NZASE UNIT STANDARD ITEM BANK QUESTIONS

Each of the following questions is stand-alone and can be used to assess the element below:

The intention of this item bank is for assessors to develop assessment tasks by choosing complete
questions.

Note: If combining parts of questions, you must make sure all Performance Criteria for an element
are included in the assessment task.

Unit Standard 18970

Number

Unit Standard Title Demonstrate knowledge of adaptations and relationships in a

biological community.

Element 3 Describe the relationship between the pest organism

and a biological community.

PC 3.1 The description identifies a pest organism.

PC 3.2 The description outlines one effect of a pest organism on a

biological community.
QUESTION A:

1. Describe how a named plant or animal pest harms the plants or animals in a native
community.

Name of plant or animal pest _________________________________

3.1

How it causes harm _______________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________
_

_______________________________________________________________________
_
3.2

QUESTION A:
PC Evidence Judgement
3.1 Pest named Pest named
Eg
Rat
3.2 Effect described One effect of pest on community given
Eg Rats eat the eggs of native birds.
This means less chicks hatch.
QUESTION B:

Make a poster that describes the effect of a named pest on a local community. The
following materials and equipment are available for you to use:
• Poster paper
• Magazines, pamphlets and pictures
• Scissors
• Glue
3.1

3.2
QUESTION B:
PC Evidence Judgement
3.1 Pest named Pest named
Eg Old Man’s Beard
3.2 Effect on community described One effect of pest on community given
Eg Old Man’s Beard grows over the
tops of the trees. This blocks out the
light and the tree dies.

QUESTION C:

In New Zealand natural communities there are many introduced organisms. Some of
these have become pests and harm the natural community. In class you have studied a
community which is affected by a pest.

1. a) Name a plant or animal pest. ____________________________________________

3.1

b) Give two ways that the pest harms other plants or animals.

1) _______________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
2) ______________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_
3.2

QUESTION C:
PC Evidence Judgement
3.1 Pest named Pest named
Eg Possum
3.2 Effect of pest One effect of pest on community given
Eg Eats the leaves on native trees
which kills trees
QUESTION D:
Read the following information about a weed.

The purple peril

Purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) is a serious threat to New Zealand's unique
wetlands. It grows in dense clumps which block out other plants, some of which are
found nowhere else in the world. Purple loosestrife grows tall. It can change the habitat
of wetland and waterway sites so that the species that used to grow there are no longer
able to survive.
If allowed to spread, it will grow in water margins, ponds and shallow lakes, affecting
wetland birds by removing their nesting sites and the plants they feed on. Purple
loosestrife also has the potential to clog drainage and irrigation ditches.
Adapted from http://www.ccc.govt.nz/guides/PurpleLoosestrife/

1. What is the name of the pest plant known as the purple peril?
Insert 1 line

3.1

2. What does it do to cause harm to NZ plants or animals?

Insert 4 lines.

3.2

QUESTION D:
PC Evidence Judgement
3.1 Purple loosestrife OR Lythrum Pest named
salicaria
3.2 “block out other plants” One effect of pest on community given
“change the habitat”
“removing their nesting sites”
“removing the plants they feed on”

QUESTION E

Read the following information about Kapiti Island

By 1987, when DoC began to look after Kapiti, many of the harmful species had been
removed. Goats were removed from the island in 1928, followed by cats, deer, sheep,
cattle, pigs, and dogs. Possums were destroyed between 1980 and 1986 in the first-ever
successful operation of its kind. More than 22,500 possums were killed during this
process. During 1996 rats were poisoned, leaving the island completely free of
introduced mammals.
Adapted from - http://www.doc.govt.nz/Explore/001~Other-Places/008~Wellington/Kapiti-Island-Nature-
Reserve/index.asp
Select one of the pests named in the paragraph above and describe the harm it causes to
NZ native plants or animals.

Pest ______________________________________

Harm it causes ___________________________________________________________

Insert 4 lines.

3.1
3.2

QUESTION D:
PC Evidence Judgement
3.1 Goats, cats, deer, sheep, cattle, pigs, Pest named
dogs, possums, rats
3.2 Effect of pest One effect of pest on community given
Eg Deer damage small native plants
by trampling on them.