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IB ESS HL 2.4 Climate and Biomes Questions

Analyse climate and biome data, explain ecosystem patterns and evaluate ENSO and tropical-cyclone evidence.

Syllabus
First assessment 2026
Course
ESS HL
Level
HL

Exam points

  • interpret climate graphs, maps and figures by calculating or comparing temperature and precipitation patterns and identifying the associated climate or biome
  • explain biome distribution and relative productivity by linking temperature, precipitation, insolation, atmospheric circulation and ocean heat transport
  • compare named biome categories using climate, vegetation, limiting factors, productivity, biodiversity and resilience evidence
  • explain or predict climate-driven movement of biome boundaries, species ranges or vegetation zones using latitude, altitude and climate-change evidence
  • distinguish tropical, temperate and polar climate regimes from seasonal precipitation and temperature evidence
  • calculate ENSO event frequency and explain why El Niño or La Niña impacts depend on population exposure, event intensity and environmental baselines
  • use tropical-cyclone intensity and recurrence evidence to explain destructiveness, then discuss balanced social and ecological development effects
  • describe and qualify the relationship between sea-surface temperature and hurricane wind speed by identifying exceptions in the data

Covered syllabus points

2.4.1—Climate vs. weather2.4.2—Biome definition2.4.3—Biome distribution determinants2.4.4—Biome categories2.4.5—Tricellular model2.4.6—Ocean heat distribution2.4.7—Global warming effects2.4.8 (HL)—Climate type patterns2.4.9 (HL)—Secondary influences2.4.10 (HL)—ENSO cycle2.4.11 (HL)—ENSO mechanisms2.4.12 (HL)—Tropical cyclones2.4.13 (HL)—Global warming and cyclones

Question 1

[Maximum number: 2]

Question (a)

(a)
Fact file on Hokkaido

Figures:Fact file on Hokkaido and Climate graph for Sapporo, Hokkaido

Using the climate graph for Sapporo, state the annual temperature range for Sapporo.

[ 1 ]

Question (b)

(b)
World map showing location of Japan

Figure:World map showing location of Japan

Fact file on Hokkaido

Figures:Fact file on Hokkaido and Climate graph for Sapporo, Hokkaido

Elevation map of Hokkaido

Figure:Elevation map of Hokkaido

Using Figures: World map showing location of Japan, Climate graph for Sapporo, Hokkaido and Elevation map of Hokkaido, identify one terrestrial biome found on Hokkaido.

[ 1 ]

Question 2

[Maximum number: 3]

Question (a)

(a)
BiomeEcosystemkm^2\%
ForestDry evergreen158352.10
ForestDeciduous67350.90
ForestThicket19000.25
WoodlandMiombo29448039.13
WoodlandKalahari sand8426011.20
WoodlandMopane370104.92

Table:Coverage of ecosystems in Zambia

[ 3 ]

Question (i)

(i)

With reference to Table: Coverage of ecosystems in Zambia, state the most common ecosystem in Zambia.

[ 1 ]

Question (ii)

(ii)

Table: Coverage of ecosystems in Zambia lists biomes and ecosystems in two different columns. Distinguish between a biome and an ecosystem.

[ 2 ]

Question 3

[Maximum number: 2]
Main vegetation zones in Costa Rica

Figure:Main vegetation zones in Costa Rica

Average annual rainfall in Costa Rica

Figure:Average annual rainfall in Costa Rica

With reference to Figures: Main vegetation zones in Costa Rica, Average annual temperature in Costa Rica and Average annual rainfall in Costa Rica, identify the climatic conditions in lowland seasonal forest.

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