The Mulanje cedar, Widdringtonia whytei, is Malawi's national tree. This tree species grows naturally only on Mount Mulanje in Malawi. A large number of the trees have been cut too heavily or damaged by wildfires, which has led to deforestation, as shown in Fig. 5.1.
(a)[1]
State the genus name of the Mulanje cedar tree.
(b)[3]
Explain the harmful effects of deforestation on habitats found on mountains, such as Mount Mulanje.
(c)[2]
Explain how conserving the Mulanje cedar tree in its natural habitat benefits other organisms on Mount Mulanje.
(d)[2]
Suggest why it is important to take seeds from many separate trees of each species instead of from just one tree.
Worked solution & mark scheme
This 8-mark question has a full step-by-step worked solution and mark scheme. One marking point: “The genus is Widdringtonia.” …