Question 1: Define the term 'trophic level' in an ecosystem.

Answer: A trophic level is a position in a food chain, representing organisms that share the same function in the food web and similar feeding habits.

Question 2: Explain how overfishing at higher trophic levels can disrupt the balance of marine ecosystems.

Answer: Overfishing at higher trophic levels reduces predator populations, leading to an increase in prey species, which can cause imbalances, algal blooms, and depletion of lower trophic levels, destabilising the ecosystem.

Question 1: If a fish population at trophic level 3 has an energy transfer efficiency of 10% to the next level, calculate the energy available at trophic level 4 when starting with 100,000 joules at level 3. Use the formula: Energy at level n+1 = Energy at level n × efficiency.

Answer: 10,000 joules

Question 1: Describe a simple experimental setup to test the effect of fishing frequency on fish population recovery, including the variables involved.

Answer: An experiment could involve setting up controlled marine enclosures with equal initial fish populations, varying the fishing frequency in each (e.g., daily, weekly, no fishing). Independent variable: fishing frequency. Dependent variable: fish population recovery rate. Control variables: enclosure size, initial fish number, environmental conditions. Safety precautions include ensuring humane handling of fish and preventing accidental escape.

Question 1: A study reports that reducing commercial fishing in a particular marine area has resulted in a 40% increase in the population of predatory fish at trophic level 4 over five years. Discuss how this change might affect the lower trophic levels and overall ecosystem stability.

Answer: An increase in predatory fish at higher trophic levels can help control prey populations at lower levels, restoring balance. This could lead to a decrease in overgrazing of primary producers, improving overall ecosystem health and stability. It also indicates the importance of sustainable fishing practices to maintain trophic cascades.

Question 1: Evaluate the potential benefits and challenges of implementing space technology, such as satellite monitoring, to manage sustainable fishing practices and protect trophic levels in marine ecosystems.

Answer: Benefits include real-time monitoring of fish stocks, better regulation enforcement, and data collection to prevent overfishing. Challenges involve high costs, technological limitations in harsh marine environments, and the need for international cooperation. Integrating space tech can enhance sustainability but requires addressing logistical and ethical considerations.

Question 1: Describe how space exploration technologies can be adapted to improve sustainable fishing practices on Earth.

Answer: Space exploration technologies like satellite imaging can be used to monitor ocean temperatures, detect illegal fishing, and track fish migration patterns, helping manage fish populations sustainably and protect trophic levels.