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QUESTION 8 Increases in atmospheric carbon dioxide can influence ocean chemistry by (A) decreasing carbonic acid and decreasing pH. (B) decreasing carbonic acid and increasing pH. (C) increasing carbonic acid and decreasing pH. (D) 1increasing carbonic acid and increasing pH.
QUESTION 16 Identify the graph that represents the highest species richness with the greatest species evenness. (A) ©) Proportional abundance (log) Proportional abundance (log) 1000 300 100 30 10 3 1000 300 100 30 10 20 30 40 50 Rank I [ [ [ ] 10 20 30 40 50 Rank (B) (D) 1000 = 300 R 5\@/ 100 E2 30 Q = ST 10 A 2 2 3 0 10 20 30 40 50 Rank 1000 = ;5 300 §§ 100 5 £ 30 &9 Q;:E 10 < 3 1
QUESTION 4 (8 marks) Fish species diversity and coral cover were surveyed at a coral reef before and after a cyclone. The results of the fish transect data were collected and their trophic groups are shown. Before cyclone After cyclone Species Species . Species | Famity |0 [ d [coea i [ o [ p [Total erios 1 [ ] [ [ 2 omeioniod | 2 | | | |2 i | | [1[317] 28 pomeans| | | | | [8]7] 15 Key h = herbivore d = detrivore co = corallivore ca = carnivore i = benthic invertivore 0 = omnivore p = planktivore Rugosity transect data before cyclone Rugosity transect data after cyclone 2.5 2.5 3.0 3.0 35 - 35 g £ = 4.0 = 4.0 245 245 5.0 5.0 5.5 5.5 6.0 6.0 0 50 100 150 200 250 0 50 100 150 200 250 Transect seconds (10 s = 1 m approx.) Transect seconds (10 s = 1 m approx.) a) Determine the family most affected by the cyclone. Explain your reasoning. [2 marks] b) Draw conclusions about how changes in habitat complexity influenced the diversity of fish species found at the reef. [6 marks]
QUESTION 11 Increasing levels of atmospheric CO will result in increased concentrations of which two ion species in surface ocean waters? (A) calcium and carbonate (B) hydrogen and carbonate (C) calcium and bicarbonate (D) hydrogen and bicarbonate
QUESTION 1 Identify the species most resilient to increasing atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations. (A) corals (B) plankton (C) seagrasses (D) macroalgae QUESTIONS 1-2 These questions refer to the graph showing the projected vulnerabilities of groups of tropical marine species to increasing atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations. Recorded concentrations of atmospheric CO at specific times are also shown. Corals Fish Plankton Mangroves Seagrasses Macroalgae | 380 400 450 500 550 Atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration (parts per million) Key Projected vulnerability ——— —Stiéid Low Moderate High Very high
QUESTION 2 Infer the projected vulnerability of coral reef habitats to a 450 ppm atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration. (A) low—moderate (B) moderate—high (C) high—very high (D) very high
QUESTION 3 Which factor has the greatest influence on biodiversity of coral reef fish species? (A) rugosity (B) predation (C) light availability (D) dissolved oxygen
QUESTION 4 Fisheries management practices are implemented to recover populations in decline and monitor populations in recovery. The practice only used with fish populations in serious decline is (A) restricting total allowable catch. (B) monitoring stock levels. (C) closing fisheries. (D) limiting effort.
QUESTION 5 Changes in Great Barrier Reef coral distribution since the end of the last ice age can be mostly attributed to rising sea levels and (A) decreased aragonite concentration. (B) increased light and substrate availability. (C) increased temperature and decreased salinity. (D) decreased nitrate and phosphate concentrations.
QUESTION 6 The abiotic factor limiting the carrying capacity of an Atlantic salmon farm is low (A) dissolved oxygen. (B) temperature. (C) ammonia. (D) nitrites.
QUESTION 7 The anatomy of a coral is shown. BOOCOOE qa X indicates a (A) zooxanthella. (B) nematocyst. (C) coelenteron. (D) tentacle. QUESTIONS 8-9 These questions refer to the graph showing the occurrence of coral species across four locations (I I III and IV). fs Number of ree —v MN a) WX GG QQ... .GAAAAA _ Key a a Y--py A) ee ie Hb cel le 2 St Mn As Mo Coral species a ee ee eee es rr I LI to i 1
QUESTION 8 Identify the species seen on the greatest number of reefs in location III. (A) Po (B) Ac (C) St (D) Mn
QUESTION 9 Species evenness is lowest at location (A) I. (B) IL. (C) Ul. (D) IV. QUESTIONS 10-11 These questions refer to the graph showing the concentration of polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) in the lipids of various organisms from the north-eastern Pacific Ocean. Error bars show standard deviation. 4.0 =S 3.0 = ivy 2.0 Transient = Southern resident killer whale ° killer whale & 10 s $ Steller sea lion = cD) e on Pollock 5 o —1.0 Zoovlankt Fonageg # chum salmon oplankton 2 204 7? So ° = 0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0 5.0 6.0 Trophic level
QUESTION 10 What is the relationship between mean PCB concentration and trophic level? (A) (B) (C) (D) Mean PCB concentration causes a change in trophic level. As trophic level increases mean PCB concentration increases. There is no relationship between trophic level and mean PCB concentration. There is a negative correlation between trophic level and mean PCB concentration.
QUESTION 11 The mean PCB concentration of zooplankton and southern resident killer whales differ by an approximate factor of (A) 3 (B) 30 (C) 100 (D) 1000
QUESTION 12 When the recovery pathway of an ecosystem differs from its degradation pathway the ecosystem (A) shows hysteresis. (B) has low resilience. (C) has high biodiversity. (D) exists in a single stable state.
QUESTION 13 Which type of fishery is most likely to be a food source for small communities from developing nations? (A) trawling (B) artisanal (C) commercial (D) recreational
QUESTION 14 Identify the relationship between atmospheric CO concentration ocean pH and temperature. (A) Increased atmospheric temperature has led to increased atmospheric CO concentration ocean temperature and pH. (B) Decreased ocean pH has led to increased atmospheric temperature and decreased atmospheric CO concentration. (C) Increased atmospheric CO concentration has led to decreased ocean pH and increased ocean temperature. (D) Decreased ocean temperature has led to increased atmospheric CO concentration and ocean pH.
QUESTION 16 A reef cross-section is shown. The structure labelled X is (A) a fringing reef. (B) a barrier reef. (C) aplatform. (D) an atoll.
QUESTION 17 Coral reef growth occurs when the (A) dissolution rate is the same as the calcification rate. (B) calcification rate is less than the destruction processes. (C) accretion rate is greater than the dissolution and erosion rates. (D) dissolution and erosion rates are greater than the accretion rate.
QUESTION 19 An effect of climate change on coral reef health is (A) (B) (C) (D) decreased surface run-off. increased COTS outbreaks. increased coral bleaching events. decreased cyclone frequency and severity.
QUESTION 22 (5 marks) a) Identify an argument for mangrove conservation. Give two reasons to support your argument. [3 marks] b) Identify a management strategy that could support the health of mangrove habitats. Explain your reasoning. [2 marks]
QUESTION 7 (4 marks) Explain what affects the abundance of different forms of calcium carbonate in deep sea floor sediments.
QUESTION 2 Recent surveys in the Gulf of Carpentaria have shown large-scale mangrove loss. Determine the expected responses from reef fish species that use this habitat during their life cycle. Larval recruitment Juvenile populations Adult populations (mangroves) (mangroves) (reef) (A) Immediately decline Immediately decline Initially unaffected then decline over time (B) Initially unaffected then Initially unaffected then Initially unaffected then decline over time decline over time decline over time ©) Initially unaffected then Initially unaffected then Immediately decline decline over time decline over time Immediately decline Immediately decline Immediately decline
QUESTION 20 When designing marine protected areas what best describes the connectivity criterion? (A) (B) (C) (D) Distances between habitats are sufficient to enable organism transfer between them. Different habitat types are included to ensure habitat maintenance. Reserves are large enough to minimise edge effects. Multiple different habitat types are included.
QUESTION 24 (3 marks) Under La Nijia conditions there is a greater temperature contrast between the eastern and western tropical Pacific Ocean than under normal conditions. a) Identify one effect this scenario has for weather conditions on Australia’s east coast. [1 mark] b) Describe an impact on a local marine environment associated with the effect from Question 24a). [2 marks]
QUESTION 18 An increase in which factor would likely prevent a coral-dominated reef system from phase-shifting into an algae-dominated system after a mass bleaching event? (A) sediment run-off (B) severe weather events (C) sea cucumber numbers (D) herbivorous fish numbers
QUESTION 25 (§ marks) Representative concentration pathways (RCPs) are greenhouse gas concentration trajectories that describe different climate futures depending on the volume of greenhouse gases emitted in future years. The graphs show long-term changes in ocean pH and hydrogen ion concentration [H’] using historical observations and modelled predictions using RCP scenarios between 1770 and 2100. a) Which RCP scenario predicts that ocean pH will stabilise? [1 mark] b) Explain the relationship between [H ] and ocean pH using evidence from the graphs. [2 marks] c) Describe two consequences for coral reef ecosystems under the RCP 8.5 scenario. [2 marks]
Difficulty: A
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Paper 1
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2023
QUESTION 15 Most hard corals only extend their tentacles at night as this is when (A) spawning occurs. (B) zooxanthellae photosynthesise. (C) zooplankton are more abundant. (D) corallivorous fish are more active.
QUESTION 27 (2 marks) Explain low feed conversion ratio and why it is a desirable attribute for an aquaculture species.
QUESTION 7 (11 marks) The graph shows Australian prawn production by sector from 2006-07 to 2026-27. a) Identify the financial year in the historical data when wild caught prawn production had the highest economic value. [1 mark] b) Describe the trend in total economic value for Australian prawns from 2016-17 to 2021-22. Suggest two possible reasons for this trend. [3 marks] c) Compare the historical and predicted economic value of Australian prawns. [3 marks] Similarity: Difference: Significance: d) Explain two attributes that make prawns a desirable species to farm. [4 marks]
Difficulty: A
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Paper 2
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2023
QUESTION 1 (4 marks) a) Explain the relationship between dissolved oxygen concentration and the distribution of coral reefs. [2 marks] b) Identify two other abiotic factors that affect the distribution of coral reefs. [2 marks]
QUESTION 4 (5 marks) a) In which life cycle stage of a typical reef-forming hard coral does site selection occur? [1 mark] b) Explain how one biotic and one abiotic factor affect the site selection process. [4 marks]
QUESTION 5 (3 marks) Explain the role of connectivity in species replenishment using a relevant fish species as an example.
QUESTION 6 (4 marks) The graph shows global trends in marine fish stocks from 1974-2017. 100 % Nn So SP TT PM SL 1 Key Overfished [| Fully fished || Underfished a) Identify the percentage of stocks that were fully fished in 2017. [1 mark] b) Draw a conclusion about the status of global fisheries. Justify your conclusion. [3 marks]
QUESTION 2 (5 marks) A coastal community plans to implement a shark control program to significantly reduce the tiger shark population because of their perceived threat to the fishing industry and swimmers. The diagram represents potential effects of ongoing changes in predation for a seagrass ecosystem. a) Explain the effect of removing tiger sharks on seagrass ecosystems. [3 marks] b) Predict the effect that the shark control program would have on the fishing industry in this coastal community. [2 marks]
QUESTION 3 (11 marks) a) Identify the system that enables ocean water to resist pH change when exposed to increased atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO ). [1 mark] b) Identify one natural and two anthropogenic causes of increased atmospheric CO . [3 marks] Natural: Anthropogenic: c) Describe how increased atmospheric CO affects levels of hydrogen and carbonate ions in ocean waters. [4 marks] d) Explain what implications a change in levels of carbonate ions from increased atmospheric CO has for shell-forming organisms. [3 marks]
QUESTION 26 (3 marks) The stock of a wild migratory Australian fish species needs sustainable management before being used as a commercial resource. However there is little scientific data about the species’ behaviours and distribution. a) Explain how the precautionary principle applies to this situation. [1 mark] b) Explain one management technique that should be implemented to prevent overexploitation of this resource. [2 marks]
QUESTION 21 (3 marks) Explain the need for agreements to manage migratory species in international waters.
QUESTION 23 (5 marks) The table shows the marine organisms sighted during a survey of three reefs in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. [seeciembe | 6 | 4 | 3 _ [cimccm [| 4 |e [3 raneevetss [| 0 [0 | 0 [comer | tf oe | o [convo f 2 | ° | 7 Dewees | 0 fo | a a [sw fo _[ oe _| 1 _ sor om fos | a) Use Simpson’s diversity index (SDI) to calculate the biodiversity of reef C. Show your working. [2 marks] xn(n-1 SDI=1-— eS) b) Compare the diversity of the three reefs. [3 marks] Similarity: Difference: Significance:
QUESTION 8 (5 marks) A long-term program monitors changes in hard coral cover along the Great Barrier Reef (GBR) for three locations. Average coral cover (and 95% confidence intervals) from 1986--2021 are shown. a) Identify which region had the highest proportion of reefs with very high coral cover. Show your reasoning. [2 marks] b) Identify a similarity and a difference in the trend in coral cover from 2012-2021 for the northern and southern regions. [2 marks] Similarity: Difference: c) Identify a limitation of the data. [1 mark]
QUESTION 21 The graph below shows the results of a reef survey. Simpson Diversity Index (functional groups) 1.7 1.9 2.1 2.3 Rugosity The graph suggests that habitat rugosity between 1.22 and 2 supports (A) lower levels of functional group diversity. (B) greater levels of functional group diversity. (C) optimal levels of functional group diversity. (D) stabilised levels of functional group diversity.
QUESTION 24 Under experimental conditions the blue mussel Mytilus edulis was exposed to five treatment conditions. 0.7 o 06 E g 0.5 o g 04 % 0.3 2 o2 » c S 0.1 S 0 12°C&pH8 12°C&pH7.8 12°C&pH76 16°C&pH8 14°C&pH7.6 Treatment From the figure above which factor causes the greatest negative impact on the mean shell surface area? (A) 14°C (B) 16°C (C) pH7.6 (D) pH7.8
A ‘t “ L) ; N el un. m?r A/ . ?. .?.. u_ e r s..... ra___..? m\“s _“‘.(.p.n qc_‘_ = _....m.\. \.w..l. o A BNRINNAN & :.r } ?..l.\hfl E.: R | s 5 ... > ./ ....fiu.u_/ m.\\aw. h v_\}e 4 t P f- ”m.u.\?M\.”“r \ 9“ . R SR . .z \.f_“_ . S flvs_-‘p. VL oy : Ay .1... «_‘. b 4 AN .. H. PESOR 2K T AT ) ./ Al \ .- \ LI R R N ST “h. ’ ‘W‘ \.. u ‘- ‘ h’o :fia? -fufifl\- IO KAV A AR R M“‘*‘fl fltz o K] ‘J”“’.lm .I- » / ) Iy A w\ AN YK =\0 /&?&‘\ QUESTION 25 The figure shows a sample of coral found on a reef. Select the group of coral represented by the figure. soft (A) (B) hard (C) brain (D) sea fan
QUESTION 29 (2 marks) The graph below shows Acropora species rank abundance data. Relative abundance 0 10 20 30 40 Rank abundance Analyse the given information to identify the relationships shown in terms of species richness and evenness.
QUESTION 31 (2 marks) The figure below outlines factors influencing a marine ecosystem. KELP FOREST URCHIN BARREN : Tipping point | —- Sea otter decline Sea otter hunted to used as an early near extinction warning indicator that Precautionary buffer écosystem may shift = Ly @ ) ] 6.\7 Set target sea otter densities below 9 Set target sea'otter densities an estimated threshold to stay X above an estimated threshold to outside of the precautionary = maintain kelp forest ecosystem buffer and maintain urchin barrens o n o ‘» © & O = Identify from the given information two features of ecological tipping points that could be applied to coral reefs. . 2.
QUESTION 30 (2 marks) Seasonal freshwater flows from a river may cause regional changes in coral reef species. Describe how a specific pressure will affect coral species diversity from inshore to offshore.
QUESTION 33 (3 marks) The figure below outlines effects of an increase in atmospheric CO and temperature over time in the world’s oceans. Atmospheric CO and temperature rise Referring to the figure explain how the change in pCO affects the primary productivity of marine biota.
QUESTION 1 (1 mark) Complete the following sentence: Corals first appeared within Australian waters approximately million years ago.
QUESTION 2 (2 marks) The diagram below shows a generalised coral polyp. VI Identify the label on the diagram that represents the following anatomical features: e corallite: e coelenteron:
QUESTION 28 (3 marks) Assess the data below which was collected using a line intercept transect. e |0 Porites sp. Poczllopm sp. iy |0 ey |5 a) Determine the diversity of the reef system studied using Simpson’s Diversity Index. Yn(n-— 1)) N(N-1) Show your working. SDI = 1 — ( [2 marks] b) Draw a conclusion about the diversity of this reef ecosystem. [1 mark]
QUESTION 34 (3 marks) A laboratory investigation was conducted into the effect of altering ocean pH on marine carbonate structures. Mean pH. 7.1 pH 7.3 pH 7.6 pH 7.9 9 o - o | - o Net calcification (mg CaCO g' d™') Infer which species’ marine carbonate structural development would be most affected by a reduction in ocean pH. Give reasons for your response.
QUESTION 4 (3 marks) A technique of rearing Acropora millepora (branching stony coral) was investigated. It was found that larvae reared at the lowest stocking density had 15 times greater settlement success than those at the highest stocking density. Explain how larval settlement of A. millepora is influenced by larval stocking density.
QUESTION 6 (4 marks) A fish survey of four reef habitat areas and three mangrove habitat areas was conducted. The aim was to determine the mangrove habitat with the highest level of connectivity for juvenile and adult reef fish. The mangrove habitats were ranked on their nursery function. Reef habitat area number i [w [ Number of juvenile fish in Overall connectivity Mangrove habitat area location to coral reefs Overall connectivity to mangrove habitat Using the information above identify which mangrove habitat would be the most crucial in this situation. Give reasons to support your response.
QUESTION 9 (2 marks) a) Identify one point of difference between small-scale ocean acidification studies in aquaria and those conducted in the field. [1 mark] b) Identify what aquaria-based experiments demonstrate about ocean acidification. [1 mark]
QUESTION 7 (2 marks) A mass coral bleaching event in 1998 caused a decline in average coral cover for a reef. Identify an implication for the fish populations associated with this reef. Give a reason for your response.
QUESTION 10 (3 marks) Describe three ways in which coral reefs benefit from herbivorous fish. 1. 2. 3.
QUESTION 8 (2 marks) a) Describe a significant anthropogenic source of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. [1 mark] b) Describe one effect that an increase in carbon dioxide has on ocean chemistry. [1 mark]
QUESTION 12 (3 marks) A study of three isolated offshore reef marine protected areas in subtropical East Australia was conducted. The study provided mitochondrial and microsatellite data in an endemic species of anemone fish Amphiprion mccullochi. This data was used to infer gene flow and levels of population replenishment. The research found that over evolutionary time this species had high levels of gene flow and genetic diversity. However the current anemone fish population had limited gene flow and species replenishment. Explain the connectivity between the offshore reef ecosystems and the role this plays in the anemone fish’s replenishment.
QUESTION 14 (2 marks) Describe two factors that affect the probability that a reef will recover from a bleaching event. l. 2.
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