DP Environmental Systems and Societies Questionbank

Using Figure 2(a), state one physical characteristic that may be used to differentiate these two species from each other in an identification key.

When measuring levels of pollution, state one disadvantage of using a biotic index compared to measuring the pollutants directly.

Disadvantage:

Using Figure 5, construct an identification key for the deer species found in London.

Referring to the data in Table 1, calculate the Simpson’s diversity index (D) of the late successional stage (show your working).

$D=\frac{N\left(N-1\right)}{{\displaystyle \underset{}{\sum n\left(n-1\right)}}}$

State one method to determine the population size of the Keen’s mouse.

Identify two factors that could impact the accuracy of the method stated in 2(d)(i).

Describe the similarities and differences in using a biotic index and a diversity index to assess ecosystems.

The number of wolves in Algonquin Provincial Park is estimated to be between 250 and 1000. Outline two reasons why it is so difficult to estimate the number of wolves accurately.

Suggest the procedures needed to collect data for the construction of a pyramid of numbers for the following food chain:

Suggest a series of procedures that could be used to estimate the net productivity of an insect population in kg m^–2 yr^–1.

Figure 3: Table to show the species richness of Yasuni National Park

[Source: Margot S. Bass, Matt Finer, Clinton N. Jenkins, Holger Kreft, Diego F. Cisneros-Heredia, Shawn F. McCracken,
Nigel C. A. Pitman, Peter H. English, Kelly Swing, Gorky Villa, Anthony Di Fiore, Christian C. Voigt and Thomas H. Kunz,
‘Global Conservation Significance of Ecuador’s Yasuní National Park.’ PLoS One, January 19, 2010.
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0008767]

Describe a method that may have been used for collecting the tree data in Figure 3.

Identify two reasons why the future size of the Atlantic puffin population is difficult to predict.

Describe two possible methods that could be used to collect data for a baseline study for an environmental impact assessment.

Describe a method for measuring the abundance of plant species in volcanic areas.

With reference to the data in Figure 4(b), suggest two conclusions which can be drawn from the camera trap data.

Explain how ecological techniques can be used to study the effects of human activities on the biodiversity of a named ecosystem.

With reference to Figures 10, 11(a) and 11(b), describe a method to monitor the impact of the release of untreated sewage into the St Lawrence River ecosystem.