Many candidates did not and could not answer this question. The ones that answered the question do not know what eutrophication is.
The expected answers are:
4(a) (i) Conservation
Planned/wise/judicious use/management of the earth’s natural resources; in order to ensure sustenance/availability/continuity; and preservation of the quality of the natural/original nature of the environment.
(ii) Factors responsible for decline of abundance and variety of wildlife
- Commercial hunting which kills off animals indiscriminately;
- industrialization which involves clearing of forests;
- for various purposes/construction/farming/urbanization;
- destruction of habitats of wildlife by human activities;
- bush burning/noise pollution leads to wildlife migration;
- environmental pollution which releases dangerous materials that degrades environment making it unbearable for the wildlife;
- massive/excessive tree felling to make charcoal/domestic uses;
- lack of awareness/inadequate education of populace on the need for conservation;
- lack of adequate funding to enforce conservation policy.
(b) Ways by which the Government can improve the situation
- establishment of forestry departments;
- establishment of Environment Protection Agency to improve the situation;
- creation of Parks and Games Reserves/any correctly named example;
- to preserve/maintain plants and animals in their natural environment;
- conservation education carried out through tree planting/ campaigns against bush burning/ tree
felling /poaching;
- conservation laws to regulate tree felling; poaching/hunting of wild animals and bush burning;
- establishment of zoological gardens/ preserving endangered species.
(c) (i) Eutrophication
Excessive growth of plant life/algae/algal bloom; in water courses/bodies, caused by an increase in organic nutrients and minerals; leading to the death of aquatic organisms.
(ii) Causes of eutrophication
Overuse of fertilizers/plant nutrients which drain off into water bodies; sewage discharge; wastes from fish farming.
