Practise IB ESS SL/HL 006.002.005 by applying climate change impacts on ecosystems concepts to exam-style environmental systems questions.
Figure: Fact file on Mindo cloud forest
Only one third of Ecuador’s identified cloud forest sites are protected. The Mindo-Nambillo cloud forest reserve forms part of several protected areas across Ecuador. The Mindo cloud forest covers 268 km2 and is home to several indigenous subgroups of the Quichua people. The village of Mindo is west of the reserve and is known for chocolate made from locally grown cacao. Organizations work with local farmers to find alternatives to cattle ranching and with indigenous groups to develop more sustainable agricultural practices, reducing habitat destruction.
Describe two ways in which climate change could affect the cloud forest ecosystem.
a. Rising temperatures may cause cloud layer to occur at higher elevation (causing biome shift);
b. Higher temperatures may lead to death of organisms/decrease in growth (as they are pushed beyond their limits of tolerance) / Increased global temperature may increase evapotranspiration in cloud forest leading to stress/death of plants;
c. Higher temperatures/reduced precipitation/droughts which may increase risk of forest fires;
d. Higher temperatures/higher precipitation may result in higher plant growth/primary productivity;
e. Drought/reduction in precipitation may reduce plant/tree growth/primary productivity (due to reduction in water availability);
f. Higher precipitation may result in soil erosion and reduction in plant growth/primary productivity;
g. Higher/more intense precipitation may lead to flooding that results in the death of plants/forest/organisms;
Note to examiners: For credit the response must include both climatic change and its impact on the cloud forest ecosystem.
Marking guidance:
Do not accept only "reduction in biodiversity" as an effect.