U3 Distribution Of Organisms Flashcards
What are examples of abiotic factors?
Temperature, pH, Light intensity and soil moisture.
What are examples of biotic factors?
Competition, predation, disease and food availability
How do you measure light intensity and reduce errors?
Using a light meter, sources of error including casting a shadow over the meter , minimised by standing away
How do you measure temperature and reduce errors?
By using a thermometer , errors include the wrong temperature reading , minimised by giving thermometer time
How do you measure soil moisture and soil pH and reduce errors?
By using a moisture meter or Soil pH meter , pH and moisture reading the same , minimised by wiping down probe
How can you sample plants?
By using a quadrat
How can you minimise error with a quadrat?
By taking multiple samples in the area
How can you sample living insects?
By using a pitfall trap
How can you minimise errors with a pitfall trap?
Level off the soil surface, cover the top of the trap with a leaf, check traps regularly
What are sources of error in a pitfall trap?
Insects being eaten by birds, insects eating each other , insects flying out , trap flooding
How do biotic and abiotic factors effect organism distribution?
Different species are adapted for different conditions
What does an indicator species do?
Provide information of pollution levels based on its absence or presence
