20.4

Conservation

Cambridge IGCSE Biology (0610)  · Unit 20: Human influences on ecosystems  · 12 flashcards

Conservation is topic 20.4 in the Cambridge IGCSE Biology (0610) syllabus , positioned in Unit 20 — Human influences on ecosystems , alongside Food supply, Habitat destruction and Pollution.  In one line: A sustainable resource is produced as quickly as it is removed from the environment, ensuring it does not deplete. Forests managed through replanting after logging are an example of a sustainably managed resource.

This topic is examined in Paper 1 (multiple-choice) and Papers 3/4 (theory), plus Paper 5 or Paper 6 (practical / alternative to practical).

The deck below contains 12 flashcards — 1 definition, 5 key concepts, 1 process card and 5 application cards — covering the precise wording mark schemes reward.  Use the definition card to lock down command-word answers (define, state), then move on to the concept and application cards to handle explain, describe and compare questions.

Key definition

What defines a sustainable resource

A sustainable resource is produced as quickly as it is removed from the environment, ensuring it does not deplete. Forests managed through replanting after logging are an example of a sustainably managed resource.

What the Cambridge 0610 syllabus says

Official 2026-2028 spec

These are the exact learning objectives Cambridge sets for this topic. Match the command word (Describe, Explain, State, etc.) in your answer to score full marks.

  1. Describe Describe a sustainable resource as one which is produced as rapidly as it is removed from the environment so that it does not run out
  2. State State that some resources can be conserved and managed sustainably, limited to forests and fish stocks
  3. Explain Explain why organisms become endangered or extinct, including: climate change, habitat destruction, hunting, overharvesting, pollution and introduced species
  4. Describe Describe how endangered species can be conserved, limited to: (a) monitoring and protecting species and habitats (b) education (c) captive breeding programmes (d) seed banks
  5. Explain Explain how forests can be conserved using: education, protected areas, quotas and replanting Supplement
  6. Explain Explain how fish stocks can be conserved using: education, closed seasons, protected areas, controlled net types and mesh size, quotas and monitoring Supplement
  7. Describe Describe the reasons for conservation programmes, limited to: (a) maintaining or increasing biodiversity (b) reducing extinction (c) protecting vulnerable ecosystems (d) maintaining ecosystem functions, limited to nutrient cycling and resource provision, including food, drugs, fuel and genes Supplement
  8. Describe Describe the use of artificial insemination (AI) and in vitro fertilisation (IVF) in captive breeding programmes Supplement
  9. Explain Explain the risks to a species if its population size decreases, reducing genetic variation (knowledge of genetic drift is not required) Supplement
Definition Flip

What defines a sustainable resource?

Answer Flip

A sustainable resource is produced as quickly as it is removed from the environment, ensuring it does not deplete. Forests managed through replanting after logging are an example of a sustainably managed resource.

Key Concept Flip

Name two resources that can be conserved and managed sustainably.

Answer Flip

Forests and fish stocks are two examples of resources that can be conserved and managed sustainably through careful planning and management practices. Sustainable logging practices can ensure forests regrow, while fishing quotas can protect fish populations.

Key Concept Flip

List four factors that can cause organisms to become endangered or extinct.

Answer Flip

Climate change (

Example: melting polar ice endangering polar bears), habitat destruction (. deforestation reducing orangutan habitat), hunting (. overhunting of tigers), and pollution (. pesticide runoff harming insect populations) can all lead to endangerment or extinction.
Key Concept Flip

Describe two methods used to conserve endangered species.

Answer Flip

Monitoring and protecting species and their habitats (

Example: establishing national parks) and education (. raising awareness about rhino poaching) are common methods. Captive breeding programmes like those for the Californian Condor help increase population sizes.
Key Concept Flip

How can education contribute to forest conservation?

Answer Flip

Education raises awareness about the importance of forests, promoting responsible behaviors.

Example: educating communities about the impact of illegal logging can encourage them to protect forests.
Key Concept Flip

Explain how quotas can be used to conserve fish stocks.

Answer Flip

Quotas limit the amount of fish that can be caught, preventing overfishing and allowing fish populations to recover. Imposing catch limits for cod,

Example: can help rebuild depleted cod stocks.
Key Concept Flip

Describe two reasons for implementing conservation programs.

Answer Flip

Maintaining or increasing biodiversity (

Example: protecting coral reefs) and reducing extinction (. efforts to save the Amur leopard) are key reasons. Protecting vulnerable ecosystems like rainforests also promotes these objectives.
Key Concept Flip

Explain how closed seasons can help conserve fish stocks.

Answer Flip

Closed seasons prohibit fishing during breeding periods, allowing fish populations to reproduce undisturbed.

Example: closing salmon rivers during spawning season ensures that more salmon can reproduce.
Key Concept Flip

Describe how controlled net types and mesh sizes conserve fish stocks.

Answer Flip

Using nets with larger mesh sizes allows smaller, younger fish to escape, enabling them to grow and reproduce, maintaining the fish population. This can reduce bycatch too, as unwanted species like dolphins can swim out.

Key Concept Flip

Describe the use of artificial insemination (AI) in captive breeding programs.

Answer Flip

AI involves collecting sperm from a male and artificially inserting it into a female. This allows breeding between individuals that may be geographically separated or unable to mate naturally, increasing genetic diversity. Used often in panda conservation.

Key Concept Flip

Explain one risk to a species if its population size decreases.

Answer Flip

Decreased population size reduces genetic variation, making the species more vulnerable to diseases and environmental changes.

Example: a disease could wipe out a genetically uniform population of cheetahs more easily.
Key Concept Flip

Explain the role of protected areas in conserving forests.

Answer Flip

Protected areas, like national parks, restrict human activities such as logging and development, preserving forest ecosystems and biodiversity. This allows the forests to thrive and support a wide range of species.

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20.3 Pollution 21.1 Biotechnology and genetic modification

Key Questions: Conservation

What defines a sustainable resource?

A sustainable resource is produced as quickly as it is removed from the environment, ensuring it does not deplete. Forests managed through replanting after logging are an example of a sustainably managed resource.

More topics in Unit 20 — Human influences on ecosystems

Conservation sits alongside these Biology decks in the same syllabus unit. Each uses the same spaced-repetition system, so progress in one informs the next.

20.1 Food supply

11 flashcards
20.2 Habitat destruction

11 flashcards
20.3 Pollution

12 flashcards

Cambridge syllabus keywords to use in your answers

These are the official Cambridge 0610 terms tagged to this section. Mark schemes credit responses that use the exact term — weave them into your answers verbatim rather than paraphrasing.

conservation sustainable development sustainability recycling endangered extinct wildlife reserve breeding programme

Key terms covered in this Conservation deck

Every term below is defined in the flashcards above. Use the list as a quick recall test before your exam — if you can't define one of these in your own words, flip back to that card.

What defines a sustainable resource

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How to study this Conservation deck

Start in Study Mode, attempt each card before flipping, then rate Hard, Okay or Easy. Cards you rate Hard come back within a day; cards you rate Easy push out to weeks. Your progress is saved in your browser, so come back daily for 5–10 minute reviews until every card reads Mastered.