How Does Human Disturbance Affect Seashore Animals?

[RCB]

Homework Statement

http://store.aqa.org.uk/qual/gce/pdf/AQA-BIOL4-W-QP-JUN10.PDF

Question 7eii) asks "What conclusions can you draw from the data in figure 3 about the effect of human disturbance on the animals living on the seashore. Explain


The mark scheme (http://store.aqa.org.uk/qual/gce/pdf/AQA-BIOL4-W-MS-JUN10.PDF) gives the following marking points:

1. Fewer larger animals/more smaller animals where more people/more disturbance;
2. 0.09 linked to 34.6/appropriate link between row 4 and row 1;
3. Larger animals affected by human activity;
4. Smaller animals are young animals;
5. Fewer species of seaweed (with disturbance);
6. (So) fewer niches /habitats (for large animals);

The only points I understand are 5 and 6. Please could someone explain the other marking points (maybe in prose rather than bullet points) to make it clearer to me
thanks!

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution

Lets take marking point (1)

dry biomass: abundance is the same as saying
(dry biomass) / (abundance)

so let's say average biomass is 5 kg, we have 1000 animals
(5*1000)/(1000) = 5
If no. of small animals increases to 9000
(5*9000)/9000 = 5

NO CHANGE
how can marking point (1) make sense
what is the significance of (2)?
and how are (3) and (4) concluded from figure 3 (see link)

Its a horrid question :(

Its a really confusing question and mark scheme

 

[nate808]

, but I'll try my best to explain it to you. Let's start from the first marking point:

1. Fewer larger animals/more smaller animals where more people/more disturbance: This means that in areas where there is more human activity/disturbance, there are fewer large animals and more small animals. This is because larger animals are more sensitive to human disturbance and may leave the area or decrease in population, while smaller animals may be able to adapt and thrive in these conditions.

2. 0.09 linked to 34.6/appropriate link between row 4 and row 1: This is a bit tricky to understand, but it's basically saying that the percentage (0.09) of large animals in row 4 is linked to the percentage (34.6) of human disturbance in row 1. This means that as the percentage of human disturbance increases, the percentage of large animals decreases.

3. Larger animals affected by human activity: This is similar to the first marking point - it's just stating that the larger animals are affected by human activity and may decrease in population or leave the area.

4. Smaller animals are young animals: This means that the smaller animals are likely young and able to adapt to the conditions of human disturbance. This is why there are more small animals in areas with more human disturbance.

5. Fewer species of seaweed (with disturbance): This means that in areas with more human disturbance, there are fewer species of seaweed. This could be due to pollution or other factors that affect the growth of seaweed.

6. (So) fewer niches/habitats (for large animals): This means that with fewer species of seaweed and less space due to human disturbance, there are fewer niches or habitats for large animals to live in. This is why there are fewer large animals in areas with more human disturbance.

I hope this helps clarify the marking points and how they relate to figure 3. It's a difficult question and mark scheme, so don't worry if you still find it confusing. Just remember to use the information in figure 3 to support your answers and make sure your explanations are clear and logical. Good luck!