A conservation organisation is working to protect a rainforest region that contains thousands of species of plants, animals and microorganisms. Explain why maintaining high biodiversity in this rainforest is important, and suggest two ways the organisation could help to protect it.

Pearson Edexcel A-Level Biology A (9BI0) — 2.5 Biodiversity · Explain · 5 marks · View as Markdown

Written & reviewed by James Millett — Biology (Imperial College London), PGCE Science (University of Cambridge).

Rainforests cover less than 6% of Earth's land surface but are estimated to contain more than half of the world's plant and animal species. Large areas of rainforest are cleared each year for agriculture and logging.

Model answer (5 marks)

High biodiversity provides a large variety of species and genes, which increases the resilience of the ecosystem. A diverse community stabilises the food web, because if one species is lost others can fulfil a similar role, reducing the risk of collapse. Many species supply resources humans need, such as medicines, food crops and raw materials. To protect the rainforest the organisation could 1) establish protected areas or nature reserves to prevent logging and farming, and 2) work with local communities and governments to promote sustainable land use and reforestation of cleared sites.

Examiner tips

  • Use the term ‘resilience’ and ‘food web’ to show understanding of ecosystem stability.
  • Show the link between biodiversity and human benefits (medicine, food, raw materials).
  • Give two distinct protection strategies: protected areas and community‑based sustainable use.

Common mistakes

  • Confusing biodiversity with species richness only, ignoring genetic diversity.
  • Suggesting the same protection method twice, e.g. only protected areas without a second distinct approach.

Mark scheme (5 marks)

  1. High biodiversity means there is a greater variety of species / genes available
  2. A stable ecosystem / food web is maintained because if one species is lost, others can fulfil a similar role / the ecosystem is less likely to collapse
  3. Many species provide resources that humans rely on, such as medicines / food crops / raw materials
  4. One valid suggestion to protect the rainforest, e.g. creating nature reserves / protected areas to prevent logging or farming in the region
  5. A second valid and distinct suggestion, e.g. working with local communities / governments to promote sustainable land use / reforestation of cleared areas

Key terms in this question

biodiversity · species

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