IGCSE Biology 0610 · Topic 20

Human influences on ecosystems: past paper questions

275 real questionsasked in 8 of the last 10 exam series2019–2026usually: Describe, State, Suggest, Explain, What

Real questions on human influences on ecosystems

The newest 20 of 140 written questions, plus 135 multiple-choice. Open one to see it on the real paper.

0610/31 · May/June 2026 · Q8a[4]
Describe reasons why animals such as the Arabian oryx become extinct in the wild.
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0610/32 · May/June 2026 · Q2a(i)[2]
Draw one line from each disease to the nutrient that is low in the diet. name of the disease nutrient that is low in the diet calcium rickets iron scurvy protein vitamin C
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0610/32 · May/June 2026 · Q2b[2]
The number of children with rickets was recorded in one area. In 1990, the number of children with rickets was 3. In 2010, the number of children with rickets was 30. Calculate the percentage increase in the number of children with rickets between 1990 and 2010. Space for working. %
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0610/32 · May/June 2026 · Q6d(i)[2]
The list shows five conclusions. Tick (3) two correct conclusions for the data shown in Figure 6.3. The percentage of nests with plastic was above 25% for all species. The percentage of nests with plastic was higher for species C than for species A. The percentage of nests with plastic was highest for species E. The pe...
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0610/32 · May/June 2026 · Q6d(ii)[2]
Suggest two disadvantages to birds of having nests containing non-biodegradable plastic.
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0610/32 · May/June 2026 · Q6e[3]
The population of great cormorants has decreased over time due to habitat destruction. Describe reasons, other than plastic pollution, for habitat destruction.
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0610/33 · May/June 2026 · Q8b(i)[4]
Describe the sources of methane and the effects of methane pollution on ecosystems.
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0610/33 · May/June 2026 · Q8b(ii)[3]
Figure 8.2 shows the estimated changes in the methane concentration in the atmosphere from the year 200 to the year 2000. 1800 1600 1400 methane 1200 concentration in the atmosphere / ppbv 1000 800 600 400 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400 1600 1800 year 2000 Figure 8.2 The list shows some statements about the data in Fig...
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0610/33 · May/June 2026 · Q9b[3]
Goats are often kept as livestock. Some types of livestock are farmed intensively. Underline three statements that describe advantages of intensive livestock production compared to non‑intensive livestock production. • Less agricultural land is needed. • Livestock grow faster. • Livestock must have food provided for th...
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0610/41 · May/June 2026 · Q5a(ii)[3]
Using the information in Table. 5.1, suggest the advantages to the environment of polyculture farming compared to monoculture farming.
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0610/43 · May/June 2026 · Q4b[2]
Chickens can be farmed intensively. Describe two disadvantages of intensive livestock production.
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0610/31 · October/November 2025 · Q8b[4]
Complete the sentences about the atmosphere. Combustion of fossil fuels the concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Another gas that has a similar effect on the atmosphere to carbon dioxide is . This causes an greenhouse effect and leads to
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0610/32 · October/November 2025 · Q3b[3]
Pathogens are one cause of deforestation. Describe other causes of deforestation.
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0610/32 · October/November 2025 · Q3d(ii)[3]
Describe undesirable effects of deforestation, other than reducing biodiversity.
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0610/33 · October/November 2025 · Q5a(i)[1]
Using the information in Fig. 5.1, state the five‑year period which shows the greatest increase in rice production. from to
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0610/33 · October/November 2025 · Q5a(ii)[3]
Using the information in Fig. 5.1, calculate the percentage increase in rice production from 1960 to 1990. Give your answer to the nearest whole number. Space for working.
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0610/33 · October/November 2025 · Q5b[3]
State three methods that humans use to increase crop plant production.
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0610/33 · October/November 2025 · Q5c(i)[3]
Describe the advantages of intensive farming of livestock.
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0610/33 · October/November 2025 · Q5c(ii)[2]
One of the disadvantages of intensive farming of livestock is that untreated sewage from the animals can enter aquatic ecosystems. State two effects of untreated sewage on aquatic ecosystems.
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0610/42 · October/November 2025 · Q4b(i)[3]
Explain the risks to a species of a captive breeding programme that uses such a small number of individuals.
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What examiners said

The majority could not convert cm to mm – answers ranged from 5000 to 50.
— Examiner report, May/June 2025, 0610/31 Q7(a)(i) (Cambridge)

A few got the types of plastic the wrong way round. Some stated that macroplastics and microplastics were present from the start, or 1960. Many got the mark for macroplastics increasing, but they found it difficult to express the change in microplastics correctly with the appropriate years. Several only got half the story and did not make relevant comparisons. Many did not make correct data quotes...
— Examiner report, May/June 2025, 0610/31 Q7(a)(ii) (Cambridge)

Most candidates gave at least one correct answer, usually about eating the plastics or getting tangled. Some described damage to the ecosystem, or toxin release rather than damage to the individual animal. Frequently the idea of blocking out sunlight leading to eutrophication was mentioned.
— Examiner report, May/June 2025, 0610/31 Q7(b) (Cambridge)

Practise this topic

Answer these questions online and get each one marked against the official mark scheme, with what you missed and how to fix it.

Practise human influences on ecosystems

In the syllabus

20.1 Food supply

Describe how humans have increased food production, limited to: (a) agricultural machinery to use larger areas of land and improve efficiency (b) chemical fertilisers to improve yields (c) insecticides to improve quality and yield (d) herbicides to reduce competition with weeds (e) selective breeding to improve production by crop plants and livestock
Describe the advantages and disadvantages of large-scale monocultures of crop plants
Describe the advantages and disadvantages of intensive livestock production

20.2 Habitat destruction

Describe biodiversity as the number of different species that live in an area
Describe the reasons for habitat destruction, including: (a) increased area for housing, crop plant production and livestock production (b) extraction of natural resources (c) freshwater and marine pollution
State that through altering food webs and food chains, humans can have a negative impact on habitats
Explain the undesirable effects of deforestation as an example of habitat destruction, to include: reducing biodiversity, extinction, loss of soil, flooding and increase of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere

20.3 Pollution

Describe the effects of untreated sewage and excess fertiliser on aquatic ecosystems
Describe the effects of non-biodegradable plastics, in both aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems
Describe the sources and effects of pollution of the air by methane and carbon dioxide, limited to: the enhanced greenhouse effect and climate change
Explain the process of eutrophication of water, limited to: • increased availability of nitrate and other ions • increased growth of producers • increased decomposition after death of producers • increased aerobic respiration by decomposers • reduction in dissolved oxygen • death of organisms requiring dissolved oxygen in water

20.4 Conservation

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
State that some resources can be conserved and managed sustainably, limited to forests and fish stocks
Explain why organisms become endangered or extinct, including: climate change, habitat destruction, hunting, overharvesting, pollution and introduced species
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
Explain how forests can be conserved using: education, protected areas, quotas and replanting
Explain how fish stocks can be conserved using: education, closed seasons, protected areas, controlled net types and mesh size, quotas and monitoring
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
Describe the use of artificial insemination (AI) and in vitro fertilisation (IVF) in captive breeding programmes
Explain the risks to a species if its population size decreases, reducing genetic variation (knowledge of genetic drift is not required)

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