IB ESS SL 3.2 Human Impacts on Biodiversity Question Bank

Practise IB ESS SL 3.2 by interpreting threat data, explaining biodiversity loss and evaluating invasive-species and conservation responses.

Exam points

Extract Red List percentages and criteria to compare taxa or explain a status change.
Explain species vulnerability through range, life history, pollution, climate and exploitation.
Evaluate invasive-species removal or conservation intervention using ecological evidence.

Covered syllabus points

3.2.1—Threats to biodiversity 3.2.2—Multiple human impacts 3.2.3—Invasive alien species 3.2.4—IUCN Red List 3.2.5—Conservation status benefits 3.2.6—Species case studies 3.2.7—Tragedy of the commons

[Maximum number: 2]

Figure:Photographs showing examples of species found in Brazil

Golden lion tamarin (Leontopithecus rosalia) IUCN Red List status - endangered

Figure for Question 3.2 Human impact on biodiversity question 1 — IB ESS SL

Brazilian merganser (Mergus octosetaceus) IUCN Red List status - Critically endangered

Giant metallic ceiba borer (Euchroma gigantea) IUCN Red List status - none, has not yet been assessed by the IUCN

Figure:Deforestation in the Atlantic Rainforest and the Cerrado

\section*{Paraná pine trees (Araucaria angustifolia) IUCN Red List status - critically endangered} media/File:Araucaria-caxias-do-sul.jpg, by Ricardo Frantz]

media/File:Golden_lion_tamarin_portrait3.jpg, by Jeroen Kransen]

\section*{Broad-snouted caiman (Caiman latirostris) IUCN Red List status - least concern} caiman\#/media/File:Jacare_de_papo_amarelo_zoo.jpg, by Miguelrangeljr]

\section*{Pau brasil (Caesalpinia echinata) IUCN Red List status - endangered} File:ClosedeflordePaubrasil.jpg, by Mauroguanandi]

media/File:Mergus_octosetaceus_2.png, by Prof. Sávio Freire Bruno - http://www.wikiaves.com.br/182433\&t=s\&s=10048]

media/File:Buprestidae_-_Euchroma_gigantea.JPG, by Hectonichus]

the_atlantic_forest/

Cerrado map: http://wwf.panda.org/what_we_do/footprint/agriculture/soy/soyreport/soy_and_deforestation/the_cerrado/

Figure:Photographs showing examples of species found in Brazil

Parana pine: critically endangered. Golden lion tamarin: endangered. Broad-snouted caiman: least concern. Pau brasil: endangered. Brazilian merganser: critically endangered. Giant metallic ceiba borer: not yet assessed by the IUCN.

Figure:Fact file on human impacts on biodiversity

Only about 10% of the original Atlantic Rainforest and around 20% of the original Cerrado vegetation remain. Losses have resulted from land clearance for crops such as sugar cane, coffee, soy beans and biofuel crops; cattle ranching; forest plantations; urban expansion including Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo and Brasilia; infrastructure development such as road building; and commercial logging. Organizations support projects to restore forest habitats and encourage sustainable use of natural forest resources.

With reference to the species listed in Figure: Photographs showing examples of species found in Brazil, identify two factors that may have contributed to their status given on the IUCN Red List.

[Maximum number: 9]

The introduction of a species into an ecosystem could be considered a form of pollution. Discuss this statement.

[Maximum number: 2]

Figure:World map showing the location of New Zealand

Figure:Topographic map of New Zealand

(a)

Figure:Percentage of New Zealand species by extinction threat categories

Key:
$\square$ Threatened	$\square$ At risk of becoming threatened
$\square$ Not threatened	$\square$ Insufficient data

With reference to Figure: Percentage of New Zealand species by extinction threat categories, identify the group of species which has the highest percentage in the threatened category.

[ 1 ]

(b)

Outline one reason the group of species identified in (b)(i) is the most threatened.

[ 1 ]

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Covered syllabus points

3.2 Human impact on biodiversity question 1

3.2 Human impact on biodiversity question 2

3.2 Human impact on biodiversity question 3

Question (a)

Question (b)