Question 1
What is genetic diversity?
A.
The variety of alleles within a population
B.
The total biomass in an ecosystem
C.
The number of species in a community
D.
The range of habitats in a region
Question 2
What was a major anthropogenic cause of extinction of the Caribbean monk seal, Neomonachus tropicalis?
A.
Formation of new volcanic islands
B.
Killing for oil and meat
C.
Reduced salinity of the oceans
D.
Collision with an asteroid
Question 3
What is an example of ex situ conservation?
A.
Removing invasive plants from a reserve
B.
Breeding an endangered frog in a zoo
C.
Controlling visitors in a national park
D.
Restoring water flow to a wetland
Question 4
A taxonomist separates a group of similar island lizards into several species after DNA sequencing shows deep genetic differences between island populations. What term describes this approach to classification?
A.
Ex situ conservation
B.
Lumping
C.
Splitting
D.
Rewilding
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Question 5
What is the main human cause of loss of mixed dipterocarp forest in Southeast Asia?
A.
Seasonal migration of large herbivores
B.
Conversion to oil palm plantations
C.
Deposition of coral skeletons
D.
Natural succession from grassland
Question 6
What survey design provides the strongest evidence for a decline in species evenness in a grassland?
A.
One quadrat survey at the site during a single year
B.
Repeated quadrat surveys using the same method over several years
C.
A photograph of the grassland taken from the air once
D.
A list of rare species reported from nearby gardens
Question 7
A conservation report describes biodiversity in a coastal region that includes mangrove forest, seagrass beds and coral reef. Within one mangrove tree species, several alleles associated with salt tolerance have been detected.
State the level of biodiversity shown by the presence of mangrove forest, seagrass beds and coral reef in the same region.
[1]
Outline why the alleles associated with salt tolerance are an example of genetic diversity.
[2]
Question 8
A population of an endangered plant is reduced to 20 individuals after habitat clearance. The species still occurs in one reserve, but most alleles formerly present in the population have been lost. What is the most likely consequence?
A.
Immediate increase in species richness
B.
Higher ecosystem diversity within the reserve
C.
Lower capacity to adapt to new environmental pressures
D.
Reduced need for conservation monitoring
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Question 9
A sample contains 10 individuals of species P, 10 individuals of species Q, 10 individuals of species R and 10 individuals of species S. What is Simpson's reciprocal diversity index, using ?
A.
2.5
B.
1.0
C.
4.3
D.
40.0
Question 10
A new fungal pathogen is detected on several continents within two years. Genetic evidence suggests it was transported with traded ornamental plants. What cause of the current biodiversity crisis is illustrated?
A.
Evolutionarily distinct speciation
B.
Natural background extinction
C.
Spread of disease through global transport
D.
Reclamation of degraded ecosystems
Question 11
What species would be assigned the highest priority by the EDGE of Existence programme?
A.
A rare subspecies secure across most of its range
B.
A globally endangered species with few close living relatives
C.
A recently introduced species spreading rapidly
D.
A locally common species with many close living relatives
Question 12
Taxonomists studying an island lizard group disagree about whether several populations should be classified as one species or as four separate species.
State one type of evidence that could support classifying the populations as separate species.
[1]
Distinguish between the approaches of splitters and lumpers in classification.
[2]
Suggest why different classifications of the same organisms can affect conservation decisions.
[1]
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Question 13
The Caribbean monk seal, Neomonachus tropicalis, is extinct. Historical records indicate that it was killed for oil and meat and that its breeding sites were disturbed by humans.
Define anthropogenic extinction.
[1]
Explain how human activities contributed to the extinction of the Caribbean monk seal.
[2]
Question 14
A small population of an endangered orchid remains in a forest threatened by illegal collection and invasive shrubs. Some seeds have also been sent to a seed bank.
Distinguish between in situ and ex situ conservation in this example.
[2]
Suggest one reserve management action that could help conserve the orchid in the forest.
[1]
Question 15
A survey compared biodiversity in four protected areas. The survey recorded habitat types, tree species, relative abundance of tree species and mean heterozygosity for one common tree species found in all four areas.
Measure / Area | Area A | Area B | Area C | Area D |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Habitat type | conifer plantation | mixed deciduous woodland | riparian woodland | broadleaf woodland |
Tree species richness (n) | 3 | 8 | 4 | 7 |
Tree species present (relative abundance / %) | Scots pine 70, birch 20, rowan 10 | oak 13, beech 13, ash 13, birch 13, lime 12, hazel 12, rowan 12, maple 12 | alder 40, willow 30, birch 20, oak 10 | oak 55, beech 15, birch 10, ash 7, hazel 5, rowan 5, yew 3 |
Mean heterozygosity of birch | 0.18 | 0.26 | 0.41 | 0.22 |
Identify the level of biodiversity measured by mean heterozygosity.
[1]
Compare the species diversity of areas B and D using the data.
[2]
Suggest why area C may be more resilient to an introduced tree disease than area A.
[1]
Question 16
The figure summarizes two sources of evidence used to estimate biodiversity through time: the cumulative number of described living species and fossil evidence for marine animal family diversity.
Source | Time / year CE or Ma | Count / species or families |
|---|---|---|
Described living species (cumulative) | 1750 CE | 10,000 |
Described living species (cumulative) | 1800 CE | 25,000 |
Described living species (cumulative) | 1850 CE | 60,000 |
Described living species (cumulative) | 1900 CE | 180,000 |
Described living species (cumulative) | 1950 CE | 500,000 |
Described living species (cumulative) | 2000 CE | 1,400,000 |
Described living species (cumulative) | 2010 CE | 1,750,000 |
Marine fossil families | 541 Ma | 60 |
Marine fossil families | 485 Ma | 120 |
Marine fossil families | 444 Ma | 55 |
Marine fossil families | 419 Ma | 150 |
Marine fossil families | 359 Ma | 60 |
Marine fossil families | 299 Ma | 130 |
Marine fossil families | 252 Ma | 35 |
Marine fossil families | 145 Ma | 220 |
Marine fossil families | 66 Ma | 110 |
Marine fossil families | 23 Ma | 260 |
Marine fossil families | 0 Ma | 320 |
State why the number of described species is not the same as the total number of living species on Earth.
[1]
Explain how fossil evidence can support the conclusion that biodiversity is probably higher now than in the past.
[2]
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Question 17
A large carnivore is extinct in the wild in one region. Suitable habitat remains, but hunting pressure is high and the remaining captive population has low genetic diversity. What conservation strategy is most appropriate?
A.
Combine captive breeding, genetic management and reserve protection
B.
Use only a seed bank to store its germ plasm
C.
Protect the habitat only and ignore captive animals
D.
Release all captive animals immediately into the habitat
Question 18
A conservation agency can fund only one project. One proposal protects a culturally important but widespread bird. Another protects an evolutionarily distinct amphibian at high global risk of extinction. What is the most scientifically and ethically appropriate statement about this decision?
A.
The decision is purely scientific if species richness has been measured
B.
The choice should be debated using evidence and values made explicit
C.
The amphibian must be chosen because EDGE scores remove all ethical debate
D.
The bird must be chosen because cultural value is always more important than extinction risk
Question 19
The diagram shows changes after a wetland is drained to provide land for crops.
State one anthropogenic cause of ecosystem loss shown in the diagram.
[1]
Explain how draining the wetland could cause functional collapse of the wetland ecosystem.
[2]
Suggest why ecosystem loss is not the same as the extinction of a single species.
[1]
Question 20
Students surveyed butterflies along the same fixed transect in a grassland in 2022 and 2025. The table shows the number of individuals recorded for each species in each year.
Species | 2022 / individuals | 2025 / individuals |
|---|---|---|
Meadow brown | 9 | 21 |
Gatekeeper | 8 | 11 |
Common blue | 9 | 7 |
Small skipper | 8 | 5 |
Ringlet | 7 | 4 |
Marbled white | 9 | 2 |
State what is meant by species richness.
[1]
Identify the year with the higher species evenness.
[1]
Explain why repeating the survey with the same method provides stronger evidence for biodiversity change than a single survey.
[2]
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Question 21
A woodland survey recorded the abundance of four ground beetle species in two fragments. Simpson's reciprocal index is calculated using .
Species | Fragment A / individuals | Fragment B / individuals |
|---|---|---|
Species 1 | 15.477 | 28.000 |
Species 2 | 10.000 | 5.000 |
Species 3 | 10.000 | 4.000 |
Species 4 | 4.523 | 3.000 |
Calculate Simpson's reciprocal index, , for fragment A.
[2]
Suggest what a higher value of Simpson's reciprocal index indicates about a community.
[1]
Explain why the total number of beetles alone is insufficient evidence for comparing biodiversity in the two fragments.
[1]
Question 22
The map shows a new road network built through a tropical forest and connecting it to ports and cities.
State one direct effect of urbanization or road construction on natural habitat.
[1]
Explain two ways in which the road network could contribute to the current biodiversity crisis.
[3]
Question 23
A conservation plan for a degraded river valley includes removing a concrete barrier, reconnecting the river to its floodplain and reintroducing a locally extinct beaver population after habitat recovery.
Identify the conservation approach involving restoration of ecological processes in the valley.
[1]
Explain how reconnecting the river to its floodplain could increase biodiversity.
[2]
Suggest why monitoring is needed after the beavers are reintroduced.
[1]
Question 24
Three extinct vertebrates are compared in the table. The table includes their habitat, approximate time of extinction and human pressures recorded in historical or archaeological evidence.
Species | Habitat | Approx. extinction / year CE | Recorded human pressures |
|---|---|---|---|
North Island giant moa | Forests and shrubland, North Island, New Zealand | c. 1400 CE | Hunted by humans |
Thylacine | Forests, grasslands and woodland, Tasmania | 1936 CE | Hunted by humans; government bounty |
Caribbean monk seal | Tropical coastal waters and beaches, Caribbean Sea | 1952 CE | Hunted for oil and meat; breeding sites disturbed |
Identify one anthropogenic cause that contributed to extinction in both the North Island giant moa and the thylacine.
[1]
Explain how over-exploitation could cause extinction of the Caribbean monk seal.
[2]
Distinguish the causes of the current sixth mass extinction from the causes of earlier mass extinctions.
[1]
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Question 25
Two examples of ecosystem loss are shown: the Aral Sea ecosystem and mixed dipterocarp forest in Southeast Asia.
Ecosystem / year or stage | River inflow / | Aral Sea area / | Salinity / | Fish catch / | Canopy layers / number | Tree species richness / number | Above-ground biomass / | Water table depth / cm below surface |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Aral Sea, 1960 | 56 | 68 | 10 | 48 | — | — | — | — |
Aral Sea, 1970 | 43 | 61 | 12 | 42 | — | — | — | — |
Aral Sea, 1980 | 26 | 50 | 18 | 30 | — | — | — | — |
Aral Sea, 1990 | 13 | 36 | 30 | 8 | — | — | — | — |
Aral Sea, 2000 | 5 | 22 | 45 | 0 | — | — | — | — |
Mixed dipterocarp forest (before conversion) | — | — | — | — | 5 | 180 | 320 | 20 |
Oil palm plantation (after conversion) | — | — | — | — | 2 | 35 | 90 | 80 |
Describe one change in the Aral Sea ecosystem shown in the data.
[1]
Explain how river diversion caused ecosystem loss in the Aral Sea.
[2]
Suggest why conversion of mixed dipterocarp forest to oil palm plantation is ecosystem loss rather than only species loss.
[1]
Question 26
A conservation agency compared possible conservation actions for three threatened species: a rare orchid, an amphibian threatened by fungal disease and habitat loss, and a large carnivore with a wide home range.
Species | Main threat(s) | Key ecological need |
|---|---|---|
Rare orchid | Small, isolated population; habitat fragmentation | Produces many tiny seeds; wild recovery is slow |
Amphibian | Fungal disease; loss of breeding habitat; polluted or fish-filled ponds | Breeds in clean, shallow freshwater ponds |
Large carnivore | Habitat fragmentation; conflict with livestock owners | Needs a very large connected home range |
Identify one ex situ conservation method suitable for the rare orchid.
[1]
Explain why no single conservation approach is sufficient for all three species.
[2]
Suggest one management action within a nature reserve that could help conserve the amphibian.
[1]
Question 27
A biodiversity-monitoring project uses records submitted by birdwatchers through a phone application. Each record can include date, location and a photograph.
State one benefit of using citizen scientists in biodiversity monitoring.
[1]
Evaluate the reliability of this project as evidence for a biodiversity crisis.
[3]
Question 28
Two threatened mammals are being considered for funding. Species X is the only living species in its family and has a very small global population. Species Y has several close living relatives but is a keystone herbivore in a threatened grassland.
State why Species X would score highly in the EDGE of Existence programme.
[2]
Discuss one reason why conservationists might still prioritize Species Y.
[2]
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Question 29
Mixed dipterocarp forest in Southeast Asia can be cleared and converted to oil palm plantations. Some lowland forests occur on deep peat that is drained before planting.
State one reason why mixed dipterocarp forest has high conservation value.
[1]
Explain how conversion to oil palm plantation causes ecosystem loss rather than only a reduction in tree numbers.
[2]
Suggest one effect of draining peat before planting oil palm.
[1]
Question 30
Butterflies were counted along the same fixed transect in a grassland in 2010 and 2024. The counts for four butterfly species were used to calculate Simpson’s reciprocal index of diversity: .
Year | Species 1 | Species 2 | Species 3 | Species 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
2010 | 22 | 20 | 20 | 18 |
2024 | 50 | 15 | 10 | 5 |
Calculate Simpson’s reciprocal index of diversity for 2010.
[2]
Describe the change in butterfly diversity between 2010 and 2024.
[1]
Explain why repeated surveys using the same method provide stronger evidence for a biodiversity crisis than a single survey.
[2]
Question 31
A national bird-monitoring programme used records submitted by citizen scientists and validation by expert ornithologists. The figure compares recording effort and confirmed records across regions.
Identify one sampling bias suggested by the citizen-science data.
[1]
Evaluate the use of these citizen-science records as evidence for change in bird biodiversity.
[3]
Question 32
The figure shows changes in human population, agricultural land area, forest cover and threatened vertebrate species in a region over several decades.
Describe the relationship between forest cover and threatened vertebrate species shown in the graph.
[1]
Explain how two causes shown in the graph may interact to increase the biodiversity crisis.
[2]
Suggest why human population growth is described as an overarching cause rather than the only cause of the current biodiversity crisis.
[1]
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Question 33
Four threatened mammal species were assessed for conservation prioritization using evolutionary distinctiveness and global endangerment. The scatter plot shows their scores relative to other mammals.
Identify the species that should be ranked highest by the EDGE approach.
[1]
Explain the rationale for prioritizing EDGE species.
[2]
Discuss one limitation of using only the EDGE score to decide conservation funding.
[2]
Question 34
A taxonomic review of an endangered island lizard compared morphology, DNA sequence divergence and reproductive isolation among three island populations.
Island population | Mean snout-vent length / mm | Mean midbody scale rows | DNA sequence divergence from other islands / % | Fertile offspring in inter-island crosses / % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Island 1 | 78.2 | 65 | 2.5–3.1 | 0 |
Island 2 | 79.1 | 66 | 2.5–2.8 | 0 |
Island 3 | 78.6 | 65 | 2.8–3.1 | 0 |
Distinguish how a splitter and a lumper might classify the island populations using the evidence.
[2]
Explain how the classification decision could affect conservation of the lizards.
[2]
Question 35
A conservation report compares two regions. Region X contains tropical forest, mangrove, freshwater swamp and grassland. Region Y contains a single large plantation of one tree species, but the plantation contains many individual trees from several breeding lines.
I.
Distinguish between species diversity and ecosystem diversity.
[1]
II.
Outline why genetic diversity within a tree species may be important for its long-term survival.
[1]
Explain why Region X may be a higher conservation priority than Region Y, even if Region Y has more individual plants.
[2]
Discuss how variation at more than one level of biological organization can contribute to stability in ecological communities.
[2]
Question 36
A museum has catalogued many fossil specimens from marine sediments. A recent DNA survey of soil and deep-sea samples also suggests that many living eukaryote species remain undescribed. Taxonomists disagree over whether several isolated populations of a beetle should be recognized as separate species.
I.
State one reason why the number of described species is lower than the true number of living species.
[1]
II.
State why prokaryote species numbers are especially uncertain.
[1]
Explain how fossil evidence can support the conclusion that there are probably more species alive today than at many earlier times in Earth history.
[2]
Evaluate the use of classification by splitters and lumpers when deciding conservation priorities for the beetle populations.
[3]
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Question 37
A reintroduction programme for an endangered antelope compared three captive-bred founder groups before release into restored grassland. Genetic diversity and first-year survival were monitored.
Founder group | Inbreeding coefficient () | Heterozygosity () | Allelic richness (alleles/locus) | First-year survival (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
A | 0.29 | 0.38 | 2.7 | 56 |
B | 0.12 | 0.55 | 3.8 | 72 |
C | 0.05 | 0.63 | 4.4 | 81 |
Identify the founder group with the greatest risk of inbreeding depression.
[1]
Explain how genetic diversity can affect the stability of the reintroduced population.
[2]
Suggest two management actions to increase genetic diversity in the reintroduced population.
[2]
Question 38
A degraded wetland was restored by blocking drainage channels, removing invasive plants and reintroducing a locally extinct grazing herbivore. Monitoring was carried out for ten years after the start of the project.
Year after start / y | Water level / cm | Native species richness / species | Invasive plant cover / % | Breeding bird pairs / pairs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
0 | 10 | 6 | 72 | 0 |
1 | 14 | 7 | 66 | 0 |
2 | 18 | 8 | 59 | 1 |
3 | 23 | 10 | 52 | 1 |
4 | 27 | 12 | 45 | 2 |
5 | 31 | 14 | 38 | 3 |
6 | 34 | 16 | 32 | 4 |
7 | 37 | 18 | 27 | 5 |
8 | 39 | 19 | 21 | 6 |
9 | 42 | 21 | 16 | 8 |
10 | 44 | 23 | 12 | 10 |
Describe one trend in the restored wetland after drainage channels were blocked.
[1]
Evaluate the success of the restoration project as an approach to conservation of biodiversity.
[3]
Suggest one additional measurement that would help assess whether rewilding increased ecosystem stability.
[1]
Question 39
The North Island giant moa (Dinornis novaezealandiae) and the Caribbean monk seal (Neomonachus tropicalis) are extinct. A regional mammal also disappeared after hunting, habitat change and conflict with livestock farming.
I.
Define extinction.
[1]
II.
State one way in which the current sixth mass extinction differs from previous mass extinctions.
[1]
Compare and contrast the anthropogenic causes of extinction in the moa and Caribbean monk seal.
[3]
Explain why large, slow-breeding animals are often vulnerable to over-exploitation.
[2]
Suggest one reason why studying several extinction case studies is more useful than studying only one example.
[1]
Question 40
Two ecosystems have undergone major anthropogenic change. In Southeast Asia, mixed dipterocarp forest has been logged and converted to oil palm plantation. In Central Asia, rivers feeding the Aral Sea were diverted for irrigation.
I.
Define ecosystem loss.
[1]
II.
State one anthropogenic cause of ecosystem loss shown in the examples.
[1]
Explain how conversion of mixed dipterocarp forest to oil palm plantation can reduce biodiversity.
[3]
Explain why the Aral Sea is an example of ecosystem loss rather than only species extinction.
[2]
Suggest why removing a keystone species can accelerate ecosystem loss.
[1]
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Question 41
A grassland butterfly survey was carried out along the same transect in 2005 and 2025. The survey team used the same route and similar weather conditions. Counts for five butterfly species were recorded, and Simpson's reciprocal diversity index was calculated using .
Species | 2005 / individuals | 2025 / individuals |
|---|---|---|
Species A | 9 | 27 |
Species B | 9 | 9 |
Species C | 9 | 6 |
Species D | 9 | 3 |
Species E | 9 | 0 |
Total (N) | 45 | 45 |
Simpson's reciprocal index () | 5.50 | 2.44 |
I.
State what is measured by species richness.
[1]
II.
State what is measured by species evenness.
[1]
Explain why repeated surveys are needed before the data can be used as evidence for a biodiversity crisis.
[2]
Using the index, explain how a decrease in both richness and evenness would affect Simpson's reciprocal diversity index.
[2]
Evaluate the contribution of citizen scientists to this butterfly survey.
[2]
Question 42
A critically endangered wetland plant now survives in one polluted marsh. Some seeds remain viable, but the marsh is affected by invasive grasses, altered water level and nutrient pollution from nearby farms.
I.
Distinguish between in situ and ex situ conservation.
[1]
II.
State one example of germ plasm storage suitable for this plant.
[1]
Explain why no single conservation approach is likely to be sufficient for this plant.
[2]
Discuss how reserve management, rewilding and reclamation could be used in this wetland.
[3]
Suggest why maintaining genetic diversity should be considered when collecting seeds.
[1]
Question 43
A new road network is planned through a tropical forest region. The human population in nearby towns is increasing rapidly, and the region is connected to international trade routes.
I.
State why human population growth is an overarching cause of the current biodiversity crisis.
[1]
II.
State one way global transport can reduce biodiversity.
[1]
Explain how roads can intensify more than one cause of biodiversity loss in the forest.
[3]
Discuss how the causes of the current biodiversity crisis can reinforce one another in this region.
[3]
Question 44
Researchers compare estimates of global biodiversity from described species lists, fossil data and environmental DNA sampling. Their paper is peer-reviewed before publication, but some conclusions about species numbers remain uncertain.
I.
State one limitation of using the fossil record to estimate past biodiversity.
[1]
II.
State one reason why peer review improves the verifiability of biodiversity evidence.
[1]
Explain why estimates of current species numbers differ among studies.
[2]
Evaluate the statement: “Because biodiversity estimates are uncertain, they cannot be used as evidence for a biodiversity crisis.”
[3]
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Question 45
A conservation charity is choosing between three endangered vertebrates. Species A has few close living relatives and a small declining global population. Species B is less evolutionarily distinct but is a keystone species in a threatened ecosystem. Species C has high cultural importance to local communities and attracts ecotourism income.
I.
Define an evolutionarily distinct species.
[1]
II.
State the rationale for focusing on EDGE species.
[1]
Explain why Species A would be a strong candidate for the EDGE of Existence programme.
[2]
Evaluate whether EDGE score should be the only basis for allocating conservation funding among the three species.
[4]
Question 46
A small antelope species survives in a fenced reserve, but numbers remain low. A zoo holds a separate breeding group. Managers are considering whether to release zoo-bred individuals into the reserve after controlling predators and restoring grassland.
Year / | Reserve population / individuals | Reserve heterozygosity / % | Captive group population / individuals | Captive heterozygosity / % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
0 | 12 | 18 | 10 | 31 |
1 | 12 | 18 | 10 | 30 |
2 | 19 | 21 | 10 | 29 |
3 | 28 | 24 | 11 | 28 |
4 | 37 | 26 | 11 | 27 |
I.
Identify one in situ conservation measure in the scenario.
[1]
II.
Identify one ex situ conservation measure in the scenario.
[1]
Explain why release of zoo-bred individuals might increase the long-term viability of the reserve population.
[3]
Evaluate risks or limitations of relying on zoo breeding for this antelope.
[3]
Question 47
Two coral reef restoration sites have the same area. Site A contains many coral species but most colonies are clones from a small number of fragments. Site B contains fewer coral species but each species has high genetic variation and the site includes adjacent mangrove and seagrass ecosystems.
I.
Identify the level of biodiversity that is low at Site A because most colonies are clones.
[1]
II.
Identify the level of biodiversity represented by the reef, mangrove and seagrass habitats at Site B.
[1]
Explain how low genetic diversity could reduce resilience of corals at Site A.
[2]
Discuss whether Site A or Site B is likely to be more stable over the long term.
[4]
Question 48
A government can fund only one of two projects. Project 1 protects an evolutionarily distinct amphibian with a small global range, but it requires restricting access to a forest used by local communities. Project 2 restores a degraded urban river, improving recreation and water quality, but it protects fewer globally endangered species.
I.
State why the amphibian may qualify as globally endangered.
[1]
II.
State one ecosystem service or human benefit that may result from restoring the urban river.
[1]
Explain the scientific argument for prioritizing Project 1.
[2]
Evaluate the ethical, social and environmental implications of choosing between the two projects.
[4]
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