Topic 5A

Question 1

Define ecosystem

Answer 1

All organisms living in an area including abiotic factors

Question 2

Define habitat

Answer 2

Place where an organism lives, eg a field

Question 3

Population size

Answer 3

Abundance of one spices in an area

Question 4

What is systematic sampling

Answer 4

1. Type of non-random sampling where sample taken at fixed intervals
2. Such as a quadrat along a transect
3. Good for ibercsing an environmental gradient

Question 5

What is percentage cover of a quadrat

Answer 5

1. How many squares have plant species in

2. Quicker than counting individuals

Question 6

Describe what a point quadrat is

Answer 6

Horizontal bar with pins at regular intervals

Question 7

How do you use a point quadrat and what are they good for

Answer 7

1. Each plant the pin touches is recorded
2. If there’s overlap then all are recorded
3. Useful for dense vegetation

Question 8

What are transects and what are the 3 types

Answer 8

Lines across an area to investigate distribution

1. Line transect
2. Belt
3. Interrupted

Question 9

Describe how to use a line transect

Answer 9

Tape measure placed along transect, each species that touches is recorded

Question 10

Describe how to use a belt transect

Answer 10

Frame quadrats places next to each other

Question 11

Describe interrupted transect

Answer 11

Quadrat placed at intervals

Question 12

What do you use to present info on adundace and distribution

Answer 12

A kite diagram

Question 13

What do the X and Y axis show on a kite diagram

Answer 13

The thickness of the kite, plotted on Y shoes abundance

X shows distance along transect line

Question 14

How do you measure temperature

Answer 14

Climate

Question 15

Measure rainfall

Answer 15

Climate

Question 16

Measure humidity

Answer 16

Climate

Question 17

When and what to measure 02 availability

Answer 17

Oxygen sensor for aquatic environments

Question 18

Measure light intensity

Answer 18

Light sensor

Question 19

What are soil conditions called and what are the 2

Answer 19

Called Edaphic factors

1. pH
2. Moisture content

Question 20

How is pH measured

Answer 20

Or electric pH monitor can be used

Question 21

How is moisture content measured

Answer 21

Mass of soil before and after dried out in oven

Question 22

What is topography

Answer 22

Shape and features of earths surface

Question 23

Define primary succession

Answer 23

1. Newly formed land with no soil or organic matter

2. Volcano or sea level drop

Question 24

Define secondary succession

Answer 24

Fire or deforestation

Question 25

How does succession begin

Answer 25

Seeds or spores of pioneer species blow there and begin to grow (colonise)

Question 26

Why can pioneer species grow while others can’t

Answer 26

Specially adapted to cope with conditions

Question 27

How is a basic soil formed

Answer 27

This forms a basic soil

Question 28

How is species can grow on basic soil

Answer 28

1. Retains water
2. Less hostile conditions
3. They die then add to the soil so becomes even richer in minerals

Question 29

What’s key about pioneer species

Answer 29

They change the abiotic conditions such as break down rock

Question 30

Describe the final stage of succession

Answer 30

1. Climax community
2. Largest and most complex community it can hold
3. Wont change much

Question 31

What determines the climax community

Answer 31

Depends on the climate
Temperate: large trees as lots of water
Polar: water availability is low

Question 32

How can succession be prevented

Answer 32

1. Human activities such as lawn mowing