Biodiversity under threat

Biodiversity under threat examines the variety of life on Earth and the accelerating pressures that are causing its decline. This topic covers the concept of biodiversity—including genetic, species, and ecosystem diversity—and explores why it is essential for ecosystem services, human well-being, and planetary health. You will study the main threats: habitat loss, overexploitation, invasive species, pollution, and climate change, with a focus on how these interact and amplify each other.

The topic is central to understanding contemporary environmental crises and links directly to sustainability, conservation, and global governance. In the WJEC A-Level, you will analyse case studies such as tropical rainforests (e.g., Amazon), coral reefs (e.g., Great Barrier Reef), and UK habitats (e.g., peatlands). You will evaluate conservation strategies like protected areas, international agreements (CBD, CITES), and community-based approaches. Understanding these issues is vital for informed citizenship and for tackling questions on human-environment interactions.

Biodiversity loss is not just an environmental issue—it has economic, social, and ethical dimensions. The topic connects to other themes in geography, such as climate change, globalisation, and sustainable development. By studying biodiversity under threat, you develop skills in critical thinking, data analysis (e.g., interpreting extinction rates), and evaluating policy effectiveness. This knowledge is assessed through both short-answer and extended essay questions, often requiring you to use specific examples and evaluate competing perspectives.