(a) Write short notes on the following: (i) habitat (ii) ecological niche. (b) (i) List three instruments used in the measurement of different ecological fa...

Answer Details

(a) Short notes

(i) Habitat: the particular natural place or type of environment where an organism lives, providing it with the conditions and resources it needs, e.g. a pond, a forest floor or the soil. It answers the question 'where does the organism live?'

(ii) Ecological niche: the role or function of an organism within its habitat, including how it obtains food, its relationships with other organisms and the conditions it requires. It answers 'what does the organism do and how does it fit into the community?' No two species can occupy exactly the same niche indefinitely.

(b)(i) and (ii) Instruments for measuring ecological factors and their uses

(Other acceptable instruments: wind vane - wind direction; anemometer - wind speed; photometer/light meter - light intensity; pH meter - acidity/alkalinity of soil or water.)

(c) Organisms found in savannah vegetation

(i) Three plants: shea butter tree (Vitellaria), locust bean tree (Parkia), baobab, acacia, elephant grass or spear grass (any three).

(ii) Two animals: grasscutter (cane rat), antelope, grasshopper, lion, hare or guinea fowl (any two).