Identify abiotic and biotic variables, predict their effects on organisms and explain how climate, competition, predation and habitat change alter ecosystems.
The photograph shows part of a desert in Mexico.
A scientist observed that one species of cactus, Neobuxbaumia tetetzo, was often found near a species of tree, Mimosa luisana.
The scientist decided to test the hypothesis that the cactus plants often grow close to mimosa trees.
One hundred locations were selected at random. A quadrat was placed at each location.
The presence or absence of each species was recorded in each quadrat.
Abiotic variables in the soil cannot be controlled in this investigation. However, these variables can be measured to confirm that these plants are growing in similar conditions.
Choose one of the variables you have identified in (i). State the effect it could have on the results if the measured values were not similar. Variable The effect it could have on the results if the values were not similar.