CAIE A-Level Biology A2 18.3 Conservation Questions

Practise conservation questions by explaining extinction risks, justifying biodiversity protection and evaluating protected areas, breeding programmes or trade controls.

Exam points

infer extinction risks from habitat loss, hunting, invasive species, disease or climate change
justify biodiversity conservation using genetic, ecological, ethical, economic or research value
evaluate protected areas, captive breeding, IVF, IUCN Red List or CITES trade controls

Covered syllabus points

18.3.1—Extinction causes 18.3.2—Reasons to maintain biodiversity 18.3.3—Ex situ and protected-area conservation 18.3.4—Assisted reproduction in endangered mammals 18.3.5—Invasive alien species 18.3.6—Conservation organisations

[Maximum number: 4]

(a)

The aye-aye, Daubentonia madagascariensis, is a mammal, native to Madagascar. Aye-ayes are active at night and make their nests high up in trees. They feed on insect larvae in the trunks of trees.

Fig. 1.1 shows an aye-aye.

Fig. 1.1

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) categorises the aye-aye as endangered. This means that the aye-aye has a very high risk of becoming extinct in the wild.

[ 4 ]

(i)

State one reason why aye-ayes may have become endangered.

[ 1 ]

(ii)

Suggest ways in which zoos may be able to protect this species from extinction.

[ 3 ]

[Maximum number: 3]

Researchers measured insect biodiversity on Acacia trees in the African savannah using the following method:
- insecticide was sprayed into each tree
- this killed the insects, which fell onto a sheet below the tree
- the dead insects were collected, identified and counted.

This study was carried out in Mkomazi Game Reserve in Tanzania.

Suggest how research into insect diversity on Acacia trees is relevant to the conservation of bigger animals in the reserve, such as elephants.

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Covered syllabus points

Question 1

Question (a)

Question (i)

Question (ii)

Question 2