FREE Certified Horticulturist Environmental Stewardship Questions and Answers
What is the purpose of a buffer zone in environmental stewardship?
Buffer zones, such as strips of grass or trees, reduce runoff and filter contaminants like fertilizers and pesticides, protecting nearby water bodies from pollution.
What is a significant advantage of using compost in sustainable horticulture?
Compost enriches soil with organic matter, improving nutrient availability and structure, which often reduces reliance on synthetic fertilizers.
Which of the following is considered a best management practice (BMP) for reducing stormwater runoff pollution?
Rain gardens capture and filter stormwater runoff, preventing pollutants from entering waterways. Using impervious pavement or excessive pesticides would worsen runoff pollution.
What is the primary goal of xeriscaping?
Xeriscaping is a landscaping approach that emphasizes the use of drought-tolerant plants, efficient irrigation, and soil amendments to conserve water in arid and semi-arid regions.
Which practice is most effective in minimizing soil erosion on a sloped area?
Groundcovers and grasses stabilize the soil with their root systems, reducing erosion caused by wind or water. Removing vegetation increases the risk of erosion.