Practise 26 exam-style questions on Biodiversity for AQA GCSE Biology. Write your answer as you would in the exam and get it marked in seconds against the mark scheme, point by point, with an AI tutor on hand if you get stuck.
26 questions
2–6 marks each
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20 questions, marked as you go
Sample questions with model answers
Here are 4 of the questions in this topic, each with a model answer, an explanation of why it earns the marks and the mark scheme an examiner would use.
Question 1
3 marks
List three human activities that reduce biodiversity.
Describe how citizen science can contribute to biodiversity monitoring. Mention one limitation.
Model answer
Citizen volunteers collect observations and data (e.g., species sightings) across wide areas and times, increasing coverage and awareness. Limitation: variable data quality, observer bias, and need for verification.
Explanation
Citizen science expands monitoring capacity and raises awareness, but data must be validated and trained observers reduce errors.
Mark scheme
1 mark
volunteers collect data/sightings over wide areas
1 mark
increases data coverage and public engagement
1 mark
limitation: variable data quality / bias / need for verification
Question 3
4 marks
Define ecosystem restoration and give two examples of restoration actions.
Model answer
Ecosystem restoration is returning a degraded habitat to a functional, biodiverse state. Examples: reforestation / planting native species; wetland restoration to recover water purification and breeding habitat; removing invasive species; reintroducing native fauna.
Explanation
Restoration aims to recover ecological processes and biodiversity via actions such as planting natives, rewetting peatlands, or removing invasive species.
Mark scheme
2 marks
definition: returning degraded ecosystems to functional / biodiverse state
Must indicate 'degraded to functional' or similar
1 mark
example 1: reforestation / planting natives / reintroducing species
1 mark
example 2: wetland restoration / remove invasives / create corridors
Question 4
5 marks
A coastal fishery has declined because of overfishing. Propose a management plan with three measures to restore fish populations and explain how each measure helps.
Model answer
Introduce no-take zones/marine reserves to allow breeding stock to recover; set quotas/size limits to prevent juvenile removal; seasonal closures during spawning to protect reproduction; enforce bycatch reduction (nets) to protect non-target species.
Explanation
Protected areas and rules on catch sizes/limits allow breeding and growth, increasing stock. Protecting spawning times increases future numbers; reducing bycatch maintains food web integrity.
Mark scheme
2 marks
no-take zones / marine reserves — allow populations to recover and supply larvae to surrounding areas
Detailed mechanism required for 2 marks
1 mark
quotas / size limits — prevent overharvesting and protect juveniles
1 mark
seasonal closures — protect spawning and increase recruitment
1 mark
reduce bycatch / selective gear — protect non-target species and overall ecosystem
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