| Date | May 2022 | Marks available | 2 | Reference code | 22M.1.SL.TZ0.4 |
| Level | Standard Level | Paper | Paper 1 | Time zone | Time zone 0 |
| Command term | Distinguish | Question number | 4 | Adapted from | N/A |
Question
Figure 6(a): Jaguar (Panthera onca)
Classified as “near threatened” on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
[Source: Pixabay.]
Figure 6(d): The Barbilla Corridor within the larger international
network connecting jaguar populations
[Source: The Jaguar Project. Costa Rica Wildlife Corridors. [online] Available at: http://www.thejaguarproject.com/jaguar_
corridor_conservation.html [Accessed 06 November 2019]. Source adapted.]
State one criterion used to determine the IUCN Red List status of the jaguar shown in Figure 6(a).
Distinguish between the role of the jaguar as a keystone species and as a flagship species.
Identify two difficulties associated with establishing and maintaining wildlife corridors such as those shown in Figure 6(d).
Markscheme
population size / number of mature individuals;
reduction in population size;
distribution / geographic range / number of locations species is found;
degree of fragmentation;
quality of habitat / loss of habitat / habitat degradation;
probability/risk of extinction;
trophic level;
Note: Do not accept ‘reproduction rates / habitat distribution / degree of specialization / number of species / habitat is under threat’.
Keystone species: [1 max]
apex/top predator / integral to the food web/ecosystem;
Flagship species: [1 max]
popular/charismatic image / by protecting it, will help to protect the ecosystems/habitat/other species / used to raise funds for conservation;
Note: Do not accept descriptions of just predators e.g. ‘controls population of primary consumers / eats organisms below it in the food web’.
Do not accept ‘top of food chain / balances the food chain’.
cost of acquiring/managing large areas;
the large areas covered by wildlife corridors can make it difficult to manage;
policing against poaching / greater vulnerability to poaching / corridors are narrow and more affected by edge effect / corridors may pass near or over roads resulting in some roadkill;
displacement of human settlement/industry / may create conflict with people’s use of land e.g. for agriculture;
difficult to determine where to site wildlife corridors / land which is suitable must be available;
challenges of international collaboration;
spread of disease/invasive species from one region to another;
Examiners report
The majority of candidates appear to be familiar with the IUCN Red List criteria and gave an appropriate response.
There were some very good responses to this question, although a significant number of candidates did not attempt this question. A common error was to only describe keystone species as a predator or refer to its role in a food chain rather than in a food web or ecosystem.
Responses varied widely for this question. A common error was to give vague responses e.g. corridors are near the capital city without linking this to what specific difficulties this might pose.
