IB ESS HL 2.5.7 Succession Changes Over Time Questions
Explain how vegetation, soil, food webs and species diversity change across successional stages using ecological evidence.
- Syllabus
- First assessment 2026
- Course
- ESS HL
- Level
- HL
Explain how vegetation, soil, food webs and species diversity change across successional stages using ecological evidence.
Figure:Distribution of birch forest in Iceland in 874 and 2015
Figure:Soil erosion in Iceland in 2007
Figure:Stages of soil degradation and vegetation-cover change in Iceland
Figure:Known distribution of Nootka lupin in 2010
With reference to Figures: Distribution of birch forest in Iceland in 874 and 2015, Soil erosion in Iceland in 2007, Stages of soil degradation and vegetation-cover change in Iceland and Known distribution of Nootka lupin in 2010 identify two ways in which vegetation cover has changed over time in Iceland.
vegetation cover has been significantly reduced;
change from woodlands to heath/moor/shrubs/desertified/bare landscape;
extent of birch forest has reduced (significantly/by more than half);
increase in coverage of lupins;
lupins replace/outcompete native flora;
Marking guidance:
Do not accept change from 'vegetation cover to desertified landscape'