IB ESS HL 3.003.5 Habitat Conservation Strategies Question Bank
Evaluate protected areas, corridors and habitat restoration as conservation tools.
- Syllabus
- First assessment 2026
- Course
- ESS HL
- Level
- HL
Exam points
- identify the conservation issue or strategy
- apply the relevant ecological, ethical or management framework
- evaluate evidence, trade-offs and likely outcomes
3.3.5—Habitat conservation strategies question 1
[Maximum number: 2]
Figure Fact file on Table Mountain National Park
Table Mountain National Park attracts over 4 million tourists per year, lies within the Cape Floristic Region and neighbours Cape Town. It covers 221 km2 of land and manages a 1000 km2 marine protected area where the cold Benguela and warm Agulhas currents meet at the Cape Peninsula. Fishing is managed through permits and quotas, and no fishing is allowed in marine restricted zones that provide breeding and nursery grounds.
Figure Fact file on African penguins
African penguins are endangered. A colony is located at Boulders Beach within Table Mountain National Park. Two pairs arrived in 1982 and the population has grown to about 1000 pairs. Globally, African penguin numbers declined from about 87000 pairs in 1978 to about 25000 pairs in 2015. The penguin colony and whale watching attract tourism.
Suggest two possible reasons why the African penguin population at Boulders Beach has grown significantly since 1982.
due to no take zone/location within MPA/reduced competition from human fishing, has resulted in a larger food source;
b. area around Boulders Beach is part of Table Mountain National Park which provides a safe habitat for penguins/mitigates threats from human activities/controls access to breeding areas (resulting in successful breeding) / habitat of the penguin is protected;
c. protection offered at site due to value as tourist attraction / investment from tourism into conservation of penguins/habitats/ecosystem (e.g. habitat restoration/rescue and rehabilitation programs/artificial nesting structures);
d. suitable beaches/habitat for nesting/breeding;
e. low number of predators/killer whales/fur seals / absence of disease that could limit population growth;
f. lack of competition for food resources from other species / large amounts of food resources available;
g. climate change may support more frequent egg production (as conditions may allow birds to nest all year round);
h. penguins breed fairly quickly with high reproductive success rates / penguins may be r-selected species;
Note: Do not accept only 'penguins are protected'. Do not accept only 'available space/habitat / beach is protected by legislation / migration of penguins'.
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