IB ESS SL 3.3 Conservation and Regeneration Question Bank

Practise IB ESS SL 3.3 by evaluating population trends, protected-area design and species- or habitat-based conservation evidence.

Exam points

Evaluate conservation strategies using population trends, stakeholder support and legal protection.
Explain how corridors, reserve size, edge effects and buffer zones affect conservation success.
Compare species-based and habitat-based approaches using CITES, flagship species and ecotourism.

Covered syllabus points

3.3.1—Preservation justifications 3.3.2—Conservation strategies 3.3.3—Mixed conservation approach 3.3.4—Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)3.3.5—Habitat conservation strategies 3.3.6—Effective conservation factors 3.3.7—Rewilding 3.3.8—Conservation measures 3.3.9—Perspectives and conservation strategy choice

[Maximum number: 5]

(a)

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

- 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

- 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.

[ 2 ]

(b)

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.

Figure:Ridley-Tree Condor Preservation Act

- 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

- 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 $\mathrm{US}\$5$ million per year, roughly $\mathrm{US}\$13{,}000$ 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.

[ 3 ]

[Maximum number: 2]

Construction of a dead hedge

Figure Conservation in Beijing
Figure Beijing Zoo maintains an active breeding programme that recently produced over 1000 surviving offspring of nearly 100 species in one year, including critically endangered species and giant panda.
The Beijing Gardening and Greening Bureau plans to plant at least one dead hedge in each city park; dead hedges use pruning/forestry waste and provide habitat for small mammals and reptiles.

(a)

With reference to Figures and (b), outline one advantage of Beijing Zoo's approach to conservation compared with that of Beijing Gardening and Greening Bureau.

[ 1 ]

(b)

With reference to Figures and (b), outline one advantage of Beijing Gardening and Greening Bureau's approach to conservation compared with that of Beijing Zoo.

[ 1 ]

[Maximum number: 4]

(a)

Distinguish between the role of the jaguar as a keystone species and as a flagship species.

[ 2 ]

(b)

Figure:The Barbilla Corridor within the larger international network connecting jaguar populations

Identify two difficulties associated with establishing and maintaining wildlife corridors such as those shown in Figure: The Barbilla Corridor within the larger international network connecting jaguar populations.

[ 2 ]

All question bank results loaded

Covered syllabus points

3.3 Conservation and regeneration question 1

Question (a)

Question (b)

3.3 Conservation and regeneration question 2

Question (a)

Question (b)

3.3 Conservation and regeneration question 3

Question (a)

Question (b)