Rhododendron (Rhododendron ponticum) bushes produce large, attractive flowers filled with nectar that attract many bumblebees and other insect pollinators.
Rhododendron bushes produce vast quantities of very small, lightweight seeds. This allows them to quickly colonise new woodland habitats.
This rapid colonisation has led to a significant decrease in the populations of native woodland plants. Scientists have observed that while there are extremely large numbers of pollinating insects in these invaded woodlands, the insect biodiversity is low.
Suggest why the rapid colonisation of woodland by Rhododendron bushes has caused a decrease in the populations of native woodland plants.
Describe a sampling technique that could be used to estimate the population size of a single species of bumblebee in a woodland habitat.
Explain how there can be a large total population of insects but a low biodiversity of insects in these woodlands.
Scientists have suggested two possible biotechnology methods of reducing the ecological damage caused to habitats by invasive Rhododendron bushes. Explain how each of these methods would reduce the damage:
Genetically engineering Rhododendron bushes to produce much larger, heavier seeds.
Producing hybrid Rhododendron plants with an uneven (triploid) number of chromosomes, which prevents meiosis from occurring.