Monitoring and Tracking

Question 1

Species of birds in a nature reserve were investigated using auditory monitoring.

State two advantages of using auditory monitoring to investigate the species of birds present. (2 marks)

Answer 1

Two from:

*   (some) birds easy to identify by song

*   birds do not have to be seen / not limited by time of day

*   songs can be recorded (analysed later / over long period of time)

*   reduced disturbance / need for being caught / handled

R able to identify without reference to ease

R reduced impact, without negative connotation

Question 2

The Northern Pool Frog, Pelophylax lessonae, was declared extinct in the UK in 1995. A re-introduction programme imported 50 Northern Pool Frogs from Sweden to the UK, with the aim of establishing a breeding population.

The habitat at the release sites was managed to increase the carrying capacity for the frogs. The population of frogs was monitored over time.

The population of frogs was monitored using two methods:

*   traditional methods of listening for the calls and finding individual frogs

*   detecting eDNA.

Describe two advantages and two disadvantages of using eDNA instead of the traditional methods as a technique for monitoring aquatic species. (4 marks)

Answer 2

Any two advantages of eDNA instead of traditional method:

*   DNA more accurate identification (of species than sight or sound)
*   can give information on individuals/population genetics
*   less time consuming at site (no need to sit and wait for sighting/hearing)
*   less disturbance (because less time at site)

2

Any two disadvantages of eDNA instead of traditional method:

*   takes longer to obtain results (from laboratory)
*   may not sample enough water to collect eDNA
*   DNA degrade quickly (in warm conditions)
*   frogs may have just arrived at the pond

2

Question 3

Describe two advantages and two disadvantages of using biotic indices to monitor pollution in rivers. (4 marks)

Answer 3

Advantages

*   Identification of pollution source
*   Inexpensive
*   Understand sensitivity to micro-changes in the environment
*   Detects bioaccumulation
*   Rapid assessment of current pollution
*   Indicator of past pollution

Max 2

Disadvantages

*   Identifying taxa involves skill
*   Sorting samples is time-consuming
*   Further testing required to identify specific pollutants
*   May not reflect natural variation
*   Pollutants may not reflect actual water quality
*   New pollution events may not be accounted for

Max 2

Question 4

Explain how the use of electronic monitoring technology may provide information that is useful for the conservation of wildlife. (9 marks)

Answer 4

Answer structured into “Technology”, “Data provided” and then “Conservation value”

*Satellite tracking / imaging / GPS tracking
*Habitat range / area. Migration pathways and stop over destinations Migration dates, Mortality locations
*Inform the size/ location of designations
Identification of threats, to inform / enforce legislation / designations
Habitat management
Control human activities during breeding periods

*Camera trapping / Photography / drones
*Species present, Range, Dates & times, Health, Unique markings for Lincoln index
*Designations, Habitat are required
Restrictions of human activities
Medical/ resource intervention
Population trends – IUCN categorisation
Documentaries for awareness

*Sonograms
*Presence of species, Date and timings, Identification of new individuals
*Habitat management, Control human activities during, Breeding periods, Control of invasive species

*eDNA / blood /tissue samples / DNA
* Species present Individuals present, Genetic diversity
*Protection of habitat, Carry out habitat management
Gene pool – potential breeding pairs for CBR
Dispersion – biological corridors

*Environmental monitoring satellites / Argo floats / Turbidity / light meter
*Atmospheric / ocean temperatures Ice extent, Salinity turbidity
*Monitor environmental changes that may affect wildlife to inform policy makers on GCC, Inform impacts on coral reefs and need to action management

Question 5

The Sumatran rhinoceros, Dicerorhinus sumatrensis, is a critically endangered species native to Indonesia.

In the wild, Sumatran rhinoceros are monitored using radio collars.

Suggest one way that data from the radio collars can be used to help with the conservation of the Sumatran rhinoceros. (2 marks)

Answer 5

One mark for the data collected

*   range size
*   movements
*   areas visited

Data must be about the individuals with radio collars

Data must not be related to feeding or breeding behaviours

One mark for how to improve conservation

*   areas for designated protected areas / biological corridors
*   areas for named resource provision e.g. food, water
*   areas to monitor for predators / poachers

Question 6

The population of wild salmon in a river can be estimated.

In some rivers, the number of wild salmon on a given day is recorded using a laser counter, which counts wild salmon as they swim upstream.

The number of wild salmon caught by people fishing that day is also recorded.

The relationship between the data can then be used to estimate the number of wild salmon on rivers without laser counters.

Suggest two ways that this method of estimating wild salmon populations can be made reliable. (2 marks)

Answer 6

Two from:

*   number of people fishing noted
*   laser counter must be located where people fish
*   laser and catch data collected over the same period of time
*   range of river / named feature of the rivers
*   over long time period / repeated counts on multiple days / repeated counts throughout the year

R range of rivers to increase sampled size / as repeats

Accept reference to Spearman’s rank to find if relationship is significant

Question 7

In July 2020, the oil tanker MV Wakashio ran aground on a coral reef, south of Mauritius in the Indian Ocean, and began leaking oil.

After one day, the oil had spread over an area of 3.3 km2, covering the sea surface with a layer 0.38 mm thick.

Data obtained from satellites recorded how the oil spill had increased in area to 27 km2 after six days.

Suggest two advantages of using satellite data compared with data obtained from aircraft surveys. (2 marks)

Answer 7

Two from:

*   (large amounts of data) can be collected quickly
*   continuous data collection (over time)/ extent of spread can be accurately measured
*   wider area can be covered
*   can detect spills quickly/planes have to respond to known spills

Question 8

Bats can be detected by either a detector or by attaching a GPS
Describe how a bat detector gives information about the different species of bats in an area. (2 marks)

Answer 8

*   measures sound
*   frequency is unique to species

Question 9

The figure below shows two ways to monitor bats. Suggest three ways how information from GPS transmitters can be used to help conserve bats. (3 marks)

Answer 9

Three from:

*   designation of protected areas/named designation e.g. SSSI
*   reduce/prevent named threats along flight paths e.g wind turbines
*   manage food/water sources at feeding sites/on flight path
*   put up bat boxes/protect trees/buildings at roosting sites/on flight path
*   create/maintain biological corridors to connect feeding habitats/avoid threats
*   timings of flights can inform street lighting regimes
*   identify potential release sites

Question 10

Suggest one limitation of using GPS transmitters for monitoring wildlife. (1 marks)

Answer 10

One from:

*   disturbs/may cause harm
*   tag may influence behaviour/survival
*   short battery life
*   fall off
*   some species not suitable to attach transmitter

[A expensive]

Question 11

To estimate its population, scientists manually counted a sample of the Adélie penguin, Pygoscelis adeliae, colony at Halley Bay in Antarctica.

An area of 5800 m2 from a total area of 255 000 m2 was sampled.

Explain how named remote sensing techniques could increase the accuracy of the study. (2 marks)

Answer 11

One mark for named remote sensing technique from:

*   Satellite imagery
*   Aircraft imagery
*   Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs)/ drones

[A: cameras/ CCTV]

[R any technique that does not allow for population e.g. thermal imaging]

One mark for linked explanation from:

*   continuous monitoring
*   count of whole penguin colony
*   access to inaccessible areas
*   repeat counts
*   minimises human interference

Question 12

To estimate its population, scientists manually counted a sample of the Adélie penguin, Pygoscelis adeliae, colony at Halley Bay in Antarctica.

An area of 5800 m2 from a total area of 255 000 m2 was sampled.

Suggest one other way (other than remote sensing) the scientists can increase the accuracy of their estimations.

Answer 12

One from:

*   increase sample area/ targeted locations where penguins live
*   increase sample size
*   multiple readings taken
*   repeat in different seasons

Question 13

The amount of land ice is affected by increasing global temperatures.

A range of methods can be used to estimate the volume of ice.

State one remote sensing system that may be used to estimate the volume of ice in Antarctica. (1 mark)

Answer 13

Any one named remote sensing system from:

*   Lidar scanners
*   Gravity recovery and climate experiment (GRACE)
*   Satellite altimetry
*   Other named suitable example