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10. (a) Distinguish between contest competition and scramble competition by writing a sentence about each - Leaving Cert Biology - Question 10 - 2011
Question 10
10. (a) Distinguish between contest competition and scramble competition by writing a sentence about each. (b) Name a factor, other than competition, that controls... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:10. (a) Distinguish between contest competition and scramble competition by writing a sentence about each - Leaving Cert Biology - Question 10 - 2011
Step 1
Distinguish between contest competition and scramble competition by writing a sentence about each.
Answer
Contest competition refers to a situation where the winner takes all of a limited resource, such as when one animal dominates access to a food supply. In contrast, scramble competition occurs when each individual competes for a limited resource and receives a portion of it, leading to a more equitable distribution among the individuals.
Step 2
Step 3
In a particular area the population of a predator did not decline following a big reduction in the population of its main prey.
Answer
This observation suggests that the predator may have alternative food sources available, indicating a flexible feeding behavior that allows it to survive despite changes in its primary prey population.
Step 4
Mortality levels resulting from infection by a particular virus tend to decline over the years.
Answer
This decline in mortality rates may indicate the development of host immunity or the emergence of less virulent strains of the virus over time, which can lead to better survival rates among the infected population.
Step 5
Where some members of a species remain in the same general area throughout life and some members are migratory, mortality levels tend to be higher in the migratory part of the population.
Answer
This suggests that migratory individuals may face greater hazards during their travels, such as exposure to predation or environmental challenges, compared to their non-migratory counterparts who remain in a stable habitat.
Step 6
There is a greater variety of herbaceous (non-woody) plants in areas where grazing species, such as rabbits, are more plentiful than in areas where grazing species are less plentiful.
Answer
This phenomenon may be attributed to reduced competition for light and resources in grazed areas, allowing a greater diversity of plant species to thrive where herbivory creates a more open and varied habitat.
Step 7
In some species of migratory ducks in the northern hemisphere it is found that the wintering grounds of the males lie further south than those of the females.
Answer
This differential migratory pattern may be explained by various ecological and reproductive strategies, where males seek milder climates for better foraging opportunities, while females may prioritize nesting locations that are closer to their breeding grounds.
Step 8
In relation to a study of an ecosystem distinguish clearly between qualitative and quantitative surveys by writing a sentence about each.
Answer
Qualitative surveys focus on identifying the types of species present in an ecosystem, while quantitative surveys measure the abundance or density of these species to provide a statistical overview of their distribution.
Step 9
How were you able to identify the different plants in the ecosystem that you investigated?
Answer
I identified different plants by using a combination of field guides, botanical keys, and direct observation techniques, which included noting key characteristics such as leaf shape, flower color, and growth patterns.
Step 10
Describe how you carried out a quantitative survey of the major plant species.
Answer
I conducted a quantitative survey using a quadrat method, where I placed several quadrats randomly throughout the study area and counted the number of individual plants within each quadrat, allowing me to estimate the overall density and distribution of the major species.
Step 11
Give two possible sources of error that may have arisen in the course of your survey.
Answer
Possible sources of error include misidentification of plant species due to similarities among different species and an inadequate sampling size that may not accurately represent the diversity and distribution of plants in the ecosystem.