A-LevelBiologyBiodiversity and conservation9700/42 · Feb/Mar 2021 · Q214 Marks

The grey wolf, Canis lupus, is a large predator. During the 20th century, the grey wolf in south-west Europe was hunted almost to extinction.

(a)(i)State the genus of the grey wolf.[1]
(a)(ii)Suggest and explain the effects on the biodiversity of south-west Europe if the grey wolf becomes extinct.[3]
(b)Grey wolves can have territories of up to 950km². Grey wolves can travel up to 1000km to start a new population. State reasons why the mark-release-recapture method is not suitable for estimating the size of a grey wolf population.[2]
(c)(i)Complete Table 2.1 to show the percentage change in the size of the Iberian grey wolf population from 1970 to 2012. Write your answer in the table to the nearest whole number.[1]
(c)(ii)With reference to Fig. 2.2 and Table 2.1, describe the changes to the grey wolf populations in south-west Europe from 1970 to 2012.[3]
(d)(i)In regions of south-west Europe where grey wolf populations are present, farmers are concerned for the safety of their livestock, such as sheep. Suggest how governments can help farmers who are concerned for the safety of their livestock.[1]
(d)(ii)Suggest measures that could help to protect wild populations of grey wolves in south-west Europe.[3]

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 (Feb/Mar 2021). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

[1] Canis;
[1] decrease in biodiversity;
[1] prey of grey wolf / herbivores, (may) increase in number ;
[1] (leads to) overgrazing; A herbivores would decrease plant populations
[1] change in, ecosystem / habitat / food web ;
[1] change in genetic variation;
[1] over many years;
[1] difficult to capture ;
[1] dangerous (to humans);
[1] large territory (so unlikely to recapture);
[1] migration;
[1] may not mix with other wolves ;
[1] small, sample size / populations (so inaccurate);
[1] (+)257/260;
[1] overall increase in grey wolf numbers ;
[1] decrease in Sierra Morena population ;
[1] alpine population is new population;
[1] data quote ;
[1] increase in, territory / area, for, Iberian / Italian, populations ;
[1] AVP; e.g. alpine population arose from, dispersal / migration, of Italian population
[1] compensation scheme (for loss of livestock);
[1] idea of protection of livestock ; e.g. build, fences / enclosures
[1] allow controlled culling (of wolves) ;
[1] move individual wolves to (wild) areas away from livestock ;
[1] reserves / national parks;
[1] education / (public) awareness programmes ;
[1] research qualified ; e.g. habitat, diet, reproduction
[1] ban, hunting / trade (of wolf products);
[1] monitor populations ;
[1] AVP; I ref. to zoos, captive breeding

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