18.3. Conservation
A subsection of Biology, 9700, through 18. Classification, biodiversity and conservation
Listing 10 of 69 questions
shows a snow leopard, Panthera uncia. The habitat of the snow leopard is the high mountains of Central Asia. Snow leopards usually live and hunt alone. Their main prey is grazing herbivores, such as wild sheep and wild goats. They will also hunt domesticated animals and livestock. The number of snow leopards has decreased dramatically in the last 40 years. Predict the consequences to the ecosystem if the number of snow leopards continues to decrease. In 2003, the total number of snow leopards was estimated to be between 4080 and 6590. Suggest one reason why the actual number of snow leopards in 2003 may have been higher than the estimated number. The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) is an agreement between the governments of most countries. The snow leopard is endangered and is listed on this agreement. Describe the actions taken by participating governments that help to conserve endangered animals, such as the snow leopard. State how a decrease in the number of snow leopards will affect the genetic diversity of the species. Outline the possible future consequences of this change in genetic diversity. In 1775 the snow leopard was classified as the only species in the genus Uncia and was known as Uncia uncia. More recently, new techniques showed similarities to the tiger, Panthera tigris, and so in 2006 the snow leopard was reclassified in the genus Panthera. Suggest the type of evidence used to classify the snow leopard in 1775.
9700_w17_qp_42
THEORY
2017
Paper 4, Variant 2
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The St. Lawrence river in Canada has been identified as an area with very high biodiversity. Explain how the term biodiversity can be considered at different levels. The St. Lawrence river is rich in species of aquatic mammals, especially whales. In spring, thousands of whales swim from the Atlantic ocean up the St. Lawrence river. Thirteen different species of whale have been recorded. One of these is the blue whale, Balaenoptera musculus. is a diagram of a blue whale. dorsal fin Photographs of blue whales are analysed by computer so that individual whales can be identified and population abundance can be estimated. Each blue whale is different in colour and in the shape of dorsal fin. Different whales also have different patterns of scarring. State the two sources of phenotypic variation in the blue whale population. Suggest one reason why it is difficult to measure the actual population size of the blue whale. The St. Lawrence river runs through very busy industrial areas. It has many ports for cargo ships, a good fishing trade and many whale-watching boat trips for tourists. Decades of whale hunting has caused a large decrease in whale population sizes. Since whale hunting was banned, whale populations have not recovered. Seven of the thirteen whale species in the St. Lawrence river have been rated as endangered species. Suggest two reasons why the populations of whales have not recovered since the ban on whale hunting. Fat samples from under the skin of individual whales of several different species were taken. These were analysed and the concentrations of the toxins DDT and PCBs were measured. Suggest why whales were found to have accumulated very high concentrations of DDT and PCBs in their fatty tissues. Algal blooms sometimes occur in the area of the Atlantic ocean near the St. Lawrence river. These result from rapid population growth of unicellular algae such as Alexandrium tamarense. A. tamarense produces saxitoxin, a neurotoxin that causes muscle paralysis by acting on voltage-gated sodium ion channels in neurones. Saxitoxin can kill whales. Suggest how saxitoxin results in the death of a whale. Algae, such as A. tamarense, used to belong to the kingdom Plantae but are now classified in the kingdom Protoctista. State one reason why A. tamarense is classified in the kingdom Protoctista and not in the kingdom Plantae.
9700_w17_qp_43
THEORY
2017
Paper 4, Variant 3
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shows a red squirrel, Sciurus vulgaris. This species is native to the British Isles, meaning it has lived there for at least 10 000 years. In the 1800s a related but slightly larger species, the grey squirrel, Sciurus carolinensis, was introduced from North America. A history of the interaction between red squirrels and grey squirrels includes these facts: • Grey squirrels, which occupy a similar niche to red squirrels, expanded their range rapidly after introduction. • Grey squirrels carry a virus that does not harm them, but which kills red squirrels. • Red squirrels became extinct in many parts of the British Isles. • Recently some areas have seen a reversal of this trend. There has been a decrease in numbers of grey squirrels. Red squirrels have re-colonised their former areas of habitat. • This has happened in areas where protection of a native predator species, the pine marten, Martes martes, has resulted in an increase in the number of these predators. • Analysis of pine marten faeces shows that they catch and eat many more grey squirrels than red squirrels. Use the information given to identify the causes of the extinction of red squirrels in many parts of the British Isles. Describe how the level of molecular similarity between the two species, S. vulgaris and S. carolinensis, can be investigated. Explain how the differing effect of pine marten predation on red and grey squirrel populations is due to natural selection and the separate evolution of each squirrel species.
9700_w17_qp_43
THEORY
2017
Paper 4, Variant 3
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The Bali starling, Leucopsar rothschildi, is found on the island of Bali, Indonesia. shows a Bali starling. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) is the world’s largest global environmental organisation. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™ evaluates the conservation status of plant and animal species. The Bali starling is categorised as critically endangered on the IUCN Red List, which means that it is nearly extinct in the wild. The Bali starling is protected by Indonesian law and trapping of the birds for sale as pets is illegal. In 2001 there were only six Bali starlings in the wild and about 1000 in captivity. Suggest reasons, other than the trapping of the birds for sale as pets, for the very low numbers of Bali starlings in the wild. Describe the roles zoos can take in the protection of the Bali starling. Explain the consequences on genetic biodiversity of having a wild population of just six birds.
9700_w18_qp_41
THEORY
2018
Paper 4, Variant 1
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The Bali starling, Leucopsar rothschildi, is found on the island of Bali, Indonesia. shows a Bali starling. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) is the world’s largest global environmental organisation. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™ evaluates the conservation status of plant and animal species. The Bali starling is categorised as critically endangered on the IUCN Red List, which means that it is nearly extinct in the wild. The Bali starling is protected by Indonesian law and trapping of the birds for sale as pets is illegal. In 2001 there were only six Bali starlings in the wild and about 1000 in captivity. Suggest reasons, other than the trapping of the birds for sale as pets, for the very low numbers of Bali starlings in the wild. Describe the roles zoos can take in the protection of the Bali starling. Explain the consequences on genetic biodiversity of having a wild population of just six birds.
9700_w18_qp_43
THEORY
2018
Paper 4, Variant 3
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Ecological surveys are conducted before conservation decisions are made. For example, surveys can be carried out before deciding whether to reintroduce a species to its former habitat. Outline how an ecological survey can measure the biodiversity of a terrestrial habitat. Table 3.1 lists some mammal species that became extinct in Great Britain or were introduced into Great Britain in the last 12 400 years. The reasons for each extinction or introduction and the time of each event are shown. Table 3.1 species number of years before present time event reason arctic fox 12 400 extinction climate change sheep 5 400 introduction farming house mouse 3 500 introduction accidental lynx 1 500 extinction hunting fallow deer introduction food South American coypu introduction fur South American coypu extinction conservation culling Non-governmental and government organisations are working together to reintroduce a lynx population to its former habitat in a remote part of Great Britain. Lynx are predatory big cats. shows a lynx. Suggest the factors that need to be considered by organisations to successfully reintroduce and restore a breeding population of lynx in Great Britain.
9700_w21_qp_41
THEORY
2021
Paper 4, Variant 1
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Ecological surveys are conducted before conservation decisions are made. For example, surveys can be carried out before deciding whether to reintroduce a species to its former habitat. Outline how an ecological survey can measure the biodiversity of a terrestrial habitat. Table 3.1 lists some mammal species that became extinct in Great Britain or were introduced into Great Britain in the last 12 400 years. The reasons for each extinction or introduction and the time of each event are shown. Table 3.1 species number of years before present time event reason arctic fox 12 400 extinction climate change sheep 5 400 introduction farming house mouse 3 500 introduction accidental lynx 1 500 extinction hunting fallow deer introduction food South American coypu introduction fur South American coypu extinction conservation culling Non-governmental and government organisations are working together to reintroduce a lynx population to its former habitat in a remote part of Great Britain. Lynx are predatory big cats. shows a lynx. Suggest the factors that need to be considered by organisations to successfully reintroduce and restore a breeding population of lynx in Great Britain.
9700_w21_qp_43
THEORY
2021
Paper 4, Variant 3
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The Asiatic lion, Panthera leo persica, is found only in the Gir Forest National Park in the Gujarat region of western India. shows a female Asiatic lion. The Asiatic lion is at risk of extinction in the wild and is categorised as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Outline the role of the IUCN. The Maldhari community is a tribe of herdsmen that lives in the Gir Forest. The Maldhari have co-existed with the Asiatic lions for thousands of years. The Maldhari place old and weak cattle at the edges of their cattle enclosures. Suggest why the Maldhari place old and weak cattle at the edges of their cattle enclosures. Some zoos use assisted reproduction techniques, such as IVF, in their captive breeding programmes for endangered species. Describe how IVF can be used with an endangered species such as the Asiatic lion.
9700_w22_qp_42
THEORY
2022
Paper 4, Variant 2
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shows the relationship between annual deforestation rates and annual human population growth for six countries. percentage annual deforestation rate percentage annual human population growth V B N P I Z B – Burundi P – Philippines N – Nigeria I – Indonesia Z – Zimbabwe V – Vietnam Describe the relationship shown in . Over half of the species of plants and animals comprising the biodiversity of the Earth are thought to exist in tropical rainforests. Explain the meaning of the term biodiversity. Explain the economic reasons for maintaining biodiversity.
9700_s08_qp_4
THEORY
2008
Paper 4, Variant 0
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The plant Rafflesia arnoldii, which grows in the jungles of South East Asia, is noted for producing the largest flower of all plants. • The flower is reddish-brown and can grow up to one metre in diameter. • The flower gives off a smell similar to rotting flesh to attract flies, which then pollinate it. shows a flower of R. arnoldii. R. arnoldii is classified as an endangered species. Suggest why R. arnoldii has become an endangered species. Explain the meaning of the term biodiversity. Suggest reasons for maintaining plant biodiversity.
9700_s12_qp_41
THEORY
2012
Paper 4, Variant 1
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Questions Discovered
69