Topic 3.2: Natural Selection, Variation and Speciation Questions

State which organisation publishes the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

State one criterion the IUCN uses when assigning a conservation status to a species.

Explain one reason why a large proportion of deep-sea invertebrate species appear in the 'Data Deficient' category of the IUCN Red List.

Rangers discover traps set in a protected forest to catch wildlife for meat and trade. Identify one direct threat to biodiversity shown in this scenario.

Define the term conservation status.

A river fishery is open to anyone. Each fisher increases their catch because they worry others will take the fish first. Define the term tragedy of the commons.

State two direct threats to biodiversity.

A bar chart shows the percentage of species in each IUCN threat category for four taxonomic groups: freshwater turtles, seagrasses, stony corals, and dragonflies. Read the approximate percentage of freshwater turtle species that are classified as threatened (combining Vulnerable, Endangered, and Critically Endangered).

A species is described as widespread and common with a stable population trend. Identify the most likely IUCN category.

A community forest has no enforcement of logging rules. At the same time, a new road increases access and hunting pressure rises. Suggest why multiple stresses can increase the risk of ecosystem collapse.

The Sundarbans is the world's largest mangrove forest, located in the delta region of Bangladesh and India. Study the resource booklet figures showing the location, climate data, and biodiversity statistics for the Sundarbans region.

Table 2 shows information used to assess three species for the IUCN Red List.

A government introduces strict penalties for illegal hunting and creates a protected area for an endangered antelope. Outline two roles of governments in conserving biodiversity.

State which IUCN category describes a species that survives only in captivity or cultivation.

Explain why conservation status can help governments decide how to use limited conservation funding.

Table 1 shows three human pressures recorded in four forest sites and the number of gorilla groups observed.

A small island lizard is only found in one valley and its habitat is being cleared for housing. Suggest two factors the IUCN would consider when deciding its conservation status.

Identify two factors that can be used to assess a species' conservation status.

The Great Barrier Reef supports a diverse range of coral species. Figure 3 shows four coral growth forms found in the reef. An identification key is provided.