Practise IB ESS HL Topic 3 Biodiversity through questions on species diversity, conservation and human impacts, including the shared HL route evidence.
Figure:Global biodiversity extinction-risk categories
Figure:Changes in species extinction risk from 1980 to 2015
State the category with the highest percentage of vulnerable species in the extinction-risk chart shown above.
Outline two reasons why Amphibians have the highest percentage of critically endangered species in the extinction-risk chart shown above.
Using the extinction-risk chart shown above, state the approximate percentage of threatened crustaceans.
Describe one reason for the lack of available data for crustaceans.
Outline three reasons why the trend for corals is different to the other categories shown in the species-extinction trend chart shown above.
the two biodiversity charts shown above are based on records for species diversity. Identify one other factor that may be measured to assess the diversity of life on Earth.
Figure:Global biodiversity extinction-risk categories
Figure:Changes in species extinction risk from 1980 to 2015
State the category with the lowest approximate percentage of threatened species in the extinction-risk chart shown above.
Outline two reasons why amphibians have the highest approximate percentage of threatened species, as shown in the extinction-risk chart shown above.
Using the extinction-risk chart shown above, state the approximate percentage of sharks and rays that are threatened.
Describe one reason why there is a lack of available data for sharks and rays.
Outline three reasons why the trend for corals is different to the other categories shown in the species-extinction trend chart shown above.
the two biodiversity charts shown above are based on records for species diversity. Identify one other factor that may be measured to assess the diversity of life on Earth.
Figure:Condor cape and Chumash traditional dance
Figure:Tourists watching condors on the Californian coast
Tejon Ranch is a 1000 km^2 home for California condors and an important biodiversity hotspot.
In 2008 the company agreed with environmental NGOs to preserve 90% of the property, including condor feeding grounds, while development could occur on the remaining 10%.
- Figure: Fact file on the California condor: California condors are scavengers and eat large amounts of carrion.
- They are among the world's rarest birds; 2012 counts estimated 405 total, including 226 wild and 179 captive.
- They are critically endangered and may travel up to 250 km in search of carrion.
- They mature and reproduce slowly, breeding at 6-8 years old and laying only one egg every two years.
- They are significant to many Californian Native American groups and traditional myths.
- Figure: Chumash cultural relationship with condors: Chumash people historically lived in central and southern coastal California; their descendants still live there.
- Old cave paintings show people wearing condor feathers for ceremonies and dances.
- Condors were once sacrificed during rituals; a legend says if the condor becomes extinct, so too will the Chumash.
Identify two arguments for the conservation of California condors.
Table for roles in the conservation of California condors
Figure:Northwest Condor Watch Facebook page
Northwest Condor Watch is a communication space that links communities caring about returning condors to their northern home range.
Tejon Ranch is a 1000 km^2 home for California condors and an important biodiversity hotspot.
In 2008 the company agreed with environmental NGOs to preserve 90% of the property, including condor feeding grounds, while development could occur on the remaining 10%.
- Figure: Ridley-Tree Condor Preservation Act: the Ridley-Tree Condor Preservation Act made it illegal in 2008 to use lead bullets for hunting deer, bear and elk in designated California condor range.
- The act applies only in California; neighbouring states still allow lead bullets for game hunting.
- Organisations such as the National Rifle Association oppose the lead bullet ban.
- Figure: California condor captive breeding programme: removing eggs can make the mother lay another, increasing the total number of eggs, but some chicks then need hand rearing.
- Chicks are fed with condor-like glove puppets to prevent attachment to humans.
- Captive-bred condors have been trained to avoid power lines and people, reducing deaths due to power lines.
- The programme costs about million per year, roughly per bird.
- The aim is three populations: wild California, wild Arizona and captive, each with 150 birds and at least 15 breeding pairs.
With reference to the resource booklet, complete the table by identifying one way in which each of the following are playing a role in the conservation of California condors.
Figure:Condor chick hand-reared using a condor puppet
Figure:Condor breeding centre and release sites
Figure:Change in California condor population over time
Figure:Lead and non-lead bullets after impact
Tejon Ranch is a 1000 km^2 home for California condors and an important biodiversity hotspot.
In 2008 the company agreed with environmental NGOs to preserve 90% of the property, including condor feeding grounds, while development could occur on the remaining 10%.
- Figure: California condor captive breeding programme: removing eggs can make the mother lay another, increasing the total number of eggs, but some chicks then need hand rearing.
- Chicks are fed with condor-like glove puppets to prevent attachment to humans.
- Captive-bred condors have been trained to avoid power lines and people, reducing deaths due to power lines.
- The programme costs about million per year, roughly per bird.
- The aim is three populations: wild California, wild Arizona and captive, each with 150 birds and at least 15 breeding pairs.
- Figure: Ridley-Tree Condor Preservation Act: the Ridley-Tree Condor Preservation Act made it illegal in 2008 to use lead bullets for hunting deer, bear and elk in designated California condor range.
- The act applies only in California; neighbouring states still allow lead bullets for game hunting.
- Organisations such as the National Rifle Association oppose the lead bullet ban.
Using evidence from the resource booklet evaluate the success of the conservation programme for California condors.
Outline the mechanisms by which a terrestrial species may have evolved from an aquatic ancestor.
Explain the ways in which species diversity and an abundance of plant and herbivore species will increase the resilience of an ecosystem.