Arborist test question

[treeseer]

i like questions where it yes or no ... or better yet ask a question and give the student 1000 words to answer ? then be judged by several pros .... ..

Dark, I like the 1000-word essays too, but judging them fairly would be impossible. Also, the purpose of the test is not to determine creativity but knowledge. besides, you'd also be judged on grammar and sentence structure, since unclear ideas could not be understood.

The yes-and-no, T-F format would call for a lot of questions where one choice is clearly wrong, so the questions would be too easy. If neither choice is clearly wrong, then you still have a "best" answer choice.

The 4-choice, "best" answer format calls for decisions not unlike ones we make in the real world: we can recommend cutting a tree down or leaving it alone, or treating it somehow. All these answers may be right in some circumstances, but the best answer often requires understanding all the options and selecting the best one for the circumstance. So it is understanding that is being tested for, and that's the goal, right?

dark, sorry not to see you in nashville; you're so close I thought you'd be there.

 

[darkstar]

point well taken ... but still this question is best answered by including all three [correct] answers ... answering only a is simply wrong ...re read the question ...it doesent say which single answer best fits the general etc .etc . so if understanding is what we are testing then a correct answer still leads to 3 distinct answers here .... some trees will in fact develop a tap root in search of water when adapting to a hot dry climate ..others will develop thick leaves ... im not so sure abouot this but id say there is at least one tree out there that develops adapts by even growing thicker bark ...the question is far to subjective

 

[treeseer]

point well taken ... but still this question is best answered by including all three [correct] answers ... answering only a is simply wrong ...re read the question ...it doesent say which single answer best fits the general etc .etc .

Maybe not; this "best answer" advice is clearly spelled out in the pre-test instructions though. how long since you took the test?

 

[darkstar]

i know it is spelled out precisly [pick the most correct answer ] as it is with the cd rom and book combo s for ceu's . i answered correctly to all of the questions in those compendium first time . it is fairly easy to distinguish the [most] correct answer and i will take the test as soon as im ready for the identification [my weak point ] but ill never agree with questions like this on [a good example ]page 21 tree biology from isa question #5 one of the first things to check when climbing a dead tree is??? a the number of broken limbs on the ground. b ,the amount of bark that has fallen off the tree. c, the base for sporophores of root rotting fungi or finally ,d ,the direction the tree will fall if it fails with you in it .... in the pre text in purple labeled test questions it states each question has only one correct answer .... after reading that and answering the question i began to question if i ever wanted to be certified at all question 5 deffinatly has 4 correct answers and i think none are more correct than the other ..... allthough i do understand the answer they are looking for but what the point in this so according to the isa the correct answer for this question is c check the base for root rotting fungi .... personally that is so random did the person who wrote that question spend much time doing rotton take downs .... really the first thing to check when climbing a dead tree is your relationship with god .... ok over and out on this subject dark

 

[R Schra]

Hi Treeseer and Darkstar,

I get the picture

Stil i think that using an IF in a question is not good as given in the first example. The question stated by Darkstar is more logical.

Ronald

 

[Gypo Logger]

To study the adaptability of various species to their enviroment, I think we should first look at trees/shubs that live in the most harshest climates.
This would definately include the Arctic Tundra just below the treeline as well as desert areas. I will try to speak mostly on treeline species as this is where I have made most of my observations.
In the Arctic region we have mostly Birch, Alder, Willow and Black Spruce, species which are wide spread in the South.
The Birch, Alders and Willows also represent the mainstay in the diet of browsing animals. In addition to the cold climate and the perpetual sunlight during the short summer, these trees/shrubs also have to endure total darkness for most of the winter.
Another thing these plants must endure this far North is the permafrost which lies mere inches below the shallow soil. This causes the root system to spread on the surface to anchor it against the stong winds and driving snow.
It seems that needle leaves and broadleaves come in all shapes and sizes, however their main function seems to be keeping in or keeping out moisture and/or heat.
John

 

[xtremetrees]

Sylvatica,
"This type of evolutionary change, like sickle cell anemia, is a response to environment/pathogen."

Interesting,
The University of Georgia was funding a research/genetic alteration of trees. The research has sence moved to another University up North either Maryland or ney York State.
The idea and funing was to genetically alter trees to accept mercury and other toxiphines from the earth thru the root system. The idea was to use the gentically altered trees to help in cleaning up toxic waste sites. Of course you'd have to dispose of the trees that were full of the toxins.
This genetic alteration of plants has been going on for some time. I do believe the inherient adaptability of trees is what attracts the geneticist. I suppose in 100 years trees will be grown into planes, cars, and the like. Nano impregnated trees are just on the horizion. I do find it interesting how red light is used on the space shuttle to grow plants, I think the gravity has alot to do with growing them up there as well.

Gypo logger,
also have to endure total darkness for most of the winter.
What species can endure total darkness. Ive never thought of about that gypo logger. I was under the understanding in the event of a nuke war all plants would die in 6 months or less. I pray that doesnt happen .

 

[darkstar]

i hate to say this this ,,,,but whaT A BUNCH OF BULL????

 

[Sylvatica]

It would be quite an accomplishment to convert Phrag into a bio-filtration/collection organism.

But, in the case of the genetic modification of other species, such as native trees, would the potential genetic pollution of "clean" native genotypes through pollination/seed distribution be a major unintended consequence?

In other words, would the GMO's escape?

 

[darkstar]

i didnt meen gene alteration was bull... i meant the thread is way off subject .... since we are there,,,, however i say messing around with mother nature is very bad indeed.. better to reduce the amount of toxins overall .....