Observation

This was the most popular question answered by candidates as per it is on conservation and variation.
A few candidates were able to define endangered species while others showed little knowledge about it.
Candidates could not really give a good answer to (c) and (d).

The expected answers are:

(a) (i) Challenges that make the conservation of resources difficult:

- Limited land area for development leads to the rapid destruction of the natural forest;
- Over grazing/over fishing;
- Poaching/ killing of endangered species;
- Bush burning/poor farming methods;
- Over cultivation of land;
- High demand for timber that has resulted in the felling of trees/indiscriminate cutting of trees for firewood;
- Damming of rivers for hydro-electricity and irrigation has resulted in the alteration of the ecosystem;
- Lack of awareness of the populace and policy makers of the need for conservation/lack of education;
- Improper enforcement of existing laws/poor leadership;
- Forest fire;
- Inadequate funding in conservation;
- Lack of international/local cooperation on conservation;
- Illegal/unlawful exploitation of minerals.

(ii) Ways by which Government ensures the conservation of resources:

- Creation of parks/gardens/wildlife/zoo/reserves;
- Putting in place a chemical and toxic waste dump programmes to avoid water pollution;
- Enactment of conservation laws;
- Enforcement of conservation laws;
- Creating awareness/education through the media;
- Establishment of conservation fund;
- Training of conservation personnel/employing experts to manage natural resources;
- Establishing local and international cooperation;
- Aforestation/planting of trees.
.

(b) Endangered species:

Species whose population has become so small; that it can completely be wiped out/become extinct; if not properly managed.

(c)(i) Genotype of child: OO
(ii) Genotype of Father: OO; AO; BO;

(d) Importance of genetic variation to plants
- It enables plants to spread to colonies/new areas;
- It may enable plants to survive harsh/adverse conditions/environments;
- It may enable plants to be resistant to diseases;
- It gives rise to varieties of desirable plant species;
- It makes plants produce better fruits/yield;
- It makes plants produce early yield;