Monitoring biodiversity

Question 1

How do scientists monitor pollution?

Answer 1

• Scientists regularly take samples of plants and animals from the environment to monitor the type and number of organisms present
• A change in the range or number of species indicates that environmental change has occurred
• The more polluted an area, the fewer species are present

Question 2

Indicator species

Answer 2

organisms that can be used to measure environmental quality

Question 3

How are organisms used to monitor air pollution?

Answer 3

Lichens are indicator species that are used to measure sulfur dioxide air pollution; as they have no root systems, most of their nutrition comes from the air. rainwater contains just enough nutrients to keep them alive however air pollutants dissolved in rainwater can damage lichens and prevent their growth

Question 4

What does a lack of lichens indicate?

Answer 4

a high level of sulfur dioxide (air) pollution

Question 5

How is water pollution caused?

Answer 5

by the discharge of harmful substances into rivers, lakes, and seas

Question 6

How can organisms be used to monitor water pollution?

Answer 6

• The higher level of pollution, the lower level of dissolved oxygen
• Oxygen content of water can be estimated by identifying the indicator species found
• Some organisms require higher oxygen content than others

Question 7

Indicator species present in UNPOLLUTED water

Answer 7

mayfly larva

Question 8

Indicator species present in water of LOW pollution

Answer 8

freshwater shrimp

Question 9

Indicator species present in water of HIGH pollution

Answer 9

water louse

Question 10

Indicator species present in water of VERY HIGH pollution

Answer 10

sludgeworm