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A student was investigating the populations of organisms in a garden - Edexcel - GCSE Biology - Question 8 - 2019 - Paper 1
Question 8
A student was investigating the populations of organisms in a garden. Figure 15 shows the estimates of the number and biomass of some of the organisms in the garden.... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:A student was investigating the populations of organisms in a garden - Edexcel - GCSE Biology - Question 8 - 2019 - Paper 1
Step 1
Step 2
(ii) Explain how killing the slugs would affect the population of earthworms in this garden.
Answer
Killing the slugs would likely have a positive impact on the population of earthworms in the garden for several reasons:
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Reduction of Competition: Slugs often compete with earthworms for resources such as decaying matter and organic material in the soil. With slugs eliminated, earthworms may have access to more available food.
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Predation Pressure: Hedgehogs are predators of both slugs and earthworms. By killing slugs, the pressure from their predation on earthworms may be reduced. This could lead to a decrease in disease spread or stress on the earthworm populations.
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Soil Health: Earthworms play a crucial role in soil aeration and nutrient cycling. An increase in their population can enhance soil health, leading to a healthier ecosystem overall.
In summary, removing slugs may create an environment more conducive to the survival and growth of the earthworm population.