Certified Storm Water Operator Practice Exam

Runoff may be disposed of onto which type of vegetation?

1. Straw-covered

2. Well-established

3. Newly planted

4. Native

The correct answer is: Well-established

Runoff may be disposed of onto well-established vegetation because such plants typically have an extensive root system that helps maintain soil stability and absorb rainfall effectively. This established vegetation is better equipped to manage excess water, preventing soil erosion and allowing for the infiltration of runoff, which reduces the likelihood of water pooling or creating muddy conditions. Well-established plants can also better tolerate the additional water load and enhance the overall health of the ecosystem by promoting nutrient cycling and supporting diverse microbial communities in the soil. While straw-covered vegetation can offer some benefits for managing runoff due to the protective layer it provides and its ability to prevent erosion, it is not as efficient as well-established plants in terms of root stability and soil health. Newly planted vegetation, on the other hand, may struggle under the weight of runoff due to their less developed root systems, making them more susceptible to damage and less effective in managing water. Native vegetation can be effective as well, but the term 'native' does not inherently indicate whether the plants are well-established, which is critical in this context for dealing with runoff effectively.