COASTAL LOUISIANA
PRACTICE TEST
COMPLETE
Question 1: Which description best de�nes a coastal wetland?
Choices:
1) A transitional area between dry land and open water that is permanently or seasonally inundated 2) A permanently dry upland adjacent to the coast 3) Any body of salt water deeper than 10 meters 4) A beach composed only of sand dunes Correct Answer: A transitional area between dry land and open water that is permanently or seasonally inundated Explanation: Coastal wetlands are transitional areas between uplands and open water and may be inundated permanently or seasonally by fresh, brackish, or salt water.Page 1
Question 2: Which feature most clearly distinguishes a marsh from a swamp?
Choices:
1) Marshes are always saltwater and swamps are always freshwater 2) Marshes are dominated mainly by herbaceous plants while swamps are dominated mainly by woody plants 3) Marshes occur only inland while swamps occur only on barrier islands 4) Marshes have no saturated soils while swamps do Correct Answer: Marshes are dominated mainly by herbaceous plants while swamps are dominated mainly by woody plants Explanation: Marshes are typically dominated by grasses, sedges, and other herbaceous vegetation, whereas swamps are forested wetlands dominated by woody vegetation.
Question 3: What is hydric soil?
Choices:
1) Soil that remains completely dry during the growing season 2) Soil formed only from beach sand 3) Soil that is saturated long enough to develop low-oxygen conditions 4) Soil containing more salt than seawater Correct Answer: Soil that is saturated long enough to develop low-oxygen conditions Explanation: Hydric soil develops under prolonged saturation or �ooding, which creates anaerobic or low-oxygen conditions characteristic of many wetlands.Page 2
Question 4: What is meant by hydrophytic vegetation?
Choices:
1) Plants that can survive only in deserts 2) Plants grown exclusively for erosion-control construction 3) Plants that require highly alkaline soil 4) Plants adapted to grow in waterlogged or saturated soils
Correct Answer: Plants adapted to grow in waterlogged or saturated soils
Explanation: Hydrophytic vegetation consists of plants adapted to saturated, low-oxygen wetland soils and is one indicator used to identify wetlands.
Question 5: Why are estuaries highly productive ecosystems?
Choices:
1) They combine freshwater and saltwater and often receive abundant nutrients in shallow waters 2) They contain only ocean water with very few nutrients 3) They are too deep for sunlight to reach producers 4) They prevent all sediment from entering coastal waters Correct Answer: They combine freshwater and saltwater and often receive abundant nutrients in shallow waters Explanation: Estuaries mix freshwater and seawater in relatively shallow, nutrient-rich environments that support productive food webs and nursery habitat.Page 3