Exam-style questions

1 Explain three factors that affect the distribution of plant animal species. [4]

2 a Discuss the strengths and weaknesses of an approach to conservation that favours a high-profile mammal. [3]
b Explain the importance of shape and size in the design of a nature reserves. [4]
c Outline two advantages of wildlife corridors. [2]

3 The Simpson’s diversity index is used to calculate the diversity of an ecosystem.

a Calculate the diversity index (D) of this area of sand dune (using the formula in Subtopic C4). [2]

Species Number (n)

sea holly 20
sedge 80
sea bindweed 10
Portland spurge 30
sea spurge 10
Total 150

b A similar area of sand dune at a different location was sampled and found to have a higher
diversity index. What does this tell you about the second sand dune? [1]

4 a Bacteria in a culture vessel divide so that the population doubles every 20 minutes. Complete this table to
show the number of bacteria present over a period of 160 minutes. [4]

Time / mins Population / 1000s

0 1
20 2
40 4
60 8
80 16
100
120
140
160

b Construct a graph of these data and describe the shape of the curve. [2]
c If no additional nutrients were added to the culture of bacteria, predict what would happen to the
shape of the curve and explain your answer. [3]

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2014
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 5 Two species of barnacle C. stellatus and B. balanoides live on rocky shores of Europe. The distributions of the two
species are shown in the diagram. Below the tide line there is abundant growth of seaweed on the rocks and large
numbers of a predatory whelk that feeds on barnacles.

mean high spring tide

mean tide

Key
Chthalamus stellatus
mean low
Balanus ballanoides spring tide

a Suggest two factors that may be limiting the distributions of each of the two species at the upper
and lower limits of their ranges. [4]
b If a rock on which C. stellatus is found is placed lower down the shore the barnacles can survive
very well. Suggest a reason why they are not normally found on the lower shore at this location. [1]

6 Calculate the species frequency of an organism if 200 quadrats are used to sample an area and the species
is present in 86 of them. [2]

7 Outline four ways in which macroplastic debris accumulating in the oceans has harmed marine species.
For each suggestion outline how the animal is harmed. [4]

8 The cane toad is an example of an alien species that was introduced into Australia and has become invasive.
Outline three reasons why this species has caused the reduction of the number of endemic and other species. [3]

9 Explain the use of indicator species and biotic indices in monitoring pollution in a stream environment. [4]

10 Discuss the advantages of ex situ conservation of endangered species. [5]

11 a Outline the technique of capture–mark–release–recapture to estimate a population. [3]

b List three limitations of this method. [3]

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