Question

Identify the W's. For any quantitative variable, identify the units in which it was measured (or note that they were not provided). In a study, a research team reports that plants in southern England are flowering earlier in the spring. Records of the first flowering dates for 385 species over a period of 47 years show that flowering has advanced an average of 15 days per decade, an indication of climate warming.

Answer 1

The quantitative variable measured in the study is the number of days plants in southern England are flowering earlier, reported as 15 days per decade, with units provided in 'days'. The change in phenology of 385 plant species due to climate effects highlights ecosystem concerns about the synchrony with pollinators.

Step-by-step explanation:

The quantitative variable in this study is the average number of days plants in southern England flower earlier in the spring, which is 15 days per decade. The units for this variable were indicated as 'days'. The overall inquiry relates to the phenology of plant species and reflects changes in climatic conditions such as temperature and precipitation. It highlights the significant shift in flowering dates of 385 plant species in Great Britain, where they are now flowering 4.5 days sooner than in the previous 40 years. This alteration in timing raises concerns about the synchronization with insect pollinators, which could in turn impact ecosystem health and the survival of these plant species. The mismatch between flowering and pollinator activity is a focal point considering the dependency of insect-pollinated plants on the presence of their pollinators during flowering periods.