A group of scientists did a study to determine the effect of exposure time on the mass of two mollusc species found on a rocky shore - NSC Marine Sciences - Question 2 - 2021 - Paper 1

The longer the exposure time, the greater the average percentage change in mass for both species, indicating that Species A is better suited to drier conditions than Species B.

To create the bar graph:

1. Label the x-axis as 'Exposure Time (Hours)' and the y-axis as 'Average Percentage Change in Mass (%)'.
2. Choose suitable scales for the axes to accommodate the data range.
3. Plot bars for each species for the corresponding exposure times using different colors to distinguish between Species A and Species B.

Species B would likely be found in the middle eulittoral zone as it experienced the least average percentage change in mass, suggesting it is more adapted to this environment.

Species A would likely be found in the lower eulittoral zone as it experienced a higher average percentage change in mass, indicating it is better adapted to withstand longer exposure times to desiccation.

The middle eulittoral zone is more exposed than the lower eulittoral zone; thus, Species B, which has a lower average percentage change in mass, is better adapted to this habitat. In contrast, Species A, which experiences a greater percentage change, is more suited for the lower eulittoral zone where conditions are less severe.