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Populations and sustainability: OCR A‑Level Biology A questions

Every OCR A-Level Biology A exam question on 6.3.2 Populations and sustainability, 2016–2025, with its mark scheme and examiner’s report.

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1,984 questions

  1. Q15

    June 2025 · Paper 2

    1 mark6.3.2 Populations and sustainability
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Paper 2, question 15: Ecosystems can provide resources in a sustainable way. Which option describes the meaning of sustainable in the above sentence? A Cost-effective use of a resour

  2. Q19(a)(ii)

    June 2025 · Paper 2

    1 mark6.3.2 Populations and sustainability
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Paper 2, question 19(a)(ii): The Farne Islands can be seen as an environmental resource that is affected by human activities. Identify one example of conservation that is necessary as a dir

  3. Q19(a)(iii)

    June 2025 · Paper 2

    1 mark6.3.2 Populations and sustainability
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Paper 2, question 19(a)(iii): There are no mammalian predators, such as rats and stoats, on the Farne Islands. Mammalian predators eat birds and their eggs. Part of the conservation work inv

  4. Q19(b)(ii)

    June 2025 · Paper 2

    4 marks6.3.2 Populations and sustainability
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Paper 2, question 19(b)(ii): Discuss the effect a decline in puffin population could have on other species in the area. [4]

  5. Q2(c)

    June 2024 · Paper 3

    1 mark6.3.2 Populations and sustainability
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Paper 3, question 2(c): Timber can be produced sustainably to maintain biodiversity in woodland. Describe one way in which timber can be produced sustainably. [1]

  6. Q20(a)

    June 2023 · Paper 2

    3 marks6.3.2 Populations and sustainability
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Paper 2, question 20(a): Describe the changes in the deer population since 1993. [3]

  7. Q20(b)(i)

    June 2023 · Paper 2

    2 marks6.3.2 Populations and sustainability
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Paper 2, question 20(b)(i): Calculate the percentage increase in the wolf population between 1995 and 2003. Percentage increase = [2]

  8. Q20(b)(ii)

    June 2023 · Paper 2

    2 marks6.3.2 Populations and sustainability
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Paper 2, question 20(b)(ii): Between 2003 and 2010 there were no significant changes in the climate of this area of North America and no disease outbreaks. Suggest and explain one reason fo

  9. Q20(c)(i)

    June 2023 · Paper 2

    1 mark6.3.2 Populations and sustainability
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Paper 2, question 20(c)(i): Suggest why the population of beavers is measured in colonies rather than individual animals. [1]

  10. Q20(c)(ii)

    June 2023 · Paper 2

    4 marks6.3.2 Populations and sustainability
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Paper 2, question 20(c)(ii): Scientists have claimed that the reintroduction of the wolves has caused the beaver population to increase. Evaluate the support given by the evidence in the gr

  11. Q20(c)(iii)

    June 2023 · Paper 2

    1 mark6.3.2 Populations and sustainability
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Paper 2, question 20(c)(iii): Beavers build dams in the water using trees they have cut down. Deer damage trees while they are feeding. Wolves often hunt deer that are feeding near water. Th

  12. Q20(d)(i)

    June 2023 · Paper 2

    2 marks6.3.2 Populations and sustainability
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Paper 2, question 20(d)(i): Explain why the reintroduction of beavers to Britain is an example of conservation. [2]

  13. Q20(d)(ii)

    June 2023 · Paper 2

    1 mark6.3.2 Populations and sustainability
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Paper 2, question 20(d)(ii): Suggest a situation in which preservation of a habitat would be necessary. [1]

  14. Q15

    June 2022 · Paper 2

    1 mark6.3.2 Populations and sustainability
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2022 Paper 2, question 15: Competition is an important factor in determining population size. Which statement about competition is not correct? A Competition between two species can resul

  15. Q19(b)(i)

    June 2022 · Paper 2

    3 marks6.3.2 Populations and sustainability
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2022 Paper 2, question 19(b)(i): List three other strategies that governments could use to increase the sustainability of commercial fishing. 1 2 3 [3]

  16. Q19(b)(ii)

    June 2022 · Paper 2

    1 mark6.3.2 Populations and sustainability
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2022 Paper 2, question 19(b)(ii): International agreements are an important approach to sustainability. Suggest why international agreements are particularly important in the case of sustainable

  17. Q17(b)(i)

    November 2021 · Paper 2

    2 marks6.3.2 Populations and sustainability
    The whole paper ↗
    November 2021 Paper 2, question 17(b)(i): Calculate the estimated population of UK hen harriers in 2004. Estimated population = pairs [2]

  18. Q17(b)(ii)

    November 2021 · Paper 2

    1 mark6.3.2 Populations and sustainability
    The whole paper ↗
    November 2021 Paper 2, question 17(b)(ii): Since 2004, the population of red grouse in the UK has been relatively stable and it is not thought that the population has been affected by changes in climate.

  19. Q17(c)(ii)

    November 2021 · Paper 2

    1 mark6.3.2 Populations and sustainability
    The whole paper ↗
    November 2021 Paper 2, question 17(c)(ii): Apart from regular burning, suggest another procedure that could be carried out to conserve the heather moorland habitat. [1]

  20. Q21(a)(i)

    November 2020 · Paper 2

    2 marks6.3.2 Populations and sustainability
    The whole paper ↗
    November 2020 Paper 2, question 21(a)(i): Calculate the percentage decrease in the population of algae between the peak population and 1 November. percentage decrease = [2]
All 31 questions on Populations and sustainability, as a list
  1. June 2025, Paper 2, Q15 (1 mark): Ecosystems can provide resources in a sustainable way. Which option describes the meaning of sustainable in the above sentence? A Cost-effective use of a resour
  2. June 2025, Paper 2, Q19(a)(ii) (1 mark): The Farne Islands can be seen as an environmental resource that is affected by human activities. Identify one example of conservation that is necessary as a dir
  3. June 2025, Paper 2, Q19(a)(iii) (1 mark): There are no mammalian predators, such as rats and stoats, on the Farne Islands. Mammalian predators eat birds and their eggs. Part of the conservation work inv
  4. June 2025, Paper 2, Q19(b)(ii) (4 marks): Discuss the effect a decline in puffin population could have on other species in the area. [4]
  5. June 2024, Paper 3, Q2(c) (1 mark): Timber can be produced sustainably to maintain biodiversity in woodland. Describe one way in which timber can be produced sustainably. [1]
  6. June 2023, Paper 2, Q20(a) (3 marks): Describe the changes in the deer population since 1993. [3]
  7. June 2023, Paper 2, Q20(b)(i) (2 marks): Calculate the percentage increase in the wolf population between 1995 and 2003. Percentage increase = [2]
  8. June 2023, Paper 2, Q20(b)(ii) (2 marks): Between 2003 and 2010 there were no significant changes in the climate of this area of North America and no disease outbreaks. Suggest and explain one reason fo
  9. June 2023, Paper 2, Q20(c)(i) (1 mark): Suggest why the population of beavers is measured in colonies rather than individual animals. [1]
  10. June 2023, Paper 2, Q20(c)(ii) (4 marks): Scientists have claimed that the reintroduction of the wolves has caused the beaver population to increase. Evaluate the support given by the evidence in the gr
  11. June 2023, Paper 2, Q20(c)(iii) (1 mark): Beavers build dams in the water using trees they have cut down. Deer damage trees while they are feeding. Wolves often hunt deer that are feeding near water. Th
  12. June 2023, Paper 2, Q20(d)(i) (2 marks): Explain why the reintroduction of beavers to Britain is an example of conservation. [2]
  13. June 2023, Paper 2, Q20(d)(ii) (1 mark): Suggest a situation in which preservation of a habitat would be necessary. [1]
  14. June 2022, Paper 2, Q15 (1 mark): Competition is an important factor in determining population size. Which statement about competition is not correct? A Competition between two species can resul
  15. June 2022, Paper 2, Q19(b)(i) (3 marks): List three other strategies that governments could use to increase the sustainability of commercial fishing. 1 2 3 [3]
  16. June 2022, Paper 2, Q19(b)(ii) (1 mark): International agreements are an important approach to sustainability. Suggest why international agreements are particularly important in the case of sustainable
  17. November 2021, Paper 2, Q17(b)(i) (2 marks): Calculate the estimated population of UK hen harriers in 2004. Estimated population = pairs [2]
  18. November 2021, Paper 2, Q17(b)(ii) (1 mark): Since 2004, the population of red grouse in the UK has been relatively stable and it is not thought that the population has been affected by changes in climate.
  19. November 2021, Paper 2, Q17(c)(ii) (1 mark): Apart from regular burning, suggest another procedure that could be carried out to conserve the heather moorland habitat. [1]
  20. November 2020, Paper 2, Q21(a)(i) (2 marks): Calculate the percentage decrease in the population of algae between the peak population and 1 November. percentage decrease = [2]
  21. November 2020, Paper 2, Q21(a)(iii) (3 marks): A student concluded that the increase in population of algae was due to higher temperatures and higher light intensity in the summer months. Considering Fig. 21
  22. November 2020, Paper 3, Q5(c) (2 marks): The peat bog habitat had been damaged by peat extraction and by management of the neighbouring farmland. Ecologists decided to treat the peat bog in the followi
  23. June 2019, Paper 2, Q18(a) (2 marks): Explain one way in which tourists can lead to an increase in the biodiversity of an area. [2]
  24. June 2019, Paper 2, Q18(b)(i) (1 mark): Using Fig. 18, estimate the percentage of land that is covered by woodland and forest. estimate = % [1]
  25. June 2019, Paper 2, Q18(b)(ii) (2 marks): Timber can be produced economically by a technique called clear felling. Clear felling can damage biodiversity. Explain how it is possible to produce timber sus
  26. June 2019, Paper 2, Q18(b)(iii) (6 marks): The Lake District is the largest National Park in England, covering an area of 2362 km2. It contains a wide variety of species, some of which are under threat o
  27. June 2018, Paper 2, Q17(a)(i) (3 marks): Before 1975 the only penguin species on the island was the adélie penguin. Chinstrap penguins were first recorded on the island in 1976. The changes in the chin
  28. June 2018, Paper 2, Q17(a)(ii) (2 marks): Calculate the mean annual decrease in the adélie penguin population between 1988 and 2010. Show your working. Give your answer to three significant figures. Ans
  29. June 2018, Paper 2, Q22(d) (2 marks): Listed below are three approaches, A, B and C, that can be taken to maintain biodiversity: A ex situ conservation B in situ conservation C preservation For each
  30. June 2017, Paper 2, Q8 (1 mark): The graph shows a typical population growth curve. Z Y population size X W V time Which row correctly describes what is happening at each of stages V to Z? V W
  31. June 2017, Paper 2, Q16(b) (3 marks): The Madidi National Park is also home to approximately 260 000 humans who support themselves by means of cattle-farming, and the production of timber and brazil

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