Roadmap
Module 1: Development of practical skills in biology
1.1 Practical skills assessed in a written examination
1.1.1(a)-(c) - Planning experimental design and controlled variables
1.1.2(a)-(c) - Implementing practical work, units and recording data
1.1.3(a)-(d)(ii) - Analysis, mathematical handling and graph skills
1.1.4(a)-(e) - Evaluation, uncertainty and method improvement
1.2 Practical skills assessed in the practical endorsement
1.2.1(a)-(c) - Investigative approaches, risk and written instructions
1.2.1(d)-(g) - Recording, presenting and processing practical data
1.2.1(h)-(j) - Research, citation and selecting practical equipment
1.2.2(a)-(c) - Measurement apparatus and serial dilutions
1.2.2(d)-(e) - Light microscopy and scientific biological drawings
1.2.2(f)-(g), 1.2.2(i) - Qualitative testing, separation and microbiology
1.2.2(h), 1.2.2(j)-(l) - Responses, dissection, fieldwork and ICT
Module 2: Foundations in biology
2.1.1 Cell structure
2.1.1(a) - Microscopy to observe eukaryotic cells
2.1.1(b)-(d) - Light microscope slide preparation, staining and drawings
2.1.1(e)-(f) - Magnification, resolution and microscope comparisons
2.1.1(g)-(h) - Eukaryotic cell ultrastructure and photomicrographs
2.1.1(i)-(j) - Protein secretion organelles and the cytoskeleton
2.1.1(k) - Prokaryotic and eukaryotic cell comparison
2.1.2 Biological molecules
2.1.2(a) - Water, hydrogen bonding and biological roles
2.1.2(b)-(c) - Monomers, polymers, condensation, hydrolysis and biological elements
2.1.2(d)-(e) - Monosaccharides, disaccharides and glycosidic bonds
2.1.2(f)-(g) - Starch, glycogen and cellulose structure-function
2.1.2(h)-(i) - Triglycerides, phospholipids and ester bonds
2.1.2(j) - Lipid properties, cholesterol and biological functions
2.1.2(k)-(m) - Amino acids, peptide bonds and protein structure
2.1.2(n)-(o) - Globular and fibrous proteins
2.1.2(p) - Inorganic ions in biological processes
2.1.2(q) - Chemical tests for biological molecules
2.1.2(r) - Colorimetry for concentration determination
2.1.2(s)(i)-(ii) - Paper and thin layer chromatography
2.1.3 Nucleotides and nucleic acids
2.1.3(a)-(b) - Nucleotides and phosphodiester-linked polynucleotides
2.1.3(c) - ADP and ATP as phosphorylated nucleotides
2.1.3(d)(i)-(ii) - DNA structure and DNA precipitation
2.1.3(e) - Semi-conservative DNA replication
2.1.3(f) - The nature of the genetic code
2.1.3(g) - Transcription and translation
2.1.4 Enzymes
2.1.4(a)-(b) - Enzymes as intracellular and extracellular catalysts
2.1.4(c) - Mechanism of enzyme action
2.1.4(d)(i)-(ii) - Factors affecting enzyme activity and enzyme practicals
2.1.4(e) - Coenzymes and cofactors
2.1.4(f) - Enzyme inhibitors and end-product inhibition
2.1.5 Biological membranes
2.1.5(a)-(b) - Membrane roles and the fluid mosaic model
2.1.5(c)(i)-(ii) - Factors affecting membrane permeability
2.1.5(d)(i)-(ii) - Movement of molecules across membranes and model cells
2.1.5(e)(i)-(ii) - Osmosis, water potential and practical investigations
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2.1.6 Cell division, cell diversity and cellular organisation
2.1.6(a)-(b) - Cell cycle phases and checkpoint regulation
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2.1.6(c)-(d) - Mitosis stages and plant tissue microscopy
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2.1.6(e)-(f) - Significance of mitosis and meiosis in life cycles
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2.1.6(g) - Stages of meiosis and homologous chromosomes
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2.1.6(h) - Specialised cells in multicellular organisms
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2.1.6(i) - Cells, tissues, organs and organ systems
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2.1.6(j)-(l) - Stem cells and differentiated cell outcomes
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2.1.6(m) - Potential uses of stem cells
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Module 3: Exchange and transport
3.1.1 Exchange surfaces
3.1.1(a)-(b) - Need and features of specialised exchange surfaces
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3.1.1(c)-(d) - Mammalian gaseous exchange system and ventilation
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3.1.1(e) - Spirometry, vital capacity and oxygen uptake data
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3.1.1(f) - Bony fish ventilation, gills and countercurrent exchange
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3.1.1(f) - Insect ventilation and tracheal gas exchange
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3.1.1(g)-(h) - Exchange surface dissection, drawing and histology
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3.1.2 Transport in animals
3.1.2(a)-(b) - Need for transport systems and circulatory designs
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3.1.2(c)-(d) - Blood vessels, tissue fluid and lymph
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3.1.2(e)(i)-(ii) - Mammalian heart structure and dissection
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3.1.2(f) - Cardiac cycle and cardiac output
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3.1.2(g)-(h) - Heart conduction and ECG interpretation
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3.1.2(i) - Haemoglobin transport of oxygen and carbon dioxide
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3.1.2(j) - Oxygen dissociation curves and the Bohr effect
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3.1.3 Transport in plants
3.1.3(a)-(b)(iii) - Plant transport systems and vascular tissue practicals
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3.1.3(c)(i)-(ii) - Transpiration, environmental factors and potometers
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3.1.3(d) - Water movement through plants
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3.1.3(e) - Xerophyte and hydrophyte adaptations
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3.1.3(f) - Translocation in phloem
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Module 4: Biodiversity, evolution and disease
4.1.1 Communicable diseases, disease prevention and the immune system
4.1.1(a)-(b) - Pathogen types and transmission
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4.1.1(c)-(d) - Plant defences and primary animal defences
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4.1.1(e)(i)-(ii) - Phagocytes, blood smears and phagocytosis
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4.1.1(f)-(g) - Lymphocytes, clonal selection and immune memory
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4.1.1(h)-(i) - Antibodies, opsonins, agglutinins and antitoxins
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4.1.1(j)-(k) - Immunity categories and autoimmune disease
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4.1.1(l) - Vaccination programmes and epidemics
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4.1.1(m)-(n) - Medicines, antibiotics and antimicrobial resistance
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4.2.1 Biodiversity
4.2.1(a) - Levels of biodiversity
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4.2.1(b)(i)-(ii) - Sampling biodiversity in habitats
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4.2.1(c)-(d) - Species richness, evenness and Simpson's Index
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4.2.1(e) - Genetic biodiversity calculations
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4.2.1(f)-(g) - Threats to biodiversity and reasons to maintain it
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4.2.1(h)-(i) - Conservation methods and conservation agreements
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4.2.2 Classification and evolution
4.2.2(a)-(b) - Taxonomic hierarchy and binomial naming
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4.2.2(c)(i)-(ii) - Kingdom and domain classification systems
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4.2.2(d) - Classification and phylogeny
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4.2.2(e) - Evidence for evolution by natural selection
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4.2.2(f) - Types and causes of variation
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4.2.2(g) - Adaptations and similar anatomical features
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4.2.2(h) - Natural selection changing population characteristics
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4.2.2(i) - Evolutionary implications for human populations
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Module 5: Communication, homeostasis and energy
5.1.1 Communication and homeostasis
5.1.1(a)-(b) - Communication systems and cell signalling
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5.1.1(c) - Principles of homeostasis and feedback
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5.1.1(d) - Temperature control in ectotherms and endotherms
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5.1.2 Excretion as an example of homeostatic control
5.1.2(a) - Excretion and homeostasis
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5.1.2(b)(i)-(ii) - Liver structure, histology and functions
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5.1.2(c)(i)-(iii) - Kidney structure, nephron action and kidney practicals
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5.1.2(d) - Control of blood water potential by ADH
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5.1.2(e) - Kidney failure, dialysis and transplants
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5.1.2(f) - Diagnostic uses of excretory products
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5.1.3 Neuronal communication
5.1.3(a) - Sensory receptors as transducers
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5.1.3(b) - Sensory, relay and motor neurones
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5.1.3(c) - Generation and transmission of nerve impulses
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5.1.3(d) - Synapses and neurotransmission
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5.1.4 Hormonal communication
5.1.4(a)-(b) - Endocrine communication and adrenal glands
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5.1.4(c)(i)-(ii) - Pancreas histology and endocrine tissue
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5.1.4(d) - Regulation of blood glucose concentration
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5.1.4(e)-(f) - Diabetes mellitus causes and treatments
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5.1.5 Plant and animal responses
5.1.5(a)(i)-(ii) - Plant responses, tropisms and practical investigations
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5.1.5(b) - Roles of plant hormones
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5.1.5(c)-(d) - Auxin and gibberellin experimental evidence
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5.1.5(e) - Plant hormone growth practicals
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5.1.5(f) - Commercial uses of plant hormones
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5.1.5(g) - Organisation of the mammalian nervous system
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5.1.5(h) - Human brain structure and functions
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5.1.5(i) - Reflex actions and survival value
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5.1.5(j) - Fight or flight and adrenaline second messenger signalling
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5.1.5(k) - Effects of hormones and nervous mechanisms on heart rate
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5.1.5(l)(i)-(ii) - Mammalian muscle structure and contraction
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5.2.1 Photosynthesis
5.2.1(a) - Photosynthesis and respiration interrelationship
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5.2.1(b) - Chloroplast structure and photosynthesis sites
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5.2.1(c)(i)-(ii) - Photosynthetic pigments and TLC
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5.2.1(d) - Light-dependent stage of photosynthesis
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5.2.1(e) - Light-independent stage and the Calvin cycle
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5.2.1(f) - Uses of triose phosphate and RuBP regeneration
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5.2.1(g)(i)-(ii) - Factors affecting photosynthesis and rate practicals
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5.2.2 Respiration
5.2.2(a)-(b) - Need for cellular respiration and mitochondria
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5.2.2(c) - Glycolysis
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5.2.2(d)-(e) - Link reaction and Krebs cycle
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5.2.2(f)-(g) - Coenzymes and oxidative phosphorylation
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5.2.2(h) - Chemiosmotic theory
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5.2.2(i)(i)-(ii) - Anaerobic respiration and yeast practicals
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5.2.2(j)-(k) - Respiratory substrates and respiratory quotient
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5.2.2(l) - Respirometers and factors affecting respiration rate
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Module 6: Genetics, evolution and ecosystems
6.1.1 Cellular control
6.1.1(a) - Gene mutations and protein effects
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6.1.1(b) - Regulation of gene expression
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6.1.1(c) - Homeobox and Hox genes in body plans
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6.1.1(d) - Mitosis and apoptosis in body form
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6.1.2 Patterns of inheritance
6.1.2(a)(i)-(ii) - Phenotypic variation and sexual reproduction
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6.1.2(b)(i) - Genetic diagrams for inheritance patterns
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6.1.2(b)(ii) - Phenotypic ratios, linkage and epistasis
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6.1.2(c) - Chi-squared test for genetic crosses
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6.1.2(d) - Genetic basis of continuous and discontinuous variation
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6.1.2(e) - Selection, drift, bottlenecks and founder effects
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6.1.2(f) - Hardy-Weinberg allele-frequency calculations
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6.1.2(g) - Isolating mechanisms and speciation
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6.1.2(h)(i)-(ii) - Artificial selection, selective breeding and ethics
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6.1.3 Manipulating genomes
6.1.3(a) - DNA sequencing principles and new sequencing techniques
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6.1.3(b)(i)-(iii) - Gene sequencing applications and synthetic biology
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6.1.3(c)-(d) - DNA profiling and PCR
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6.1.3(e) - Electrophoresis for nucleic acids and proteins
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6.1.3(f)(i)-(ii) - Genetic engineering principles and techniques
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6.1.3(g) - Ethical issues in genetic manipulation
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6.1.3(h) - Gene therapy in medicine
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6.2.1 Cloning and biotechnology
6.2.1(a)(i)-(ii) - Natural plant clones and cuttings
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6.2.1(b)(i)-(ii) - Micropropagation and artificial plant cloning
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6.2.1(c)-(d)(ii) - Natural and artificial animal cloning
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6.2.1(e)-(f) - Microorganisms in biotechnology and food production
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6.2.1(g)(i)-(ii) - Aseptic culturing and fermentation
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6.2.1(h)(i)-(ii) - Microbial growth curves and growth practicals
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6.2.1(i) - Immobilised enzymes in biotechnology
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6.3.1 Ecosystems
6.3.1(a) - Ecosystems, biotic and abiotic factors
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6.3.1(b) - Biomass transfers and efficiency
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6.3.1(c) - Nitrogen recycling in ecosystems
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6.3.1(c) - Carbon cycling in ecosystems
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6.3.1(d) - Primary and deflected succession
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6.3.1(e)(i)-(ii) - Distribution, abundance and ecosystem sampling
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6.3.2 Populations and sustainability
6.3.2(a) - Population size, limiting factors and carrying capacity
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6.3.2(b) - Predator-prey relationships and competition
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6.3.2(c) - Conservation and preservation
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6.3.2(d) - Sustainable ecosystem management for timber and fishing
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6.3.2(e) - Managing environmental resources and human impacts
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