Ecosystems

EasyMediumHard
1234567891011121314151617181920212223242526272829303132333435363738394041424344454647
Question 44
Medium

The Round Island boa is a highly threatened snake species. It is native to Mauritius and its surrounding islands. The diagram shows the food web on one of these islands: A food web diagram.

a.

How many secondary consumers are in this food web?

[1]
b.

Feral cats are described as both predators and competitors of Round Island boas. Explain why.

[2]
c.

Biomass is lost as it passes through this food web. Identify two processes from the list below that result in biomass loss from this food web: egestion, growth, photosynthesis, respiration.

[2]
d.

Feral cats were originally introduced to the main island by humans to control pest rodent populations. Which term describes this type of pest control? Choose from: Abiotic control, Biological control, Chemical control, Genetic control.

[1]
e.

Female feral cats can breed 2 times each year and produce 4 kittens each time. The Round Island boa lays about 4 eggs each year. Explain why the feral cats can rapidly drive the boa towards extinction.

[2]
f.

By the late 20th century, the Round Island boas survived only on a small predator-free offshore island. Scientists proposed building a landing platform and eco-tourist path on this offshore island.

Suggest why these snakes survived on the offshore island.

[1]
g.

Suggest two reasons why scientists are against the proposal to build the landing platform and path.

[2]

Ecosystems Questions

  1. GCSE
  2. /Biology
  3. /Ecosystems