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10. (a) Explain the following terms that are used in ecology: biosphere, habitat, niche - Leaving Cert Biology - Question 10 - 2004
Question 10
10. (a) Explain the following terms that are used in ecology: biosphere, habitat, niche. (b) In ecological studies it is found that the distribution of organisms is... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:10. (a) Explain the following terms that are used in ecology: biosphere, habitat, niche - Leaving Cert Biology - Question 10 - 2004
Step 1
Explain the following terms that are used in ecology: biosphere, habitat, niche.
Answer
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Biosphere: The biosphere consists of the parts of the Earth that support life, including land, water, and the atmosphere, where living organisms interact with the environment.
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Habitat: A habitat is the specific environment in which an organism lives, providing the necessary resources for survival such as food, shelter, and mates.
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Niche: A niche refers to the role an organism plays within its environment, including its habitat, the resources it uses, and its interactions with other organisms.
Step 2
Step 3
Name an ecosystem that you have investigated and give an example of an abiotic factor that influences the distribution of a named plant in the ecosystem.
Answer
I studied a temperate forest ecosystem. An example of an abiotic factor influencing the distribution of the Eastern Red Maple is moisture availability in the soil.
Step 4
In the case of your named ecosystem, give an example of a biotic factor that influences the distribution of a named animal.
Answer
In the temperate forest ecosystem, an example of a biotic factor affecting the distribution of the White-tailed Deer would be competition with other herbivores for food resources.
Step 5
What is meant by a pyramid of numbers? Construct a pyramid of numbers from organisms in the ecosystem that you have studied.
Answer
A pyramid of numbers represents the number of individuals at each trophic level in an ecosystem. For example, a simple pyramid could show:
- 1000 plants (producers)
- 100 herbivores (primary consumers)
- 10 carnivores (secondary consumers) This creates a pyramid shape where the base (plants) is broader than the top (carnivores).
Step 6
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Step 8
What is a predator? The Arctic fox is a predator of the lemming. Copy the graph into your answer and label it with a graph to show how you would expect the population of the Arctic fox to survive in northern Manitoba during the period 1929 – 1943.
Answer
A predator is an animal that hunts and feeds on another organism. The population graph of the Arctic fox should show a similar but slightly offset pattern to the lemming population, reflecting an increase during lemming population peaks and a decline during the lows.
Step 9
Suggest two factors other than predation that may have contributed to the declines in lemming numbers shown in the graph.
Answer
- Food shortages due to overpopulation in previous years, leading to a lack of resources.
- Climate change affecting habitat suitability, causing unfavorable living conditions.
Step 10
Give two factors that may have been responsible for the fairly regular increase in lemming numbers shown in the graph.
Answer
- Increased reproductive rates in response to favorable environmental conditions.
- Abundant food resources available during certain years allowing population recovery.