Ecosystems & Sustainability (AQA A Level Geography): Exam Questions

Figure 11a shows the global human footprint in 2009.

Figure 11b shows the change in the global human footprint between 1993 and 2009.

Figure 11a

The global human footprint in 2009.

Figure 11b Change in the global human footprint between 1993 and 2009

Note: The global human footprint combines the pressures of infrastructure, human land use and human access on natural areas.

Analyse the data shown in Figure 11a and Figure 11b.

Using Figure 1 and your own knowledge, assess the importance of the ecosystem services provided by tropical ecosystems.

Figure 1: Estimated annual economic value of ecosystem services by biome type and service category (billion USD per year)

Source: Adapted from de Groot et al., TEEB Ecosystem Services Assessment, 2012 (values are order-of-magnitude estimates)

Figure 11 shows information about global biodiversity by species category measured in 2019.

Analyse the information shown in Figure 11.

Figure 11 is in the insert. Figure 11 shows data related to the number of endangered species across the Mediterranean Basin in 2017.

Analyse the data shown in Figure 11.

Assess the relative importance of the different causes of biodiversity decline.

‘Changing attitudes towards sustainable tourism, recreation and conservation have meant that local scale ecosystems are no longer under threat.’

To what extent do you agree with this view?

‘It is simply not possible to find a true balance between biodiversity and sustainable economic development in savanna grasslands. Economic development will always come at the expense of biodiversity.’

To what extent do you agree with this view?

'Ecosystems should be conserved for the value they provide to people rather than for their own sake.'

To what extent do you agree?