IB ESS SL 3.2.6 Species Case Studies Questions
Use species case studies to connect threats, adaptations and conservation responses.
- Syllabus
- First assessment 2026
- Course
- ESS SL
- Level
- SL
Exam points
- explain biological and human causes of endangerment, including small populations, slow reproduction, habitat loss, pollution, hunting and invasive species
- explain how the loss of a named endangered species can affect biodiversity, food webs, ecosystem services, culture and tourism
- suggest conservation interventions such as habitat protection, captive breeding, reintroduction and threat reduction, and assess their likely success
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IB ESS SL 3.2.6 Species Case Studies Questions question 1
[Maximum number: 8]
Outline two reasons for the extinction of a named species and suggest how intervention measures can improve the conservation status of a species.
Marking guidance:
Award [1 max] for a named extinct species (world) or a species extinct in a clearly stated specific geographical area (eg Sumatran rhinoceros in China/white Rhino in Uganda).
low species number could lead to non-viable population/reduced successful breeding/small gene pool;
habitat degradation/fragmentation/loss eg logging could lead to loss of food and shelter;
increased competition/predation/disease due to human interference (eg invasive/non-native species) or environmental change (eg natural disasters);
natural hazards eg volcanoes/wildfires can reduce species numbers and habitat;
pollution can degrade the habitat eg greenhouse gas and global warming could reduce habitat range in Arctic regions for polar bears;
pollutants can bioaccumulate eg some pesticides can biomagnify up the food chain especially affecting successful breeding of species high in the food chain;
hunting/overfishing by humans can reduce breeding numbers;
If no named extinct species or an incorrect species do NOT award mark for this part. [4 max] for the extinct species and reasons.
Interventions to improve conservation status (these need not be linked to the named species above): eg legislation to stop/reduce hunting;
international agreements to control trade in endangered species eg CITES;
policing and enforcement of legislation/controls (eg hunting ban);
legislation to reduce pollution;
community involvement/education/awareness could improve value placed on species;
improved land management/restoration could reduce habitat degradation/fragmentation/loss;
captive breeding/re-introduction programmes could increase numbers;
gene/seed bank to store genetic material to allow for later reintroduction;
setting up a national park/nature reserve;
effective reserve/national park design/management (includes corridors/size/shape/edge effects etc);
[6 max] for interventions.
Accept other reasonable responses.
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