Living and non-living factors in an ecosystem

Question 1

Bee numbers fall in an area, and fewer apples form on the trees. Which factor has changed for the apple trees?

• A. an abiotic factor: day length
• B. no factor has changed
• C. an abiotic factor: soil pH
• D. a biotic factor: fewer pollinators

Question 2

Students placed quadrats in a line leading out from under a tree. Light intensity (% of full sunlight) → number of daisies: 90 % → 15 70 % → 12 50 % → 9 30 % → 6 10 % → 3 Which conclusion do the data support?

• A. More daisies grow where light intensity is higher.
• B. The data prove that light is the only factor that matters.
• C. The tree eats the daisies.
• D. Daisies grow best in the shade.

Question 3

Is this a biotic or an abiotic factor: amount of water?

• A. abiotic (non-living)
• B. biotic (living)

Question 4

Grey squirrels were introduced to Britain and red squirrel numbers fell. What kind of factor are the grey squirrels for the red squirrels?

• A. not a factor at all
• B. abiotic: soil pH
• C. abiotic: temperature
• D. biotic: competition and disease

Question 5

Students placed quadrats in a line leading out from under a tree. Light intensity (% of full sunlight) → number of daisies: 10 % → 2 30 % → 5 50 % → 8 70 % → 11 90 % → 14 Which conclusion do the data support?

• A. Daisies grow best in the shade.
• B. Light has no link with the number of daisies.
• C. More daisies grow where light intensity is higher.
• D. The data prove that light is the only factor that matters.

Question 6

Is this a biotic or an abiotic factor: an invasive species?

• A. abiotic (non-living)
• B. biotic (living)

Question 7

Warmer ocean water causes corals to lose the algae living inside them (bleaching). Which factor changed?

• A. the number of fish
• B. light, which disappeared
• C. predators, a biotic factor
• D. temperature, an abiotic factor

Question 8

Students placed quadrats in a line leading out from under a tree. Light intensity (% of full sunlight) → number of daisies: 10 % → 3 30 % → 7 50 % → 11 70 % → 15 90 % → 19 Which conclusion do the data support?

• A. The data prove that light is the only factor that matters.
• B. Light has no link with the number of daisies.
• C. Daisies grow best in the shade.
• D. More daisies grow where light intensity is higher.

Question 9

Is this a biotic or an abiotic factor: light intensity?

• A. abiotic (non-living)
• B. biotic (living)

Question 10

Warmer ocean water causes corals to lose the algae living inside them (bleaching). Which factor changed?

• A. the number of fish
• B. predators, a biotic factor
• C. temperature, an abiotic factor
• D. light, which disappeared

Question 11

Students placed quadrats in a line leading out from under a tree. Light intensity (% of full sunlight) → number of daisies: 90 % → 9 70 % → 7 50 % → 5 30 % → 3 10 % → 1 Which conclusion do the data support?

• A. Light has no link with the number of daisies.
• B. More daisies grow where light intensity is higher.
• C. The data prove that light is the only factor that matters.
• D. The tree eats the daisies.

Question 12

Is this a biotic or an abiotic factor: light intensity?

• A. abiotic (non-living)
• B. biotic (living)

Question 13

Lichens grow less well near busy roads. Which abiotic factor is the likely cause?

• A. competition with trees
• B. the number of predators
• C. air pollution such as nitrogen dioxide
• D. a new disease

Question 14

Students placed quadrats in a line leading out from under a tree. Light intensity (% of full sunlight) → number of daisies: 10 % → 1 30 % → 6 50 % → 11 70 % → 16 90 % → 21 Which conclusion do the data support?

• A. Light has no link with the number of daisies.
• B. The tree eats the daisies.
• C. More daisies grow where light intensity is higher.
• D. The data prove that light is the only factor that matters.

Question 15

Is this a biotic or an abiotic factor: an invasive species?

• A. abiotic (non-living)
• B. biotic (living)

Question 16

Warmer ocean water causes corals to lose the algae living inside them (bleaching). Which factor changed?

• A. predators, a biotic factor
• B. the number of fish
• C. light, which disappeared
• D. temperature, an abiotic factor