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Mark schemes
(a) Correct answer for 2 marks = 2.7;;
1. Accept for 1 mark,

79 × 78/6162 in numerator (value of N(N ‒ 1))

OR

2286 in denominator (value of Σn(n ‒ 1) )

OR

22, 41, 14, 2 (correct readings of bar chart for all species)

OR

0.37 – 0.38 (correct calculation using correct numerator and incorrect figures
from bar chart: 22, 63, 77, 79)
2

(b) 1. Same number of (different) species (in both plots)

OR

(Both plots) have 4 species;

1

(c) 1. Determine the area of plot 1.

2. Calculate (total) area of meadow;

3. Divide area of meadow by area of plot;

4. Multiply by number of beetles (per plot)/41;

Accept multiply by incorrect figure taken from figure (eg 43)
4
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(a) (Number of species and) number of individuals in each species (in each habitat)
2. OR
(Number of species and) population of each species (in each habitat);
Accept organisms for individuals
Ignore frequency.
Accept abundance of each species.
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(b) 1. Random samples;

2. Large number (of samples)

OR
(Continue sampling) until stable running mean;
Both marks can be awarded on one line.
Ignore other answers unless they contradict mark points.
Accept many/multiple. Ignore several.
If a specified number is given, it must be 10 or more.
Accept ‘large sample (size)’.
Accept organisms for individuals
2

(c) (Larger fields have relatively)

More centre
OR
Less edge
OR
Less hedge
OR
Fewer species;
Ignore removal of hedge (as given in stem).
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 (d) Advantage -

1. Greater (bio)diversity so increase in predators of pests

OR
Increase in predators of pests so more yield/income/less pesticides/less
damage to crops
OR
Increase in pollinators so more yield/income
OR
May attract more tourists/subsidies to their farm so more income (from
diversification);

Disadvantage -

2. Reduced land area for crop growth/income

OR
Greater (bio)diversity so increase pest population
OR
Increase pest population so less yield/less income/(more) need for
pesticides/(more) damage to crops
OR
Increased (interspecific) competition so less yield/income
OR
More difficult to farm so less income;
Accept description of yield eg crop growth.
For ‘crop’ accept ‘plant’.
Accept other valid suggestions with explanation that will affect the farm
as a whole.
Examples of ‘more difficult to farm’ – can’t use large machinery, more
difficult to plough/seed/harvest.
2
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(a) (A measure of) the number of (different) species in a community;

3.
For ‘community’ accept ‘habitat/ecosystem/one area/environment’
Reject ‘in a population’.
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(b) Yes, natural best, because

1. Peak of (mean) bee numbers in natural habitat is highest;

For accept description for ‘peak’.

2. The (mean) number of bees was higher in the natural habitat until day 200;
2. For ‘day 200’ accept any day between 190 and 210.
2. For ‘until day 200’ accept ‘for 200 days’.

3. (Mean) species richness in natural habitat higher at all times;

No, natural not best, because

4. Lowest (mean) number of bees after day 220;

4. For ‘day 220’ accept any day between 210 and 230.

Yes, town worst, because

5. Peak of species richness higher in both natural and farmland

OR

Species richness lowest in town from day 125;

For ‘day 125’ accept any day between 115 and 135.

No, town not worst, because

(Mean) species richness is lower in farmland until day 125;

For ‘day 125’ accept any day between 115 and 135.
For ‘until day 125’ accept ‘for 125 days’.

7. Similar (mean) number of bees to farmland;

OR

(Mean) number of bees lower in farmland until day 140;

For ‘day 140’ accept any day between day 130 and 150.
For ‘until day 140’ accept ‘for 140 days’

General, no, because

8. Index of diversity of bees not measured

OR

The number of bees of each species is not known;

4 max

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 (c) 1. Must not harm the bees
OR
Must allow the bee to be released unchanged;

2. Must allow close examination

OR
Use a key (to identify the species);
Accept method that allows close examination
Ignore references to DNA sequencing
Accept ‘use photographs/specimens (to identify species)'
2

(d) 1. Collect at more times of the year so more points on graph/better line (of best fit) on
graph;
Both suggestion and explanation is required for each mark point.
The explanation must relate to the graph.

2. Counted number of individuals in each species so that they could calculate index of
diversity;

3. Collected from more sites/more years to increase accuracy of (mean) data;

For ‘accuracy’ accept ‘representative’.
2 max

(e) 1. A. chlorogaster and A. piperi are more closely related (to each other than to P.
pruinosa);
Must be a comparative statement.
Accept A. chlorogaster and A. piperi share a more recent/closer
common ancestor (than they do with P. pruinosa);
Ignore references to A. chlorogaster and A. piperi not being related
to P. pruinosa or not having a common ancestor with P. pruinosa.

2. Because they are in the same genus;

2
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(a) 1. Only cleared and abandoned and introduction of non-native species make
4. (significant) difference;

2. Because only (means of) these ± 2 SDs from zero / no change;

3. About same number / 4 to 3 increase or decrease (species) richness / biodiversity;

Accept converse for others
3

(b) 1. Non-native species out-competes / kills / eats / is a disease of native plants;

2. Some (populations of) native species become extinct (in the community);
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 (c) 1. Set up grid system with coordinates;

2. Place large number of quadrats (at coordinates) selected at random;

3. Count number of / estimate percentage cover of native plant in quadrats;

3. Repeat at same time each year (for many years);

3 max

(d) 1. Correct answer two marks – 0.0599;

1 mark for writing

Award 1 mark for answer of – 5.985 or 0.290

2
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(a) 4:
5. 1

(b) 2.68(6).
If answer incorrect:
Σn(n-1) = 242 = 1 mark
N(N-1) = 650 = 1 mark
2

(c) 1. Take more samples and find mean;

2. Method for randomised samples described.
Allow larger area = 1 mark
2
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(a) Species richness measures only number of (different) species / does not measure number
6. of individuals.
1

(b) Trees vary in height.

1

(c) 1. Index for canopy is 3.73;

2. Index for understorey is 3.30;
3. Index in canopy is 1.13 times bigger;
If either or both indices incorrect, allow correct calculation from
student’s values.
3

(d) 1. For Zaretis itys, difference in distribution is probably due to chance / probability
of being due to chance is more than 5%;
2. For all species other than Zaretis itys, difference in distribution is (highly)
unlikely to be due to chance;
3. Because P < 0.001 which is highly significant / is much lower than 5%.
3
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 (a) 1. Females are (generally) longer / larger / bigger / up to 115(mm) / males are
7. (generally) shorter / smaller / up to 100(mm);
Ignore: tall
Accept: females have a larger / 90 modal / peak / most common
value and males have a smaller / 80 modal / peak / most common
value
Accept mean length of females greater / mean length of males
shorter
Reject: use of mean in relation to 80 mm or 90 mm
Reject: Most of the females are 90 mm long / most of the males are
80 mm long

2. Females show a greater range / variation / males show a narrower range /

variation.
Accept: correct use of figures from the graph: the range of males is
50 to 100 and of females is 50 to 115 / the spread is 50 for males
and 65 for females
2

(b) (i) 2.6 to 2.7 = 2 marks;

Incorrect answer but evidence of a numerator of 24180 OR 156 × 155 or
denominator of 9014 = 1 mark;
2

(ii) (Fewer plant species) − no mark

1. (So) few(er) habitats / niches;

Ignore habitat size
Q Neutral: fewer homes

2. (So) lower diversity of insects / fewer insect species / fewer insect types;
Q Neutral: fewer insects
Accept less variety of insects

3. (So) fewer food sources / less variety of food.

Q Neutral: less food
Ignore references to pesticides, farmers’ actions, competition
between lizards and evolution
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