- 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) Betula pendula
B) Picea abies
C) Fagus sylvatica
D) Quercus robur
- 2. Langå's oak forest is located in which Danish municipality?
A) Silkeborg Municipality
B) Randers Municipality
C) Viborg Municipality
D) Aarhus Municipality
- 3. What is the common English name for the tree species *Quercus robur*?
A) English oak
B) Turkey oak
C) Pedunculate 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) Monoculture plantation
D) Limited undergrowth
- 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) Sun-loving grasses
B) Mosses only
C) Bare ground
D) Shade-tolerant shrubs and herbaceous plants
- 6. The longevity of *Quercus robur* contributes to its ecological importance. How long can these trees typically live?
A) A few decades
B) Only a few years
C) Less than a century
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) Reptiles
C) Amphibians
D) Insects and bats
- 8. What is the primary role of acorns produced by *Quercus robur* in the forest ecosystem?
A) Soil conditioner
B) Weed suppression
C) Building material for nests
D) Food source for wildlife
- 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) Maximizing timber yield
B) Replacing old trees with younger ones
C) Promoting invasive species
D) Maintaining habitat for old-growth specialists
- 10. The soil in oak forests plays a crucial role. What type of soil conditions do *Quercus robur* generally prefer?
A) Moist, fertile soils
B) Waterlogged peat 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 forest floor
B) The understory vegetation
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) Accumulation of rocks
B) Constant grazing by large animals
C) Decomposition of fallen leaves and branches
D) Erosion by wind
- 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) Fuel for rapid fires
B) Dyeing textiles
C) Construction and shipbuilding
D) Paper production
- 14. What is a common visual characteristic of mature *Quercus robur* trees?
A) Conical shape
B) Broad, spreading crown
C) Needle-like leaves
D) Tall, slender trunk
- 15. The health of the forest can be influenced by external factors. What is a common threat to oak forests worldwide?
A) Oak processionary moth
B) Dutch elm disease
C) Ash dieback
D) Pine beetle
- 16. In ecological terms, *Quercus robur* is considered a keystone species in many habitats. What does 'keystone species' imply?
A) It is the most abundant species
B) It is the smallest species
C) It has a disproportionately large effect on its environment relative to its abundance
D) It has no significant ecological impact
- 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) Respiration
B) Mycorrhiza
C) Photosynthesis
D) Germination
- 18. What is a common characteristic of the bark of older *Quercus robur* trees?
A) Deeply fissured
B) Brightly colored
C) Spongy and porous
D) Smooth and thin
- 19. The term 'coppicing' is a traditional woodland management practice. While not always applied to *Quercus robur* in its entirety, it involves?
A) Planting new saplings
B) Selective thinning of the canopy
C) Cutting trees down to near ground level to stimulate new growth
D) Pruning individual branches
- 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) Urban development
B) Commercial timber extraction
C) Preservation of biodiversity and natural heritage
D) Maximizing recreational visitor numbers
- 22. What does the term 'old-growth forest' generally refer to?
A) A forest that has attained great age without significant disturbance
B) A forest dominated by a single, young tree species
C) A forest heavily managed for timber
D) A forest recently planted with saplings
- 23. Which part of the *Quercus robur* tree is known as the 'acorn'?
A) The root
B) The leaf
C) The fruit
D) The flower
- 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) Alternating shade and sun
B) Moderate sunlight
C) Full sun
D) Shade
- 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 rate of decomposition
C) The density of tree planting
D) The degree to which a landscape facilitates or impedes movement among organisms
|