Agriculture & Food (DP IB Environmental Systems & Societies (ESS): SL): Exam Questions

State three ways in which unsustainable agricultural practices may lead to a loss of biodiversity.

State two main differences between commercial farming and subsistence farming.

A group of researchers carried out bird surveys on the same farm over a period of twenty years.

Their results are shown in the table below.

One change in farm management that took place between 2001 and 2020 was that farm hedgerow cutting was switched from a yearly cut to a staggered cut every 3 years (each hedgerow cut every 3 years, but not all cut in the same year).

State how this could lead to the increase in bird diversity shown in the table above.

Suggest what might have caused the decrease in greenfinch numbers between 2001 and 2020, as shown in the table in part (a).

Do not include the effects of humans illegally catching greenfinches to keep as pets.

Briefly outline the meaning of the term desertification in the context of soil ecosystems.

Identify two soil conservation measures that can be implemented to prevent desertification.

Outline one effect of soil conditioning on soils.

In the context of agriculture and terrestrial food production systems, outline the meaning of the term marginal lands.