A storage tank leaked toxic industrial waste into part of a grassland reserve.
Scientists measured the concentration of a toxic chemical in the soil at four sites. They recorded the numbers of plant and invertebrate species in the same area at each site.
| Site | Concentration of toxic chemical in soil in mg/kg | Number of plant species | Number of invertebrate species |
|---|---|---|---|
| P | 48 | 5 | 3 |
| Q | 32 | 7 | 5 |
| R | 18 | 10 | 8 |
| S | 7 | 13 | 10 |
Describe the relationship between the concentration of the toxic chemical and the total number of plant and invertebrate species recorded.
The damaged tank is repaired and some of the polluted soil is removed. The concentration of the toxic chemical at site P is expected to fall to 7 mg/kg.
Predict the total number of plant and invertebrate species that could be recorded at site P after several years. Explain your prediction.
84 exam-style questions on AQA GCSE Biology 7.3 Biodiversity and the effect of human interaction on ecosystems, covering 7.3.1 Biodiversity, 7.3.2 Waste management, 7.3.3 Land use, 7.3.4 Deforestation, 7.3.5 Global warming, and 7.3.6 Maintaining biodiversity. Each one has a worked solution and a mark scheme showing where the marks go.