Question

If a scientist constructs a flow chart to depict the interactions among species in an estuary, what kind of model is she creating?

a) Dynamic model
b) Conceptual model
c) Graphical model
d) Mathematical model

Answer 1

A scientist creating a flow chart to show species interactions in an estuary is constructing a conceptual model, which uses graphical representations to describe ecosystem structure and dynamics. So, the correct answer is option b.

Step-by-step explanation:

If a scientist constructs a flow chart to depict the interactions among species in an estuary, the kind of model she is creating is a conceptual model. Conceptual models are ecosystem models that are graphically depicted as flow charts to show the interactions between different compartments, which include both living and nonliving components of an ecosystem.

These diagrams demonstrate the structure and dynamics of ecosystems and how environmental changes can affect them. While conceptual models are great for describing relationships and energy transfers within ecosystems, they are limited in their predictive capacities compared to analytical and simulation models which use mathematical equations to predict the effects of changes on the ecosystem structure and dynamics.

So, the correct answer is option b.