1. 1
   A tropical fish species has become endangered largely due to overfishing, and a marine conservation charity is running a project to help the population recover. As part of this project, the charity has set up a captive breeding programme at a marine research centre.

   (a)

   A tropical fish species is classified as endangered because its wild population has fallen sharply, largely due to overfishing. Which of the following is a method used to conserve endangered species such as this fish?

   [1 mark]

   • AIncreasing fishing quotas to encourage more fishing
   • BMonitoring and protecting the species and its habitat
   • CRemoving all legal protection from the species
   • DIntroducing more non-native predator species to the habitat

   (b)

   As part of the conservation project, the charity sets up a captive breeding programme for the endangered fish at a marine research centre. What is the main purpose of a captive breeding programme?

   [1 mark]

   • ATo increase the number of individuals of an endangered species in a controlled environment, for eventual release or to maintain genetic diversity
   • BTo permanently remove the species from the wild altogether
   • CTo reduce the genetic diversity of the species as much as possible
   • DTo sell captive-bred individuals as pets with no conservation aim

   (c)

   Explain the risk to this fish species if its wild population size continues to decrease, in terms of genetic variation, and explain how a captive breeding programme could help to address this risk.

   [2 marks]

   Total for question 1: 4 marks

2. 2
   A government fisheries department is managing declining fish stocks in coastal waters by introducing a closed season, during which no fishing is allowed, alongside quotas limiting the total mass of fish that can be caught and rules on the minimum mesh size that fishing nets must use.

   (a)

   A government fisheries department introduces a closed season, during which no fishing is allowed, for a particular fish species in coastal waters. What is the main purpose of a closed season?

   [1 mark]

   • ATo increase pollution levels in the water temporarily
   • BTo permanently end all fishing of that species
   • CTo allow the fish population time to breed and recover without being caught
   • DTo encourage the introduction of non-native fish species

   (b)

   The department also introduces rules requiring fishing nets to have a minimum mesh size. What is the main benefit of using nets with a larger mesh size for conserving fish stocks?

   [1 mark]

   • AIt has no effect on which fish are caught
   • BIt catches more fish overall, increasing short-term yield
   • CIt prevents all fish, regardless of size, from being caught
   • DIt allows smaller, younger fish to escape the net, so they can grow and reproduce before being caught

   (c)

   Explain the purpose of setting a fishing quota, and describe one other method (besides closed seasons, mesh size and quotas) that could be used to help conserve this declining fish stock.

   [2 marks]

   Total for question 2: 4 marks

3. 3
   A national park authority is developing a plan to conserve a large area of tropical forest at risk from illegal logging, while also running a seed bank programme to preserve the genetic diversity of rare plant species found only within this forest.

   (a)

   Describe three methods that could be used to conserve this forest.

   [3 marks]

   (b)

   The park authority also runs a seed bank programme, storing seeds from rare plant species found only within this forest. Explain what a seed bank is, and explain the reasons why conservation programmes such as this one are important, referring to biodiversity, extinction, ecosystem functions and resource provision.

   [4 marks]

   Total for question 3: 7 marks

4. 4
   A wildlife conservation organisation is running two large conservation programmes: one to save a critically endangered large mammal species threatened by habitat destruction, hunting and reduced genetic variation, and another to sustainably manage a commercially important fish stock threatened by overfishing, using closed seasons, quotas and monitoring.

   (a)

   A species of large mammal has become critically endangered due to a combination of habitat destruction, hunting and a declining population size that has reduced its genetic variation. Explain fully how a combination of conservation methods, including monitoring and protecting the species and its habitat, education, and captive breeding programmes using artificial insemination (AI) or in vitro fertilisation (IVF), could help this species recover, and explain the risks the species faces if its genetic variation continues to decrease.

   [6 marks]

   (b)

   The same organisation is also involved in sustainably managing a commercially important fish stock, using a combination of closed seasons, catch quotas, controlled net types and mesh sizes, and ongoing monitoring of fish numbers. Explain fully how this combination of methods can help conserve the fish stock while still allowing some fishing to continue, and explain why conservation methods used for a fish stock like this often differ from those used for the endangered large mammal, such as captive breeding using AI or IVF.

   [6 marks]

   Total for question 4: 12 marks

End of questions