Ecosystem Questions
Section A
1. Figure 3 shows the carbon cycle. Use it to answer
the questions that follow:
a. Name the processes J and K. (2 marks)
b. Mention one environmental problem that is caused by
increased amounts of carbon in dioxide in the atmosphere. (1 mark)
5. (a) Define the following terms: (i)
“ecosystem” (1 mark) (ii) “community”
(b) Suppose a particular ecosystem has 2
shrubs, 100 caterpillars and 3 birds,
construct a pyramid of: (i) number (1
(ii) biomass (1 mark)
6. (a) Mention one abiotic factor that affects plant growth. (1 mark)
(b) Give two way in which the activities of man can affect an aquatic ecosystem. (2 marks)
7. Figure 5 shows one of the nutrient cycles in nature. Use it to answer the questions that follow.
a. Name the processes taking place at F, Z and P. (3 marks)
b. Explain how the process at K takes place. (3 marks)
c. Under what conditions does the process at E take place? (1 mark)
8. Figure 11 is a diagram showing recycling of materials in an
ecosystem. Use it to answer the questions that follow.
a. What does F represent? (1 mark)
b. Explain how the producer benefits from the activities of organisms represented by letter E. (3 marks)
Ecosystem - Questions
Sir Nkunika 0888139623/0997318853
9. [2009-13]
Table 2 shows results of an analysis of water in a stream and the organisms present in it. The stream was sprayed
annually with an insecticide to kill larvae of mosquitoes. Use it to answer the questions that follow.
Table 2
Analysis Concentration of pesticide
Stream water 2
Water plants 500
Fish type A 27,000
Fish type B 115,000
Fish eagles 160,000
a. Write down a food chain that includes all the organisms shown in the table. (3 marks)
b. Why is the insecticide concentration in the fish eagles higher than in the water plants? (2 marks)
10. [2008-7]
Figure 6 shows a closed aquarium which was set up in the sun by a group of students. Use it to answer the questions
that follow.
a. Besides feeding relationship, explain how the pond weeds and
snails depend on each other in the aquarium.
b. If the following morning students observed that tadpoles and
water snails had died explain the cause of death.
11. 2007-5.
Student caught 64 grasshoppers in a school garden of area 32𝑚2 and
marked them with nail varnish. They released them into the same garden. After two hours the students captures 60
grasshoppers in the same area of which 12 had marks of nail varnish.
a. Name the sampling technique used by the students. (1 mark)
b. Calculate the total number of grasshoppers for this area. (3 marks)
c. Calculate the population density of the grasshoppers. (2 marks)
12. 2008-15.
Discuss the energy flow in a tropical woodland. Your answer should be in essay form. (10 marks)
13. 2003-18.
Design an experiment that would be used to estimate the density of grasshoppers in a school garden. (10 marks)
Ecosystem - Questions
Sir Nkunika 0888139623/0997318853