(a) (i) What does an ecologist mean by the term conservation?
(ii) Give an outline of one conservation practice used in agriculture or fisheries or forestry - Leaving Cert Biology - Question 11 - 2009
Question 11
(a) (i) What does an ecologist mean by the term conservation?
(ii) Give an outline of one conservation practice used in agriculture or fisheries or forestry.
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Worked Solution & Example Answer:(a) (i) What does an ecologist mean by the term conservation?
(ii) Give an outline of one conservation practice used in agriculture or fisheries or forestry - Leaving Cert Biology - Question 11 - 2009
Step 1
What does an ecologist mean by the term conservation?
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Answer
Conservation refers to the management of the environment or of organisms to ensure their survival and sustainability. This involves protecting natural habitats, regulating resource use, and implementing practices that promote biodiversity.
Step 2
Give an outline of one conservation practice used in agriculture or fisheries or forestry.
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Answer
One example of a conservation practice in agriculture is the use of crop rotation. This method helps maintain soil fertility, reduce soil erosion, and control pests and diseases without the extensive use of chemical pesticides.
Step 3
Give two activities of adult foxes, apart from breeding itself, which are associated with the breeding season.
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Answer
Defending their territory against other foxes.
Marking the territorial boundaries using scent and urine.
Step 4
How is the territorial boundary marked?
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Answer
Territorial boundaries are marked with scent and urine, left by the foxes to signal their presence and establish their territory.
Step 5
How do young foxes learn to hunt?
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Young foxes learn to hunt by accompanying their parents on hunting trips. This allows them to observe and practice the skills needed to catch prey.
Step 6
Suggest a reason why vehicle bikes are making life more difficult for urban foxes.
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Vehicle bikes can disrupt the natural movement of urban foxes, creating hazards that can lead to increased mortality rates. This difficulty is exacerbated in urban settings where high traffic makes it challenging for foxes to navigate safely.
Step 7
What is meant by the term omnivore?
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An omnivore is an organism that eats both plants and animals, allowing for dietary flexibility in adapting to varying food sources.
Step 8
Suggest an advantage for the fox of being 'nocturnal in habit'.
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Answer
Being nocturnal enables foxes to avoid competition for food from other predators that hunt during the day, and it can also help them remain less visible to potential threats.
Step 9
In general, are urban foxes or rural foxes more successful at finding food? Give a reason for your answer.
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Urban foxes are generally more successful at finding food due to the availability of human waste and other easily accessible food sources. This adaptation allows them to thrive in city environments.
Step 10
Qualitative.
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Qualitative refers to non-numerical data that describes characteristics or qualities in ecosystems, such as behavior, appearance, and habitat preference.
Step 11
Quantitative.
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Quantitative describes numerical data that can be measured and counted, such as the number of individuals or species in a given area.
Step 12
In the course of your ecological studies you investigated an ecosystem. Name this ecosystem and describe how you conducted a quantitative survey of plants present in it.
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Answer
One ecosystem I studied was a temperate forest. I conducted a quantitative survey by using belt transects, which involved placing a tape measure along a designated line and counting the number of different plant species encountered at regular intervals.
Step 13
How did you present the results of your survey?
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The results were presented using a bar chart and a table, displaying the number of individuals for each species observed within the transect.
Step 14
Suggest a possible source of error in your survey.
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A possible source of error could be human error in the identification of plant species, particularly if the species were similar, or if environmental conditions caused inconsistencies in visibility.
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