Test Topic 1 and 2 ESS [44 marks]

1a. Outline how species diversity and population size influence the resilience[3 marks]
of an ecosystem.
1b. With reference to named examples, discuss the significance of diversity [4 marks]
in the sustainability of food production systems.

Figure 8(a): Fact file on urban agriculture and vertical farms

Approximately 9 % of London’s land area is used for agriculture.
Most commercial farms are on the edges of London, in the “green belt”.
There is increasing interest in urban agriculture, such as vertical farming and
rooftop gardening, including beekeeping.
Vertical farms:
Vertical farms exist underground and inside empty industrial buildings.
They produce vegetables such as salad leaves, lettuce, spinach and herbs.
Compared to traditional UK agriculture, vertical farms use up to 70 % less water
and no pesticides.
Urban beekeeping:
There are over 1000 beekeepers in London.
There is a higher density of bees in London than in rural areas of the UK.
London’s bees have more diverse food sources and are healthier than rural
bees.
An 11 km “bee corridor” of wildflowers has been created in north London.
 Figure 8(b): Underground vertical farm

[Source: LouisHiemstra / www.istockphoto.com.]

Figure 8(c): Rooftop beekeeping

[Source: Permission from Berkeley Homes.]

2. With reference to Figures 8(a), 8(b) and 8(c), suggest how urban [3 marks]
agriculture could be used to increase the carrying capacity of London.
 An area of temperate coniferous forest was deforested and allowed to regenerate.
A survey of species numbers was conducted in three successional stages. The
results of the survey are summarized in Table 1.
Table 1: The number of organisms found in each successional stage for
selected species

3a. Referring to the data in Table 1, calculate the Simpson’s diversity index [2 marks]
(D) of the late successional stage (show your working).
N ( N −1 )
D= ∑ n ( n−1 )
3b. Define species diversity. [2 marks]

3c. Explain why the diversity changes in the different successional stages. [2 marks]

Figure 2: Keen’s mouse was found in all three successional stages

[Source: Stuart Wilson / Biosphoto / Alamy Stock Photo.]

3d. State one method to determine the population size of the Keen’s mouse. [1 mark]
3e. Identify two factors that could impact the accuracy of the method stated[2 marks]
in 2(d)(i).

4. Identify four factors that make the use of the insecticide DDT [4 marks]
controversial.
 The figure refers to a typical Western European diet. This example shows
recommended consumption of food types (on the basis of health) and the
environmental impact of their production.

5a. With reference to Figures 1(a) and 1(b) state the food that has the [1 mark]
highest environmental impact.

5b. With reference to Figures 1(a) and 1(b) state the food that has the [1 mark]
highest recommended consumption.
5c. Describe the relationship between both pyramids in Figures 1(a) and [2 marks]
1(b).

5d. Describe how foods high on the environmental impact pyramid, shown in [2 marks]
Figure 1(b), are likely to affect the ecological footprint of global food
production.

6. Explain how the interactions between a species and its environment give [3 marks]
rise to the S-shape of its population growth curve.
 Figure 2(a): Fact file about the red-necked and imperial amazon parrots

[Source: © International Baccalaureate Organization 2020.]

7a. Using Figure 2(a), state one physical characteristic that may be used to [1 mark]
differentiate these two species from each other in an identification key.

7b. With reference to Figure 2(a), state the type of biotic interaction that [1 mark]
occurs between the imperial amazon and the red-necked amazon parrots.
7c. Compare and contrast the realized niches of the two parrot species. [3 marks]

Figure 2(b): Changes in the numbers of individual imperial and red-

necked amazon parrots

[Source: Paul R. Reillo, Ph.D., President, Rare Species Conservatory Foundation,

Director, Tropical Conservation Institute,
Research Professor, Institute of the Environment, Florida International University.
Data from World Parrot Trust, 2019. https://www.parrots.org/projects/red-necked-
 amazon.
ACTP. ACTP responds to the commentary concerning conservation measures
required for the endangered
Amazon parrots of the Commonwealth of Dominica. 2018 Available at:
https://www.act-parrots.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Dominica-
Statement.pdf.]

7d. With reference to Figure 2(b), calculate the percent increase in red- [1 mark]
necked amazon numbers between 1980 and 2012.

7e. With reference to Figures 2(a) and 2(b), suggest two reasons why the [2 marks]
red-necked amazon population has recovered more quickly than the
imperial amazon population following Hurricane David in 1979.
 Figure 2: Representation of the water cycle

[Source: © International Baccalaureate Organization 2020.]

8. Define Transfer and Transformation [4 marks]

Identify one transfer and one transformation process shown in Figure 2.

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