1.    Explain the difference between geologic erosion and accelerated erosion.

2. When wind or water erosion takes place, what are three important types of damage that take place at the site of the erosion? 
        What impacts take place away from the site of the erosion activity?

3. Based upon the answers to items 1. and 2. above, how might mulch impede these processes?

4. Why is straw mulch preferred over hay mulch? 

5. List and discuss the attributes of mulch in terms of water-based erosion control and facilitation of plant growth. 

6. How does mulch impede erosion by wind?

7. Describe how mulch, e.g., simple straw mulch, may be anchored to the ground surface to prevent removal by wind.

8. Describe the major parts of a designed rip rap system.

9. Why do rip rap systems fail?

10. If you were using netting to hold mulch on the ground surface, what factors should be considered in selecting the netting material?

11. Why does a rip rap system work?

12. What are the differences between "shot rock" and the crushed stone products that you should specify for a successful rip rap system?

13. Why is a "filter stone" layer or a geo-textile placed beneath the rip rap rock layer(s)?

14. Describe some applications where a "designed" blanket-type mulch should be considered for use.

15. What advantages are associated with the use of a "designed" blanket-type mulch or a rip rap system offer over growing an erosion resistant stand of grass in a channel?

16. What were the suggestions as to the amount of straw mulch used on a per acre basis? 
        How does too little or too mulch affect the re-vegetation effort?   

17. Describe the ways in which mulch impedes sheet erosion; same for gully erosion.

18. Examine items 3. and 4. of my part of Examination II. 
            You should be able to take the concepts of these items and relate these to where a mulch system is appropriate to facilitate re-vegetation and control erosion.              Also, you should be able to make a scaled sketch of the side slope along A' - A" and illustrate the placement of a rip rap stabilized channel to carry the water from the Zero Order area down the First Order slope.  

19. The rip rap notes contain design tables that suggest rock particle sizes as a function of the velocity of water that will flow in the rip rap protected channel. 
        You should be able to take a velocity number that is given and specify the rip rap rock needs in terms of size from the tables. 
        This includes the filter rock and the needed layers of larger, armor rock.

Ch. 10: SOIL ORGANISMS

I.  Be able to integrate ecosystem concepts with the issues of soils science, including:
    A. Trophic levels in an ecosystem; autotrophs; heterotrophs
    B. Diversity
    C. Ecosystem dynamics
    D.  Biomass: the amount of living tissue in a given area


II.  Fully explain the roles that different types of organisms serve in soil, including:
    A.  Plants 

    B.  Animals
        1.  macrofauna        2.  earthworms    3.  ants    4.  termites    5.  nematodes: “round worms”

    C.  Protista
        1.  Protozoans            2.  Algae

    D.  Soil Fungi
        1.  fungi anatomy        2.  types of fungi

    E.  Bacteria:
        1.  anatomy
        2.  bacterial populations tend to be very large (400-5,000 kg/ha)
        3.  bacteria’s role in soil:  very diverse
            a) cyanobacteria: nitrogen-fixing bacteria
            b) pathogens: population controls of protists, plants, animals
            c) Actinomycetes: fungi-like bacteria
            d) some forms break down petroleum and hydrocarbons
            e) “participate in virtually all organic transactions in healthy soil”


III.  Be familiar with the various conditions that affect the growth of soil organisms, including:
    A.  Organic matter
    B.  Oxygen
    C.  Nitrogen fixation
    D.  Moisture and temperature
    E.  pH levels


IV.  Be able to apply ecology issues of soil organisms, including:
    A.  Plant diseases
    B.  Induced systemic resistance 
    C.  Applications of fungicides and nematicides
    D.  Microbiotic crusts: (Fig 10.23)
        1. symbiotic associations of
        2. vital role in arid and semi-arid ecosystems
        3. Impact of human disturbance?



Ch. 11: SOIL ORGANIC MATTER

I.  Be able to fully explain the role of carbon as a nutrient in soil ecosystems, including:
    A. Organic compounds
    B. Carbon components of soil
    C. Decomposition in soil makes carbon available for uptake and movement


II. Be able to fully apply the factors actors effecting organic compound decomposition
    A.  Aerobic versus Anaerobic Soils
    B.  Physical factors effecting decomposition
    C.  Carbon-Nitrogen ratio  (C/N)
    D.  Biomass
    E.  Detritus
    F.  Humus


III.  Be able to apply and explain the role of soil carbon in ecological issues, including:
    A.  Soil ecosystem management
    B.  Greenhouse effect
    C.  Wetland drainage

ROCKY MOUNTAIN ARSENAL EXERCISE

I.  Be able to fully explain the (i) mandate, (ii) constituents, (iii) and potential conflicts among these at the Rocky Mountain Arsenal:
    A.  US Army
    B.  Shell Oil Company
    C.  US EPA
    D.  US Fish and Wildlife Service
    E.   Colorado Board of Health

II. Be able to basically explain the remediation options considered in the potential clean-up of the Arsenal and how they relate to soil science.