Key Area 2: Distribution Of Organisms Flashcards
What is biotic
Living factors
How is the distribution of organisms affected?
Biotic and Abiotic factors
What is abiotic
Non-living variables
What are the 5 main biotic factors
Competition, disease, food availability, grazing, predation
What are the 4 abiotic factors
Light intensity, moisture, pH, temperature
What is sampling used for
To gather data about an ecosystem
Name an error when using a light meter
Creating a shadow
What is a light meter used for
Light intensity
What is a soil moisture metre used for
Moisture
What is a source of error when using a soil moisture metre
Cross-contamination
What is a pH meter used for
Measuring pH
What is a thermometer used for
Temperature
What is a source of error when using a pH meter
Cross-contamination
What is a source of error when using a thermometer
Not giving it enough time
What is used to sample plants
Quadrat
What do you have to do with the quadrat
Place it randomly
Repeat
What is a pitfall trap used for
Small invertebrates
How to use a pitfall trap
Level with the ground
Make it camouflaged
Make holes at the bottom for water drainage
What are keys used for
Identifying unknown organisms
What are the two keys
Branched and paired statement
3 reasons to preserve biodiversity
Food sources, raw materials, aesthetic value
Human influences affect ?
Biodiversity
What is an indicator species
A species that by it’s presence or absence indicates levels of pollution
What do lichens indicate
Air quality
What do freshwater invertabraes indicate
Water quality
How can you minimise creating a shadow with a light meter
By moving out the way
How can you minimise cross-contamination when using a moisture meter or pH meter
Clean the probe
How can you minimise errors when using a thermometer
Give it time
What type of organism can be sampled using a quadrat
Slow-moving animals
Why do we repeat results?
To make results more accurate
What happens when grazing is low/high
Biodiversity will be low
