APES FRQ question n answers 2023/2024 already passed

APES FRQFRQ 1 - (a) Describe TWO characteristics of invasive plants that help them outcompete native plants. - correct answer · Invasive species generally have a greater range of tolerance than native species . · Invasive species are often generalist species and are advantaged in habitats that are changing. FRQ 1 - (b) The research findings are summarized in the graph above. (i) Based on the data in the graph, identify the year in which the abundance of native plants versus invasive plants is nearly equal. - correct answer the year where the abundance of native plants versus invasive plants is nearly equal. · 2001 · 2002 FRQ 1 - (b) The research findings are summarized in the graph above.(ii) Describe the change in overall plant abundance from , using the data in the graph. - correct answer Plant abundance decreases from approximately 340 plants to 300 plants. · Plant abundance decreases approximately 10 percent. FRQ 1 - (b) The research findings are summarized in the graph above.(iii) Explain what the trend in relative abundance of native hardstem lovegrass and the invasive fountain grass over the 12-year period implies about each species' ability to withstand drought conditions. - correct answer There was a decrease in native hardstem lovegrass and an increase in invasive fountain grass. This would imply that the invasive fountain grass is more drought-tolerant than the native hardstem lovegrass. FRQ 1 - (c) Explain how a loss of species diversity would affect the stability of an ecosystem. - correct answer · The more genetically diverse a population, the better it can withstand environmental stressors. A loss of biodiversity means the ecosystem would be more likely to be damaged (or have additional species loss) during times of environmental stress. FRQ 1 - (d) Based on the data in the graph, the Forest Service decides that a coordinated attempt should be made to remove the nonnative fountain grass from Mauna Kea to protect the native hardstem lovegrass, following an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach.(i) Describe the process of IPM - correct answer a combination of methods used to effectively control pest species, while minimizing the disruption to the environment, especially limiting the introduction of chemicals into the environment. These methods include physical, biological, and limited chemical methods. FRQ 1 - (d) Based on the data in the graph, the Forest Service decides that a coordinated attempt should be made to remove the nonnative fountain grass from Mauna Kea to protect the native hardstem lovegrass, following an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach. (ii) The ecologists want to begin their IPM program with physical control in a managed area and establish a 10-hectare plot in which they will test their efforts. Based on the data in the graph and the information provided, identify a testable scientific question that the ecologists could use to guide their physical control efforts. - correct answer · How will the physical control or removal of invasive fountain grass affect the relative abundance of native hardstem lovegrass? FRQ 1 - (d) Based on the data in the graph, the Forest Service decides that a coordinated attempt should be made to remove the nonnative fountain grass from Mauna Kea to protect the native hardstem lovegrass, following an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach.(iii) Describe a reasonable research method that the ecologists could use in their physical control efforts. - correct answer Physically remove the fountain grass on an identified schedule and do nothing to the hardstem lovegrass. After four years of physical control efforts, the ecologists evaluate the abundance of each type of grass in the test plot. They discover that, although there is less fountain grass in their test plot than when they began, there has not been a significant increase in native hardstem lovegrass. (e) Assuming the ecologists wish to continue with an IPM approach and continue their removal efforts on the test plot for another four years, explain one modification that could be made to the research method you identified above that could alter their results. - correct answer In addition to physical control, add biological or limited chemical control to the removal regimen, consistent with IPM FRQ 2 - a Describe the critical processes by which nitrogen is cycled through the biotic and abiotic components of Earth's ecosystems and identify the primary storage sink for nitrogen. - correct answer nitrogen compounds are used to produce biochemicals like protein, DNA, chlorophyll. In plants Denitrifying bacteria break down nitrogen compounds in the process of decomposition and release elemental nitrogen back into the atmosphere atmosphere as the primary sink for nitrogen, N2.