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On a school field: - one area of the soil was usually wet - AQA - GCSE Biology Combined Science - Question 3 - 2022 - Paper 2
Question 3
On a school field: - one area of the soil was usually wet. - another area of the soil was usually dry. Students investigated the effect of water in the soil on the... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:On a school field: - one area of the soil was usually wet - AQA - GCSE Biology Combined Science - Question 3 - 2022 - Paper 2
Step 1
Name one biotic factor which may affect the number of buttercups growing on the field.
Answer
One biotic factor that may affect the number of buttercups growing on the field is competition. This can come from other plants or trees that are present in the same area, potentially competing for resources such as light, nutrients, and space.
Step 2
Describe a method to investigate if the amount of water in the soil affects the number of buttercups in the field.
Answer
To investigate the effect of water on the number of buttercups:
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Mark out (grid) area in wet and dry area: Define two areas within the school field, ensuring one is consistently wet and the other consistently dry.
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Method for placing quadrats: Use a methodical approach to place quadrats systematically along a defined transect in both the wet and dry areas.
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Count / record number of buttercups: Within each quadrat, count and record the number of buttercups present. Use at least five quadrats in each area to ensure reliable data.
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Soil moisture readings: Take soil moisture readings in both areas using suitable equipment such as a soil moisture meter to quantify the differences.
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Calculate the mean: Compute the mean number of buttercups per quadrat in each of the wet and dry areas.
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Use means to compare areas: Finally, use the mean values to compare the number of buttercups in both areas and draw conclusions about the impact of soil water availability.