(a) Explain briefly the following ecological terms:
(i) biosphere
(ii) habitat
(b) Describe the mode of nutrition in a named carnivorous plant.
(c) State three reasons why the dispersal of fruits and seeds are important.
(d) State six methods of conserving soil.
Explanation
(a)(i) Biosphere: Total/whole area, part of the earth/lithosphere/ hydrosphere/water, and atmosphere/air, inhabitable by living things/where life exists.
(ii) Habitat: A place/home; within an environment, where an organism naturally lives/dwells.
(b) Mode of nutrition of named carnivorous plants:
- - Carnivorous plants have green leaves and are able to manufacture their own food carry out photosynthesis.
- They have roots to absorb water and mineral salts from the soil.
- Usually grow in places with little nitrogenous salts.
- Use insects/other small animals as source of Nitrogen.
- They have devices/modified leaves with bright colour/sents/sugary liquids/stcky wet surfaces for attracting and trapping insects.
- Once the insects is trapped, the plant secretes enzymes to kill and digest it.
- The soluble nitrogenous compounds are absorbed/assimilated by the plant.
Name of carnivourous plants: -
- Butterwort/Pinquicula
- Bladderwort/ Utricularia
- Sundew/Drosera
- Venus fly-trap/Dionaea
- Pitcher plants/Nepenthes/Sarracenta.
(c) Importance of fruits and seed dispersal: -
- Prevents overcrowding of plants.
- Prevents undersirable competition for space/light/water and nutrients.
- Prevents diseases from spreading among plant species.
- Results in colonization of new areas with new plants.
- Results in adaptation to adverse/harsh/unsuitable environment.
(d) Soil conservation method: -
- Contour ploughing/ridges are made along the contour of a slopping land/to prevent water running down the hill/slope/and washing away soil.
- Strip cultivation/the land is divided into strips along the contours of the slopes/crops are planted in rows that alternate with the strips planted with cover crops/grasses.
- Terracing/constriction of terraces which create barriers to hinder rapid water flow down the slope.
- Mulching/materials left after weeding or harvest are left to lie on the soil/ protecting the soil against agents of erosion.
- Afforestation/cover cropping/growing grasses, trees and shrubs to cover and protect the soil.
- Crop rotation/growing crops on a piece of land in sequence/season after season to maintain its fertility.
- Storm drains/construction of barriers/to stop free-flow of surface water through farms.
- Application of manure/fertilizer/to stabilize the soil.
- Avoid bush burning.
- Avoid over grazing.