# Explain how the use of biological pest control and fertilisers together can reduce the negative impacts on biodiversity whilst still maintaining high crop yields.

> OCR GCSE Biology A: Gateway Science (J247) — B6.2 Feeding the human race · Explain · 4 marks

> A farmer grows wheat on a large area of farmland. Neighbouring fields contain a variety of wild plant and insect species. The farmer wants to increase crop yield without harming the surrounding ecosystem.

## Mark scheme (4 marks)

1. Fertilisers provide essential nutrients to the soil / plants, increasing crop growth / yield
2. Biological pest control uses living organisms / natural predators to control pest populations without chemical pesticides
3. Avoiding chemical pesticides means non-target species / beneficial insects are not harmed, so biodiversity is maintained
4. The combination of both methods means crop yield is high (from fertilisers) AND pest damage is reduced (from biological control), sustaining food production

## Key terms

- [fertiliser](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/fertiliser)
- [biological pest control](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/biological-pest-control)
- [biodiversity](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/biodiversity)
- [crop yield](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/crop-yield)

## Related

- [Revision notes for OCR GCSE Biology A: Gateway Science (J247)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/learn)
- [How to answer "Explain" 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/explain-how-the-use-of-biological-7ca8c7ba) · Published by Druglandscape Ltd.