Distribution of organisms

• Abiotic factors


  Are non-living factors
• What are examples of abiotic factors?

  Light intensity, soil moisture, pH and temperature
• Biotic factors


  Are living factors
• What are examples of biotic factors?

  competition, diseases, food availability, grazing and predation
• What equipment do you use to measure light intensity?

  Light meter
• What is a source of error when using a light meter?

  Casting a shadow
• What equipment do you use to measure soil moisture?

  Moisture meter
• What is a source of error when using a moisture meter?


  Not cleaning the probe after each reading
• What equipment is used to measure pH?

  pH meter
• What is a source of error when using a pH meter?

  Not cleaning the probe after each reading
• What equipment is used to measure temperature?

  Thermometer
• What is a source of error when using a thermometer?

  Holding the thermometer when it should be set up in the shade
• What equipment can be used to sample plants and animals?

  Quadrats and pitfall traps
• What must you do when using quadrats?


  Throw it randomly and repeat process
• What is a source of error when using a quadrat?


  Determining whether an individual organism is in a certain square or not
• What must you do when using a pitfall trap?


  The trap is level to the ground so invertebrates can fall in
• What is a source of error when using a pitfall trap?

  Not checking the trap regularly

  Predatory animals eating the invertebrates

  Water getting in the trap
• How can these sources of errors be overcome by?

  Checking the trap regularly

  Covering the trap with leaves to camouflage it

  Putting a few pricks in the bottom of the trap to allow drainage
• What can be used to identify organisms?

  Paired statement key
• Indicator species


  Are species that by their presence or absence can indicate the environment quality of pollution
• What species indicate the levels of air pollution?

  Lichens
• What type of lichen can not withstand the high levels of air pollution?

  Shrubby lichen
• What type of lichen can withstand moderate levels of air pollution?

  Crusty lichens