Clastify logo
Clastify logo
Subjects
Features
Review
HOT
Tutoring

3.3 Conservation and regeneration

Practice exam-style IB ESS questions for Conservation and regeneration, aligned with the syllabus and grouped by topic.

Verified by Veronica
Verified by Veronica
Paper
Difficulty
Status
Level
Question 1
SL • Paper 2
Medium
Calculator Permitted
SL • Paper 2
Medium
Calculator Permitted

A wetland supports rare bird species, stores floodwater and attracts paying visitors.

A

Distinguish between an ecological, an economic and an ethical justification for preserving this wetland.

[3]
Question 2
SL • Paper 2
Medium
Calculator Permitted
SL • Paper 2
Medium
Calculator Permitted

A degraded wetland was restored in 2020. Table 1 shows selected ecological and economic indicators before and after restoration.

Indicators for the restored wetland

Indicator2019 before restoration2024 after restorationUnits
Native bird species2436species
Carbon stored in vegetation and soil18 00031 000tonnes of carbon
Annual flood damage to nearby properties2.60.8million US dollars
Annual visitor spending in local area0.41.3million US dollars
A

Calculate the percentage increase in the number of native bird species between 2019 and 2024.

[2]
B

Identify one economic benefit of wetland restoration shown in Table 1.

[1]
C

Explain, using Table 1, why both ecological and economic justifications may be used to support preservation of the wetland.

[3]
Question 3
SL • Paper 2
Medium
Calculator Permitted
SL • Paper 2
Medium
Calculator Permitted

A threatened bird is bred in a zoo. Captive-bred birds are later released into a protected area where nesting sites are managed and the cause of the original decline is reduced.

A

Identify one ex situ measure and one in situ measure used in this programme.

[2]
B

Outline why this mixed conservation approach may be more effective than captive breeding alone.

[2]
Question 4
SL • Paper 2
Medium
Calculator Permitted
SL • Paper 2
Medium
Calculator Permitted

A pharmaceutical company seeks access to a plant genetic resource and associated knowledge held by a local community.

A

Outline how the Nagoya Protocol may apply to this situation.

[3]

Build a Practice Exam — ESS HL

Test your knowledge with a custom paper containing questions from selected topics.

Practice exam question preview
Practice exams dashboard preview
Question 5
SL • Paper 2
Medium
Calculator Permitted
SL • Paper 2
Medium
Calculator Permitted

Figure 1 shows alternative designs for protecting the same total area of woodland.

Image

A

Identify the design expected to have the lowest proportion of edge habitat.

[1]
B

Outline one benefit and one possible ecological risk of the wildlife corridor in design D.

[2]
C

State one biological characteristic of a target species that should be considered when deciding the width of the corridor.

[1]
Question 6
SL • Paper 2
Medium
Calculator Permitted
SL • Paper 2
Medium
Calculator Permitted

A degraded wetland landscape contains fenced former ranches and several locally extinct large-animal species.

A

Outline two rewilding measures that could regenerate natural processes in this landscape.

[2]
B

State one national-level and one international-level measure that could support the project.

[2]
Question 7
SL • Paper 1
Medium
Calculator Permitted
SL • Paper 1
Medium
Calculator Permitted

The fictional Marula Delta contains mangrove forest, mudflats and fishing settlements. A proposal would convert part of the delta into commercial shrimp ponds.

Image

Image

A

Using Figure 1(b), calculate the difference between the total estimated annual monetary benefits of conserving the delta and converting part of it to shrimp ponds.

[2]
B

Distinguish between the ecological and economic justifications for conserving the mangroves, using evidence from the figures.

[3]
C

Explain two reasons why the monetary estimates in Figure 1(b) do not represent the total value of the delta.

[3]
D

Evaluate the proposal to convert 400 ha of the delta to shrimp ponds.

[4]
Question 8
SL • Paper 1
Medium
Calculator Permitted
SL • Paper 1
Medium
Calculator Permitted

The fictional Nembi forest supports a threatened ground-dwelling mammal. The species avoids farmland and requires shaded forest for dispersal.

Image

Image

A

Calculate the percentage reduction in mammal detections from interior forest to edge forest.

[2]
B

Explain why design A is likely to contain more suitable habitat for the target species than design B.

[3]
C

Analyse one benefit and one possible limitation of the corridors in design D.

[3]
D

Justify which reserve design should be selected to conserve the target species.

[4]

Build a Practice Exam — ESS HL

Test your knowledge with a custom paper containing questions from selected topics.

Practice exam question preview
Practice exams dashboard preview
Question 9
SL • Paper 2
Medium
Calculator Permitted
SL • Paper 2
Medium
Calculator Permitted

A conservation programme was established for the island ground parrot, a threatened species. Figure 1 shows changes in its captive and wild populations. Management actions are annotated on the figure.

Image

A

Calculate the overall change in the wild adult population from 2015 to 2025.

[1]
B

Describe two trends in the captive and wild populations between 2020 and 2025.

[2]
C

Explain why the programme is an example of a mixed conservation approach.

[4]
Question 10
SL • Paper 2
Medium
Calculator Permitted
SL • Paper 2
Medium
Calculator Permitted

Two alternative designs, A and B, have been proposed for a forest reserve intended to protect an interior-nesting bird. Figure 2 shows the designs and results from existing forest fragments with similar characteristics.

Image

A

Calculate the boundary-length-to-area ratio for each reserve design. Give the ratios in km−1\text{km}^{-1}.

[2]
B

Suggest why Design A supports more breeding pairs than Design B.

[2]
C

Suggest one benefit and two possible limitations of the proposed wildlife corridor in Design A.

[3]
Question 11
SL • Paper 2
Medium
Calculator Permitted
SL • Paper 2
Medium
Calculator Permitted

Agriculture and livestock fencing were removed from a degraded wet grassland in 2018. Native grazing animals were reintroduced in 2019. Figure 3 shows selected indicators of regeneration.

Selected indicators of wet-grassland regeneration, 2016–2025.

YearNative vegetation cover / %Native species recorded / numberActive-management input / staff hours
201624%334100
201723%324150
201822%314200
201925%323900
202029%343500
202133%373100
202237%392700
202342%412300
202445%432000
202548%451800
A

Calculate the percentage increase in native vegetation cover between 2018 and 2025.

[2]
B

Describe the relationship between native species number and active-management input after 2018.

[1]
C

Explain how the trends support the claim that rewilding is making the ecosystem more self-sustaining.

[3]
Question 12
SL • Paper 2
Medium
Calculator Permitted
SL • Paper 2
Medium
Calculator Permitted

A government proposes a strictly protected reserve on land traditionally used by a rural community. An alternative proposal allows community-managed sustainable harvesting in a buffer zone while retaining a strictly protected core.

A

Explain how an ecocentric and an anthropocentric perspective may lead to different preferences between the two proposals.

[2]
B

Outline two ways environmental justice could be incorporated into the reserve's establishment.

[2]

Build a Practice Exam — ESS HL

Test your knowledge with a custom paper containing questions from selected topics.

Practice exam question preview
Practice exams dashboard preview
Question 13
HL • Paper 2
Medium
Calculator Permitted
HL • Paper 2
Medium
Calculator Permitted

A wetland is supported by an international convention, managed by a national conservation agency and assisted by an environmental NGO.

A

Explain one reason why the national conservation agency may have greater direct influence than the NGO.

[2]
B

Outline one advantage and one limitation of the international convention's involvement.

[2]
Question 14
HL • Paper 2
Medium
Calculator Permitted
HL • Paper 2
Medium
Calculator Permitted

A rewilding proposal would convert marginal farmland into connected native habitat and reintroduce large herbivores and predators.

A

Explain one ecological benefit of the proposal.

[2]
B

Explain one land-use limitation of the proposal.

[2]
Question 15
HL • Paper 2
Medium
Calculator Permitted
HL • Paper 2
Medium
Calculator Permitted

A forest-restoration project reports that it planted its target number of trees within budget.

A

Outline the three levels at which the success of this project should be assessed.

[3]
Question 16
HL • Paper 2
Medium
Calculator Permitted
HL • Paper 2
Medium
Calculator Permitted

A protected forest introduces permit-controlled wildlife tourism. Part of the permit revenue is allocated to ranger patrols and nearby community enterprises.

A

Explain how this ecotourism scheme could create a reinforcing relationship between the community and biodiversity conservation.

[2]
B

Outline two limitations that could prevent the scheme from supporting both local well-being and biodiversity.

[2]

Build a Practice Exam — ESS HL

Test your knowledge with a custom paper containing questions from selected topics.

Practice exam question preview
Practice exams dashboard preview
Question 17
SL • Paper 1
Hard
Calculator Permitted
SL • Paper 1
Hard
Calculator Permitted

In 2015, cattle ranching ended in the fictional Estrella Wetlands. Fences were removed, channels were reconnected and two locally extinct native herbivores were reintroduced in 2018.

Image

Figure 3(b): Annual indicators of wetland regeneration, 2013–2024.

YearInterventionNative plant richness / speciesConnected habitat / %Breeding waterbird pairs
2013—213660
2014—223864
2015Ranching ended223965
2016—244372
2017—264781
2018Herbivores introduced285291
2019—3057101
2020—3262112
2021—3466121
2022—3670130
2023—3873137
2024—3976142
A

Using Figure 3(b), calculate the percentage increase in the number of breeding waterbird pairs between 2014 and 2024.

[2]
B

Identify two rewilding methods used at the Estrella Wetlands.

[2]
C

Explain how reintroducing native herbivores could contribute to the regeneration shown in Figure 3(b).

[3]
D

Suggest two additional measurements that would help determine whether the wetlands are becoming self-sustaining.

[2]
E

Evaluate the evidence that the Estrella project has successfully regenerated natural processes.

[4]
Question 18
SL • Paper 1
Hard
Calculator Permitted
SL • Paper 1
Hard
Calculator Permitted

The wild population of the fictional Luma tortoise declined because of egg collection, invasive rats and loss of coastal scrub. A recovery programme began in 2016.

Image

Image

A

Distinguish between one ex situ and one in situ measure shown in Figure 4(a).

[2]
B

Describe the changes in the wild tortoise population and nest success after the programme began.

[2]
C

Explain why captive breeding alone would be unlikely to secure the long-term recovery of the Luma tortoise.

[3]
D

Outline how CITES could support the programme and one limitation of its role.

[2]
E

Discuss whether the mixed conservation approach has been successful.

[3]
Question 19
HL • Paper 1
Hard
Calculator Permitted
HL • Paper 1
Hard
Calculator Permitted

Three organizations participated in conserving the transboundary fictional Orana Marshes.

Comparison of the three organizations involved in conserving the Orana Marshes.

OrganizationOrganization typeAuthority and reachLikely responseFundingPublic and field role
Wetlands Accord SecretariatInternational organizationHigh diplomatic reach; cross-border coordination; no direct enforcementSlowMedium; stableLimited public media
National Marsh AgencyGovernmental agencyApplies drainage ban; employs state rangersMediumHigh; election-dependentFormal public communication
MarshLife AllianceNGOCannot pass or enforce lawsRapidMedium; donation-dependentVery active social and news media; strong volunteer network; flexible field teams

Image

A

Calculate the percentage decrease in annual illegal-drainage incidents between 2018 and 2024.

[2]
B

Compare the likely speed of response and political influence of the National Marsh Agency and MarshLife Alliance.

[3]
C

Analyse how the organizations may have complemented one another in producing the outcomes shown in the graph.

[4]
D

Evaluate the claim that the type of organization is the main factor determining conservation success in the Orana Marshes.

[4]
Question 20
HL • Paper 2
Hard
Calculator Permitted
HL • Paper 2
Hard
Calculator Permitted

Three organizations participated in the conservation of the transboundary Luma Marshes. Table 2 compares their characteristics.

Comparison of organizations involved in conserving the Luma Marshes.

CharacteristicLuma Wetlands Treaty SecretariatNorland Conservation AgencyMarshLife Network
Organization typeInternationalGovernmentalNGO
Median response time to reported habitat threat / months1831
Annual conservation resources / USD million241108
Direct power to enforce national environmental lawNoneHighNone
Media audienceModerate internationalLow nationalHigh international
Main constraintDiplomatic agreement among member statesChanging government budgets and prioritiesDependence on grants and voluntary cooperation
Main outcomeCoordinated monitoring standards across 4 countriesProsecuted 63 illegal drainage casesRestored 1400 hectares through landowner agreements
A

Identify the organization with the shortest median response time.

[1]
B

Calculate how many times greater the annual conservation resources of the Norland Conservation Agency are than those of MarshLife Network.

[2]
C

Analyse why the three organizations may differ in their effectiveness in conserving the Luma Marshes.

[4]

Build a Practice Exam — ESS HL

Test your knowledge with a custom paper containing questions from selected topics.

Practice exam question preview
Practice exams dashboard preview
Question 21
SL • Paper 2
Hard
Calculator Permitted
SL • Paper 2
Hard
Calculator Permitted

A

Distinguish between aesthetic, ecological, economic and ethical justifications for preserving biodiversity.

[4]
B

Explain why assigning a monetary value to biodiversity may assist conservation decision-making but cannot represent its total value.

[7]
C

Using named examples, evaluate whether habitat-based conservation is more effective than species-based conservation in preventing biodiversity loss.

[9]
Question 22
HL • Paper 2
Hard
Calculator Permitted
HL • Paper 2
Hard
Calculator Permitted

Figure 2 represents changes following the restoration of native vegetation in a degraded ecosystem.

Image

A

Explain how the positive feedback shown in Figure 2 could lead to an alternative biodiversity-rich stable state.

[4]
Question 23
HL • Paper 2
Hard
Calculator Permitted
HL • Paper 2
Hard
Calculator Permitted

A rewilding organization reports that a reintroduced herbivore increased in abundance during the five years after release. It concludes that the entire ecosystem has recovered.

A

Outline four additional features of secondary data that should be examined before accepting this conclusion.

[4]
Question 24
HL • Paper 1
Hard
Calculator Permitted
HL • Paper 1
Hard
Calculator Permitted

Native woodland was restored in the fictional Varda Valley from 2012. In 2016, native fruit-eating birds were reintroduced at Site R, where native tree cover had exceeded a proposed threshold.

Image

Image

A

State the year in which Site R first exceeded the proposed tree-cover threshold.

[1]
B

Calculate the percentage increase in native tree cover at Site R between 2016 and 2024.

[2]
C

Explain why the process shown in Figure 6(b) is a positive feedback loop.

[3]
D

Analyse the evidence that Site R crossed into an alternative biodiversity-rich stable state.

[3]
E

Explain why biodiversity at Site R would not be expected to increase without limit.

[3]

Build a Practice Exam — ESS HL

Test your knowledge with a custom paper containing questions from selected topics.

Practice exam question preview
Practice exams dashboard preview
Question 25
HL • Paper 1
Hard
Calculator Permitted
HL • Paper 1
Hard
Calculator Permitted

Gorilla-viewing tourism operates in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, Uganda. Visitor groups are accompanied by guides and viewing time is limited. Part of the permit revenue is allocated to conservation and nearby communities.

Image

Annual gorilla-viewing permits sold and recorded illegal-entry incidents in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.

Year / yearPermits sold / numberIllegal-entry incidents / number
20168 00074
20178 90068
201810 20059
201911 50051
20202 70068
20216 50054
20229 70043
202312 40034
202414 20029

2024 gorilla-viewing tourism revenue allocation and local economic indicators in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.

Measure / category2024 value / stated unit
Total permit revenueUSD 9.2 million
Park protection and monitoring46%46\% of permit revenue
National tourism administration24%24\% of permit revenue
Community projects12%12\% of permit revenue
Local guide and porter wages8%8\% of permit revenue
Other operating costs10%10\% of permit revenue
Local tourism-related jobs310 people
Accommodation capacity externally owned55%55\% externally owned
A

Calculate the amount of 2024 permit revenue allocated to community projects.

[2]
B

Describe the relationship between permits sold and illegal-entry incidents from 2016 to 2024.

[2]
C

Explain how ecotourism could create a reinforcing relationship between local communities and biodiversity conservation.

[3]
D

Analyse two limitations of gorilla-viewing tourism as a conservation strategy.

[3]
E

To what extent does the evidence support ecotourism as an effective and socially equitable conservation strategy at Mgahinga Gorilla National Park?

[4]
Question 26
HL • Paper 2
Hard
Calculator Permitted
HL • Paper 2
Hard
Calculator Permitted

Native vegetation was restored in part of a degraded valley. Figure 4 shows a proposed feedback mechanism, and Figure 5 shows the observed change in native plant biomass.

Image

Image

A

Identify two processes in Figure 4 through which animals reinforce native plant growth.

[2]
B

Calculate the difference in native plant biomass between the restored and unrestored sites in 2026.

[1]
C

Explain how the evidence supports the possible emergence of an alternative stable state at the restored site.

[4]
Question 27
HL • Paper 2
Hard
Calculator Permitted
HL • Paper 2
Hard
Calculator Permitted

Secondary data were used to assess a rewilding project that began in 2017. Figure 6 compares the rewilded site with a similar untreated site.

Annual ecological monitoring data for the rewilded site (R) and untreated comparison site (C).

YearEventNative richness (RR)Native richness (CC)Bird pairs (RR)Bird pairs (CC)Native cover (RR) / %Native cover (CC) / %Survey effort (RR) / hSurvey effort (CC) / h
2016Baseline2223893436120120
2017Rewilding begins2323993636135120
2018—262412104137150120
2019—292516114738165120
2020Regional drought31251494334180120
2021—322618105538195120
2022—342621116240210120
2023—372723116541225120
2024—392724116741240120
A

Calculate the difference in percentage increase in native species richness between the rewilded and comparison sites from 2016 to 2024.

[3]
B

Describe two pieces of evidence suggesting that the rewilding project improved ecological conditions.

[2]
C

Evaluate the strength of the evidence that rewilding caused the observed ecological changes.

[3]
Question 28
HL • Paper 2
Hard
Calculator Permitted
HL • Paper 2
Hard
Calculator Permitted

Ecotourism was expanded around the fictional Mavuno Forest Reserve. Figure 7 shows questionnaire responses from three stakeholder groups. Figure 8 summarizes 2024 financial information and ecological changes between 2018 and 2024.

A

Calculate the amount of 2024 ecotourism revenue allocated to reserve conservation.

[2]
B

Compare the questionnaire responses of residents and visitors.

[2]
C

Analyse how the data demonstrate both benefits and limitations of ecotourism as a conservation strategy.

[4]

Build a Practice Exam — ESS HL

Test your knowledge with a custom paper containing questions from selected topics.

Practice exam question preview
Practice exams dashboard preview
Question 29
SL • Paper 2
Hard
Calculator Permitted
SL • Paper 2
Hard
Calculator Permitted

A

Explain how the size and shape of a nature reserve can affect its conservation value.

[4]
B

Explain how zoning, wildlife corridors and active habitat management can increase the effectiveness of a protected area.

[7]
C

Using named examples, evaluate the effectiveness of protected areas in conserving biodiversity while meeting the needs of surrounding communities.

[9]
Question 30
SL • Paper 2
Hard
Calculator Permitted
SL • Paper 2
Hard
Calculator Permitted

A

Outline four methods that may be used to regenerate natural processes through rewilding.

[4]
B

Explain how reintroducing a keystone species may make a degraded ecosystem more self-sustaining.

[7]
C

Using named examples, evaluate the contribution that rewilding can make to returning humanity towards a safe operating space within the biodiversity planetary boundary.

[9]
Question 31
HL • Paper 2
Hard
Calculator Permitted
HL • Paper 2
Hard
Calculator Permitted

A

Distinguish between an international organization, a governmental organization and a non-governmental organization involved in biodiversity conservation, and state one limitation common to all three.

[4]
B

Explain how media use, speed of response, diplomatic constraints, financial resources and political influence may produce differences in the conservation effectiveness of these organizations.

[7]
C

Using named examples of international, governmental and non-governmental organizations, evaluate the claim that political influence is the most important factor determining their success in conserving biodiversity.

[9]
Question 32
HL • Paper 1
Hard
Calculator Permitted
HL • Paper 1
Hard
Calculator Permitted

The fictional Alto Cervo rewilding project began in 2017 on former farmland. Project reports claim that the project has restored biodiversity and improved local livelihoods.

Ecological indicators at rewilded site R and comparison site C; rewilding began in 2017.

YearSpecies richness / species (RR)Species richness / species (CC)Native woody cover / % (RR)Native woody cover / % (CC)Eagle pairs / pairs (RR)Eagle pairs / pairs (CC)
20141719252945
20151719262945
20161819272945
20171919313055
20182120363065
20192320423175
20202520483285
20212720523295
20222821563395
202330215933105
202431216134115

Image

Image

A

Calculate the percentage increase in native woody vegetation cover at site R between 2016 and 2024.

[2]
B

Analyse the evidence that rewilding caused ecological recovery at site R.

[4]
C

Compare the perceptions of local residents and visitors shown in Figure 7(c).

[3]
D

Explain two limitations of using the questionnaire results to assess the social success of the project.

[2]
E

Evaluate the overall success of the Alto Cervo project.

[4]

Build a Practice Exam — ESS HL

Test your knowledge with a custom paper containing questions from selected topics.

Practice exam question preview
Practice exams dashboard preview
Question 33
HL • Paper 2
Hard
Calculator Permitted
HL • Paper 2
Hard
Calculator Permitted

A

Explain the relationship between positive feedback and the emergence of an alternative biodiversity-rich stable state following habitat restoration.

[4]
B

Explain why evidence of increasing abundance in one reintroduced species is insufficient to demonstrate that a rewilding project has produced an alternative biodiversity-rich stable state.

[7]
C

Using named examples, evaluate whether rewilding should be prioritized over food production on marginal agricultural land.

[9]
Question 34
HL • Paper 2
Hard
Calculator Permitted
HL • Paper 2
Hard
Calculator Permitted

A

Outline the three levels at which the success of a conservation or regeneration project should be assessed, and state why assessment at all three levels is necessary.

[4]
B

Explain how ecological monitoring, secondary data and questionnaires could be combined to assess the success of an ecotourism-based conservation project.

[7]
C

Using a named protected area, evaluate ecotourism as a strategy for increasing both biodiversity and the well-being of local communities.

[9]

3.2 Human impact on biodiversity