Fill in the blanks

1. Adaptation is required by the organisms living in Sonaran desert to live

with little water.
2. Gila woodpeckers make holes in the cacti to make nests.
3. Cactus wrens make nests In _teddy bear cholla cactus.
4. The actions of one organisms affecting the other is called interaction
5. The interactions between organisms make up Ecosystem
6. The study of ecosystem is called Ecology
7. Native species are organisms that orginally belong to that environment
8. Stoats are fierce hunters.
9. 53 species of native bird in New Zealand have become extinct since
human arrived
10. DDT is an Insecticide.

2 mark questions

11. What type of climate is characteristic of the Sonoran Desert?

The Sonoran Desert has a hot desert climate, characterized by low
rainfall, high temperatures during the day, and cooler nights.
12. Name two plant species adapted to the Sonoran Desert.
Two plant species adapted to the Sonoran Desert are the saguaro
cactus and the creosote bush.
13.  Describe the adaptations of desert animals for survival.
Desert animals, such as the kangaroo rat, are adapted to conserve
water, often being nocturnal and having specialized kidneys to
minimize water loss.
14. What is the significance of the monsoon season in the Sonoran
Desert?
The monsoon season brings crucial rainfall, which helps support plant
growth and replenishes water sources in the desert.
15.  What are two threats to the Sonoran Desert ecosystem?
Two threats to the Sonoran Desert ecosystem are urban development
and climate change, which can lead to habitat loss and altered weather
patterns.
16. What is meant by "invasive species"?
Invasive species are non-native organisms that, when introduced to a
new environment, spread rapidly and can cause harm to local
ecosystems, wildlife, and human activities.
17. Name two invasive species found in New Zealand.
Two invasive species in New Zealand are the stoat and the rats.
18. How do invasive species affect native wildlife in New Zealand?
Invasive species often compete with native species for resources, prey
 on them, and disrupt their habitats, leading to declines in native
populations.
19. What role do humans play in the introduction of invasive
species?
Humans can inadvertently introduce invasive species through activities
such as global trade, gardening, and transportation, allowing non-native
species to escape into the wild.
20. Why are island ecosystems, like New Zealand’s, particularly
vulnerable to invasive species?
Island ecosystems often have limited native biodiversity and fewer
natural predators for invaders, making them more susceptible to the
impacts of invasive species.ensure long-term sustainability of
conservation initiatives.
21. What is bioaccumulation?
Bioaccumulation is the process by which toxic substances, such as
heavy metals or pollutants, accumulate in the tissues of living
organisms over time, often at higher concentrations than in their
environment.
22. How does bioaccumulation differ from biomagnification?
Bioaccumulation refers to the buildup of toxins in a single organism,
while biomagnification describes the increasing concentration of these
toxins as they move up the food chain, affecting multiple organisms.
23. Give an example of a substance that commonly bioaccumulates
in ecosystems.
One common example is mercury, which can bioaccumulate in fish,
leading to higher concentrations in larger predatory fish such as tuna.
24. What are the potential effects of bioaccumulation on human
health?
Bioaccumulation can lead to various health issues in humans, including
neurological disorders, developmental problems, and increased risk of
cancer when consuming contaminated seafood.
25. Name one factor that affects the rate of
bioaccumulation in organisms.
One factor is the organism's position in the food chain; organisms
higher in the food chain generally accumulate higher concentrations of
toxins due to biomagnification.

3 mark questions

26. Explain the adaptations of plants in the Sonoran Desert that

enable them to survive in such an arid environment.
Plants like the saguaro cactus and creosote bush have several
adaptations:
 Water Storage: Cacti have thick, fleshy stems that store water.
 Reduced Leaves: Many desert plants have small or no leaves to
minimize water loss through transpiration.
 Waxy Coating: A waxy cuticle on their surfaces helps reduce
evaporation.

27. Write any three ecosystems

1.Mangrove forest
2.Sea ice in Artic ocean
3.Rice paddy

28. Describe the measures taken to control invasive species in

New Zealand.
New Zealand employs several measures, including:
a. Trapping and Poisoning: The use of traps and poisons
specifically designed to target invasive species like rats, stoats,
and possums.
b. Public Awareness Campaigns: Educating the public about the
risks of invasive species and promoting responsible gardening
and pet ownership.
c. Restoration Programs: Initiatives to restore habitats and
reintroduce native species to areas affected by invasives.
29. What is the significance of native birds in New Zealand’s
ecosystem, and how are they threatened by invasive species?
Native birds, such as the kiwi and kea, play vital roles in pollination and
seed dispersal. They are threatened by invasive species that prey on
their eggs and chicks, leading to population declines and loss of
biodiversity.
30. Discuss the ecological consequences of introducing stoats to
New Zealand.
Stoats were introduced to control rabbit populations but led to
significant ecological consequences:
a. Predation on Native Birds: Stoats hunt and kill many ground-
nesting native birds, contributing to their decline.
b. Disruption of Food Chains: Their presence alters the
dynamics of local food webs, impacting various species,
including native mammals and reptiles.
31. How do conservationists measure the success of invasive
species control efforts in New Zealand?
Conservationists assess success through:
a. Population Monitoring: Regular surveys of native species
populations to track recovery rates.
b. Habitat Restoration Assessments: Evaluating the health of
ecosystems to determine improvements following control efforts.
 Public Engagement: Gathering feedback and participation from the
community t

5 mark questions
32. Draw the food web in sonaran desert
33. Discuss the impact of the invasive species, the European
rabbit, on New Zealand’s ecosystem.
Ans:The introduction of the European rabbit had significant ecological
consequences:

Overgrazing: Rabbits reproduce rapidly and consume large amounts

of native vegetation, leading to overgrazing and habitat degradation. This
affects plant communities and reduces food availability for native
herbivores.

Soil Erosion: The loss of vegetation increases soil erosion, which can
lead to sedimentation in waterways, harming aquatic ecosystems.

Competition with Native Species: Rabbits compete with native

species for food and resources, further stressing vulnerable plant and
animal populations.

10 mark questions
34. What is a habitat? Write the habitats of different organisms in a
sonaran desert.

Ans:The place where an organism naturally live is called its habitat.

In sonaran desert
 The habitat of a saguaro cactus is the open desert.
 The habitat of Gila woodpecker is a saguaro cactus and air and
ground in the open desert.
 The habitat of a desert ant is underneath the rocks and soil and on
the soil surface.
 Termites live at the base of the saguaro stems.
 Sap beetles live inside saguaro flowers.
 Kangaroo rats live in burrow and come out to look for food at night
35. Describe the sea ice in the artic ocean ecosystem
Ans: Page number 134