A-LevelBiologyBiodiversity and conservation9700/42 · Oct/Nov 2017 · Q111 Marks

Fig. 1.1 shows a snow leopard, Panthera uncia. The habitat of the snow leopard is the high mountains of Central Asia. [Figure 1.1] 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.

(a)(i)Predict the consequences to the ecosystem if the number of snow leopards continues to decrease.[3]
(a)(ii)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.[1]
(b)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.[3]
(c)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.[2]
(d)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.[2]

This question uses a diagram from the original paper, which isn't shown here. Open the full paper from the past papers archive to see it.

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (Oct/Nov 2017). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

[3] three from: 1 the numbers of, prey / herbivores / sheep / goats, would increase ; 2 decrease in number of plants / idea of overgrazing; 3 damage to habitat; e.g. erosion 4 increased competition (for plants); 5 lack of food causes, herbivore numbers to decline / herbivores to migrate away; 6 reduction in, biodiversity / species diversity / genetic diversity / genetic variation; 7 AVP; e.g. increase in other predators / disruption to food web
[1] one from: 1 snow leopards are, hard to see / camouflaged ; 2 vast habitat to cover (to locate snow leopards) / inaccessible locations / solitary ; 3 AVP; e.g. difficulty getting permission from some governments to go into certain areas
[3] three from: 1 ban trade (of, leopard / leopard products); 2 ban hunting; 3 detection methods ; e.g. customs / trading officers / wildlife forensics / extra rangers 4 enforcement measures; e.g. fines / prison / punishment 5 raise public awareness / education; 6 ref. to protected areas / national parks ;
[2] two from: 1 genetic diversity decreases / AW; 2 increased chance of two harmful recessive alleles coming together/increase in inbreeding depression / decrease in hybrid vigour; 3 (some) less likely to survive ; 4 (because) less likely to adapt to change in, environmental conditions / selection pressure ;
[2] two from: 1 appearance / morphology / visible features / looked similar to leopards ; 2 breeding (to produce fertile offspring); ora 3 ref. to behaviour ;

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