Current as of: 9/20/2013
Delineation Exam Review Questions
These questions are intended to help those taking the WDCP certified delineator exam become familiar with the types of
questions and material covered on the exam. It by no means comprehensively covers all material and types of questions.
CHOOSE THE BEST ANSWER
1. An indicator status of FAC results in the plant species being ______?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Considered as nonhydrophytic when applying hydrophytic indicator tests
Considered as hydrophytic when applying hydrophytic indicator tests
Considered as neutral (neither hydrophytic or nonhydrophytic) when applying hydrophytic indicator tests
Not used when applying hydrophytic indicator tests
2. The presence of organic soil is most indicative of which of the following?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Seasonal saturation
Redoximorphic soil features
Permanent saturation
Seasonal inundation
3. Which of the following diagnostic wetland characteristics is the most indicative of long-term conditions?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Hydrophytic vegetation
Hydric soils
Hydrology Indicators
Landscape position
4. A seasonal wetland is identified in a relatively undisturbed wildlife refuge. This area typically lacks wetland
indicators of 1 or more parameters during late summer. This is an example of what?
a.
b.
c.
d.
An atypical situation
An anomaly
A problem area
A non-wetland
5. A typical Midwestern soil is observed to have a color of 10YR 4/2 with 10% faint redox concentrations. Which of the
following is true?
a.
b.
c.
d.
It is a depleted matrix
It would be a depleted matrix if the value was 5
It would be a depleted matrix if the chroma was 1
It would be a depleted matrix if redox concentrations were distinct within the matrix
Current as of: 9/20/2013
6. The matrix of a soil layer is identified as having a 7.5YR 3/4 color. What is the hue?
a.
b.
c.
d.
7.5YR
3
4
3/4
7. Which hydric soil indicators would be used if a soil has sandy loam texture?
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
The “S” indicators
The “A” indicators
The “F” indicators
All of the above
A. and B.
B. and C.
8. A depleted matrix occurs when what is removed from the soil horizon?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Organic matter
iron
magnesium
calcium carbonate
9. The following plant species are observed at a sample plot.
Species 1 – FAC
Species 2 – FACW
Species 3 – OBL
Species 4 – FACU
Which species is least likely to occur in wetlands?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Species 1
Species 2
Species 3
Species 4
10. What is the recommended sampling size for the sapling/shrub layer according to the supplements?
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
30-ft radius
5-ft radius
15-ft radius
1-meter square quadrant
20-ft radius
Current as of: 9/20/2013
11. Why was the wetland hydrology standard developed?
a.
b.
c.
d.
To make wetland hydrology determinations when using the routine approach
To make wetland hydrology determinations when conducting monitoring on disturbed or problematic sites
To make wetland hydrology determinations when conducting monitoring on any site
To verify the applicability of hydrology indicators on a particular site
12. How many dominant species are there in the sample point data below?
Species
Species A
Species B
Species C
Species D
a.
b.
c.
d.
Layer
Shrub/sapling
Herbaceous
Herbaceous
Herbaceous
% coverage
5
20
30
45
1
2
3
4
13. Which of the following is true regarding antecedent precipitation analysis for wetland delineation purposes?
a.
b.
c.
d.
It involves looking at yearly rainfall amounts during a 30-year window
It places field observations in context of recent environmental conditions
It is an important component of hydric soil identification
It is boring
14. Which of the following soil descriptions most likely reflects the color of an organic horizon associated with the A3
black histic hydric soil indicator?
a.
b.
c.
d.
10YR 2/1
10YR 4/1
5Y 4/6
10YR 3/4
15. How is the water table level determined in the field?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Depth to glistening soil
Depth to standing water in an unlined borehole
Depth to zone of tension saturation
Water level in a piezometer
Current as of: 9/20/2013
16. Which of the following soil characteristics is most indicative of long-term, persistent soil saturation?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Depleted matrix
Peat (fibric)
Redox depletions
Redox concentrations
17. Which of the following is true regarding Group A wetland hydrology indicators (surface water, high water table,
saturation)?
a.
b.
c.
d.
They are evidence of a recent hydrologic event
They are secondary indicators
They can only be used as indicators if they are observed more than one time
They are evidence of a current hydrologic event
18. Which of the following is the more coarse-textured soil?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Loamy fine sand
Fine sandy loam
Loam
Silt loam
19. The FAC neutral test is_______________?
a.
b.
c.
d.
A hydrophytic vegetation determination test
An advanced method for determining hydrophytic vegetation in disturbed situations
A wetland hydrology indicator
A test involving a chemical used to neutralize soil acidity for hydric soil determinations
20. Which of the following is true regarding hydric soil indicators?
a.
b.
c.
d.
The final version is located in the regional supplements
Their applicability varies by region
They all require the presence of iron in the soil
They can all be assessed within 2 feet of the soil surface
21. Which of the following Cowardin and Circular 39 classifications is consistent with a sedge meadow in the Eggers &
Reed classification system
a. Type 2, PEMC
b. Type 3, PEMC
c. Type 2, PEMB
d. Type 2, PEMA
Current as of: 9/20/2013
22. What is the Circular 39 classification for a water body with an average depth of 8 feet.
a.
b.
c.
d.
Type 5
Type 8
PUBG
It is not a wetland
23. The dominant color in a soil horizon is referred to as?
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
chroma
hue
value
matrix
mottle
24. A wetland that is regularly tilled and planted to crops is an example of?
a.
b.
c.
d.
A problem area
An atypical situation
A dilemma
Mapping conventions
25. Which of the following are typical vegetation strata assessed for wetland delineation purposes?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Herbaceous, shrub, tree
Shrub/sapling, herbaceous, tree, woody vine
Herbaceous, canopy, vine
Canopy, ground, shrub
26. Saturation can be assessed in the field by?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Looking for glistening on a soil ped
Squeezing the soil to extract moisture
Measuring the capillary fringe
Using an ion exchange capacitor
27. The wetland hydrology standard requires which of the following?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Water table within 14 inches of the surface
Indicators within 14 inches of the surface
12 consecutive days of saturation during the growing season
Water table within 12 inches of the surface
Current as of: 9/20/2013
28. A review of historic aerial photos on agricultural land using mapping conventions methodology primarily focuses on
which of the following?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Photos taken following wet antecedent rainfall conditions
Photos taken following dry antecedent rainfall conditions
Photos taken following normal antecedent rainfall conditions
Photos taken during anytime of the year
For Questions 29 and 30, refer to the following data form:
Current as of: 9/20/2013
29. Which of the following is true regarding the vegetation portion of the data form?
a.
b.
c.
d.
The form is incorrect because there are only 2 dominant species in the tree stratum.
The form is incorrect because the percent cover should add up to 100 for each stratum.
The form is correct
The form is incorrect because Rhamnus frangula is not a dominant species.
Current as of: 9/20/2013
30. Which of the following is true regarding the soils and hydrology portion of the form?
a.
b.
c.
d.
The form is correct.
The form is incorrect because in all circumstances, soil must be described to a minimum depth of 12 inches.
The form is incorrect because soils cannot be considered hydric without the presence of redox features.
The form is incorrect because hydrology should be assumed based on the presence of hydric soils.
Current as of: 9/20/2013
Answer Key:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
27.
28.
29.
30.
B
C
B
C
D
A
F
B
D
C
B
D
B
A
B
B
D
A
C
B
C
D
D
B
B
A
D
C
D
A