view_agenda
Questions
Find the perfect question by filtering through every previous QCAA Marine Science external exam question
notifications
Question Classifications
We’re conducting a final review of the classifications and formatting for our recently onboarded questions. If you have any feedback, please share it with us here.
QUESTION 6 (10 marks) No-take marine reserves (NTMRs) or green zones that are closed to commercial and recreational fishing are widely advocated as conserving exploited fish stocks and biodiversity. The effect of zoning on coral trout (Plectropomus leopardus) in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park (GBRMP) is shown. Coral trout biomass GBRMP Key Year Zoning GBRMP B o plan pro(t;c)ted o ===- NTMR /7 So e~ | 2004-present | NTMRs 0 11— T/ 1 1980s 1996 2000 2004 2008 2012 N S ek W e~y D Coral trout biomass (kg 1000 m_z) > Coral trout data averaged for 2004 to 2012 10 10 100 q g E oy 80 & S o = S S o0 — = < 6 £ 60 E;‘ g $ 5 O 5 5 2 o B O 5 4 } - 4 40 o s B 2 S 2 S 2 20 0 0 0 fished NTMR fished NTMR fished NTMR fished NTMR fished NTMR a) Identify a management strategy other than zoning used to support marine ecosystem health within the GBRMP. [1 mark] b) Draw a conclusion about the effectiveness of zoning in the GBRMP as a management strategy to support marine ecosystem health. Justify your conclusion. [6 marks] c) Compare the roles of government and non-government organisations in the implementation of NTMRs. [3 marks]
QUESTION 7 The graphs show the thermal performance curve for a fish species and the projected water temperature for a habitat where the fish are found. 16 ‘ ‘ 15 Performance Temperature (°C) p— [\ 4 13 14 15 16 17 2000 2020 2040 2060 2080 2100 Temperature (°C) Time (year) Select the graph that best describes the projected change in the fish population from its initial value in 2000. (A) p— S O N S Population (%) - 2000 2020 2040 2060 2080 2100 Time (year) (B) [— S O N S Population (%) - 2000 2020 2040 2060 2080 2100 Time (year) © — S S N S Population (%) - 2000 2020 2040 2060 2080 2100 Time (year) = T T ] p— S O N S Population (%) - 2000 2020 2040 2060 2080 2100 Time (year)
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 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 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 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 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 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 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
-
Paper 2
-
2023
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 18 Select the option that would have the greatest impact on increasing marine fish stocks. (A) banning bottom trawling (B) reducing coastal pollution (C) 1improving governance and enforcement (D) increasing the number of marine protected areas
QUESTION 22 Oysters were exposed to increasing levels of a heavy metal over 35 days. The table below shows the nanograms of heavy metal per gram of dry weight oyster tissue. Days after Treatment level Sl High : : 4000 7 2 7 10 4 000 14 2 10 28 4 500 21 2 15 35 5000 28 2 20 40 10 000 35 2 21 42 12 500 At which exposure level could this species best be used to show bioaccumulated heavy metal levels? (A) high (B) medium (C) low (D) very low
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 23 Which of the following is not a central component to the precautionary principle of ecosystem management? (A) (B) ©) (D) decreasing public participation in decision-making exploring a wide range of alternatives to harmful actions shifting the burden of proof to those who caused the activity taking preventive action when scientific knowledge is uncertain
QUESTION 26 (2 marks) Identify one factor that can affect the reliability of fishery population data and a limitation of this factor.
QUESTION 27 (2 marks) The figure below shows global weather patterns. N increased convection strong trade winds cooler than normal water warmer than normal water stronger upwelling [Nk America Australia Identify the factors between the atmosphere and the oceans that are driving the weather pattern shown above.
QUESTION 32 (3 marks) The black marlin sport fishing industry requires fishers to tag every marlin captured. Interpret the recorded number of black marlin tagged and recaptured by sport fishers from 1968 to 1978. 1968 26 1969 51 1970 110 1971 184 1972 288 1973 438 1974 337 1977 170 1978 Total tagged 2576 W O Total recaptured Identify three features of this dataset that would affect its reliability if it was used to set a sport fishing quota to manage the present Australian marlin fishery. 1. 2. 3.
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 35 (3 marks) The figure below shows sampling of coral cores at two sites on a reef. There is a wastewater facility on the mainland near these sampling sites. This has a seep site that produces nutrient-rich water that has low salinity and low pH. Coral core from site A Wastewater. facility A Coral core @® Seep site v - Coral core Sand » 93 oo ] Coral cover >10% ‘ site B ] Coral cover <10% 0 Compare the coral core data from site A with site B considering the location of the seep site.
QUESTION 3 (4 marks) Over the past 10 years aquaculture has been increasingly used to produce seafood for Australian and export markets. The figure below shows the gross value of aquaculture production in Australia for 2005-06 and 2015-16. 700 000 o 7 7 400 000 e D2 5 N e N A A .55 s s R N e o S 5 A e e TS o T S i T i £ g e 1T B e S S P T e S G ity o V .................................................................................... |:| 2005—06 |- —— Value ($) 1V e Other Rock Prawns Salmon- Abalone Tuna Oyster Crab Scallop Squid lobster ids Species Identify two trends shown in the data and give reasons for the associated value of aquaculture production in Australia. 1. oA
QUESTION 5 (3 marks) The oceans surrounding Australia have relatively small upwellings due to the dampening effects of its four major currents. Explain how El Niiio’s effect on the East Australian Current affects the distribution of Australia’s fish populations and associated primary productivity.
QUESTION 11 (4 marks) A recent review of zoning in the Coral Sea Commonwealth Marine Reserve (CMR) recommended adjusting the zoning percentages as shown in the figure below. The introduction of a sanctuary zone would prohibit all activities and prevent access to the area from both commercial and recreational users. 60 [ ] current < 20 - > Recommended O] o 40 © 5 o 30 O o g’ 20 C O N 10 Sanctuary Marine Conservation Habitat Multiple use zone National Park zone Protection zone Park zone zone Identify two strengths and two limitations of the recommended zoning changes within the Coral Sea CMR. Strengths: 1. 2. Limitations: 1. 2.
QUESTION 15 (3 marks) The figure below shows the Northern Prawn Fishery data for blue endeavour prawn spawning stock biomass (SSB) and spawning stock biomass at maximum economic yield (SBygy). The timeline of implementation of a management plan is shown below: e 1977 — first management plan e 1987 — mid-season closure with restrictions e 2000 — target set for a spawning stock biomass that produces maximum sustainable yield (MSY) e 2004 — target set for a spawning stock biomass that produces maximum economic yield (MEY) 200 —— SSB/SB zy % 909 \ /N SN e Target reference point 100 ........................................................................................................................ SSBISB . % 50 1973 1979 1985 1991 1997 2003 2009 2015 Year From the above information appraise the adoption of the maximum economic yield model for this fishery.
QUESTION 13 (2 marks) Identify two features of current commercial aquaculture that limit its ability to address food security. 1. 2.
QUESTION 12 When compared to maximum sustainable yield maximum economic yield has (A) more effort lower cost and lower profit. (B) less effort greater cost and lower profit. (C) less effort lower cost and greater profit. (D) more effort greater cost and greater profit.
No results found