- 1. This exam will test your knowledge of the Quercus robur (English oak) forest found in Langå, Randers Municipality. These ancient woodlands are a significant ecological and historical site in Denmark. What is the primary tree species that defines this forest?
A) Picea abies
B) Betula pendula
C) Quercus robur
D) Fagus sylvatica
- 2. Langå's oak forest is located in which Danish municipality?
A) Randers Municipality
B) Aarhus Municipality
C) Viborg Municipality
D) Silkeborg Municipality
- 3. What is the common English name for the tree species *Quercus robur*?
A) Pedunculate oak
B) Turkey oak
C) English oak
D) Sessile oak
- 4. The Quercus robur forest in Langå is known for its contribution to biodiversity. Which of the following is a characteristic feature of ancient oak woodlands?
A) Dominance of non-native species
B) High insect diversity
C) Limited undergrowth
D) Monoculture plantation
- 5. These oak forests often have a rich understory. What type of plants are typically found beneath mature oak trees in a healthy forest ecosystem?
A) Mosses only
B) Shade-tolerant shrubs and herbaceous plants
C) Bare ground
D) Sun-loving grasses
- 6. The longevity of *Quercus robur* contributes to its ecological importance. How long can these trees typically live?
A) Less than a century
B) Only a few years
C) A few decades
D) Hundreds of years
- 7. The presence of old oak trees in Langå is significant for wildlife. What specific animal group often benefits greatly from the decaying wood and hollows found in ancient oaks?
A) Large herbivores
B) Amphibians
C) Reptiles
D) Insects and bats
- 8. What is the primary role of acorns produced by *Quercus robur* in the forest ecosystem?
A) Food source for wildlife
B) Weed suppression
C) Building material for nests
D) Soil conditioner
- 9. The management of forests like the one in Langå often aims to preserve specific ecological features. What is a common management goal for ancient oak forests?
A) Maintaining habitat for old-growth specialists
B) Maximizing timber yield
C) Replacing old trees with younger ones
D) Promoting invasive species
- 10. The soil in oak forests plays a crucial role. What type of soil conditions do *Quercus robur* generally prefer?
A) Waterlogged peat soils
B) Moist, fertile soils
C) Rocky, infertile soils
D) Sandy and dry soils
- 11. What does the term 'canopy' refer to in the context of a forest like Langå's oak woods?
A) The understory vegetation
B) The forest floor
C) The root system
D) The uppermost layer of branches and leaves
- 12. The forest floor in oak woods is often rich in organic matter. What process contributes to this?
A) Erosion by wind
B) Constant grazing by large animals
C) Accumulation of rocks
D) Decomposition of fallen leaves and branches
- 13. The historical significance of *Quercus robur* is often tied to its use. What was English oak historically used for in Denmark and elsewhere?
A) Paper production
B) Dyeing textiles
C) Construction and shipbuilding
D) Fuel for rapid fires
- 14. What is a common visual characteristic of mature *Quercus robur* trees?
A) Broad, spreading crown
B) Tall, slender trunk
C) Needle-like leaves
D) Conical shape
- 15. The health of the forest can be influenced by external factors. What is a common threat to oak forests worldwide?
A) Pine beetle
B) Oak processionary moth
C) Dutch elm disease
D) Ash dieback
- 16. In ecological terms, *Quercus robur* is considered a keystone species in many habitats. What does 'keystone species' imply?
A) It is the smallest species
B) It has no significant ecological impact
C) It is the most abundant species
D) It has a disproportionately large effect on its environment relative to its abundance
- 17. The presence of a diverse fungal community is important in oak forests. What is the symbiotic relationship between certain fungi and oak roots called?
A) Photosynthesis
B) Respiration
C) Mycorrhiza
D) Germination
- 18. What is a common characteristic of the bark of older *Quercus robur* trees?
A) Smooth and thin
B) Spongy and porous
C) Brightly colored
D) Deeply fissured
- 19. The term 'coppicing' is a traditional woodland management practice. While not always applied to *Quercus robur* in its entirety, it involves?
A) Cutting trees down to near ground level to stimulate new growth
B) Pruning individual branches
C) Selective thinning of the canopy
D) Planting new saplings
- 20. What is the typical shape of the leaves of *Quercus robur*?
A) Needle-like
B) Serrated edges
C) Lobate with rounded lobes
D) Lanceolate
- 21. The ecological value of the Langå oak forest is often highlighted in conservation efforts. What is a primary reason for conserving such habitats?
A) Commercial timber extraction
B) Maximizing recreational visitor numbers
C) Urban development
D) Preservation of biodiversity and natural heritage
- 22. What does the term 'old-growth forest' generally refer to?
A) A forest recently planted with saplings
B) A forest that has attained great age without significant disturbance
C) A forest heavily managed for timber
D) A forest dominated by a single, young tree species
- 23. Which part of the *Quercus robur* tree is known as the 'acorn'?
A) The flower
B) The fruit
C) The leaf
D) The root
- 24. The forest's structure influences light penetration. What type of light conditions are generally found on the forest floor of a mature oak woodland with a dense canopy?
A) Shade
B) Full sun
C) Alternating shade and sun
D) Moderate sunlight
- 25. The preservation of the Quercus robur forest in Langå contributes to the ecological connectivity of the region. What does ecological connectivity refer to?
A) The amount of rainfall
B) The degree to which a landscape facilitates or impedes movement among organisms
C) The rate of decomposition
D) The density of tree planting
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