IB Environmental systems and societies 3.3 Conservation and Regeneration Questionbank

Describe two approaches to ex-situ plant conservation and their respective advantages.

Define the term "biodiversity loss" and explain its three main levels.

(a) Outline two direct and two indirect threats to terrestrial biological diversity.

(b) Discuss, using examples, how ecological urban planning finds a balance between living organisms and urban environments.

(c) Discuss the validity of the following statement: Choosing the best conservation strategy can be aided by considering both economic and ecological arguments.

Figure 1: Fact file on North American beavers

• Typically, one family per square kilometer of river habitat.
• Live in family groups consisting of two adults and up to three kits, born annually between April and June.
• Experience high mortality rates due to harsh weather, limited suitable habitats, and predation.
• North American beaver population:
• Estimated at 250 million before the fur trade.
• Currently around 9 million.
• Primarily feed on tree bark.
• Build lodges using wood and mud, which serve as:
• Safe spaces for eating, sleeping, and raising young.
• Winter shelters where they remain during the colder months.
• Defended structures to keep other beavers out.
• Beavers are being reintroduced in Europe to aid in wetland restoration.

Source: adapted from www.sbaa.ca, www.ecology.info, www.tobyhemenway.com and http://acs7.cortland.edu

Figure 2: Algonquin wolf pack territories and protected areas

Source: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/222046620_Protection_from_harvesting_restores_the_natural_social_structure_of_eastern_wolf_packs

(a) With reference to Figure 1, outline one reason why there are more beaver remains in wolf faeces during summer.

(b) The number of wolves in Algonquin Provincial Park is estimated to be between 250 and 1000. Outline two reasons why it is so difficult to estimate the number of wolves accurately.

(c) With reference to Figure 2, explain the threats to the future existence of a small and sustainable population of wolves as a result of their protection in limited area.