IB ESS HL 7.1.3 Natural income Question Bank
Practise IB ESS SL/HL 7.1.3 by applying natural income concepts to exam-style environmental systems questions.
- Syllabus
- First assessment 2026
- Course
- ESS HL
- Level
- HL
Exam points
- identify the relevant environmental system, process or evidence
- apply the correct ESS concept and explain the causal relationship
- evaluate the outcome using ecological, social or management evidence
7.1.3—Natural income question 1
[Maximum number: 1]
Figure:Fact file on Mindo cloud forest
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.
Outline how the cloud forest may provide a named example of natural income.
a. Growth of vegetation can provide yields of timber/wood resources/fire wood/food/cacao/medicinal plants (if harvested within MSY);
b. Forest can provide a sustainable/annual yield of timber/wood resources/fire wood/food/cacao/honey/medicinal plants (if harvested within MSY);
c. Forest can provide erosion control through root systems/interception of water by the canopy;
d. Forest can provide flood prevention by increasing soil infiltration;
e. Forest can provide climate regulation by cooling the air through shade/evapotranspiration;
f. Forest can provide carbon sequestration/oxygen through photosynthesis;
g. Forest can provide freshwater through directing moisture into the ground (for groundwater)/through evapotranspiration resulting in more precipitation/through cloud
canopy interaction;
h. Cloud forests can increase income through tourism;
Note to examiners: Do not accept only a list/identification of goods or services eg timber/food. Do not accept clean air as a service.
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