on our neighbors
B. To minimize potential conflicts
C. To guide new members in their transition to natural landscaping
D. To defy weed laws

37. A landscape architect is always necessary when planning the transition from traditional to natural landscaping.
True
False

38. Native plants are extremely reliable and hardy so they can be planted anywhere in your yard.
True
False

39. A base map includes the following information: (Click all correct answers.)
A. Structures
B. Pavement
C. Services and utilities
D. Plants to be retained
E. Changes in grade
F. Adjoining features
G. Sightlines
H. Wet areas
I. Prevailing winds
J. Sun/shade patterns
K. Snow areas

40. A wish list should include all the elements you want and need in your landscaping.
True
False

41. To create your design, take your base map, close your eyes, and start drawing bubbles on it. Where the bubbles are drawn, add in your items from your wish list without regard to view point, type of plants, slopes and potential pathways.
True
False

42. One of the design principles states that it is not necessary to establish general lines in the garden before selecting plants, but rather to plant wherever your new plants fit, regardless of height consideration or focal points.
True
False

43. Design principles include which of the following: (Click all correct answers.)
A. Backdrops should be spectacular and set off the entire planting
B. Focal points do not have to be interesting, but should be obvious
C. Color groups should take into consideration the color of leaves in summer and fall, as well as the fruit and bark of newly introduced plants, but it is not necessary to consider the color of the house, existing plantings, and fences
D. Paths which have a purpose
E. The texture of the various plants
F. The path of rays of sunshine and the shadows so created

44. Well-established trees can be a nuisance, but you can work around them by applying several inches of soil over their root zone and then adding your understory plant species.
True
False

45. When selecting plants, the surest way to success is to become familiar with plants native to your region and site and to know their basic cultural requirements, and then: (Click all correct answers.)
A. Talk with your neighbors to find out what plants seem to grow best in their gardens
B. Collect lists of plants and plant communities for sun, shade, wet, birds, etc.
C. Think in groups of odd-numbered quantities, i.e., three, five or more
D. Plant in straight lines and perfect circles
E. Over-plant species to make certain they all don’t die out
F. Disregard height and spread considerations of the mature plants knowing you can prune them back or divide them if they get too unwieldy

46. Trees: (Click all correct answers.)
A. Protect and supply the watershed
B. Prevent water from reaching the forest floor
C. Can provide wind blocks from desiccating winds
D. Keep surrounding air very warm and humid
E. Provide calm, quiet, and shade

47. Attorney Bret Rappaport, former national Wild Ones president, once wrote: “Don’t be an arrogant natural landscaper. Don’t be a self-righteous natural landscaper.” What does this mean with regard to natural landscaping? (Click the one correct answer.)
A. That we should be martyrs willing to go down in a flood of litigation and neighborhood disgust
B. That Wild Ones members are pioneers who are trying to win converts, so we should visit our neighbors before getting started with our native landscaping installation, explain what we are planning and why, and how we still respect their landscape choices

48. Why is it important to network with other Wild Ones members? (Click all the correct answers.)
A. You might learn people’s names, how close they live to you and whether they have surplus plant species you may be welcome to have
B. You will learn who’s experienced with various types of natural landscaping (such as prairies, savannas, woodland, rain garden, propagating seed, taking cuttings, or diagnosing plant diseases) so you’ll know who to turn to when questions arise
C. To get their contact information so you can give the information to another organization to which you belong
D. You can develop a network of people in your neighborhood for learning and sharing together. This can also help with carpooling to Wild Ones events

49. Definitions: (Click all the statements that are correct.)
A. Native means the species was brought here at the time of settlement
B. Non-native, alien, or exotic means the species was here before settlement
C. Wildflower means a naturalized flower regardless of its origin
D. Invasives refers to an aggressive native or non-native species which can dominate a landscape
E. Weeds mean different things to different people
F. Pollination is the transfer of pollen from one flower to another
G. Plant communities are a network of root fibers and leaf structures that, together, make a living machine
H. Heat islands are the artificial materials (asphalt, concrete, shingles) that remain hot long after sunset because they’ve stored the sun’s energy and consequently produce a dome of elevated temperatures over the city

50. Wild Ones helps develop and support chapters across the country because: (Click the one correct answer.)
A. Other environmental organizations have chapters and it’s easier to get members to join
B. Regionalized groups can be the clearinghouse for region-specific information; plus it is easier and more exciting to learn as part of a group and a local group helps raise awareness of regional ecosystems
C. It seems like the right thing to do

END OF TEST