Scientists compared two areas of farmland. Area A had been managed using a single crop plant grown over the entire field. Area B had been managed using a variety of crop plants, hedgerows, and wild flower margins. Explain why Area B has greater biodiversity than Area A, and suggest one way in which the farmers could further increase biodiversity in Area A.
Written & reviewed by James Millett — Biology (Imperial College London), PGCE Science (University of Cambridge).
Scientists compared two areas of farmland. Area A had been managed using a single crop plant grown over the entire field. Area B had been managed using a variety of crop plants, hedgerows, and wild flower margins.
Model answer (4 marks)
Area B has greater biodiversity because it contains a variety of habitats – the different crop plants, hedgerows and wild‑flower margins – which provide many food sources and niches for a wide range of species. In contrast, Area A is a monoculture; only species that can utilise the single crop and its habitat can survive, so the number of species is low.
To increase biodiversity in Area A the farmer could, for example, plant a hedgerow or a strip of wild flowers along the field margin, which would create new habitats and food for insects and birds.
To increase biodiversity in Area A the farmer could, for example, plant a hedgerow or a strip of wild flowers along the field margin, which would create new habitats and food for insects and birds.
Examiner tips
- Use the term ‘biodiversity’ and explain it as variety of species; link habitat variety to species variety; give a specific, realistic suggestion for Area A.
- Keep the answer concise – 4 marks can be earned with 2–3 short sentences.
- Mention a concrete action (hedgerow, wild‑flower strip, pond, reduced chemicals).
Common mistakes
- Confusing biodiversity with productivity; writing that more crops automatically means more species without explaining habitat diversity.
- Giving a vague suggestion such as ‘more crops’ without specifying a habitat‑creating measure.
- Using UK spelling inconsistently (e.g., ‘wildflower’ vs ‘wild‑flower’).
Mark scheme (4 marks)
- Biodiversity refers to the variety / number of different species present in an area
- Area B has a greater variety of habitats / food sources / niches, which supports a greater variety of animal and plant species
- Area A has low biodiversity because growing only one crop (monoculture) means only species suited to that one plant / habitat can survive there
- A valid suggestion to increase biodiversity in Area A, e.g. planting hedgerows / wild flower strips / reducing use of pesticides or herbicides / creating ponds / leaving field margins uncut
Key terms in this question
Related
- All Eduqas GCSE Biology revision notes →
- How to answer a "Explain" question →
- Decode the mark scheme abbreviations →