Content sheets Date ___________

Name: ____________________________________

Grade: 9 IG Unit: Human influences (CH 22) Subject: Biology

Food supply is one factor that affects the growth of a population.

State two other factors that also affect population growth.

Fig. 3.1 shows part of a river into which sewage is pumped. The river water
flows from W to Z, with the sewage being added at X.
Describe the changes in the levels from W to Z of

nitrates;

suspended solids.

Suggest why the level of oxygen

drops at X;

increases again towards Z.

Suggest two reasons why levels of algae drop when sewage is added to the
river;

Suggest two reasons why levels of algae drop towards Z.

A farm at Z used herbicides on the field next to the river. Suggest why this
could cause further problems in the river.

The pesticide, DDT, has been used to kill mosquitoes in an effort to reduce the
spread of disease. Explain why countries have banned the use of some
pesticides, despite their ability to kill mosquitoes
Outline and explain the likely effects of clearing forests.

Soya beans are harvested from plants. Corned beef is produced from cattle
that have fed on grass. Explain why it is more energy efficient for humans to
eat soya products as a source of protein than corned beef. Use the food
chains involved to support your answer.
 Farmers grow crop plants such as wheat to provide food.
(i) State two types of natural event that could cause widespread food
shortages.

(ii) The increasing human population is another reason for food shortages.
Explain how the increasing human population contributes to food shortages.

(c) Many farmers grow crop plants as monocultures to improve yields.

Fig. 1.1 shows a monoculture of wheat.

Describe the impact of large-scale monocultures on the environment.

Acid rain has negative effects on many ecosystems.
(a) Describe the negative effects of acid rain on freshwater ecosystems,
such as streams, rivers and lakes.

(b) Two groups of students were asked to investigate the effects of acid
rain on the germination of pine tree seeds.
(i) Both groups of students decided to use sulfuric acid rather than
hydrochloric acid to represent acid rain in their investigation.
Suggest why.

(ii) State how the students could have measured the pH of the sulfuric acid.

State the main purpose of chlorine in sewage treatment

Describe the negative consequences of letting untreated sewage flow into

lake ecosystems.
Fig. 5.1 shows an area of forest where some of the trees have been cut
Down

Explain the reasons why forests may be cut down as shown in Fig. 5.1.
Many hectares of natural forest have been cleared in countries such as
Malaysia and Indonesia for oil palm plantations. Both countries have also
replanted forests to grow timber and other forest products. Suggest why
replanted forests and plantations are less useful for conservation than natural
forest.

Discuss the effects of deforestation on areas of land.

Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas.
Name one other greenhouse gas.

Explain how carbon dioxide enhances the greenhouse effect.

Fertilisers can cause pollution to aquatic systems. Overuse of fertilisers may

cause eutrophication. Lake Udai Sagar in India is an example of an aquatic
system that shows high levels of eutrophication. Explain what happens in
aquatic environments, such as Lake Udai Sagar, when eutrophication occurs.

Global warming is largely due to this increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide.

Explain how increases in atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations
contribute to global warming.

The leaves of some crop plants are not eaten but are used to make paper. This
reduces deforestation because fewer trees are cut down for making paper.
Deforestation has negative effects on soil ecosystems.
Describe the negative effects of deforestation on soil ecosystems.

Paper recycling can reduce deforestation.

Outline how paper can be recycled.
The human population is growing rapidly. This is increasing the pressure on
the world food supply
Name the rapid growth phase of any population of organisms
log / exponential (phase) ;

In Canada farmers are breeding fish in large nets because the wild stocks of
fish are decreasing. Fig. 6.1 is a diagram of a salmon fish farm in the ocean.
The salmon only eat the food provided by the worker.
Explain the effects of the excess fish pieces and waste excreted from the
salmon on the environment.

Other farmers grow seaweed. Salmon farming is a less energy efficient way of
producing food for humans than seaweed farming. Explain why

Many amphibian species throughout the world are endangered.

Suggest three reasons why many amphibian species are endangered.
Most waste that is not recycled is put in landfill sites or burnt. Greenhouse
gases are produced at landfill sites and by burning. Explain the likely
consequences of an increase in the concentration of greenhouse gases in
the atmosphere.

The students decided there were advantages in sampling invertebrates to

assess the level of pollution in the stream, compared with carrying out a
chemical analysis of the water.
Suggest the advantages of carrying out a survey of invertebrates when
studying the pollution of freshwater ecosystems, such as streams and rivers.

The students found that the stream was polluted by sewage from a nearby
house. Outline how sewage should be treated before entering a stream.

The stream contained many plastic items that had been thrown away. Most of
the plastic was non-biodegradable. Describe the likely environmental
problems caused by non-biodegradable plastics in streams and rivers.
Explain what happens in streams, lakes and rivers when eutrophication
occurs.

Sulfur dioxide dissolves in rain water to form acid rain.

Describe two measures that can be taken to reduce the effects of acid rain
Pollutants

Describe three processes used in the treatment of sewage.

Herbicides are used by farmers to control weeds.
Explain the environmental damage that may be caused by herbicides.

Sulfur dioxide (SO2) can cause acid rain.

(a) Name one other pollutant that can cause acid rain.

Describe the effects of acid rain on the environment

State three methods to reduce atmospheric SO2 pollution

Suggest why the concentration of sulfur in the plant tissues was calculated as
a percentage of the dry mass of the plant tissue.

Environmental factors can be controlled in glasshouses. Describe how three

environmental factors are controlled in a glasshouse to improve crop yield.

Loggers often cut down the tall trees in a forest.

Describe the effects on the forest ecosystem of cutting down trees.

Describe how nitrogen in proteins in dead leaves is recycled to be absorbed

by plants.
Microorganisms also process and convert atmospheric nitrogen to form a
nitrogen compound that can be absorbed by plants.
Name this process of converting atmospheric nitrogen.
nitrogen fixation;

Explain how this process happens.

Sewage treatment works use bacteria to digest the waste matter. Waste matter
contains complex organic compounds, such as starch, cellulose, protein and
fat.
Fig. 3.1 shows a diagram of a sewage works with an aerobic digestion tank.
The sewage works discharges clean water into a river. Downstream from the
sewage works, water is removed to be used as drinking water for a nearby
village.
Explain the roles of bacteria in the aerobic digestion tank shown in Fig. 3.1.
Fig. 3.1 shows that chlorine is added to water before it leaves the sewage
treatment works. Explain why chlorine is added to the water.

Some pollutants are not broken down easily and remain in the environment for
a long time. These are described as persistent pollutants.
PCBs are a waste material from the manufacturing of electrical insulation.
PCBs are one of the most persistent pollutants in the environment.
Describe the results shown in Fig. 6.1.
Suggest an explanation for the different concentrations of PCBs in the
organisms of the food chain.

PCBs are toxic to many organisms because they bind to a protein molecule
known as AHR. The Atlantic tomcod, Microgadus tomcod, is a fish that lives in
the Hudson River and other rivers nearby. 90% of the tomcod population in the
Hudson River is resistant to the effects of PCBs. This is because these fish
have a different type of AHR compared with other tomcod populations.
Suggest how this resistance came about.
Scientists predict that the proportion of fish resistant to PCBs will decrease if
the concentration of PCBs in the river decreases. Suggest reasons why the
proportion of fish with the altered AHR protein might decrease.

Describe the problems caused by non-biodegradable plastics in the

environment.
The giant quiver tree, Aloe pillansii, shown in Fig. 5.1, is an endangered
species. These long-lived trees grow in harsh environments.

Some populations of A. pillansii are found within the Richtersveld National

Park, but one population is found just outside on a mountain
called Cornell’s Kop in southern Africa.

State the genus of the giant quiver tree.

Aloe ;

Explain why the A. pillansii trees on Cornell’s Kop represent a population.

1 (isolated) group of individual plants / AW ;
2 of, one / the same, species ;
3 living in the same area ;
4 at the same time ;
Suggest three reasons why the giant quiver tree is an endangered species.
1 deforestation ;
2 climate change / global warming ;
3 change in land use / described ;
4 desertification ;
5 pollution ;
6 plant hunters ;
7 increase in (new / invasive), grazers / predators ;
8 competition with, introduced species / alien species ;
9 (new) disease / pests ;
10 lack of pollinators ;
11 AVP ; e.g. quiver trees are (very) slow growing
damage to plants by, people / tourists
A habitat loss
A acid rain
It was estimated in 2005 that the total number of giant quiver trees in the wild
was less than 3000, which is considered to be very low compared with other
tree species. Explain the risks to a plant species of having very small
numbers.
2 less chance of, reproduction / pollination AW ;
3 high risk of genetic diseases ;
4 less / little / no, (genetic) variation ;
5 (small population so) more vulnerable to, pests / disease / catastrophe ;
6 reduced number of alleles ;
7 less likely to, adapt to / evolve to / cope with, (named) change in
environment ;
8 AVP
Acid rain has negative effects on many ecosystems. Describe the negative
effects of acid rain on freshwater ecosystems, such as streams, rivers and
lakes
2,4-D is a synthetic plant auxin that is used as a weedkiller.
Researchers investigated the effectiveness of different treatments of 2,4-D on
the control of the weed Conyza canadensis in fields of maize, Zea mays.
The results are shown in Table 5.1.

Maize farmers that had been using treatment C were advised by the
researchers to change to treatment F. Discuss the advantages and
disadvantages of changing to treatment F.
advantages
1 lower (dry) mass ;
2 fewer weeds / lower weed density ;
3 less competition ;
4 therefore higher yield of crop ;
disadvantages
5 more treatments ;
6 higher cost / time / effort ;
7 idea of increased environmental impact ;
8 increased health risks ;
Suggest two factors that could decrease the effectiveness of 2,4-D.
increased strength of wind ;
increased precipitation ;
resistance ;
type of weed ;
AVP ;; e.g. ref. to amount / too much time between treatments
Explain how 2,4-D acts as a weedkiller.
1 absorbed by (broad leaved) weeds / selective for weeds ;
2 less absorption by (narrow leaved) crops ;
3 increase the growth (rate) of weeds ;
4 plant cannot produce enough, glucose / photosynthesise fast enough ;
5 weeds cannot maintain rate of growth ;
6 AVP ; e.g. falls over and can’t absorb sunlight
Auxin causes the shoots of a plant to grow away from gravity. State the name
of this response
gravi / geo ;
tropism ;
Explain how eutrophication could have resulted in a reduction in the numbers
of fish

It is important that the wild dog species is conserved.Explain the meaning of

the term conservation
Outline the measures that could be taken to conserve a mammal, such as the
wild dog.

When wild dogs die, nitrogen compounds in their bodies may become
available for plants. Outline the processes that occur to make these nitrogen
compounds in the bodies of dead animals available for plants to absorb.

Fig. 2.1 shows Salvinia molesta, which is an Australian freshwater plant,

introduced to the wetlands of Namibia as a source of animal food. However, in
Namibia the plant reproduces much more quickly than in Australia. It quickly
covers the surface of the water
Outline how S. molesta could damage the aquatic habitats of the wetland
ecosystem.
S. molesta is being controlled using an Australian beetle, Cyrtobagous
saliniae. The beetle eats the growing points of the plant.
Suggest and explain why
(i) it is better to use a natural consumer of the plant than to apply herbicides in
the water to kill it,

it could be dangerous to the wetland ecosystem to introduce Australian

beetles.
Explain how two other named factors could also limit the growth of S. molesta.
Acid rain is a serious environmental problem in some areas of the world.
Lakes in Canada, Norway and Scotland are highly acidic as a result of acid
rain. Fig. 4.1 shows a cause of acid rain.

State one cause of acid rain other than that shown in Fig. 4.1.
1 NOx / oxides of nitrogen ;
2 vehicle / car, exhausts / fumes / emissions / gases / AW ;
3 burning fossil fuels in houses / burning forests ;
4 volcanic eruptions / snow melt ;
Describe two effects of acid rain on forest ecosystems.
Describe two different ways to reduce pollution so that there is less acid rain.

Explain how the increase in the human population may contribute to severe
food shortages.
Describe the effect of adding manure and chemical fertilisers on the yield of
potato tubers.
increased yield, (per hectare / increased yield per plant) / AW ;
smaller, increase / effect, when treated with manure compared to
chemical fertiliser ;
greatest increase when treated with both manure and chemical
fertiliser together ;
less increase in yield when both manure and chemicals are used
rather than one (compared with none) ;
Manure and chemical fertilisers provide plants with nitrate ions.
Explain how extra nitrate ions in the soil may have increased the yield of the
potatoes.
nitrate used to make, amino acids / proteins ;
ref to protein required for growth* ;
ref to enzymes* ;
nitrogen / nitrates, used to make chlorophyll ;
ref to photosynthesis* ;

Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of adding chemical fertilisers to

crops
higher yields (therefore more food) ;
nutrients more readily available (than from manure) ;
quick acting / no decomposition needed ;
less labour (than using manure) / easier to apply ;
exact quantities can be applied ;
can apply specific nutrients (that crop requires / that are deficient in
soil) ;
disadvantages to max 4
loss of soil structure /erosion / reduced earthworm population ;
fertiliser lost from land by, leaching / run off (into waterways) ;
leads to, eutrophication / growth of algae / algal bloom ;
death / migration, of fish / invertebrates / animals ;
two AVP to max 2
AVP ; e.g. allergies / stomach cancer
AVP ; e.g. weed growth / wilting
IGNORE references to costing / profit
Suggest and explain reasons for the trend in the concentrations of carbon
dioxide and Methane
max 3 for carbon dioxide
industrialisation / AW ;
burning of fossil fuels ;
vehicle exhausts / AW ;
deforestation / fewer trees / AW ;
less carbon dioxide absorbed by plants / AW ;
more methane from, rice fields / cattle ;
increased waste (disposal) ;
methane from (anaerobic breakdown in), landfill sites / waste dumps /
R fumes unqualified
IGNORE ref to natural disasters, etc.
NB incorrect references to methane e.g. cars
producing both gases
but allow factories producing both gases
Explain how gases contribute to the greenhouse effect.
radiation emitted / reflected by earth’s surface ;
ref to infra red ;
heat prevented from leaving (the atmosphere) ;
gases, absorb / reflect / trap infra red ;
atmosphere gets warmer
A ref. to global warming
People are encouraged to recycle materials, such as paper and plastics.
Discuss the advantages of recycling materials, such as paper and plastics
fewer trees cut down ;
less waste ;
less material burnt ;
ref to, land-fill / rubbish tips / environmental / ecological issues / AW ;
conservation of, finite resources / raw materials / AW ;
ref to biodegradable products / plastic is non biodegradable ;
any correct ref to atmospheric gases e.g. carbon dioxide / methane ;
AVP ;
Many seas are polluted by non-biodegradable plastics.
Suggest the likely effects of this pollutant on the marine environment.

Many inorganic fertilisers contain compounds of nitrogen. If crop plants do not

absorb the fertilisers they can be lost from the soil and pollute freshwater
ecosystems, such as lakes and rivers. Describe how fertilisers may affect
freshwater ecosystems.

The brown plant hopper is a serious insect pest of rice. Spraying with
pesticides is a common way to control it. However, brown plant hoppers have
become resistant to pesticides.
Some pesticides used against insects kill them on contact. Others are
systemic pesticides. Explain how these systemic pesticides kill insects.
pesticide absorbed by the plants ;
transported through the plant in the phloem ;
ingested / AW, by insect when it, eats / sucks ;
toxic / poisonous, to insect ;
Explain the advantages of using predators, such as spiders, to control brown
plant hoppers.

Rice growing has involved the destruction of forests. Describe the long-term
effects of deforestation on the environment.

State why it is important that sewage is treated

Explain why oxygen is bubbled through the tank

Suggest and explain the advantage of recycling microorganisms in sewage

treatment

Explain why chlorine is added in sewage treatment

The International Union for the Conservation of Nature describes these

iguanas as vulnerable. This means that their populations are likely to become
extinct. Suggest two reasons why it is important to conserve individual
species, such as the four species of iguana on the Galápagos Islands.
In South America, forests have been cut down to provide land for cattle
grazing and for growing crops, such as soya beans.
Fig. 6.1 shows an area before deforestation and after the planting of soya.
Occasionally small areas of forest are left if the land cannot support
agriculture.

Suggest the disadvantages of removing the forest from all but small areas of
land.

Much of the soya is used to feed farm animals rather than to make foods that
humans can eat. Explain the advantages of using soya as food for humans
rather than for farm animals.
Much of the cleared forest in South America is used as land for cattle grazing.
The clearing of forest and keeping large numbers of cattle have severe effects
on the environment, especially the atmosphere.
Outline the effects of forest clearance and cattle farming on the atmosphere.

Yields from crops grown on soils like those in Fig. 6.1 are likely to decrease
over time. State reasons for the likely decrease in yields.

Forest products are used in the manufacture of paper.

Explain the environmental advantages of recycling paper.

Describe the effect of radiation on the plants

Suggest and explain what happens to the seeds when they are exposed to
ionizing radiation.
mutation ;
change in, gene(s) / DNA
Describe how human activities are affecting the carbon cycle.
(more / less) fossil fuel is used ;
concentration of (atmospheric) carbon dioxide is increasing ;
deforestation described ;
trees not replanted / fewer trees ; ora
described effect on photosynthesis ;
carbon dioxide released (into the atmosphere), as the trees are burnt
/ decay ;
causing, global warming / enhanced greenhouse effect ;
ref. to tundra thaw and methane ;
rate of fossilisation is slower than rate of combustion / fossil fuels are nonrenewable
positive human activities / carbon capture technology ;
(idea of) loss of equilibrium / balance

There are many threats to wildlife in the Galapagos.

Describe ways in which endangered species can be conserved.
monitoring / AW, population(s) / individual(s) ;
habitat, protection / restoration ;
reducing / prevention, of pollution ;
removal / AW, of alien species ;
preventing colonisation by alien species ;
hunting ban / prevent poaching ;
government / legislation, to protect species ;
create, exclusion zones / reserves (so not disturbed by people) ;
specific, times when / areas where, hunting / AW, not allowed ;
international agreements to limit trade ;
removal to, zoos / botanical gardens / wildlife parks ;
captive breeding / breeding programme (in situ or ex situ) ;
seed banks / frozen zoos / cryopreservation / AW ;
artificial insemination / IVF / use of surrogates / AW ;
reintroduction programmes ;
education / awareness ;
One aim of conservation is to maintain resources in natural ecosystems.
State three resources that natural ecosystems provide for humans.
food ;
drugs / medicines ;
(named) fuel / biomass for energy ;
timber / building materials / AW ;
water ; ignore rain
oxygen ;
(named) mineral ;
gene(s) ;
clothing / fur ;

The names of some pollutants, their sources and their effects on the
environment.

When fertiliser is applied to fields, it can lead to eutrophication in lakes and

rivers. Describe and explain what happens in lakes when eutrophication
occurs.
 (named) fertiliser leached into, rivers / streams / lakes ;
 producer growth / algal bloom / algae growth / plant growth ;
 death of producers ;
 increased decomposition / increased decomposers ;
 increased respiration (aerobic) ;
 decomposers use up the oxygen in the water ;
  organisms / fish / creatures, die / suffocate / migrate, due to lack of oxygen

Suggest ways in which a farmer could reduce the chances of eutrophication

occurring when applying fertiliser to crops.
 use, less / correct amount, of fertiliser / calculate how much fertiliser is
needed ;
 use slow-release fertilisers ;
 do not apply, during / after, rain / when rain is forecast / limit watering ;
 do not use near water / make channels between land and water body ;
 only apply when crops, will take-up fertiliser / are growing ;

Many crop farmers try to prevent insects such as aphids from damaging their
plants. Describe how modern technology is used to reduce damage to crop
plants by insects
 insert gene / ref. to genetic engineering / ref. to genetic
 modification ;
 gene, for insect / aphid resistance ;
 ref. to insecticide / described ;
 AVP ; description of how insecticide applied / biological
 control / grow in glasshouses / netting

Other insects are useful to crop farmers.

Give one example of how insects are useful to farmers.
 AVP ; e.g. biological control described / insect products e.g. honey

Many fish stocks have declined.

Marine ecologists considered the three topics shown in Fig. 6.1 when they
discussed the decline of fish stocks.
Describe the key points for each of the three topics shown in Fig. 6.1.
reasons why endangered:
 (described) overfishing / hunting ;
 food chain disrupted (described);
 overconsumption (by humans) ;
 (named) pollution ;
 introduced diseases / species ;
 habitat destruction ;
 climate change ;

risks if populations drop:

 reduced variation ;
 reproduction rate is lower / harder to find a mate ;
 extinction ;

how to maintain fish stocks:

 education ;
 quotas ;
 no-catch zones / nursery zones / seasonal fishing / protected
 areas / MPAs / Marine Protected Areas ;
 fines ;
 restocking ;
  fish farms ;
 method of fishing (described) ;

Many species of spider are thought to be endangered.

State three reasons why animal species such as spiders become endangered.
 hunting / collecting / AW ;
 pollution ;
 pesticide(s) / insecticide / (chemical) spray(s) that kill
 animals / poisons ;
 loss of habitat / any example ;
 disease ;
 increased competition / described ;
 increase in predator(s) ;
 climate change / any example ;
 lack of food / loss of prey species ;

Wheat is an important crop plant in many countries. Wheat can be infected by

diseases leading to total loss of the crop which results in famine.
Outline factors, other than plant diseases, that can cause famines
 drought / lack of rain / lack of (irrigation) water ;
 flooding ;
 fire ;
 tsunamis / cyclones / hurricanes ;
 earthquakes / volcanic eruptions ;
 plagues of, animals / insect pests ;
 pests / diseases, of stored food / livestock ;
 conflict / war ;
 rising prices of food ;
 poverty ;
 unequal distribution of food ;
 growing, non-food crops / biomass for fuels / crops for export ;
 increase in population / migration of people ;
  soil degradation / soil erosion / desertification / salination of
 soils / loss of soil fertility / barren land
A farmer applied fertiliser to a field next to a lake.
Suggest two precautions the farmer should take when applying fertiliser to
reduce the risk of eutrophication occurring in the lake.
apply, less / suitable, amount ;
do not apply before rain / AW ;
do not apply too frequently ;
do not apply right next to the lake ;
do not apply onto bare soil ; (i.e. before crops are planted)
apply only when crops are actively growing

Fig. 6.1 shows the percentage of land covered by forest in a country from 1660
until 2000.

Using the information in Fig. 6.1, state which 10-year period had the highest
increase in the percentage of land covered by forest.
1950s ;, A 1950 to,1959 / 1960

Outline how human activities could cause the change in the percentage of land
covered by forest from 1660 to 1800 shown in Fig. 6.1.
pollution ;
climate change ;
land for housing / crop plantation / livestock / agriculture ;;
logging for, firewood / paper / timber / charcoal / fuel ;
for mining / extracting raw materials

It is estimated that 40% of plant species are at risk of extinction.

Seed banks can store seeds from many species for a long time.
Table 6.1 shows some information about one plant species that is stored in a
seed bank

Using the data shown in Table 6.1, calculate the mass of protein in one seed.
0.2156 (g), A 0.21 / 0.22 / 0.216

Suggest why many plants can easily be conserved using seed banks.
seeds are, small / AW ;
seeds are easy to collect / AW ;
some plants produce many seeds ;
seeds can, be dormant / have low metabolism / AW ;
seeds do not need (much) maintenance / AW

Describe why conservation projects such as seed banks are important.

maintaining / increasing biodiversity ;
reduce (plant) extinction ;
preventing loss of animal species that depend on plant species ;
(moral) responsibility to save other species ;
protect / maintain, (vulnerable / AW) ecosystems ;
by supporting recycling of nutrients ;
by supporting flow of energy in, food chains / food webs ;
possible fuels ;
possible genes ;
possible drug sources ;
possible crop plants / selective breeding ;
allows for future research ;
e.g. prevent flooding / protect livelihood / ecotourism / named conservation
project and advantage

Fig. 5.1 shows the changes in the percentage of the total global fish stocks
that are overfished and those that are sustainable.

Use the information in Fig. 5.1 to:

State the percentage of fish stocks that were sustainable in 2020.
66 (%) ;

State which five-year period had the greatest increase in sustainable fish
populations.
1985 to 1990

Overfishing is one reason why populations of fish decline. Explain the risks to
a species if its population size decreases.
 reduction in genetic variation / reduced gene pool ;
 inbreeding ;
 idea of an increase in the frequency of recessive alleles ;
 (described) consequence of having too many recessive alleles ;
 risk of extinction ;
 idea of unable to find mates / AW

Describe and explain how fish stocks can be managed sustainably and how
overfishing can be prevented through conservation.
1 education / awareness ;
2 monitoring the populations ;
3 ref. to net type ;
4 ref. to mesh size ;
5 reduced demand (to eat from unsustainable fish stocks) ;
6 alternative sources of fish ;
7 treaties / licenses / fines / laws / making it illegal ;
8 (legal) quotas / restricted catch weight ;
9 no-catch zones / nursery zones / protected areas / Marine Protected Areas / AW ;
10 fish farms ;
11 closed fishing season / AW ;
12 restocking / captive breeding and release ;

There are xerophytic forests which are threatened by human overexploitation.

Suggest reasons why it is important to conserve xerophytic ecosystems.
 to maintain / increase, biodiversity / genetic diversity ;
 reduce extinction ;
 to ensure stability of, food chains / food webs / interdependence of
 organisms ;
 to protect vulnerable, ecosystems ;
 to maintain, nutrient cycling / soil structure / climate stability ;
 to provide (named) resources ;;

Suggest the conservation methods that were used to increase the

number of Arabian oryx between 1978 and 2000.
providing, habitats / protected areas / AW ;
 (laws to) prevent / limit, hunting / poaching ;
 education / AW ;
 (captive) breeding programmes / use of AI

Burning large areas of forest is a cause of habitat destruction.

Describe the possible consequences of habitat destruction.
1 reduction in population sizes of organisms ;
2 organisms / animals / plants, become endangered ;
3 organisms / animals / plants, become extinct ;
4 loss of biodiversity ;
5 loss of genetic diversity ;
6 ref. to negative effect on, food chains / food webs ;
7 ref. to negative effect on, nutrient / water, cycling
e.g. migration of organisms / flooding / soil erosion / leaching / desertification

Small oceanic islands are often inhabited by species of birds that are found
nowhere else. Many of these species have decreasing populations and are
often endangered. Explain the risks to these species of birds that have
decreasing populations.
difficulty finding a mate ;
inbreeding ;
reduced fitness ;
decrease in genetic variation (within each population) / loss of alleles ;
increase in, genetic / inherited, diseases ;
more vulnerable to (pathogenic / infectious) disease (spreading) ;
unable / less able, to adapt to change in environment ;
at increased risk of extinction (as populations are so small) ;
e.g. by natural catastrophes / introduced species / AW ;
rarity linked to, egg stealing / poaching ;

An increase in the size of the human population can cause famine.

Describe other factors that could have caused famines since the 1970s.
(named crop) disease ;
war ;
drought / AW ;
flooding / AW ;
unequal distribution of food / AW ;
(widespread) poverty ; e.g. plagues of crop pests

Chemical fertilisers have helped farmers to increase food production.

Discuss the negative impact on the natural environment of using chemicals,
other than fertilisers, in modern farming methods.
1 one named chemical (other than fertilisers) used in farming ;
pesticides / insecticides / herbicides: herbicides / 2,4 D / weedkillers /
pesticides / insecticides / antibiotics / plant growth
regulators / (animal) hormones
2 kill / harm, non-target species (in natural environment) ;
3 example of specific impact from harm of non-target species ; e.g. loss of pollination
(by bees)
4 loss of biodiversity / disrupt food chains ;
5 bioaccumulation / bioconcentration / biomagnification ;
6 ref to resistant organisms or super, bugs / weeds ;
7 pollute / destroy / AW, non-target / named, area / habitat ;
8 (antibiotics cause) antibiotic-resistance ;
changes / increases, the pH of soil

Crops are often grown as monocultures.

State what is meant by a monoculture.
a single crop in production

Researchers investigated water pollution in the centre of a lake for 11 days

Many of the organisms that contain chlorophyll died on day 2 of the
investigation. Explain the consequences of the death of these organisms to
the lake ecosystem.
1 eutrophication ;
2 increase in, decomposition / number of (named) decomposers ;
3 decomposers respire aerobically ;
4 decomposition causes a reduction in (dissolved) oxygen ;
5 (reduced oxygen) causes death of fish / (named aquatic) animals / AW ;
6 (death of producers means) less food for consumers / loss
of biodiversity / knock on effect further along food chain

The researchers monitored the water in the lake for pollution.

Outline how sewage should be treated so that the water it contains is safe to
put into the lake.
1 screening / removal of, large pieces of waste ;
2 flocculation / coagulation / clump suspended particles / AW ;
3 settling of, (insoluble) particles ;
4 digestion / decomposition by, (aerobic) bacteria / fungi /
decomposers / microorganisms ;
5 (with) aeration (tank) / trickle filter / activated sludge ;
6 sludge treated with anaerobic decomposers / anaerobic
digestion ;
7 (water) treated with, chlorine / ozone / UV (light) ;
8 distillation / collection of water from evaporator ;
One threat to aquatic ecosystems, such as coral reefs, is global climate
change. Discuss the threats to aquatic ecosystems, other than climate
change.
1 named threat ;
examples of named threats:
(micro)plastics / litter / sewage / fertilisers / effluent / (named) introduced / alien
species / escaped farmed fish / genetically modified fish / (over)fishing / hunting /
cyanide fishing / bomb fishing / (named) chemical / nuclear, pollutants / (named)
development in sea / coast / (named) development in sea / coast / shipping /
(named) tourism
2 and 3 detail of how it is a threat to aquatic ecosystems ;;
4 another named threat ;
5 detail of how it is a threat to aquatic ecosystems ;
examples of detail of threat:
habitat destruction / toxic to (aquatic) organisms / chokes / strangles / traps / blocks
digestive systems (of aquatic animals) / accumulates in an organism / passes down
a food chain / eutrophication / algal bloom / feminisation of fish / acidification
of water / sedimentation in waterACI

Describe how acid rain destroys forests.

lowers pH / acidifies soil ;
(acidified soil) causes leaching ;
burn / corrode / damage , leaves ;
affects ability of roots to absorb mineral ions ;
consequence of named mineral ion deficiency described ;
e.g., described root damage / reduced ability to take up water

Explain the negative consequences to the environment of destroying forests.

species become endangered / extinct ;
because there is a loss of habitat ;
knock on negative effect to, other organisms / food chains ;
(increases) soil erosion / nutrient leaching ;
causes flooding ;
(increases) landslides ;
idea of change in the pattern of rainfall ;
less photosynthesis ;
increase (atmospheric) carbon dioxide / less carbon dioxide removed

Acid rain can also damage aquatic organisms such as the amphibian shown in
Fig. 3.2.

Suggest why amphibians are vulnerable to pollutants such as acid rain

adapted to a different pH ;
moist / permeable, skin ;
large surface to volume ratio ;
may have gills which are, fragile / thin / AW ;
lays (unshelled) eggs in water ;
part of the life cycle / larval stages, only exist in water

Many countries have strict laws to prevent acid rain.

Describe how countries have reduced acid rain.
scrubbers / flue gas desulfurisation, in power stations / chimneys ;
reduce use of coal-fired power stations ;
use alternative / renewable, energy sources ;
catalytic converters ;
low sulfur fuel / AW ;
recycling / reusing / reducing, plastic / less plastic waste burnt
e.g., electric cars / carpool / public transport
Glasshouses are designed to maximise crop plant yield.
Explain why carbon dioxide enrichment is used in many glasshouses to
increase crop plant yield.
carbon dioxide is needed for photosynthesis ;
(atmospheric) carbon dioxide concentration is a limiting factor / AW ;
glucose is, a product of photosynthesis / needed for growth

Suggest how the carbon dioxide concentration in a glasshouse can be

enriched.
(named fossil fuel) burners / carbon dioxide gas cylinders / AVP ;

Outline how carbon dioxide in a glasshouse moves into leaves.

diffusion / high concentration to low concentration ;
through stomata / ref. to guard cells

Some types of lamp release a lot of heat.

Explain the possible effects of excessive heat on the plants in a glasshouse.
enzymes are involved (in, photosynthesis / respiration) ;
(too much heat) can, denature enzyme / change shape of active site ;
correct ref. to, transpiration / described / water vapour loss ;
(more likely to) wilt ;
decrease in yield / death ;