Explain why monitoring endangered animals is important for their conservation, and describe one other measure that can be used to prevent an endangered animal species from becoming extinct.

Cambridge International IGCSE Biology (0610) — 20.4 Conservation · Explain · 4 marks · View as Markdown

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

Model answer (4 marks)

Monitoring allows the number of organisms remaining in the species to be tracked over time, so changes in population size can be detected.
Monitoring can identify preferred habitats and migration patterns, enabling protection of the most important areas.
Another measure is captive breeding programmes.
In captive breeding, animals are bred in controlled environments and later released into the wild to increase population numbers and genetic diversity.

Examiner tips

  • Use the exact phrases from the mark scheme – e.g. ‘track over time’, ‘preferred habitats’. Show the link between monitoring and protection of habitats. Give one clear, valid conservation measure and describe it briefly. Keep the answer concise – 4 short sentences will earn full marks.

Common mistakes

  • Using vague terms like ‘keeping an eye on’ instead of ‘track over time’. Failing to mention the habitat protection benefit of monitoring. Choosing an invalid measure such as ‘advertising’ or ‘celebrity endorsements’. Not describing the chosen measure at all.

Mark scheme (4 marks)

  1. Monitoring allows the number of organisms remaining in the species to be tracked over time
  2. Monitoring can identify preferred habitats / migration patterns so that important habitats can be protected
  3. Names one other valid conservation measure for an endangered animal species
  4. Correct description of the named conservation measure

Key terms in this question

monitoring · endangered · conservation

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