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Question 15

From Biology SL Paper 3 (November 2024, TZ2)

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  1. Each biome has unique characteristics in terms of organisms, weather, nutrient flow and stores.

(a) The model shows world biomes in relation to mean annual precipitation and mean annual temperature.

A graph with 'Mean annual temperature / °C' on the x-axis and 'Mean annual precipitation / cm' on the y-axis, displaying different biomes such as Tundra, Boreal forest, Woodland/shrubland, Temperate seasonal forest, Temperate rainforest, Tropical rainforest, Tropical seasonal forest/savanna, Temperate grassland/cold desert, and Subtropical desert.
A graph with 'Mean annual temperature / °C' on the x-axis and 'Mean annual precipitation / cm' on the y-axis, displaying different biomes such as Tundra, Boreal forest, Woodland/shrubland, Temperate seasonal forest, Temperate rainforest, Tropical rainforest, Tropical seasonal forest/savanna, Temperate grassland/cold desert, and Subtropical desert.

(i) State the mean annual temperature range in deserts. [1]

(ii) State the mean annual precipitation range in tropical rainforests. [1]

(b) The Gersmehl diagrams show the inter-relationships between nutrient flows and stores in desert and tropical rainforest.

Two Gersmehl diagrams side-by-side, one for 'Desert' and one for 'Tropical rainforest'. Each diagram shows three interconnected circles labeled X, Y, and Z, with arrows indicating nutrient flows between them and to/from outside the system.
Two Gersmehl diagrams side-by-side, one for 'Desert' and one for 'Tropical rainforest'. Each diagram shows three interconnected circles labeled X, Y, and Z, with arrows indicating nutrient flows between them and to/from outside the system.

Deduce with a reason the nutrient store labelled Z. [1]

Textbook topics in this question

Review the exact course sections assessed by each question part.

Mixed-topic question
15(a)(i)11.4 Niches, Adaptation and Biodiversity
15(a)(ii)11.4 Niches, Adaptation and Biodiversity
15(b)12.2 Transfer of Energy and Matter12.4 Stability, Change and Succession in Ecosystems