| Date | November 2021 | Marks available | 3 | Reference code | 21N.1.SL.TZ0.2 |
| Level | Standard Level | Paper | Paper 1 | Time zone | Time zone 0 |
| Command term | Construct | Question number | 2 | Adapted from | N/A |
Question
Figure 5: Fact file on deer species found in London
[Source: Nilfanion, 2010. Muntjac deer at Dumbleton Hall. [image online] Available at:
https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fichier:Muntjac_deer_at_Dumbleton_Hall.jpg Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported (CC
BY-SA 3.0) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en [Accessed 22 May 2020]. Source adapted.
Lviatour, 2011. Cervus elaphus Luc Viatour 6. [image online] Available at:
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Cervus_elaphus_Luc_Viatour_6.jpg Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported
(CC BY-SA 3.0) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en [Accessed 22 May 2020]. Source
adapted.
Manfred Antranias Zimmer /Pixabay.com, 2018. Striking Fallow Deer Buck, boasting an impressive rack. [online]
Available at: https://pixabay.com/photos/antler-fallow-deer-deer-dama-dama-899123/ [Accessed 13 September
2021].]
Figure 6(a): Population of deer in Richmond Park, 2013–2017
Figure 6(b): Number of deer removed from Richmond Park, 2013–2017
Figure 6(c): Fact file on Richmond Park
Richmond Park is a national nature reserve and Special Area of Conservation.
- Approximately 630 red and fallow deer live permanently in the park.
- There are no natural predators for deer in Richmond Park.
- Deer numbers in the park are managed to maintain a sustainable population.
- Deer meat is sold and any profits are reinvested into caring for the deer.
[Source: The Royal Parks, 2020. Deer in Richmond Park. [online] Available at: https://www.royalparks.org.uk/parks/
richmond-park/richmond-park-attractions/wildlife/deer-in-richmond-park [Accessed 1 September 2020].
Oberst, T., 2019. Untitled. [photograph].]
Using Figure 5, construct an identification key for the deer species found in London.
With reference to Figures 6(a), 6(b) and 6(c), predict how the ecosystem would be affected if the deer population in Richmond Park was not managed.
Markscheme
correct identification of features [2 max] such as:
- antlers: horns with one point/multiple points;
- antlers: palmate/multiprong/branching;
- markings: spots on fur / black markings on face / black markings on tail;
Notes: Do not accept questions relating to bigger/smaller or specific size of deer (which could be dependent on age of deer).
Do not credit suggestion that Reeves muntjac has no antlers.
Do not credit just ‘skin pattern/pattern on body’.
iv. correct format of key; [1 max]
Notes: Accept a dichotomous key with clear yes/no questions and two branches from each question, leading to the correct deer at each end point or clear question statements with “go-to” links.
Mark can be achieved for correct format of key even if inappropriate identification features are chosen.
- deer population will continue to grow/exceed carrying capacity/would lead to overpopulation;
- overgrazing the vegetation / deer would run out of food;
- leading to soil erosion in the park / loss of plant biodiversity / death of trees (due to bark stripping);
- this will lead to starvation/disease and a population crash;
Note: Do not accept only ‘causes instability / causes positive feedback / causes ecosystem to collapse / causes land degradation / competition for food / food hard to get / resources are depleted’.
Examiners report
Most candidates struggled with this question with very few achieving the maximum three marks. Many responses incorrectly used size (of body or antlers), location, breeding rates or diet to differentiate between the deer. A significant number of candidates that did not attempt this question.
Many candidates answered this question well with most recognising that the population of deer would increase resulting in overpopulation. Many responses then connected this to overgrazing. Some responses were too vague stating ‘instability’ or ‘collapse of the ecosystem’ without indication of the actual changes or why.
Syllabus sections
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18N.1.SL.TZ0.10b:
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.
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18M.2.SL.TZ0.5b:
Suggest the procedures needed to collect data for the construction of a pyramid of numbers for the following food chain:
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16N.2.SL.TZ0.3b:
Describe two possible methods that could be used to collect data for a baseline study for an environmental impact assessment.
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17N.2.SL.TZ0.2b:
Figure 3: Table to show the species richness of Yasuni National Park
[Source: Margot S. Bass, Matt Finer, Clinton N. Jenkins, Holger Kreft, Diego F. Cisneros-Heredia, Shawn F. McCracken,
Nigel C. A. Pitman, Peter H. English, Kelly Swing, Gorky Villa, Anthony Di Fiore, Christian C. Voigt and Thomas H. Kunz,
‘Global Conservation Significance of Ecuador’s Yasuní National Park.’ PLoS One, January 19, 2010.
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0008767]Describe a method that may have been used for collecting the tree data in Figure 3.
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19N.2.SL.TZ0.6b:
Explain how ecological techniques can be used to study the effects of human activities on the biodiversity of a named ecosystem.
- 18N.1.SL.TZ0.6: Suggest how an ecologist might measure the changes in one abiotic factor along a transect...
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19N.1.SL.TZ0.4c:
With reference to Figures 10, 11(a) and 11(b), describe a method to monitor the impact of the release of untreated sewage into the St Lawrence River ecosystem.
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17N.1.SL.TZ0.5c:
Identify two reasons why the future size of the Atlantic puffin population is difficult to predict.
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16N.2.SL.TZ0.1e:
With reference to the data in Figure 4(b), suggest two conclusions which can be drawn from the camera trap data.
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17M.2.SL.TZ0.4b:
Suggest a series of procedures that could be used to estimate the net productivity of an insect population in kg m–2 yr–1.
- 21M.2.SL.TZ0.7a: Identify four ways to ensure reliability of the mark–release–recapture method in estimating...
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21M.1.SL.TZ0.5b.ii:
When measuring levels of pollution, state one disadvantage of using a biotic index compared to measuring the pollutants directly.
Disadvantage:
- 21M.1.SL.TZ0.5b.i: When measuring levels of pollution, state one advantage of using a biotic index compared to...
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20N.1.SL.TZ0.2a:
Using Figure 2(a), state one physical characteristic that may be used to differentiate these two species from each other in an identification key.
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16N.1.SL.TZ0.3b:
Describe a method for measuring the abundance of plant species in volcanic areas.
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21N.2.SL.TZ0.2d.i:
State one method to determine the population size of the Keen’s mouse.
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21N.2.SL.TZ0.2d.ii:
Identify two factors that could impact the accuracy of the method stated in 2(d)(i).
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22M.2.SL.TZ0.4b:
Describe the similarities and differences in using a biotic index and a diversity index to assess ecosystems.
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21N.2.SL.TZ0.2a:
Referring to the data in Table 1, calculate the Simpson’s diversity index (D) of the late successional stage (show your working).
