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1
ECOL111 Module 1 - functional ecology
Questions and Answers (100% Correct
Answers) Already Graded A+
Explain the ecosystem services bivalves supply Ans: - Food for other
creatures
-Filter particles (denitrification):
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• Water quality
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• Clarity
• Turbidity
-Benthic -pelagic coupling
•Bio-deposition
•Nutrient dynamics
-Bioturbation (reworking soils and sediments which creates more
inhabitable sea floors.)
Benthic zone Ans: the lowest level of a body of water
Pelagic Ans: meaning or relating to the open ocean
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What type of feeder is the NZ cockle? Ans: Suspension feeder
Where do cockles live (in the ecosystem)? Ans: Intertidal zone (harbour
sandflats, estuaries in fine sand)
What makes NZ cockle special in NZ? Ans: They are endemic to NZ and
taonga in Māori culture (kai moana)
List the variable factors of the intertidal zone (affecting cockles)? Ans:
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Tides (high/low)
Sediment type (rocky, sandy, muddy)
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Exposure (lots of waves or sheltered)
List the abiotic factors which can cause stress in cockles. Ans: Salinity
Light
Temperature
Food availability (due to variations caused by tides, weather changes,
seasons etc)
How does stress impact the cockle's fitness? Ans: Because of the energy
used to manage stress (eg burrowing into the ground when exposed by
low tide), cockles will have less energy to use for reproductive purposes -
reproduction being the definition of success for cockles.
1
ECOL111 Module 1 - functional ecology
Questions and Answers (100% Correct
Answers) Already Graded A+
Explain the ecosystem services bivalves supply Ans: - Food for other
creatures
-Filter particles (denitrification):
© 2026 Assignment Expert
• Water quality
Guru01 - Stuvia
• Clarity
• Turbidity
-Benthic -pelagic coupling
•Bio-deposition
•Nutrient dynamics
-Bioturbation (reworking soils and sediments which creates more
inhabitable sea floors.)
Benthic zone Ans: the lowest level of a body of water
Pelagic Ans: meaning or relating to the open ocean
, For Expert help and assignment handling,
2
What type of feeder is the NZ cockle? Ans: Suspension feeder
Where do cockles live (in the ecosystem)? Ans: Intertidal zone (harbour
sandflats, estuaries in fine sand)
What makes NZ cockle special in NZ? Ans: They are endemic to NZ and
taonga in Māori culture (kai moana)
List the variable factors of the intertidal zone (affecting cockles)? Ans:
© 2026 Assignment Expert
Tides (high/low)
Sediment type (rocky, sandy, muddy)
Guru01 - Stuvia
Exposure (lots of waves or sheltered)
List the abiotic factors which can cause stress in cockles. Ans: Salinity
Light
Temperature
Food availability (due to variations caused by tides, weather changes,
seasons etc)
How does stress impact the cockle's fitness? Ans: Because of the energy
used to manage stress (eg burrowing into the ground when exposed by
low tide), cockles will have less energy to use for reproductive purposes -
reproduction being the definition of success for cockles.