Show:
Topic 1
Topic 2
Topic 3
Topic 4
Topic 5
Topic 6
Topic 7
Topic 8
100

What is the name of Topic 1?

Foundations of environmental systems and societies

100

What is the name of Topic 2

Ecosystems and ecology

100

What is the name of Topic 3

Biodiversity and conservation

100

What is the name of Topic 4

Water and aquatic food production systems and societies

100

What is the name of Topic 5

Soil systems and terrestrial food production systems and societies

100

What is the name of Topic 6

Atmospheric systems and societies

100

What is the name of Topic 7

Climate change and energy production


100

What is the name of Topic 8

Human population dynamics

200

What are the 3 main EVS's

Ecocentrism, Anthropocentrism and Technocentrism

300

What is the difference between instrumental value and intrinsic value?

Instrumental value: Something is valued because it is a means to an end, it gives you something tangible. 

Intrinsic value: Something is of value just because it is there, you can not sell it in return for anything else. 

300

Suggest the impact on the marine food web if tuna numbers were to decline

reduction in sharks/marlin (predators) of the tuna (due to reduction in food source);
increase in micronekton/predatory fish (prey) of the tuna (due to reduction in predation);
reduction in phytoplankton/mesoplankton/microplankton due to increase in micronekton population;
loss of tuna reduces competition for food (micronekton/predatory fish) resulting in overall increase in sharks/marlin population;
to compensate for loss of tuna, shark/marlin eat more micronekton/predatory fish resulting in overall decline of micronekton/predatory fish population;
to compensate for loss of tuna, shark/marlin eat more micronekton/predatory fish resulting in an increase in phytoplankton/mesozooplankton/microzooplankton population;

400

What is the word that describes the use and management of resources that allows full natural replacement of the resources exploited and full recovery of the ecosystems affected by their extraction and use 

Sustainability 

500

Outline 4 ways how the ecological footprint (EF) of a country can be measured.

  1. EF is the area of land and water required to sustainably provide all resources at the rate at which they are being consumed by a given population;
  2. find total amount of waste produced from food production/domestic activities;
  3. find the total amount of food consumed;
  4. find the total amount of water consumed by the population;
  5. find the total amount of energy consumed / carbon (dioxide) emissions;
  6. find the mean rate of productivity of local vegetation;
  7. find the total availability of local water supply;
  8. calculate the area of local vegetation/land required to absorb all waste and produce all food / (annual) total consumption rate plus waste emission rate divided by (annual) land productivity;
  9. (If per capita rates are initially measured then) multiply per capita EF with population size;
500

What is the difference between Bioaccumulation and Biomagnification?

Bioaccumulation is the gradual accumulation of substances, such as chemicals, in a single organism over time, while biomagnification is the increase in concentration of these substances across successive trophic levels in a food chain.

600

Give an example of a negative feedback system and a positive feedback system

Negative- Carbon cycle

Increased atmospheric CO2 leads to higher temperatures, which enhances plant growth and photosynthesis. This increased plant activity absorbs more CO2, reducing atmospheric CO2 levels and moderating temperature rise.

Positive Permafrost melting 

Warming temperatures cause permafrost to thaw, releasing trapped methane. The released methane increases greenhouse gas concentrations, which further warms the climate, leading to more permafrost melting and additional methane release.

600

Distinguish between the terms niche and habitat with reference to a named species.

habitat is the kind of (biotic and abiotic) environment in which a species normally lives;
eg lions are found in tropical grasslands;
whereas its niche refers to all its interactions with its (biotic and abiotic) environment;
eg the prey that it eats / its vulnerability to parasites / access to fresh water;
habitat may be shared by many species / niche is more limited to a single species;
eg different cat species inhabit tropical grasslands but only lions hunt in groups and so tend to take larger prey.

600

Outline four characteristics of a highly productive soil.

  1. presence of sufficient basic nutrients (minerals) / e.g. nitrates, phosphates, potassium;
  2. contains adequate organic/humus content to retain moisture/good water-holding/infiltration capacity;
  3. pH is optimal for plants grown (usually 5.5 to 7.0);
  4. loamy soil/ balanced clay, silt, sand composition…;
  5. …leading to optimal soil properties: balanced drainage/infiltration/permeability / adequate porosity/protection from water-logging;
  6. thick topsoil / deep soil layers provide higher water/nutrient holding ability / better plant support / less water-logging;
  7. rich microbiota/decomposing microorganisms/nitrogen-fixing bacteria (including symbiotic Rhizobia)/mycorrhizal fungi / high decomposing activity / high biological mixing;
  8. absence of toxic substances;
  9. presence of adequate secondary nutrients (minerals) / e.g. sulphates, magnesium/calcium/iron/copper salts;
700

Explain the implications of the laws of thermodynamics (both) on ecological systems. 

The First Law states energy is conserved and transformed, such as solar energy into chemical energy in plants. The Second Law highlights energy transfer inefficiencies, with energy lost as heat, which reduces the energy available at higher trophic levels and affects ecosystem productivity and structure.

800

Hydropower is a resource that can be exploited from rivers. Explain how the value of this resource to a society may vary over time.

Positive changes promoting the value of hydropower:
rise in environmental awareness/need for renewable energy may increase value of hydropower;
need for industrial development entails increased demand for energy, thus increasing value of hydropower;

Negative changes reducing value of hydropower:
impacts of hydropower on aquatic systems / local human settlements cause increasing conflict with cultural values/local needs;
other renewable resources may become more favourable through technological development/reduced costs;
decreasing rainfall/increased evaporation due to climate change renders an existing dam less efficient / profitable;