IB ESS SL 3.3 Conservation and regeneration Question Bank

Suggest why reversing environmental degradation in Ogoniland is likely to be difficult.

Over 1.5 million tonnes of oil have spilt in the delta over the past 50 years, polluting water sources, damaging crops and fishing grounds. The delta is one of the five most polluted spots on Earth. More than 20000 hectares of mangroves have been destroyed by oil exploration. Natural gas from oil fields is burnt off as flares, potentially causing acid deposition and global warming. There is limited access to electricity, fresh water and health care. The oil industry provides few jobs. Improved transport has enabled exploitation of timber and fish resources, leading to overfishing, habitat loss, overhunting and clashes. Local people hold the oil industry responsible, and pipelines/facilities are regularly attacked.

A UN report on Ogoniland pollution called for a US$1 billion clean-up fund. It found drinking water with dangerous benzene and other pollutants, soil contamination more than five metres deep, failure by oil companies to meet standards, and spill sites claimed to be cleaned still highly contaminated. The Ogoni people fish and farm yam and cassava, worship land and rivers as God, and protect certain animals. They set up an environmental pressure group in 1990; during their non-violent campaign, Ken Saro-Wiwa was arrested, tried and hanged in 1995, causing international outrage.

Identify two arguments for the conservation of California condors.

Figure 2(b): 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 7(b): 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.

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%.

A large part of the Danube River delta has been designated as a protected area. Outline the factors necessary to ensure the success of protected areas as a conservation measure.

The Danube River delta is where the Danube flows into the Black Sea and includes UNESCO Biosphere Reserves and a World Natural Heritage site.
A delta is formed by continuous deposition of sediment carried by the river; sediment adds height and helps it extend into the sea.
The delta is a wetland ecosystem rich in plants, birds and fish, including over 1000 plant species, 300 bird species and endangered sturgeon.
Moldova takes nearly 20% of its water supply requirements from a branch of the Danube.

Suggest two criteria that should be used to design a protected area for tigers.

The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) estimates that there are now more tigers in captivity than in the wild. Evaluate the use of zoos for the preservation of the tiger population.

Using Figures 2(c) and 3(b), outline one relationship between the location of Hokkaido's national parks and their elevation.

Figure 3(a): Fact file on Hokkaido's national parks
Hokkaido has six of Japan's 34 national parks and 10% of its land area is protected.
Many birds, amphibians, butterflies and mammals are endemic subspecies.
About 25% of hiking trails in Shikotsu-Toya and Daisetsuzan have been heavily degraded due to intensive use.

With reference to Figure 3(b), evaluate the design of Hokkaido's national parks as protected areas.