Unit 2 Progress Check: FRQ (APES)verified to pass 2023/2024

Unit 2 Progress Check: FRQ (APES)(a) Identify the oldest stage of succession shown in the figure above - correct answer the forest (b) Pioneer species are important in ecological succession (i) Identify a pioneer species that could be found in an ecosystem like the one in the figure above. - correct answer (i): Any of these answers are correct ⬇️ • lichens • mosses • sea grass • algae • fungi (ii) Describe the role of pioneer species in early succession. - correct answer (ii): Any of these answers are correct ⬇️ • increase the biodiversity of the area. • alters the environment to bring optimal conditions for later plant growth. • forms new soil/improves soil. • increases the amount of shade. • increases water levels. • increases nutrient levels. • fixes nitrogen in the soil. • stabilizes the substrate. (c) Explain one adaptation that helps grasses succeed in grasslands, rather than forests. - correct answer (i): Any of these answers are correct ⬇️ • Grasses have unique physical structures/anatomy to survive forest fires. • Grasses have unique physical structures/anatomy to survive grazing by animals. • Grasses have most of their biomass below ground so they are better able to survive fires. • Grasses have most of their biomass below ground so they are better able to survive in dry conditions/droughts. • Grasses grow quickly and can spread/recover after a disturbance such as a fire or grazing • Grasses thrive in high light levels found in open areas of grasslands. (d) Soil organisms, such as mycorrhizal fungi, impact the rate of succession in ecosystems. Mycorrhizal fungi have a mutualistic relationship with various species of plants and increase the plant growth and survival. Sand dunes often lack mycorrhizal fungi, and a researcher wanted to determine the effect of adding mycorrhizal species to sand on disturbed beaches on grass growth. The researcher set up various mycorrhizal communities at disturbed beaches in different locations on the east coast of the United States. (i) Identify the independent variable in this study. - correct answer (i): Any of these answers are correct ⬇️ • the presence or absence of mycorrhizal fungi. • the amount of mycorrhizal fungi. (ii) Identify the dependent variable in this study. - correct answer (ii): the growth of grass