Sample interview questions: How do you assess the impact of plant diseases on ecosystem services provided by green infrastructure?
Sample answer:
Assessing the Impact of Plant Diseases on Ecosystem Services Provided by Green Infrastructure
Methods for Impact Assessment:
- Field Surveys and Monitoring: Conduct regular surveys to identify and quantify disease incidence and severity. Use remote sensing or aerial imagery to estimate disease spread and impact on plant cover.
- Laboratory Analysis: Isolate and identify disease-causing pathogens from infected plants. Conduct pathogenicity tests to determine their virulence and host range.
- Ecosystem Service Assessment: Measure the reduction in ecosystem services due to plant diseases. This includes quantifying changes in carbon sequestration, water filtration, air purification, and wildlife habitat.
- Modeling and Simulation: Use mathematical models and simulations to predict the potential impact of plant diseases on ecosystem services. Consider factors such as disease spread, host susceptibility, and environmental conditions.
Considerations for Assessment:
- Disease Severity and Incidence: The severity and incidence of a disease can significantly impact the magnitude of its effect on ecosystem services.
- Plant Species Importance: The importance of the affected plant species in the ecosystem will determine the extent of service loss. Key ecosystem engineers or keysto… Read full answer