# Evaluate the claim that modern farming methods reduce biodiversity within a community.

> AQA A-Level Biology (7402) — 3.4.6 Biodiversity Within a Community · Evaluate · 5 marks

> Intensive farming techniques, such as monoculture cropping and the use of pesticides, are widely used across the UK to increase food production.

## Mark scheme (5 marks)

1. Monoculture reduces the number of different plant species present / reduces variety of plant species
2. Fewer plant species means fewer habitats / food sources for animals, reducing animal species diversity
3. Pesticides kill insects / herbivores that are part of food chains / food webs
4. Reduced biodiversity makes the community less stable / more vulnerable to disease or environmental change
5. Counter-point / limitation: farming is needed to feed a growing human population, so a balance must be considered / not all farming reduces biodiversity equally

## Key terms

- [biodiversity](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/biodiversity)
- [community](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/community)

## Related

- [Revision notes for AQA A-Level Biology (7402)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/learn)
- [How to answer "Evaluate" questions](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/tools/command-word-cheatsheet)
- [Practice this with AI marking (free)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/start)

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Source: [GradeNine](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/evaluate-the-claim-that-modern-farming-e005c04b) · Published by Druglandscape Ltd.