Key Area 2

Question 1

Biotic factors that can affect the distribution of organisms in an ecosystem

Answer 1

Competition for resources, disease, food avaliability, grazing and predation

Question 2

Abotic factors that can affect the distribution of organisms in an ecosystem

Answer 2

Light intensity, moisture, pH and temperature

Question 3

Measuring Abotic Factors

Answer 3

Thermometer, light meter, soil moisture meter and pH meter

Question 4

Possible sources of error when sampling abotic factors

Answer 4

Not sticking the probe into the soil far enough
Casting a shadow over the light meter
Not leaving the probe in the soil for long enough

Question 5

What can be studied using sampling techniques?

Answer 5

Plants and animals in an area

Question 6

Sampling plants and animals techniques

Answer 6

Quadrats, pitfall traps, pond nets

Question 7

Quadrat

Answer 7

To sample slow moving animals or plants

Question 8

Pitfall trap

Answer 8

Sample animals found close to the soil surface

Question 9

Indicator species

Answer 9

Species that by its presence or absence indicates the level or pollution in an ecosystem

Question 10

Indicators of air pollution

Answer 10

Hair, leafy or crusty lichens