GPEE: Populations in ecosystems

Question 1

Explain the process of succession:

Answer 1

1) Uninhabited land is colonised by pioneer species. The pioneer species are often adapted for colonisation e.g. tolerant to extreme conditions, able to reproduce asexually.
2) These pioneer species change the environment, making it less hostile.
3) This enables other species to survive. Each new species increases the biodiversity and causes the environment to become less and less hostile.
4) Over time this allows for a stable climax community to form (one that no longer experiences succession).

Question 2

A climax community is a community that no longer experiences _______.

Answer 2

succession

Question 3

What is conservation?

Answer 3

The active management of an ecosystem to maintain its species and habitats.

Question 4

What is sustainability?

Answer 4

Making some natural resources available for use, while protecting others.

Question 5

Conservation can involve preventing an ecosystem from reaching a climax community via managing _______.

Answer 5

Succession

Question 6

The movement of non-motile organisms can be investigated by ______.

Answer 6

Quadrats

Question 7

The movement of motile organisms can be investigated by __________.

Answer 7

Mark-release recapture

Question 8

Quadrats are placed at regular intervals along an area using a ______ transect.

Answer 8

Belt

Question 9

Give the equation for population size via mark-release recapture:

Answer 9

number in sample 1 x number in sample 2 / number marked in sample 2