Key area 2- Distribution of organisms

Question 1

What is a biotic factor?

Answer 1

A living factor that influences an ecosystem

Question 2

What is an abiotic factor?

Answer 2

A non-living factor that influences an ecosystem

Question 3

What is a quadrat?

Answer 3

A piece of equipment that is used to estimate the number of plants in a given area

Question 4

What is a pitfall trap?

Answer 4

A piece of equipment used to count and estimate the number of small animals in a given location

Question 5

What is a paired-statement key?

Answer 5

A set of paired questions that allow living things to be identified

Question 6

What is an indicator species?

Answer 6

A species that by their presence, absence or abundance indicates the environmental quality or levels of pollution

Question 7

Definition of light intensity

Answer 7

The amount of light available

Question 8

What does soil moisture mean?

Answer 8

The water content of soil

Question 9

List 4 abiotic factors

Answer 9

Light intensity, Moisture, pH, Temperature

Question 10

List 5 biotic factors

Answer 10

Competition for resources, Disease, Food availability, Grazing, Predation

Question 11

What 3 factors could increase biodiversity?

Answer 11

Good food availability, Warm temperatures, Increased moisture levels

Question 12

What 3 factors could decrease biodiversity?

Answer 12

Over grazing, Too many predators, Extremes of temperature

Question 13

What instrument do you use to measure light intensity?

Answer 13

Light meter

Question 14

What instrument do you use to measure soil moisture?

Answer 14

Moisture meter

Question 15

What instrument do you use to measure soil pH?

Answer 15

pH meter

Question 16

What is one source of error from the light meter and how do you minimise the error?

Answer 16

Cast a shadow over the meter- user stands to one side whilst data is being collected to prevent shadow

Question 17

What is one source of error from the moisture meter and how do you minimise the error?

Answer 17

Moisture/soil left on the meter probe from previous reading- wipe probe clean between readings

Question 18

What is one source of error from the pH meter and how do you minimise the error?

Answer 18

Moisture/soil left on the meter probe from previous reading- wipe probe clean between readings

Question 19

What is one source of error when using a quadrat trap and how do you minimise the error?

Answer 19

Human judgement, decided whether or not the plant is inside the quadrat- using basic rules to keep counting consistent

Question 20

What is one source of error when using a pitfall trap and how do you minimise the error?

Answer 20

Animals may escape or be eaten- cover the trap and keep hidden from predators