A-LevelBiologyBiodiversity and conservation9700/41 · Oct/Nov 2021 · Q313 Marks

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.

(a)Outline how an ecological survey can measure the biodiversity of a terrestrial habitat.[4]
(b)Table 3.1 lists some mammal species that became extinct in Great Britain or were introduced into Great Britain in the last 12400 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 12400 extinction climate change sheep 5400 introduction farming house mouse 3500 introduction accidental lynx 1500 extinction hunting fallow deer 900 introduction food South American coypu 86 introduction fur South American coypu 33 extinction conservation culling With reference to Table 3.1, state and explain the factors that have had a negative impact on biodiversity in Great Britain.[4]
(c)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. [Figure 3.1] Suggest the factors that need to be considered by organisations to successfully reintroduce and restore a breeding population of lynx in Great Britain.[5]

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Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (Oct/Nov 2021). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

[1] use random sampling (technique) ;
[1] repeat and find mean / multiply estimates up for whole area;
[1] (frame) quadrats to measure, plants / vegetation / stationary organisms;
[1] detail of using quadrat;
[1] mark-release-recapture for (named) animals ;
[1] detail of, trapping / marking, (named) animals ;
[1] calculate / use, Simpson’s index (of diversity) ;
[1] species richness and, (relative) abundance / species evenness ;
[1] AVP;
[1] climate change / end of (last) ice age / (global / local) warming ;
[1] arctic fox, species / population, not well-adapted / unable to adapt ;
[1] hunting, removed / caused extinction of, lynx / large predators ;
[1] introduction of, named / alien / invasive / domestic, species / animal;
[1] may, eat / compete with / spread disease to, native, species / animal;
[1] overgrazing problem explained ;
[1] may, change / destroy / disrupt, habitats / food webs ;
[1] AVP;
[1] obtain, healthy / fertile / wild-caught / captive bred, (founder) animals ;
[1] ref. to genetic, variation / diversity / testing;
[1] (consider if), sufficient / suitable, habitat / area, available ;
[1] (consider if) sufficient, prey / food, available ;
[1] public safety advice / education;
[1] (organise) compensation for farmers who lose livestock ;
[1] outlaw, killing / disturbing, lynx ;
[1] (plan to) monitor, lynx / other animal / prey, populations;
[1] (plan to) cull / control / use contraceptives, if population, grows too much / spreads too far ;
[1] AVP;

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