AQA GCSE Combined Science: Trilogy Biology Paper 2 (Higher), November 2021: Question 2

9 marks · Standard Demand difficulty · Short Answer

Describe trends and calculate the percentage decrease in government biodiversity spending from a bar chart, and state uses of peat and methods to increase UK biodiversity.

Practise this question

Question

Question 02 begins with Figure 2, a vertical bar chart displaying money spent on conserving biodiversity in the UK by the government from 2005 to 2017. The vertical axis represents 'Money spent in millions of pounds' ranging from 300 to 700 with gridlines every 10 units. The horizontal axis lists years from 2005 to 2017. Values are: 2005 (470), 2006 (540), 2007 (630), 2008 (690), 2009 (660), 2010 (650), 2011 (630), 2012 (640), 2013 (690), 2014 (630), 2015 (600), 2016 (540), and 2017 (460). Sub-question 02.1 asks to describe the trends in money spent from 2005 to 2011 using data from Figure 2 (2 marks). Sub-question 02.2 asks to calculate the percentage decrease in money spent from 2013 to 2017 using a given equation, to 2 significant figures (3 marks). Sub-question 02.3 asks for two uses of peat taken from peat bogs (2 marks). Sub-question 02.4 asks to describe two ways to increase biodiversity in the UK, excluding money spent or peat (2 marks).
Question text

02 Figure 2 shows the money spent on conserving biodiversity in the UK by

the government.

Figure 2

02.1 Describe the trends in the money spent on conserving biodiversity from 2005 to 2011.

Use data from Figure 2 in your answer.

[2 marks]

02.2 Calculate the percentage decrease in the money spent on conserving biodiversity

from 2013 to 2017.

Use the equation:

change in money spent from 2013 to 2017

percentage decrease = × 100

money spent in 2013

Give your answer to 2 significant figures.

[3 marks]

Percentage decrease (2 significant figures) = %

02.3 Conservation of peat bogs can help maintain biodiversity.

Give two uses of peat taken from peat bogs.

[2 marks]

02.4 Describe two ways to increase biodiversity in the UK.

Do not refer to money spent or to peat in your answer.

[2 marks]

Mark scheme

Show the mark scheme The mark scheme provides answers for question 02 in a table. For 02.1: 1 mark for 'increases (from 2005) to 690 million or increases to 2008', and 1 mark for 'decreases (from 2008) to 630 million'. For 02.2: 1 mark for setting up '(690 - 460) / 690 * 100', 1 mark for calculating 33.3(%), and 1 mark for rounding to 2 significant figures (33%). For 02.3: 1 mark for 'compost' (or improving soil) and 1 mark for 'burning or as a fuel'. For 02.4: 2 marks for any two from reduce pollution, plant trees, breeding programmes, rewilding / regeneration of habitats / hedgerows / meadows, reintroducing wider field margins, planting a variety of crops, or reducing use of pesticide / herbicide / insecticide.

AO /

Question Answers Extra information Mark

Spec. Ref.

02.1 increases (from 2005) to 690 allow peak in 2008 1 AO2

million or increases to 2008 allow peak at 690 million 4.7.3.1

4.7.3.6

decreases (from 2008) to 630 1

million

if no other mark awarded,

allow overall increase from

470 million

or

overall increase to 630 million

or

(overall) increase of 160 million

or

increases to 690 and decreases

to 630 (without units)

for 1 mark

02.2 allow AO2

690(million) − 460(million) 230(million) 1 4.7.3.1

× 100 × 100

690(million) 690(million) 4.7.3.6

33.3 (%) ignore number of decimal places 1

allow calculated value from

incorrect graph readings

33 (%) allow calculated answer 1

correctly given to 2 significant

figures

02.3 compost allow improving soil (texture / 1 AO1

drainage / quality) 4.7.3.3

ignore farming unqualified

ignore as fertiliser

burning 1

or

as a fuel

ignore references to carbon

dioxide, greenhouse gases or 9

02.4

global warming

2 AO1

any two from:

• reduce pollution allow reduce named example of 4.7.3.1

pollution, eg smoke or acidic 4.7.3.2

gases or sewage or fertiliser 4.7.3.4

allow reduce toxic waste 4.7.3.6

dumping

• plant trees allow afforestation

allow reforestation

ignore reduce / stop

deforestation

• breeding programmes (for

endangered species)

• rewilding / regeneration of allow planting wild flower seeds

habitats / hedgerows /

meadows

• (reintroducing) wider field

margins

• plant a variety of crops allow reduce monoculture

• reduce use of pesticide /

herbicide / insecticide

ignore recycling

ignore protect / conserve

habitat(s) / areas

Total 9

How to answer it

Biodiversity Trends, Peat Bogs, and Conservation

📋 What This Question Tests

This question assesses core skills and factual recall across AQA Biology Topic 7 (Ecology):

  • Graph analysis: Reading bar charts accurately and describing two-stage trends with relevant figures and units.
  • Maths skills in biology: Calculating percentage decrease using a given formula and rounding the final answer to 2 significant figures.
  • Peat bogs and human impact: Recalling the domestic and commercial uses of harvested peat.
  • Maintaining biodiversity: Identifying practical conservation programmes used across the UK to protect ecosystems.
Question 02.1 • 2 Marks

Describing Spending Trends (2005 to 2011)

Describing two distinct stages of a trend using graph data

✅ Correct Answer (Awarded 2 Marks)

  • Mark 1: Increases from 2005 to reach a peak in 2008 at 690 million pounds (or increases to 2008).
  • Mark 2: Decreases from 2008 to 630 million pounds in 2011.

🧠 Exam Technique: Describing Trends

  • Look for turning points: When a graph goes up and then down, describe both halves of the journey. Never just give an overall statement if the pattern changes!
  • Check the year range: The question asks only from 2005 to 2011. Do not waste time describing 2012 to 2017.
  • Quote data with units: Always include the unit from the axis (e.g. £690 million).

❌ Common Errors & Lost Marks

  • Writing "it fluctuates" without giving numbers or specific turning points.
  • Only stating that it went up overall from £470m to £630m (this only earned 1 mark as a concession).
  • Leaving off the word "million" (e.g., writing "increases to 690 pounds").

💡 Graph Reading Guide

Each small square on the vertical axis represents 10 units (£10 million):

  • 2005: 470 million
  • 2008: 690 million (one small square below 700)
  • 2011: 630 million (three small squares above 600)
Mark Scheme Note: Mentioning both values (690 and 630) without units gives a maximum of 1 mark.
Question 02.2 • 3 Marks

Percentage Decrease Calculation

Using values from the bar chart and rounding to 2 significant figures

📐 Step-by-Step Calculation

Formula given: percentage decrease = (change in money spent ÷ money spent in 2013) × 100

  1. Step 1: Read values from Figure 2:
    • Money spent in 2013 = 690 million
    • Money spent in 2017 = 460 million
  2. Step 2: Calculate decrease and substitute into formula [1 Mark]:
    Change = 690 - 460 = 230 million
    (230 ÷ 690) × 100
  3. Step 3: Unrounded calculation [1 Mark]:
    230 ÷ 690 = 0.3333...
    0.3333... × 100 = 33.33...%
  4. Step 4: Round to 2 significant figures [1 Mark]:
    First significant digit is 3, second is 3, next is 3 (rounds down).
    Answer = 33%

❌ Common Errors

  • Dividing by the wrong year: Dividing by the 2017 value (460) instead of the original 2013 value (690).
  • Ignoring significant figures: Writing 33.3% or leaving it as a fraction. Even if the maths is right, leaving the answer as 33.3% loses the 3rd mark!
  • Misreading the 2017 bar: 2017 is 460 million (6 small squares above 400).

🧠 Exam Tip: Significant Figures vs Decimals

Don't confuse significant figures with decimal places:

  • 33.3% has 3 significant figures and 1 decimal place.
  • 33% has 2 significant figures and 0 decimal places.
Final Answer: 33% (Allow error carried forward if readings from graph were slightly incorrect but calculation and 2 s.f. rounding are correct).
Question 02.3 • 2 Marks

Uses of Harvested Peat

Recalling why peat is extracted from peat bogs

✅ Any TWO of the following (1 Mark each):

  • Compost (allow improving soil texture / drainage / quality).
  • Burning / as a fuel.

💡 Key Knowledge: Why Peat Bogs Matter

  • Peat bogs are waterlogged, acidic wetlands where dead plant matter cannot fully decay due to a lack of oxygen.
  • They act as massive carbon stores (sinks) and provide unique habitats with high biodiversity.
  • Destroying peat bogs releases CO₂ into the atmosphere and reduces biodiversity.

❌ Examiner Rejections

  • "Fertiliser" is strictly NOT accepted. Peat improves soil structure and retains moisture, but contains very few plant nutrients!
  • "Farming" unqualified is too vague to gain credit.

🧠 Easy Memory Aid

Remember peat has two main historical uses:

🔥 Burn it (fuel) or 🌱 Bag it (compost for gardeners).

Question 02.4 • 2 Marks

Ways to Increase Biodiversity in the UK

Practical measures taken to conserve and boost species richness

✅ Any TWO from the following (1 Mark each):

  • Plant trees (allow afforestation / reforestation).
  • Breeding programmes for endangered species.
  • Reduce pollution (e.g. reduce smoke, acidic gases, sewage, fertiliser run-off, or dumping toxic waste).
  • Rewilding / regeneration of habitats (e.g. planting wildflower meadows, regenerating hedgerows).
  • Reintroducing field margins / hedgerows in agricultural land.
  • Plant a variety of crops (reducing monoculture).
  • Reduce the use of pesticides (herbicides, insecticides).

❌ Restrictions & Disallowed Answers

  • Read the negative instructions: The question clearly said "Do not refer to money spent or to peat". Any mention of spending or peat scored 0.
  • Do not write vague answers like "protect habitats" or "conserve areas" without specifying how.
  • Ignore: References to carbon dioxide, greenhouse gases, global warming, or recycling.
  • "Stop deforestation" was ignored—examiners wanted proactive actions like planting trees or afforestation.

🧠 How to Get Full Marks on "Biodiversity Programmes"

AQA specification 4.7.3.6 lists five specific programmes designed to maintain biodiversity. Memorise this checklist:

  1. Breeding programmes for endangered species.
  2. Protection and regeneration of rare habitats (e.g. coral reefs, mangroves, heathlands).
  3. Reintroduction of field margins and hedgerows in agricultural areas where farmers grow only one type of crop.
  4. Reduction of deforestation and carbon dioxide emissions by some governments.
  5. Recycling resources rather than dumping waste in landfills.

Topics

Biology · B7: Ecology

Question and mark scheme from the AQA GCSE Combined Science: Trilogy examination, Biology Paper 2 (Higher), November 2021. QuestionVault is an independent revision resource; questions remain the copyright of the awarding body.