OCR A Level Biology Biodiversity Quiz 1

A study was carried out on butterflies in two different habitats in the north of England. The two habitats were farmland and mixed deciduous woodland.

· Surveys were completed in 1992 and then at four year intervals.

· Data were collected from butterfly transect sites in both habitats. Using this data, the total butterfly population in each habitat was estimated.

· In 2012, the general populations of butterflies in these two habitats reached historical lows as a result of the prolonged cold and wet weather.

· Between 1992 and 2012 the woodland had become overgrown due to lack of active management.

In particular the number of open spaces in the woodland had decreased.

The data in the graph shows the total butterfly populations per square kilometre in both habitats between the years 1992 to 2012.

Calculate the total percentage decrease in the number of butterflies on farmland between 1992 and 2012.

Give your answer to the nearest whole number.

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The following statements compare the number of butterflies on the farmland and in the woodland between 1992 and 2012.

Which statement is incorrect?

• The number of butterflies in the farmland stays higher than in the woodland

• The number of butterflies in farmland has a greater decrease (than those on farmland)

• From 2004 to 2012 they both fall by a similar rate

• The woodland population decreases by 23% more than the farmland

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NGSS.MS-LS2-1

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The following statements are suggestions for the difference in the rates of decline of butterfly numbers in woodland and farmland.

Both habitats experienced the same weather conditions.

Between 1992 and 2012 the woodland had become overgrown due to lack of active management.

In particular the number of open spaces in the woodland had decreased.

Which statement does not provide a valid suggestion based on the information you have been given (the information given at the start is repeated below)

• The woodland population dropped because of a new predator

• Farmland population decreased because there's more open spaces for breeding sites

• Farmland population decreased because of a lack of conservation of hedgerows and areas for wild plants to grow

• Woodland population decreased because of deforestation

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NGSS.MS-LS2-1

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In 2012, the general populations of butterflies in both habitats reached historical lows as a result of the prolonged and cold weather.

A student made the following statement:

'These data (the graph) show that the change in butterfly numbers was caused by changes in weather conditions in England'

The following statements are comments on the validity of the student's statement.

Select the correct statements.

• The statement lacks validity because weather conditions only refer to 2012

• The statement lacks validity because numbers were falling before 2012

• The statement lacks validity because weather conditions and butterfly decline may not be linked

• All of the above

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

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Select two variables from the list below that scientists should control when carrying out butterfly surveys such as this

• Sample at the same time year/ same time of day

• Temperature

• Same sampling technique

• pH

A different study was carried out on butterflies in two habitats in the North of England. The two habitats were farmland and mixed deciduous woodland.

Butterfly species in severe decline on farmland include gatekeeper, large skipper, small copper, wall brown, small tortoiseshell and white-letter hairstreak.

Butterfly species in severe decline in woodland include brown argus, common blue, gatekeeper, holly blue, marbled white, meadow brown, peacock, small copper, small heath, small tortoiseshell and wall brown.

Select from the list below to say which habitat you expect to have greater species richness and why

• Woodland because there is a greater number of species in decline than on farmland (so probably more species present originally)

• Woodland because there is likely to be little or no pesticide use compared to farmland

• Farmland because it has lost fewer butterfly species so probably a larger number of species remain

• Farmland because of hedgerow conservation meaning more niches for butterflies to occupy

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Female silver-washed fritillary butterflies, Argynnis paphia, are usually an orange-brown colour. However, a deep olive-green colour can be seen in some females, largely in the south of England.

What is the term given to this type of biodiversity?

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NGSS.MS-LS4-4

Which of the following statements describe benefits to the species of genetic biodiversity?

• Colour variation is an adaptation to the environment

• Reduces variation for natural selection

• Some of the species will survive if a new disease is introduced

• Camouflage in different habitats

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