Essential Biology G3 Impacts of Humans on Ecosystems
Student Name:
Due Date:
Candidate Number: 002171-
1. The ozone layer.
a. State the chemical formula for ozone.
b. State the role of ozone in the stratosphere.
c. Distinguish between the ozone layer and the greenhouse layer, using a simple diagram.
d. Outline the effects of CFC’s on the ozone layer:
e. Outline the effects of UV radiation on living tissues and biological productivity.
f. Describe the consequences of ozone layer damage due to CFC use in terms of long-term
environmental and human health impacts.
Stephen Taylor
Bandung International School
http://sciencevideos.wordpress.com
Essential Biology G3 Impacts of Humans on Ecosystems
Due Date:
Candidate Number: 002171-
Student Name:
2. Monitoring ecological systems.
a. State the function of Simpson’s Diversity Index.
b. List some of the uses of Simpson’s Diversity Index data in environmental decision
making:
c. Describe how Simpson’s Index could be used to compare two locations.
d. Calculate Simpson’s Diversity Index for these two grassland areas:
Grassland Site 1
Species
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
Present
y
y
y
x
x
x
x
x
N=
number
65
12
8
0
0
0
0
O
Σn=
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
3
N-1=
2
n-1=
Simpson’s Index:
Grassland Site 2
Species
A
Present
y
X
y
y
y
y
y
y
N=
number
12
o
32
21
08
6
07
4
Σn=
7
N-1=
6
n-1=
Simpson’s Index:
e. Deduce which site was a farmed area and which was wild. Explain your answer.
Stephen Taylor
Bandung International School
http://sciencevideos.wordpress.com
Essential Biology G3 Impacts of Humans on Ecosystems
Due Date:
Candidate Number: 002171-
Student Name:
3. Read the article “Aborigines improve biodiversity by starting fires” and then work through this
example of Simpson’s Diversity Index. The data have been simplified.
(http://scienceblogs.com/notrocketscience/2008/09/aborigines_improve_biodiversity_by_starting_fires.php )
a. Species populations were recorded before and 5-years after fire. Calculate D for before
and after the fires.
Immediately prior to burning
species
count
n(n-1)
Five years post-burning
species
n(n-1)
count
A
125
A
16
B
21
B
45
C
14
C
34
D
8
D
95
E
7
E
25
F
5
F
36
G
5
G
80
H
5
H
101
ΣN
ΣN
ΣN(N-1)
ΣN(N-1)
Σn(n-1)
D=
ΣN(N-1)
Σn(n-1)
D=
Σn(n-1)
D=
ΣN(N-1)
Σn(n-1)
D=
b. Compare the diversity before and after the fires.
c. Deduce which species in the table represents Spinifex. Explain your answer.
d. Identify the type of ecological succession taking place in this situation.
Stephen Taylor
Bandung International School
http://sciencevideos.wordpress.com
Essential Biology G3 Impacts of Humans on Ecosystems
Due Date:
Candidate Number: 002171-
Student Name:
4. Discuss the following reasons for conservation of biodiversity in rainforests:
Ethical/moral
Economical
Economical
Aesthetic
5. Introduction of non-native species.
a. Define alien species.
b. Outline the impacts of three examples of introduction of alien species:
Intentional Introduction: food source
Intentional Introduction: biological control
Accidental Introduction: shipping or globalization
Stephen Taylor
Bandung International School
http://sciencevideos.wordpress.com
Essential Biology G3 Impacts of Humans on Ecosystems
Student Name:
Due Date:
Candidate Number: 002171-
c. Explain the effects of invasive alien species on native species, with examples:
Predation
Interspecific competition & competitive exclusion
Habitat destruction
Biological control
Extinction
d. Use the Global Invasive Species database to complete this information for a an invasive
species found in your local area or home country (http://www.issg.org/database/welcome/)
i. Binomial and common names and taxonomy
ii. Native and introduced geographical ranges
iii. Introduction pathways or vectors
iv. Local dispersal methods
v. Impacts
vi. Management strategies
Stephen Taylor
Bandung International School
http://sciencevideos.wordpress.com
Essential Biology G3 Impacts of Humans on Ecosystems
Student Name:
Due Date:
Candidate Number: 002171-
e. Outline how RHDV has been used for biological control in Australia.
Problem:
Solution:
Effectiveness:
6. Pollution & the food chain
a. Define biomagnification.
b. Distinguish between bioaccumulation and biomagnification.
c. Using a diagram or flow-chart, describe the cause and consequences of one named
example of biomagnification.
Stephen Taylor
Bandung International School
http://sciencevideos.wordpress.com