Migration: Practice Questions

The syllabus describes migration of marine organisms as occurring in a three-dimensional environment. What does this primarily mean?

Daily vertical migration (DVM) is a common behavior for plankton and squid. Between which two ocean zones does this migration typically occur?

Tuna and whales are known to undertake extremely long horizontal migrations. A crucial reason for these extensive seasonal journeys is the trade-off between energy acquisition and reproductive success. How is this trade-off typically achieved?

Which method is crucial for marine organisms like tuna and whales to navigate during very long horizontal migrations across vast ocean distances?

Marine organisms migrate for various fundamental reasons. Which of the following is NOT typically considered a primary driving factor for large-scale marine migration?

Give two reasons why marine organisms, such as tuna or whales, undertake very long horizontal migrations.

Marine migration is a complex behavior that occurs within a three-dimensional environment.
(a) Explain the difference between vertical migration and horizontal migration, and provide one example of a marine organism that performs each type.
(b) Many large marine vertebrates, such as whales and turtles, undertake extensive horizontal migrations. Describe two primary biological reasons for these long-distance journeys.
(c) When migrating across open oceans where no landmarks are visible, identify one method animals use to navigate that relies on a global environmental signal.

Long-distance horizontal migration is a complex behavior seen in species like the Great White Shark or Green Sea Turtle.
(a) Outline three different navigation methods these organisms use to find their way across open oceans.
(b) Explain the difference between using olfaction and using mental maps for navigation.
(c) If a whale migrates a total distance of \( 4500\text{ km} \) over a period of \( 60 \) days, calculate its average speed in \( \text{km/day} \).