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Biodiversity and the effect of human interaction on ecosystems: AQA GCSE Combined Science questions

Every AQA GCSE Combined Science exam question on 4.7.3 Biodiversity and the effect of human interaction on ecosystems, 2018–2025, with its mark scheme and examiner’s report.

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3,069 questions

  1. Q04.2

    June 2025 · Biology Paper 2 Higher

    2 marks4.6.2 Variation and evolution4.7.3 Biodiversity and the effect of human interaction on ecosystems
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Biology Paper 2 Higher, question 04.2: Explain how growing a GM herbicide-resistant crop can decrease the biodiversity of animals. [2 marks]

  2. Q04.4

    June 2025 · Biology Paper 2 Higher

    1 mark4.7.3 Biodiversity and the effect of human interaction on ecosystems
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Biology Paper 2 Higher, question 04.4: Hedgerows provide habitats for insects. Give one reason why increasing hedgerow habitats increases insect numbers. [1 mark]

  3. Q04.5

    June 2025 · Biology Paper 2 Higher

    2 marks4.7.3 Biodiversity and the effect of human interaction on ecosystems4.7.2 Organisation of an ecosystem
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Biology Paper 2 Higher, question 04.5: Some farmland contains areas of peat. When peat is dug up: • the oxygen levels in the peat increase • the peat decays quickly. Explain why increasing the level

  4. Q02.1

    June 2025 · Biology Paper 2 Foundation

    2 marks4.7.1 Adaptations, interdependence and competition4.7.3 Biodiversity and the effect of human interaction on ecosystems
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Biology Paper 2 Foundation, question 02.1: Draw one line from each substance to how the substance increases crop yield. [2 marks]

  5. Q02.4

    June 2025 · Biology Paper 2 Foundation

    1 mark4.7.3 Biodiversity and the effect of human interaction on ecosystems4.7.1 Adaptations, interdependence and competition
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Biology Paper 2 Foundation, question 02.4: Some farmers increase the size of hedgerows between fields where crops grow. Suggest one reason why. [1 mark] Peat comes from peat bogs.

  6. Q02.5

    June 2025 · Biology Paper 2 Foundation

    2 marks4.7.3 Biodiversity and the effect of human interaction on ecosystems
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Biology Paper 2 Foundation, question 02.5: Peat can be used to produce garden compost. Table 1 compares peat compost with a sample of soil. Table 1 Mineral ion concentration Speed at which water drains t

  7. Q02.7

    June 2025 · Biology Paper 2 Foundation

    2 marks4.7.2 Organisation of an ecosystem4.7.3 Biodiversity and the effect of human interaction on ecosystems
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Biology Paper 2 Foundation, question 02.7: Peat contains carbon compounds. Explain why burning peat contributes to climate change. [2 marks]

  8. Q02.8

    June 2025 · Biology Paper 2 Foundation

    2 marks4.7.2 Organisation of an ecosystem4.7.3 Biodiversity and the effect of human interaction on ecosystems
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Biology Paper 2 Foundation, question 02.8: Decay is an important process in the carbon cycle. Which two types of organism cause decay? [2 marks] Tick () two boxes. Algae Animals Bacteria Fungi Plants

  9. Q02.9

    June 2025 · Biology Paper 2 Foundation

    1 mark4.7.3 Biodiversity and the effect of human interaction on ecosystems
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Biology Paper 2 Foundation, question 02.9: Deforestation affects the carbon cycle. Give one use of the land after the land has been cleared by deforestation. [1 mark]

  10. Q01.7

    June 2024 · Biology Paper 2 Higher

    1 mark4.7.3 Biodiversity and the effect of human interaction on ecosystems
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Biology Paper 2 Higher, question 01.7: Populations of limpets are monitored to assess the impact of pollution in water. Suggest one type of pollution in water that may affect the population of limpet

  11. Q05.3

    June 2024 · Biology Paper 2 Higher

    1 mark4.7.3 Biodiversity and the effect of human interaction on ecosystems
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Biology Paper 2 Higher, question 05.3: The number of bacteria at 5.0 km was greater than the number of bacteria where the sewage was added. Calculate how many times greater. [1 mark] Number of times

  12. Q05.4

    June 2024 · Biology Paper 2 Higher

    2 marks4.7.3 Biodiversity and the effect of human interaction on ecosystems
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Biology Paper 2 Higher, question 05.4: A student concluded: ‘number of bacteria ∝ concentration of dissolved oxygen’ Explain why the student’s conclusion is not correct. Use Table 2. [2 marks]

  13. Q05.7

    June 2024 · Biology Paper 2 Foundation

    1 mark4.7.3 Biodiversity and the effect of human interaction on ecosystems
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Biology Paper 2 Foundation, question 05.7: Populations of limpets are monitored to assess the impact of pollution in water. Suggest one type of pollution in water that may affect the population of limpet

  14. Q03.4

    June 2023 · Biology Paper 2 Higher

    6 marks4.7.3 Biodiversity and the effect of human interaction on ecosystems
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Biology Paper 2 Higher, question 03.4: Increasing numbers of cows are being farmed across the world. Explain the environmental implications of increasing numbers of cows being farmed. [6 marks]

  15. Q01.1

    June 2023 · Biology Paper 2 Foundation

    1 mark4.7.3 Biodiversity and the effect of human interaction on ecosystems
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Biology Paper 2 Foundation, question 01.1: Why is peat removed from peat bogs? [1 mark] Tick () one box. To increase biodiversity To produce garden compost To protect rare habitats

  16. Q01.2

    June 2023 · Biology Paper 2 Foundation

    1 mark4.7.2 Organisation of an ecosystem4.7.3 Biodiversity and the effect of human interaction on ecosystems
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Biology Paper 2 Foundation, question 01.2: Peat can decay. Name one type of organism that causes decay. [1 mark]

  17. Q01.3

    June 2023 · Biology Paper 2 Foundation

    2 marks4.7.2 Organisation of an ecosystem4.7.3 Biodiversity and the effect of human interaction on ecosystems
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Biology Paper 2 Foundation, question 01.3: Complete the sentences. Choose answers from the box. [2 marks] carbon dioxide nitrogen oxygen sulfur dioxide The organisms that cause decay respire. The gas use

  18. Q01.4

    June 2023 · Biology Paper 2 Foundation

    1 mark4.7.3 Biodiversity and the effect of human interaction on ecosystems
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Biology Paper 2 Foundation, question 01.4: Peat bogs cover a total area of 3 700 000 km2. In 2020, 46% of peat bogs were frozen. How can the area of peat bogs that were frozen be calculated? [1 mark] Tic

  19. Q01.5

    June 2023 · Biology Paper 2 Foundation

    1 mark4.7.3 Biodiversity and the effect of human interaction on ecosystems
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Biology Paper 2 Foundation, question 01.5: The percentage of peat bogs that are frozen decreases each year. Suggest why the percentage of peat bogs that are frozen is decreasing. [1 mark]

  20. Q01.6

    June 2023 · Biology Paper 2 Foundation

    2 marks4.7.3 Biodiversity and the effect of human interaction on ecosystems
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Biology Paper 2 Foundation, question 01.6: Which two human activities decrease the area of land available for other animals and plants? [2 marks] Tick () two boxes. Building factories Recycling plastics
All 49 questions on Biodiversity and the effect of human interaction on ecosystems, as a list
  1. June 2025, Biology Paper 2 Higher, Q04.2 (2 marks): Explain how growing a GM herbicide-resistant crop can decrease the biodiversity of animals. [2 marks]
  2. June 2025, Biology Paper 2 Higher, Q04.4 (1 mark): Hedgerows provide habitats for insects. Give one reason why increasing hedgerow habitats increases insect numbers. [1 mark]
  3. June 2025, Biology Paper 2 Higher, Q04.5 (2 marks): Some farmland contains areas of peat. When peat is dug up: • the oxygen levels in the peat increase • the peat decays quickly. Explain why increasing the level
  4. June 2025, Biology Paper 2 Foundation, Q02.1 (2 marks): Draw one line from each substance to how the substance increases crop yield. [2 marks]
  5. June 2025, Biology Paper 2 Foundation, Q02.4 (1 mark): Some farmers increase the size of hedgerows between fields where crops grow. Suggest one reason why. [1 mark] Peat comes from peat bogs.
  6. June 2025, Biology Paper 2 Foundation, Q02.5 (2 marks): Peat can be used to produce garden compost. Table 1 compares peat compost with a sample of soil. Table 1 Mineral ion concentration Speed at which water drains t
  7. June 2025, Biology Paper 2 Foundation, Q02.7 (2 marks): Peat contains carbon compounds. Explain why burning peat contributes to climate change. [2 marks]
  8. June 2025, Biology Paper 2 Foundation, Q02.8 (2 marks): Decay is an important process in the carbon cycle. Which two types of organism cause decay? [2 marks] Tick () two boxes. Algae Animals Bacteria Fungi Plants
  9. June 2025, Biology Paper 2 Foundation, Q02.9 (1 mark): Deforestation affects the carbon cycle. Give one use of the land after the land has been cleared by deforestation. [1 mark]
  10. June 2024, Biology Paper 2 Higher, Q01.7 (1 mark): Populations of limpets are monitored to assess the impact of pollution in water. Suggest one type of pollution in water that may affect the population of limpet
  11. June 2024, Biology Paper 2 Higher, Q05.3 (1 mark): The number of bacteria at 5.0 km was greater than the number of bacteria where the sewage was added. Calculate how many times greater. [1 mark] Number of times
  12. June 2024, Biology Paper 2 Higher, Q05.4 (2 marks): A student concluded: ‘number of bacteria ∝ concentration of dissolved oxygen’ Explain why the student’s conclusion is not correct. Use Table 2. [2 marks]
  13. June 2024, Biology Paper 2 Foundation, Q05.7 (1 mark): Populations of limpets are monitored to assess the impact of pollution in water. Suggest one type of pollution in water that may affect the population of limpet
  14. June 2023, Biology Paper 2 Higher, Q03.4 (6 marks): Increasing numbers of cows are being farmed across the world. Explain the environmental implications of increasing numbers of cows being farmed. [6 marks]
  15. June 2023, Biology Paper 2 Foundation, Q01.1 (1 mark): Why is peat removed from peat bogs? [1 mark] Tick () one box. To increase biodiversity To produce garden compost To protect rare habitats
  16. June 2023, Biology Paper 2 Foundation, Q01.2 (1 mark): Peat can decay. Name one type of organism that causes decay. [1 mark]
  17. June 2023, Biology Paper 2 Foundation, Q01.3 (2 marks): Complete the sentences. Choose answers from the box. [2 marks] carbon dioxide nitrogen oxygen sulfur dioxide The organisms that cause decay respire. The gas use
  18. June 2023, Biology Paper 2 Foundation, Q01.4 (1 mark): Peat bogs cover a total area of 3 700 000 km2. In 2020, 46% of peat bogs were frozen. How can the area of peat bogs that were frozen be calculated? [1 mark] Tic
  19. June 2023, Biology Paper 2 Foundation, Q01.5 (1 mark): The percentage of peat bogs that are frozen decreases each year. Suggest why the percentage of peat bogs that are frozen is decreasing. [1 mark]
  20. June 2023, Biology Paper 2 Foundation, Q01.6 (2 marks): Which two human activities decrease the area of land available for other animals and plants? [2 marks] Tick () two boxes. Building factories Recycling plastics
  21. June 2023, Biology Paper 2 Foundation, Q03.7 (2 marks): Explain why a decrease in the number of plants across the world increases global warming. [2 marks]
  22. June 2022, Biology Paper 2 Higher, Q02 (6 marks): Water pollution is a problem for humans and wildlife. Explain how human activities are polluting rivers, lakes and seas. [6 marks]
  23. June 2022, Biology Paper 2 Higher, Q04.4 (4 marks): Farmers add nitrate fertiliser to fields where they grow corn. Nitrate fertilisers are expensive. Evaluate the economic and environmental implications of adding
  24. June 2022, Biology Paper 2 Higher, Q06.2 (3 marks): Determine the annual rate of loss of sea ice between 1985 and 2017. A trend line has been drawn on Figure 5 to help you. [3 marks] Rate of loss = million square
  25. June 2022, Biology Paper 2 Higher, Q06.3 (2 marks): Suggest why polar bears find it harder to catch seals in autumn than in spring. [2 marks]
  26. June 2022, Biology Paper 2 Higher, Q06.4 (4 marks): Evaluate what might happen to the population of polar bears in the Arctic in the future. [4 marks]
  27. June 2022, Biology Paper 2 Foundation, Q06 (6 marks): Water pollution is a problem for humans and wildlife. Explain how human activities are polluting rivers, lakes and seas. [6 marks]
  28. November 2021, Biology Paper 2 Higher, Q02.1 (2 marks): Describe the trends in the money spent on conserving biodiversity from 2005 to 2011. Use data from Figure 2 in your answer. [2 marks]
  29. November 2021, Biology Paper 2 Higher, Q02.2 (3 marks): Calculate the percentage decrease in the money spent on conserving biodiversity from 2013 to 2017. Use the equation: percentage decrease = change in money spent
  30. November 2021, Biology Paper 2 Higher, Q02.3 (2 marks): Conservation of peat bogs can help maintain biodiversity. Give two uses of peat taken from peat bogs. [2 marks] 1 2
  31. November 2021, Biology Paper 2 Higher, Q02.4 (2 marks): Describe two ways to increase biodiversity in the UK. Do not refer to money spent or to peat in your answer. [2 marks] 1 2
  32. November 2021, Biology Paper 2 Foundation, Q05.1 (1 mark): Give one way deforestation can increase carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere. [1 mark]
  33. November 2021, Biology Paper 2 Foundation, Q05.2 (1 mark): Name one other gas that contributes to climate change. Do not refer to carbon dioxide in your answer. [1 mark]
  34. November 2021, Biology Paper 2 Foundation, Q05.3 (2 marks): Meat is produced for humans to eat. Give two ways the production of meat releases carbon dioxide. [2 marks] 1 2
  35. November 2021, Biology Paper 2 Foundation, Q05.4 (4 marks): The mass of carbon dioxide released during the production of food varies depending on the type of food. Figure 4 shows the mass of carbon dioxide released as a
  36. November 2021, Biology Paper 2 Foundation, Q07.1 (2 marks): Describe the trends in the money spent on conserving biodiversity from 2005 to 2011. Use data from Figure 6 in your answer. [2 marks]
  37. November 2021, Biology Paper 2 Foundation, Q07.2 (3 marks): Calculate the percentage decrease in the money spent on conserving biodiversity from 2013 to 2017. Use the equation: percentage decrease = change in money spent
  38. November 2021, Biology Paper 2 Foundation, Q07.3 (2 marks): Conservation of peat bogs can help maintain biodiversity. Give two uses of peat taken from peat bogs. [2 marks] 1 2
  39. November 2021, Biology Paper 2 Foundation, Q07.4 (2 marks): Describe two ways to increase biodiversity in the UK. Do not refer to money spent or to peat in your answer. [2 marks] 1 2
  40. November 2020, Biology Paper 2 Higher, Q03.1 (1 mark): What is meant by the term biodiversity? [1 mark]
  41. November 2020, Biology Paper 2 Higher, Q03.2 (1 mark): Give one use of peat taken from peat bogs. [1 mark]
  42. November 2020, Biology Paper 2 Higher, Q03.3 (2 marks): Explain why the use of peat is harmful to the environment. Do not refer to biodiversity in your answer. [2 marks]
  43. November 2020, Biology Paper 2 Higher, Q03.4 (2 marks): Intensive farming, where a single crop is grown on a large area of land year after year, is more cost effective for farmers. It is efficient to use fertilisers
  44. November 2020, Biology Paper 2 Higher, Q03.5 (4 marks): Most of the world’s production of antibiotics is used in farming. Antibiotics are given to animals to prevent the spread of disease. Explain how the widespread
  45. November 2020, Biology Paper 2 Higher, Q07.1 (6 marks): Describe the reasons why deforestation takes place and the effects deforestation has on the environment. [6 marks] Forests have been called: ‘The lungs of the p
  46. November 2020, Biology Paper 2 Foundation, Q05.1 (2 marks): What are two ways the farmer could increase biodiversity on his farm? [2 marks] Tick () two boxes. Cut down trees to grow wheat Plant hedgerows around his fiel
  47. June 2019, Biology Paper 2 Higher, Q02.1 (1 mark): Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas that contributes to global warming. Name one other greenhouse gas. [1 mark]
  48. June 2019, Biology Paper 2 Higher, Q02.2 (2 marks): Global warming causes climate change. Give two effects of climate change. [2 marks] 1 2 Question 2 continues on page 10
  49. June 2018, Biology Paper 2 Higher, Q07.5 (2 marks): The population of diploid oysters growing in the wild has reduced by over 80% in the last 20 years. Suggest two environmental factors which may be causing this

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