Biology 9700 · AS & A Level · Conservation

Conservation — practice question

The IUCN Red List gives details on species conservation status across the world, including the American badger, $\textit{Taxidea taxus}$, and the black-footed ferret, $\textit{Mustela nigripes}$. Fig. 2.1 depicts an American badger and Fig. 2.2 depicts a black-footed ferret. Fig. 2.3 presents the IUCN conservation status of the American badger and the black-footed ferret in 1987 and in 2013.
(a)[2]

Suggest why black-footed ferrets are endangered whereas American badgers are not.

(b)[3]

Outline how these different agencies could help conserve the black-footed ferret successfully.

(c(i))[3]

Describe the population-change patterns at the three places where black-footed ferrets were released.

(c(ii))[2]

Using Table 2.1, describe how the gene pools and leg lengths of the Wyoming and Arizona black-footed ferret populations have altered compared with the original captive population.

(c(iii))[3]

Using Fig. 2.4, suggest reasons for the changes you described in (ii).

(ii)[2]

Using Table 2.1, describe how the gene pools and leg lengths of the Wyoming and Arizona black-footed ferret populations have altered compared with the original captive population.

(iii)[3]

Based on Fig. 2.4, suggest why the changes you described in (ii) occurred.

(d)[3]

In 2008 some black-footed ferrets were born in captivity as a result of IVF using frozen sperm that had been stored for several years. Explain the benefits of using frozen sperm in captive breeding programmes.

Worked solution & mark scheme

This 21-mark question has a full step-by-step worked solution and mark scheme. One marking point: “ferrets eat prairie dogs / one prey species, badgers eat prairie dogs and other animals” …

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