| Date | May 2014 | Marks available | 4 | Reference code | 14M.1.SL.TZ0.3 |
| Level | Standard Level | Paper | Paper 1 | Time zone | Time zone 0 |
| Command term | Evaluate | Question number | 3 | Adapted from | N/A |
Question
Figure 3 below shows changes in the numbers of mountain gorillas in the Virunga Massif, Central Africa, following conservation efforts.
Figure 3
[Source: Maryke Gray et al., (2010) Virunga Massif Mountain Gorilla Census – 2010 Summary Report. With permission of IGCP]
Identify one method that may have been used to estimate the size of this gorilla population.
State two possible factors that may have led to the gorillas being endangered.
Explain one possible reason for the increase in gorilla population over the period shown in the graph.
Evaluate the role of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) in the conservation of species such as mountain gorillas.
State two criteria necessary for a successful conservation area.
Markscheme
visual observations/aerial photography/satellite imagery;
count in one area and extrapolate to whole area radio tagging;
counting density of fecal material;
Lincoln index/capture-mark-release-recapture/capture-mark-recapture /capture-mark-release method;
Do not accept only ‘count gorillas’.
[1 max]
Award [1 max] for any two of the list below
poaching for food/body parts /hunting for food
live capture to trade as exotic pets
habitat degradation/loss/fragmentation/loss of food and water
civil war/unrest
disease
predation from other animals
natural hazards eg drought.
Do not accept only ‘low reproductive rates’ or ‘global warming’.
[1 max]
Reason needs to be explained to achieve [2 max] eg.
Do not accept only ‘breeding programmes’.
[2 max]
Pros/strengths: [2 max]
restricting international trade reduces threat to the species;
raises profile of endangered species;
encourages education about endangered species;
changes attitudes to use of animal parts/private zoos/such animals as pets;
can encourage research/funding into conservation management;
Cons/weaknesses: [2 max]
focused on preservation rather than conservation management;
adversely can restrict benefit to local community;
participation is not mandatory;
CITES focused on individual species conservation rather than habitat loss (primary threat to wildlife);
human use of wildlife can be used positively in conservation/if people benefit from wildlife there is an incentive to maintain wild habitats;
enforcement can be difficult;
trade is driven underground/black market;
(There is some possible overlap with) UN Convention of Biological Diversity (focused on loss of biodiversity) takes a more comprehensive approach than CITES;
[4 max]
Award [1 max] for any two of the list below.
ideal shape to reduce edge effects
size large enough to support viable population
quality of habitat/enough water and food
avoiding islands/provision of corridors to allow interbreeding
buffer zones to keep people away
protection from poachers/hunters
community involvement.
Do not accept ‘size or shape of area’ or ‘conservation of habitat.
[1 max]
Examiners report
The majority of candidates correctly responded to this question. A common error was to state ‘Simpson Index’.
Most students attained a mark for this question.
Most candidates answered this question well. Marks were sometimes lost for lack of detail.
The role of CITES was generally poorly understood and few students attained more than 1 out of 4 marks.
A significant number of responses were too vague or covered the same criteria twice.
