DP Environmental Systems and Societies Questionbank

Outline the factors that contribute to total biodiversity of an ecosystem.

Suggest why the St Lawrence River beluga whale population has not recovered despite being given protected status in 1983.

With reference to Figures 3(a) and 3(b) describe the trends in Iceland’s population dynamic

Distinguish between the mass extinctions evident in the fossil record and extinctions within historic times.

Describe the role of isolation in natural selection.

Atmospheric and plate activity have affected the distribution and diversity of systems within the biosphere.

Explain the role that plate activity has in the diversity of ecosystems.

Outline the ways in which natural selection has contributed to biodiversity.

Outline how global rates of extinction have changed over time.

Outline how the process of natural selection is a mechanism for evolution.

State two possible causes of these past mass extinctions.

With reference to Figures 4(b) and 4(c), suggest how fish diversity may be influenced by the habitat diversity of the Coral Triangle.

With reference to Figure 2 identify three factors that could explain the high biodiversity in Ecuador.

Explain why Madagascar has a high number of endemic species.

Identify four reasons why the genetic diversity of a population may change over time.